SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Kin " 32,317 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
FDA approves Samsung's Hearing Aid feature on Galaxy Buds
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Buds4 Pro just became cost-effective and easy-to-use hearing aid devices. Samsung has been improving its health-tracking features...
Banking apps could help manage mental health, study finds
While the link between financial stability and mental health is well-established, a new University College Dublin (UCD) study reveals a major blind spot in current research: an overreliance on self-reported ...
Alkami Puts Digital Banking Business up for Sale
Digital banking software firm Alkami Technology has reportedly put itself up for sale. The move came after the company saw interest from potential buyers
How Kyler Murray starting for Vikings impacts fantasy football drafts
Murray beat out J.J. McCarthy for the Vikings' starting quarterback job
Bethesda Acknowledges Demand for Oblivion Remastered Patch, Calls for Calm
"We are looking into bringing [Switch 2 optimisations] to other platforms."
Joby to buy Resonant Sciences, establish defense business in $500 million deal
The acquisition will be funded by roughly $450 million in cash and $50 million in Joby common stock and is expected to close "in the first half of 2027," according to a press release.
Business Owners Are Asking the Wrong AI Question. Monday.com's Stock Drop Shows the Better One
Investors are no longer rewarding AI adoption on its own. They want proof that it is changing revenue, margins, and customer value.
Elden Ring For Switch 2 Is Looking Pretty Slick In New Story Trailer
Not so tarnished, eh?
Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB over J.J. McCarthy, per report
The Vikings' QB battle has ended prior to the beginning of the preseason
Vikings Reportedly Name Kyler Murray Starting Quarterback Over J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly decided whether Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy will be their starting quarterback.
We’re reading less. And it’s making us stupid
Books have never been trendier, but studies show that as more and more things compete for our frazzled attention spans, we’re reading less and less. This is a problem because reading has a wealth of cognitive benefits that we’re in danger of missing out on.To find out why declining literacy could affect everything from memory to IQ, Madeleine Finlay speaks to the Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample. She also hears from Prof Falk Huettig, an experimental psychologist at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and author of The Perks of Being a Bookworm
Reimagining Science Education in West Africa with Sankofa Lab
David Tettey Tawiah ’27 is taking what he learned at Colby and the MDI Bio Lab to inspire a new generation of West African scientists
Lucas Museum announces new restaurant inspired by Skywalker Ranch
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art on Tuesday announced its flagship restaurant, Skywalker Grill. Nestled at the top of the museum with sweeping city views, the classic American eatery is now taking reservations.
Christal Jordan has the latest in entertainment headlines
Music artist Jelly Roll says he's taking a step back from music amid his divorce. And fans seem to think Usher had a look-alike perform for him.
GXO CEO Patrick Kelleher: Data centers are a big business, and they’re growing for us
GXO CEO Patrick Kelleher joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss ringing the NYSE opening bell, the logistics business, marking five years since the spinoff, data centers, and more.
Marvel's Wolverine "fully playable" on disc when it releases, Insomniac clarifies, perhaps making it one of the last few PlayStation games that will be
The controversy around Sony's decision to end production of PlayStation discs rages on. But Insomniac is all-in on physical media for Marvel's Wolverine.
2026 40 Under 40 includes standouts in tech, health care, aviation and finance
The Tampa Bay Business Journal honors 40 business leaders under 40 making an impact across the seven-county area in its annual recognition program.
Build Your Business at Florida Realtors® 2026 Convention & Trade Expo
Business-building ideas, new technology, networking and strategies for creating long-term financial security take center stage at the Florida Realtors® 2026 Convention & Trade Expo, Aug. 19-20, 2026, at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando.
Ari Emanuel's Mari to Acquire Broadway and West End Theater Giant ATG Entertainment
ATG operates 70 venues across the U.S., U.K., Germany and Spain and hosts Broadway productions such as "The Lion King," "Wicked" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"
Survey: NY Giants vs. Vikings
Do you most want to see the offense, defense, or special teams when the NY Giants play the Vikings this weekend?
NFL power rankings: Broncos ranked 3rd going into preseason
Nate Davis has the Broncos ranked third in his preseason NFL power rankings.
Florida remains on top of latest CBS Sports Top 25 basketball rankings
Plenty of teams moved up on CBS Sports' Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings this month, but Florida simply became a stronger preseason favorite.
LeBron James set to return to L.A. for Lakers-76ers Christmas matchup
LeBron James, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers last month, will be making his return to Los Angeles on Dec. 25 when the Lakers host Philadelphia at Crypto.com Arena.
Former OMB, State Budget Leader Lauren Larson Joining the Bipartisan Policy Center as Executive Vice President for Economic and Health Policy
Washington, DC — Today, the Bipartisan Policy Center announced that Lauren Larson will join the organization as executive vice president of economic and health policy on August 25. Larson brings deep expertise in fiscal and health policymaking at the state and federal levels. She will run the economic policy and health programs and lead the … Continued
UFC Power Rankings following Fight Night 284 in Las Vegas
Updated UFC rankings after Fight Night 284.
Autism and Vaccines: Questions Science Hasn’t Settled
Where are you in the debate over autism and vaccines? Challenge your perspective: It's not about winning the debate; it's about making our children safe.
The JHU Center for Global Women’s Health & Gender Equity will be at the SVRI 2026 Forum | Johns Hopkins Center for Global Women's Health and Gender Equity
Are you attending the SVRI 2026 Forum? We would love to connect with you.
Abbott and Google launch first-of-its-kind partnership to transform everyday health through glucose insights and AI
Multi-year collaboration combines ongoing glucose insights from Abbott's Lingo biowearable with Google Health's technology to create a more comprehensive view of personal health Partnership...
Jenna Ortega Won't Stop Taking Risks, No Matter How Big Wednesday Gets
At twenty-three, Ortega already has a resume a mile long. A sci-fi gamble could vault her to another level entirely.
Is this Microsoft’s canceled Surface Phone from 2014? Mysterious Windows Phone prototype appears in new photos
Images floating around online have revealed a Windows Phone prototype from late 2013 that looks awfully like a pocketable Surface of some kind.
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
Watermelons and politics collide in Hope, Arkansas festival
The southwest Arkansas town of Hope is known for growing two things: governors and watermelons.
Bills may have uncovered another fifth-round draft gem
Rookie fifth-round pick Jalon Kilgore is making a strong push for a roster spot through his versatility and ball skills.
Formulogic Debuts in Singapore with Science-Driven Barrier Care for Southeast Asia's Sensitive Skin
Formulogic, a science- and evidence-driven dermocosmetic brand dedicated to sensitive skin, developed through dermatological research and clinical validation, officially debuted in Singapore at CONNEX-C Asia 2026, jointly organized by Society of Cosmetic Scientists (Singapore) (SCSS) and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, unveiling its evidence-based barrier care philosophy and a comprehensive skincare system designed specifically for Southeast Asia's unique climate and skin concerns.
Lallemand Bio-Ingredients to spotlight science-driven ingredients at Vitafoods Asia 2026
Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, Health Ingredients, a global leader in fermented functional ingredients for human health and nutrition, will showcase its latest science-backed ingredients at Vitafoods Asia 2026, taking place September 2-4, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand
The Perseids Meteor Shower Is Peaking. Here’s How to Watch.
The Perseids will be most active on Wednesday into Thursday morning, on the moonless night after a total solar eclipse.
Azerbaijan: Health of imprisoned government critics at risk as another political activist faces extradition threat
The Azerbaijani authorities must ensure that Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli and all other prisoners have immediate access to adequate drinking water, ventilation and all necessary medical care. Ukraine must fulfil its human rights obligations and not extradite Bahruz Hasanli to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: Health of imprisoned government critics at risk as another political activist faces extradition threat
The Azerbaijani authorities must ensure that Ali Karimli, Alasgar Mammadli and all other prisoners have immediate access to adequate drinking water, ventilation and all necessary medical care. Ukraine must fulfil its human rights obligations and not extradite Bahruz Hasanli to Azerbaijan.
Who for captain? Miley or Murphy?
Miley has jumped up the pecking order in midfield with the departure of Bruno and Tonali. The club's longest serving player and a long standing member of the dressing room's leadership team, Murphy will undoubtedly be part of the group of players setting the example in the new season. With Anthony Gordon's departure meaning Harvey Barnes is more likely to play on his favoured left-side, the right wing is a battle between Murphy and Anthony Elanga.
UToledo Health Rehab Helps 84-Year-Old Qualify for National Senior Games
Ab Khan rebuilt his strength at UToledo Health's Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Clinic and earned a gold medal in power walking at the Ohio Senior Olympics qualifying event.
Laufey Reveals the One Thing She’s Still Terrified of Doing Onstage
"I'm so scared of freaking people out! I'm always thinking about it," she said.
College Football Coach Rankings 2026: 11-25
From legends who've become institutions to up-and-coming superstars with the world there for the taking, these are the 15 coaches who are among the very best, but slightly below the current elite.All of them have won big things, but each is missing something. Can he win the really big games? ...
She lost her job and found fulfillment working part time at a garden
After getting laid off, single mom Leslie Friday took a part-time job that was the complete opposite of her career while she continued her job search.
Klay Thompson sends Lakers-related message on Instagram
Klay Thompson added some fuel to the rumors linking him to the Lakers with a post on his Instagram account.
ERAM Holdings Appoints Alok Kumar as CEO to Lead Human Capital Management Business in India
ERAM Holdings, a leading diversified conglomerate headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alok Kumar as Chief Executive Officer – ERAM HCM India.
Part of G10 parking garage closed as Neyland Entertainment District construction begins
Knoxville, TN News, Weather, and Sports
About a quarter of the Netherlands now sits below sea level, and the obvious explanation is that the sea rose. However, researchers who reconstructed the past thousand years of the Dutch coastal plain concluded the opposite — much of the land came down to meet the water
The Dutch blamed rising seas for their waterlogged land, but a thousand years of geological records tell a different story: the ground itself has been sinking.
Man shot at Durham sports bar
A man suffered life-threatening injuries after being shot in the parking lot of Bralie's Sports Bar & Grill.
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Lone Arranger
Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE. Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Lone Arranger of Adams County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Lone Arranger has been in full bloom in Adams County for more than 28 years,” said Chair Ernst. "One bouquet at a time, Jessica has created beautiful arrangements for countless occasions – from displays for Governors Chet Culver and Terry Branstad to serving as a longtime vendor at the Adams County Fair. Lone Arranger is beloved for its high-quality products and attentive customer service, all stemming from hard work that has not gone unnoticed." Lone Arranger got its start as the “Flower and Garden Center” founded by Dale and Caroline Jackson out of their home. Over the years, the business passed into the hands of Larry and Sherry Archer, followed by Ros and Darlene Peterson. In 1999, Jessica Wilson purchased the shop after completing two internships there and earning a degree in floriculture from Kirkwood Community College. Today, under Jessica’s leadership, Lone Arranger has continued to grow its presence both locally and beyond. The shop contributed to the award-winning Rain Bird float featured in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade and has provided decorations for community organizations and events, including the Adams County Chamber of Commerce. The florist is cherished by Iowans for its versatility to cater to all events, including proms, weddings, and baby showers. Jessica’s “Operation Dream Closet” helps high schoolers in need access free prom attire through donations and has made an exceptional difference in the local community. Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. ###
iOS 27 Hints at 'Apple Reference Image' Photo Authentication
Apple is working on "Apple Reference Image," a photo provenance system that will verify if an image was captured with an iPhone. References to the feature were found in a privacy disclosure included in iOS 27 beta 5, but it is not live yet. According to the text, there will be a "Reference" mode option in the Camera app that users can select. Using this mode will embed provenance data in the image's metadata.
Palmetto Sports Daily: Checking in with Jaycee Horn at training camp
The crew recaps a thrilling win for the Panthers in Canton and dishes more on the start of fall camp for Gamecock football.
Northwest Politics NOW: Aug 12, 2026
Reporting Portland and Vancouver area breaking news and weather stories to make Oregon and Southwest Washington a better place to live
Niagara County asks home, business owners to report flood damage
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Clean up continues in Niagara County after last week’s flooding caused damage in the area, with the county asking home and business owners to report damage. This …
'A little grace': Kate Beckinsale pushes back on comments about her weight loss
Kate Beckinsale pushed back on comments about her weight, opening up about grief, loss and a health condition.
Walking is one of the best exercises for heart health — but experts say strength training matters too
Heart health is closely tied to everyday energy and resilience. A trainer explains what actually makes the biggest difference — and where most people get it wrong.
Flowers Foods seeks to divest Tastykake baked goods business, sources say
Packaged food company Flowers Foods is seeking to divest its baked goods business Tastykake, according to people familiar with the matter.
Tennessee athletics sets fundraising record
University secures more than $175 million in donations in fiscal year 2026, breaking 2025 mark of $169.5 million
Philadelphia Eagles and Dunkin' present $25,000 donation to Leveling the Playing Field
Dunkin’s Annual "Touchdowns for Kids" Program Helps Expand Access to Youth Sports Across Greater Philadelphia
Quinnen Williams, Cowboys agree to massive $105.9M extension, making star DT one of NFL's highest-paid
Williams' new three-year deal includes $101 million guaranteed and $63.35 million fully guaranteed at signing
Battlefield 6 Player With Over 400 Hours Gets Full Refund from Steam After Key Modes Were Removed
A Battlefield 6 player with hundreds of hours of playtime has scored a full refund of the game after Battlefield Studios removed key modes from the game's quick-play matchmaking.
Dunkin' Supports Youth Sports
Dunkin' presented "Leveling the Playing Field" with a $25,000 donation.
Amazon asking town of Niagara for more in sales tax exemptions
Amazon is basing their request off the rising construction costs.
Todd Blanche is sworn in as attorney general after bruising confirmation fight
Blanche is officially taking command of a Justice Department he has been leading in an acting capacity since Pam Bondi's firing in April
Dallas Hair Replacement for Business Professionals Offers Non-Surgical Hair Replacement for Men
Look Sharp, Stay Competitive. Restore your confidence with non-surgical hair replacement in Dallas.Dallas, TX, Aug. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the competitive business environment of Dallas, confidence and success go hand in hand. Whether you're presenting in the boardroom, networking at a conference, or closing a major deal, how you look plays a critical role in your self-esteem, which in turn affects how others perceive you. If you're a busy executive or professional experiencing hair los
'Game of Thrones' fans gush over 'Mad King' at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
"Game of Thrones: The Mad King," the first stage adaptation of writer George R. R. Martin's bestselling fantasy saga, opened Saturday at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with Martin — and rapturous fans — in attendance.
Part of G10 parking garage closed as Neyland Entertainment District construction begins
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The University of Tennessee has closed part of the G10 parking garage as work begins on the Neyland Stadium Entertainment Project that will transform part of the waterfron…
Saber's newest game trailer takes a shot at Gearbox's CEO, if you look closely
The first hint that something might be up with the recent debut trailer for Saber Interactive’s Rideshare Stimulator is an unusual choice of words—aside from that second one in the game’s title. “Don’t take your passengers too seriously,” the trailer’s narrator says, as he describes this upcoming game. It a car game about the gig work of driving eccentric people to their destinations, a riff on Crazy Taxi. And then, he says: “When I think I’ve met the randiest of passengers, someone even stranger gets in.” “Randiest”? That suggests “randy,” which usually means having strong sexual desire. Yet none of the oddball backseat occupants featured in the trailer seem particularly lustful. One is an old man who considers his grandson a failure, another shares the theory that birds might control traffic lights, another says he’s banned from an aquarium. A little later, there’s a license plate, shown 63 seconds into the trailer, on the front of an SUV: USB DRV It’s a Texas plate. The symbol between those letters is a cog wheel. If you know, you know. That’s a reference to Texas-based Borderlands game development studio Gearbox Software (their logo features a cog wheel). More specifically, it’s a reference to Gearbox’s CEO Randy Pitchford, who in 2018 found himself explaining the nature of video he’d saved on a USB drive that was found at a Medieval Times restaurant before being returned to the studio: “It was ‘barely legal’ porn. This girl’s handle was ‘Only 18.’” The “girl” in the video had committed a solo sex act that Pitchford, an avid practitioner of magic, found remarkable. “I realized, this is not a sex worker…This is a fucking magician.” Back then, the USB drive was central to competing lawsuits against Gearbox by the studio’s former lawyer and by Gearbox against him. A settlement in late 2019 “exonerated” Pitchford, per the Hollywood Reporter. The USB story has resurfaced at times, now in a trailer from a company that not long ago was corporate brethren with Gearbox. Saber vs. Gearbox The head of Saber told Game File that the reference is payback. “The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4,” Saber CEO Matt Karch told me when I asked him about the license plate. “Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.” Having interviewed Karch during a cross-country flight in late 2024, I can confirm that Karch was unimpressed with Pitchford during their time both working in the Embracer group. I’d approached him not out of surprise that there was animosity but that it was manifesting publicly now. Gearbox was founded in 1999, worked on a port of Halo early on, and developed hit series such as the loot-based sci-fi shooter Borderlands before it was purchased by The Embracer Group in early 2021 for $363 million (with a possible earn-out of over $1 billion, if certain targets were hit by 2027). Saber was founded in 2001, worked on a remaster of Halo early on, had a big hit with zombie shooter World War Z and was purchased by Embracer in early 2020 for $150 million, with a potential earn-out of up to $375 million. For a few years, the Embracer group was a voracious acquirer of game studios. Then, as investment dried up, it choked. In March 2024, Embracer sold Saber to an investment company controlled by Saber CEO Matt Karch, and it sold Gearbox in an all-stock deal to long-time Borderlands publisher Take Two Interactive. Other studios were shut down. Hundreds of developers were laid off. Gearbox didn’t say much about their Embracer experience, nothing too direct, at least. In the summer 2024, Pitchford told reporter and occasional Game File contributor Nicole Carpenter that Borderlands 4’s story was in some way thematically connected to Gearbox’s experience at Embracer: “There’s this cultural and emotional shift in me, personally, and at the studio. What does it mean to trade some autonomy for organization?” When Borderlands 4 came out, there was something stranger: the matter of “Embracer’s Bluff,” a location in the game featuring an AI-powered toilet and a large trash dump, according to a detailed Kotaku account of the place. Gearbox never commented on it; Take Two never got back to me about it when I asked them last year. By contrast, since Saber exited Embracer, Karch has been one of Embracer’s biggest defenders, casting their management as well-meaning and supportive despite the layoffs and studio closures that resulted from their excessive expansion. Like others, Saber’s Karch saw Embracer’s as a shot. With Rideshare Stimulator’s trailer, he’s returned fire. “It’s amazing to me how fast people forget those who went above and beyond for them,” Karch told Game File. A rep for Gearbox did not comment by press time. Game File is a reader-supported publication. Your backing makes my reporting—including any coverage of trailer-based beefs—possible. Good news! I’m currently running Game File’s first big sale of 2026. You can get a one-year subscription for 23% off. Click here to take advantage of the limited-time offer. And thank you for your support! Item 2: In brief… 🚫 Wal-Mart has laid off the staff of Restart, a games media outlet launched in 2024, Aftermath reports. 🟥 A GTA VI preview is on the way, at last, via an “extended look” that will premiere, unusually, on Netflix at 3pm ET on August 27, then officially go live elsewhere six hours later. Last week, Game File noted that Take Two label Rockstar Games is overdue for showing off GTA VI, based on the timing of the initial hands-off previews of GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2. During a call with investors, Take Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said pre-orders for GTA VI were “unprecedented and astonishing,” but added the company can’t predict how many of those pre-orders represent bonus sales vs. sales that otherwise would have been made at launch. During the same call, Zelnick was noticeably bullish on the future of playing games over streaming cloud connections (predicting wider adoption in three or so years). He sounded unbothered by Sony’s plans to stop making discs for new games (he said the business is 90% digital already and predicted that there could still be limited edition physical editions of games “in the same way there’s still vinyl in the recorded music business.”) 👀 Take Two wrote off $43 million in their spring quarter after deciding “not to proceed with further development of an unannounced title in its pipeline from a third-party developer.” 🤔 Some rare age-demographics from a big publisher: Capcom recently told investors that “users in their 20s account for approximately half of the users of both Pragamata and Resident Evil Requiem.” Item 3: The week ahead Tuesday, August 11 Game releases: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (Switch 2; already out for PC, PS5, Xbox) continues the Bethesda strategy of putting Elder Scrolls games on everything; Royalty Free-For-All is a Smash Bros.-style fighting game featuring public domain characters such as Mother Goose brawling with Oliver Twist in a stage based on the original Little Shop of Horrors movie. Wednesday, August 12 Game release: Pro Jank Footy (PC, console) is an arcade-style Australian Rules Football game with increasingly ridiculous rules, the more you play (I enjoyed the Steam demo) Thursday, August 13 Game release: Super Mario Sunshine (Switch 2, originally released in 2002 on the GameCube) is released for Switch 2’s Nintendo Switch Online service. This game is the black sheep of 3D Mario games. It’s the successor to the breakthrough Super Mario 64 and the rare Mario game built around a single (vacation resort) theme. Mario’s got a water-spraying backpack, a Yoshi pal and a lot of blue coins to collect.
Google’s base Pixel 11 probably won’t have ‘HiLight’ but will actually have enough RAM
With just hours left to go for Google’s Pixel 11 launch event, details keep on leaking out, with some clarification...
Mamdani's Business Council Is Taking Shape With 5 Big Names. Some CEOs Reportedly Said No
Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya and AlleyCorp founder Kevin Ryan have joined three finance veterans on the list of reported invitees.
Hunter Biden tells Tucker Carlson that Trump poses an ‘existential threat’
Biden has made a point of talking to conservative media figures in recent months.
California may fine content creators who don't disclose they were paid to post about politics
States are debating whether to crack down on social media influencers making political advertisements without disclosing that they were paid.
Apple is working on a way to authenticate that a photo came from an iPhone camera
References included in iOS 27 beta 5 point to a new feature designed to authenticate the camera source of an iPhone photo.
Jen Hamilton reflects on her estranged husband's alleged 'betrayal' with 'a grandma': Meet the labor nurse who's going viral
Since publicizing their split, Jen has continued speaking about it candidly on social media.
3 things to avoid in middle age could mean 13 more years without dementia, study finds
NYU Langone Health research reveals how avoiding high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking in midlife could add nearly 13 dementia-free years.
Someone Made a Terrific Deal in the Peacock/YouTube Premium Partnership…But Who?
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) I hope everyone around the world suffering from record heat waves is doing okay. The temperature is already up in Southern California, but obviously not nearly as bad as parts of Europe. With a super El Nińo coming this year, I worry it will get even worse. Yes, we know what’s causing this heat—it’s the carbon, duh—but we really aren’t making enough progress. I’m not “environmental strategy guy”, but if I were, I’d have some ideas of what I’d try. Honestly, for years I’ve been intrigued by the work of the folks at MEER—whose plan, super simply, is to put up mirrors to reflect heat (while continuing the important work of decarbonization)—but I’m frustrated this idea hasn’t made more progress. (Other geo-engineering groups seem to get better press.) With heat like this—cancelling events, hurting economies and, most importantly, killing people—it seems like the time to push solutions! The “mirrors on the ground” solution has barely been tried.1 While entertainment companies may not “feel the heat”, lots of outdoors/experiential industries—concerts, theme parks and so on—will. Even movie theaters could benefit, since mirrors could help lower AC costs, which I imagine is not an insignificant expense, especially in the hotter areas of the country. So I do think the entertainment industry should prioritize this issue. Anyways, let’s get back into the entertainment strategy. I was about to write, “Hey, this week we don’t have any mergers and entertainment news to dive into,” but that’s not really true, since we had more updates on Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. But the big story of the week involves a streamer and a Big Tech platform bundling their respective streamers. So I’ll write about the updates on Paramount buying Warner Bros., Versant making some moves, and a whole lot more. But we start with a surprising deal: Peacock licensing their content to YouTube Premium. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Peacock’s Pricey Premium Partnership The story of the week is Comcast’s2 NBC-Universal’s Peacock making a deal with Google’s YouTube’s YouTube Premium subscription product to embed their content. And I’ll say this up front: Someone made a terrific deal. The question is who. And I’ll be honest: I don’t know. Let me explain why, including why this deal exists, the pros and cons for each side, the biggest unknown, and what that says about the streaming wars. Customers Love Bundles (But YouTube Has Its Own Issues) We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Why customers love bundles… But why I’m worried about YouTube’s integration... How Peacock is trading scale for control… And the reason they likely made this deal... The odd budget math for this deal... Whether or not I think the Paramount-Skydance/WBD deal is more likely after the latest settlement... Versant making moves and why that’s good for Hollywood… Another distributor going out of business… ...and a whole lot more! ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
FDA confirms new recall for Impella heart pump accessories
Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Oscor, the company’s manufacturing partner, received reports of the sheaths leaking in ways that could result in access-site bleeding.
http://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-trumps-gold-standard-vaccine-executive-order-puts-politics-ahead
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order establishing so-called "Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations:"
http://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-trumps-gold-standard-vaccine-executive-order-puts-politics-ahead
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order establishing so-called "Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations:"
Blue Jays' George Springer: Checking back in lineup Monday
Blue Jays' George Springer: Checking back in lineup Monday
MEAS Researchers Lead $1M NSF Project Using AI to Forecast Coastal Dead Zones | Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The team aims to produce faster forecasting tools that could support fisheries management and decision-making in Gulf Coast communities.
What alcohol is consumed — not just how much
A study found that drinking wine in moderation actually lowered the chances of cardiovascular death.
Trump signs order overriding CDC vaccine schedule and breaking up measles, mumps and rubella shots
Order also recommends all shots be given at separate medical visits though cost of doing them together is lower
Battlefield 6 Removed A Fan-Favorite Mode, As Devs Look For "Best" Way To Bring It Back
Battlefield Studios is, however, looking for the "best" ways to bring it back.
The Steelers defense is still missing 3 of its key pieces, but their new coaching staff isn't concerned
Patrick Graham has been entrusted with running the Steelers defense, making sure it has some of the vestiges of the old 3-4 schemes Mike McCarthy embraces...
Steelers camp observations: Max Iheanachor remains out, but tackle depth shines on Day 10
Armchair general managers looking to make their 53-man roster projections take note: Mike McCarthy is not opposed to keeping 10 offensive linemen. If the...
Trump set to sign executive order targeting childhood vaccines
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Monday focused on childhood vaccines, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Super Mario Sunshine Review Roundup
Critics adore Mario’s latest jump in 3D, even if it’s not as groundbreaking as they’d have hoped
Will the Dome be deflated? Anchorage sports facility launches fundraising campaign.
The Dome has been the home of the state's largest indoor field for nearly 20 years. The facility's operators are asking for help funding the replacement of its exterior.
Pioneer cardiologist Robert Frye remembered for kindness, ‘unwavering focus’ on his patients
Robert L. Frye, MD, spent more than 60 years with Mayo Clinic. He was also a former president of the American College of Cardiology.
Future Apple Watches Might Ditch the Screen
The company is reportedly exploring new form factors and, shockingly, round displays.
Theme Park Controversy Proves Obsession Broke Everyone’s Brains
A controversial Halloween Horror Nights decision has fans debating whether a horror victim should be turned into a terrifying scare actor.
Kevin Blair on Georgia Business Banking and Synovus Growth
Synovus CEO Kevin Blair shares how the regional bank is driving business growth across Georgia through relationship banking, technology, and a people-first approach to customer service.
Shocking MTG Standard Bans Highlight Major Five-Card Announcement
While The Fantasticar's ban was inevitable, three massive MTG Standard bans are going to completely change the format.
Assassin's Creed creator's dark and witchy action game 1666: Amsterdam is out in early access sooner than we expected
It's been 15 years in the making, one way or another, and now 1666: Amsterdam's early access release date is in sight.
Pork producer sees value in AgView health data tracking
Disease prevention remains a key focus for a Michigan pork producer. Joe Dykhuis says he utilizes AgView to make decisions that support herd health and reduce disease spread. “As a producer using AgView, I have already loaded into that system all the locations I have pigs on. We put in any time we move pigs […]
Forty Under 40: Andres Lazarte
Andres Lazarte’s cousin was working on a presidential candidate’s campaign in 2012 and told him some internships were available. He booked a flight to Boston, but before he left, he...