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As U.S. fails to crack down on Big Tech, Europe shows what progress looks like
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With no significant antitrust legislation included in the sweeping omnibus spending bill that will wrap up this session of Congress, American lawmakers might want to look overseas, where Big Tech is briskly acting in accordance with new European laws and crackdowns.
Some U.S. public policy advocates were hopeful that Big Tech’s recent cooperation with the EU might nudge lawmakers here to finally push through antitrust legislation after years of inaction. Despite the boasts of bills and some ceremonial finger-pointing hearings aimed at tech executives, however, legal experts remained skeptical.
“There is a big difference between the sorts of targeted changes being implemented [in Europe] and the wholesale, no-self-preferencing regimes being contemplated in the U.S.,” Geoffrey A. Manne, president and founder of the International Center for Law & Economics, told MarketWatch.
Some of tech’s largest players are bending to European law and showing a willingness to change, primarily because of the Digital Markets Act, or DMA, which is part of the biggest overhaul of laws governing the world’s largest technology companies in more than two decades. The U.S. Senate’s American Innovation and Choice Online Act, by contrast, would impose an ambiguous overall obligation that would theoretically entail a host of unspecified and extremely broad changes.
More on the DMA: Landmark EU law could take billions from Apple, and already forced a major change at Google
The passage of the DMA has led to a rapid series of actions, the latest being Amazon’s negotiation with the EU of some specific changes to its platform, which is also in response to an investigation begun a few years ago by the European Commission’s department for competition, according to Manne. As part of that deal, Amazon will not pay a fine but will commit to giving third-party sellers on its digital platform an equal shot at being selected as the default option for buttons in Amazon’s so-called Buy Box and to allowing them to qualify for its Prime shipping program.
Similarly, Apple is getting a jump on things and developing software to adhere to new EU requirements scheduled to go into effect in 2024, according to Bloomberg News. Potential changes would give third-party apps such as Google’s mobile wallet and PayPal Holdings Inc.’s
PYPL,
+0.65%
Venmo a better chance to compete against Apple’s built-in apps. (Apple is locked in a protracted court battle with Epic Games Inc., maker of the popular “Fortnite,” over its App Store rules.)In-depth: Apple has spent decades building its walled garden. It may be starting to crack
Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to resolve issues with regulators rather than clashing with them as it did previously. Last week, acting proactively to head off the opening of formal EU investigations, the software giant announced a phased rollout of its “EU data boundary” for cloud customers and addressed EU antitrust concerns about its business practices following a complaint from Salesforce Inc.’s
CRM,
+1.44%
workspace messaging app Slack.For more: Microsoft has avoided U.S. antitrust scrutiny, but Europe is a different matter
Apple, Microsoft and Amazon are making the changes only in Europe, though, while continuing business as usual in the U.S., where agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department are pursuing legal actions in lieu of new laws that Congress has been unable to pass.
Tech laws in Asia, meanwhile, have prompted Apple and others to alter their app store operations. Earlier this year, South Korean lawmakers approved rules for a law that bans Apple and Google from forcing software developers to use their payment systems, and Apple has made changes to its app practices in Japan as well, in a concession to regulators.
Compliance in Europe underscores the fact that European regulators are years ahead of their American counterparts — and that the tech industry has shown an ability to dodge antitrust measures and other bills in Congress through lobbying and strategic spending, according to Raymond James analyst Ed Mills.
“On to next year,” Mills told MarketWatch.
“I don’t doubt those changes [in Europe by Big Tech] will be used by some to try to push for laws in the U.S.,” Manne told MarketWatch. “But, as I said, the regimes are quite different and even if certain changes are adopted in the EU, I don’t think they should be seen as evidence that the kinds of changes contemplated by the U.S. proposed legislation would be similarly acceptable.”
The exclusion from the omnibus spending bill of legislation that would significantly alter the business models of American tech giants led some U.S. lawmakers and consumer-rights advocates to respond with a flurry of statements highlighting their frustration. Much-ballyhooed bills to protect the online rights of children and the privacy of adults also did not make the cut this year, although a bill levying higher merger fees was included in the omnibus package.
“We are deeply disappointed and frustrated that Congress is poised to end the year without passing the Kids Online Safety Act and the Open App Markets Act,” Sens. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, and Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, said in a joint statement Tuesday. “We held months of overwhelmingly bipartisan hearings, collaborated with broad groups of stakeholders, and heard powerful stories from young people and grieving parents hurt by Big Tech’s greed. Big Tech has once again exerted its insidious influence through powerful armies of lobbyists and deceptive promotion campaigns, setting back essential efforts to protect kids and consumers. It has succeeded in obstructing reforms to make kids safer online and to ensure a fair marketplace for app consumers.”
Also: U.S. laws protecting kids online languish behind Europe
The absence of online protections for young children and teens — considered the surest bet among the tech bills to make it into the omnibus package — particularly stung for both lawmakers and policy wonks.
“Common Sense Media is disappointed that Congress is finishing the year without taking any action to establish needed online protections for kids and teens and their families,” the nonprofit’s CEO, James Steyer, said in a statement. “With a national youth mental-health crisis, and the role that media and tech play in that crisis, Congress has failed to come to the aid of kids and teens.”
For more: Bills aim at Apple, Google and Facebook as U.S. attempts to catch up to Europe’s Big Tech push
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Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss remembered: Allison Holker shares first post following husband’s death at 40
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Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s wife, Allison Holker, broke her silence on social media following the death of her husband last week.
Holker shared a selfie with the late dancer, who also worked for years as a DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
“My ONE and ONLY Oh how my heart aches. We miss you so much,” she wrote.
His mother, Connie Boss Alexander, posted a photo from a FaceTime phone call and wrote, “Oh if only I could FT to heaven…”
Stephen “tWitch” Boss’s wife Allison Holker remembered her late husband on Instagram.
(Getty Images)Boss died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. He was 40.
The manner of death was suicide, per the closed report. His place of death was listed at a “hotel/motel.”
ELLEN DEGENERES ‘HEARTBROKEN’ OVER TWITCH’S SUDDEN DEATH
Boss Alexander previously thanked family and friends for the outpouring of support following her son’s death.
“Please know I see all the messages, texts, posts and the phone calls. I can’t use words right now. Please know I will reach out when I can,” she wrote. “Stephen Laurel, your mother loves you to eternity and beyond.”
Allison Holker and “tWitch” recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary
(Instagram)Sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that Stephen and Allison were developing a home renovation series based on building the Malibu Barbie Dream House, as reported by Deadline.
The couple had previously worked with HGTV on home renovation projects, including “House Party” and when he served as a guest judge on “Design Star.”
Boss worked on several films after breaking into the entertainment industry in 2008 on “So You Think You Can Dance,” but he became known for bringing energy to DeGeneres’ talk show for eight years.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Holker previously said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Stephen “tWitch” cause of death was revealed by coroners last week. The DJ died at the age of 40.
(Maarten de Boer)After Boss earned second place on “So You Think You Can Dance,” he went on to appear in the “Step Up” film series with Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan, and also in “Magic Mike XXL,” “Ghostbusters” and “Modern Family.”
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“We will always remember Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss for the light and joy he brought into our lives and into the hearts of so many,” FOX Entertainment, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions said in a statement. “This tragic, painful loss of such a radiant, inimitable talent and beloved friend is immeasurable beyond words, and we grieve alongside his family, loved ones and fans. ‘tWitch,’ we will miss you dearly.”
DeGeneres and Boss worked together for years. She officially made him one of her co-executive producers of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2020.
“I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light,” DeGeneres wrote on Instagram. “He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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Charlbi Dean’s Cause of Death Revealed: Details
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Charlbi Dean. David Fisher/ShutterstockCharlbi Dean’s cause of death has been revealed after she unexpectedly died in August at the age of 32.
A spokesperson from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told People on Wednesday, December 21, that the Black Lightning star died of bacterial sepsis and her death was ruled an accident. Dean passed away from an unexpected illness while in New York City
The National Library of Medicine defines bacterial sepsis as a “life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds to an infection that injures its tissues and organs.” The sepsis itself “is caused by conditions that threaten the functional integrity of the host, such as microbial invasion.”
Dean portrayed Syonide in the first season of Black Lightning, alongside Cress Williams, China Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams. She was also well known for her role in the Spud films, in which she starred alongside Troye Sivan.
When news broke of Dean’s August death, the “Youth” singer, 27, shared a picture of his former costar via his Instagram Story alongside a broken heart emoji. Several more celeb friends took to social media to commemorate their late friend as well.
Nina Dobrev also honored Dean via her Instagram Story, writing, “an angel has gone to heaven far too soon. Rest in peace, Charlbi,” alongside a video of her and the Blood in the Water actress. “May heaven be all you ever imagined,” she wrote at the time.
“Charlbi would keep me company on the silliest errand, and she knew how to make any day special,” Helena Beato captioned a carousel of Instagram photos of the model. “She was a beautiful woman and a beautiful soul who always lit up the room. She was probably the coolest person I ever met. One of those effortlessly cool people — authentic, genuine and caring. She was incredibly talented, but don’t let it fool you, she worked very hard to get where she was.”
The former model gained critical acclaim when she landed the role of Yaya in the 2022 film Triangle of Sadness, which stars Harris Dickinson and Woody Harrelson. The movie went on to win a Palme d’Or. In May, Dean celebrated the movie’s big Cannes Film Festival win via Instagram.
“@Ruben_ostland, you’re the GOAT,” she said, shouting out the film’s director. “I’m forever thankful for you for trusting me to be a part of your genius. … Can’t believe I had the best year making this during one of the hardest times in my life.”
Dean is survived by her fiancé Luke Volker, a South African model. The two did not get to exchange vows before her death.
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FTX co-founder Gary Wang and Alameda’s Caroline Ellison plead guilty to criminal charges • TechCrunch
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The FTX/Alameda saga continues, with news late Wednesday that two key Sam Bankman-Fried associates were charged and have been charged with federal criminal offences in the U.S.: Both former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison and FTX co-founder Gary Wang plead guilty to multiple charges, and accepted plea agreements that offer reduced sentencing in exchange for assistance in ongoing investigations into wrongdoing at FTX/Alameda that prove “substantial.”
Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried was also extradited to the U.S. from the Bahamas on Wednesday, facing suits by the SEC and CFTC over fraud, as well as federal criminal charges. When Southern District of New York attorney Damian Williams announced the charges at a press event last week, he noted that his office was “not done” in terms of levying additional charges, and now we know Ellison and Wang were at least some of the individuals he was referring to at the time.
Ellison and Wang are likely to be key witnesses for the feds in the SBF case, given that they are most likely to have direct and best knowledge that SBF knew about use of FTX customer funds to cover Alameda’s risky crypto trading bets.
This might not be the end of charges for individuals at FTX and Alameda, either – Williams re-iterated at the press conference announcing the charges against Ellison and Wang that if anyone else is considering coming forward to assist authorities in their prosecution of the case in exchange for possible leniency, now is the time.
Both Ellison and Wang also face civil penalties from the SEC and CFTC, announced alongside the criminal charges.
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CoinCorner Pouch Bring Send Globally To Philippines – Bitcoin Magazine
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Customers in the U.K. and Europe can now use CoinCorner’s Send Globally feature to send fiat to the Philippines after partnering with Pouch, a Lightning service provider based in the Southeast Asian country.
Send Globally utilizes the Lightning Network to convert one fiat currency into bitcoin, which is then sent over the Lightning Network to a receiving entity which converts the bitcoin into another fiat currency, effectively making global payments instant.
Send Globally was recently enacted for both CoinCorner and Strike through partnerships with Bitnob. This enabled users from Europe, the U.S. and the U.K. to send money quickly and at low cost to Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.
The Philippines is yet another remittance market that now has access to Bitcoin’s Lightning Network. Around $33 billion a year is sent home from workers in foreign countries, a major percentage of the country’s GDP.
CoinCorner CEO, Danny Scott, expanded on this, saying, “We’re excited to announce our latest partnership with Pouch and expand our Send Globally service to the Philippines. Every year, more than $2,412,600,000 (£2 billion) is remitted from the U.K. and Europe to the Philippines, so this is another great opportunity to demonstrate the power of Bitcoin, with instant and low cost transactions via the Lightning Network.”
The CEO of Pouch, Ethan Rose, reaffirmed this excitement about Lightning, stating that, “The Lightning Network is the most efficient way to send money across borders, but until now the user experience has been too complex for the average user. We’re so pleased to announce the partnership between Pouch & CoinCorner, because it allows us to drastically simplify a remitter’s user experience while still taking full advantage of the utility of Lightning.”
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UK economy shrank more than thought in third quarter
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LONDON (AP) — Revised figures from the Office for National Statistics on Thursday painted a grim picture for the U.K. economy, which was shown to have contracted by more than was initially estimated between July and September.
Gross domestic product fell by a revised 0.3% in the third quarter of 2022, against the estimated 0.2% decline, as business investment performed worse than anticipated. Growth figures for the first half of 2022 were also revised down, with figures showing the UK mustered growth of just 0.6% in the first quarter and 0.1% in the second quarter.
The ONS additionally reported that GDP is now estimated to be 0.8% below pre-pandemic levels, revised down from a prior estimate of 0.4% below.
“Our revised figures show the economy performed slightly less well over the last year than we previously estimated, with manufacturing and electricity generation notably weaker,” said Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS.
The coming months look far from bright, as experts predict the economy will shrink further in the final quarter of 2022, which would see the U.K. fall into recession — when an economy shrinks for two quarters in a row — with forecasts that it will experience contractions of a similar size in both the first and second quarters of 2023. The effects are already hitting consumers hard, with household spending dropping by 1.1% after inflation over the third quarter — the first fall since January to March of 2021, when the U.K. was in lockdown.
“Household incomes continued to fall in real terms, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous two quarters,” Morgan said.
Compared with other advanced economies, the U.K. is faring especially poorly.
“The national accounts confirm that the U.K. was the only G-7 economy in which third-quarter GDP still was below its pre-COVID level,” said Samuel Tombs of Pantheon Macroeconomics.
“Looking ahead, the U.K. likely will continue to underperform; we expect Britain to suffer the deepest recession among major advanced economies in 2023.”
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The Amazon outlet is a deal goldmine
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There are so many savings to enjoy! (Photo: Amazon) Do you like saving big with little to no effort on your end? Well, there’s a slew of sales hiding in plain sight at Amazon’s secret overstock outlet. It’s packed with thousands of incredible items — browse through this massive hush-hush repository for oodles of electronics, essentials for the kitchen and home, beauty basics, bestselling books and music, tons of fashion finds and even goodies for Fluffy or Fido. Ready for some not-to-be-missed markdowns on Champion, Dearfoams and more? These are our fave picks:
Amazon
Gourmia Air Fryer
$76$120Save $44
This air fryer-slash-digital oven has an impressive seven quart capacity, so you can cook for a larger group. Enjoy 12 cooking presets and a whopping 1,700 watts of power to get your food done — and fast.
“Easy to clean, and pretty easy to understand and program!” said a five-star reviewer. “So far, I have made roast pork, stuffed peppers, and chicken enchiladas! My husband was skeptical of this purchase, but when we had peppers in 15 minutes, pork in 17 minutes and enchiladas in 10 minutes, he was impressed. Also everything seems to have more flavor.”
“I cannot believe how comfortable this pillow is. What a change for me,” said a happy customer. “I slept the whole night through. Slept like a baby. This pillow does not bind up like some other pillows and is so fricking comfortable. I have been looking for a pillow like this for a long time.”
“Love these joggers. They are made of soft cotton and have pockets. And they fit perfectly,” shared a happy customer.
Amazon
Beats Studio Buds
$90$150Save $60
These wireless noise-cancelling earbuds are tiny, but they pack a big punch in the sound department. Enjoy three soft eartip sizes, and up to eight hours of listening time before needing a recharge.
“This product is incredible,” raved a five-star reviewer. “Excellent battery life, but even better than that is the perfectly deep bass tones. No matter whatever mode they are in, they still possess the power to produce perfectly crisp and clear notes and incredibly strong and powerful bass tones. The noice cancelling is also excellent.”
“Color sets this bag apart from others at the airport!” shared a happy customer. “Fits perfectly in the carry-on measure box at the airport. Decent quality, super lightweight!”
Amazon
West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker
$110$140Save $30
Get fresh bread with the touch of a button with this handy machine. It offers up 12 different programs, including gluten-free. Choose from light, medium and dark settings for that just-right level of doneness.
“Absolutely love this bread maker!” shared a satisfied shopper. “For my first loaf, I made a two-pound raisin bread using the recipe in the bread maker’s manual and it came out fantastic! I don’t know what my next loaf will be but I am super excited to have this.”
“This stuff is awesome!” said a five-star fan. “I’ve bought it a few times and haven’t had any problems with application/device issues/unpleasant results. After the first use, your teeth get a shade or two whiter. There is a huge visible difference!”
Amazon
OKP K3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
$109$420Save $311
This vac is a favorite among Amazon shoppers. The OKP K3 is strong enough for wood, tile and carpets; plus, it has four cleaning modes for a totally customizable clean. Click the on-page coupon for the full deal.
“Easy to set up and fun to use,” said a satisfied shopper. “Efficiently picks up the hair and dust! Way better than I thought! Glides over the rugs as well. This little robot really saves me tons of time.”
“Y’all, I can’t make this up. I despise blow drying and styling my hair because it’s so long and freakishly thick. It takes me over an hour with a normal hair dryer to dry and style when I do put forth the effort to do so… which isn’t (wasn’t) often. Ponytails were my go-to 99% of the time,” said this now-happy customer, who’s seen the light, thanks to this Revlon volumizer: “Twenty minutes. That’s how long it takes me to do my hair — from wet out of the shower to straight and sleek locks — using this thing. Best purchase I’ve made this year!”
“These slippers are made from real wool and are incredibly high-quality,” said a five-star fan. “I’ve now worn these slippers for several weeks nearly every day, all day, and they are still every bit as soft and fluffy and still look brand-new!”
“This is 100% out-of-the-box ready to go,” shared a happy customer. “The picture is clear, it’s immediately tuned in and ready to go once you turn it on. It’s also fast to switch between streaming [sites], and voice controls almost immediately respond. Arrived linked to my Amazon account and ready to go.”
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Looking for more great Amazon home and auto deals? Check these out:
Auto
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2022 Upgraded Cleaning Gel for Car
$8$12Save $4
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Amooca Car Seat Headrest Hook 4-pack
$6$11Save $5
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Cleaning Gel for Car
$8$12Save $4
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iOttie Easy One Touch Dashboard & Windshield Universal Car Mount
$17$25Save $7
Vacuums
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Shark AZ2002 Vertex Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
$289$500Save $211
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ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner
$11$40Save $29
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iRobot Roomba 694 Robot
$179$274Save $95
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Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
$230
Kitchen
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Instant Vortex 5.7 qt. Air Fryer Oven Combo
$140
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Henckels Solution Razor-Sharp 18-pc Knife Set
$160$400Save $240
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Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
$120$170Save $50
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Ninja BN801 Professional Plus Kitchen System
$170$220Save $50
Bedding and home
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Zonli Queen 20-lbs. Weighted Blanket
$59$80Save $21
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Cozsinoor Bed Pillows 2-pack
$36$90Save $54
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Bedsure Queen Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin 2-pack
$9$12Save $3
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CGK Unlimited Queen Size Sheet Set
$30$40Save $10
We’ve got your holiday shopping list covered with fantastic gift ideas for everyone on your list. You’ll find expert picks on the best tech gifts on Engadget, the best gift ideas for car lovers at Autoblog, gifts for the young (and young at heart) at In the Know, and picks for just about everyone else on your list (moms, dads, teens, nurses, you name it!) in Yahoo’s holiday gift ideas section. On AOL, you’ll find for gift ideas for seniors shopping for moms, dads, teens and toddlers.
Originally published
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Britney Spears: Disturbing Death Rumor Circulates Amid Strange Activity on Pop Icon’s Instagram Page
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Throughout Britney Spears’ conservatorship, fans closely monitored the pop icon’s Instagram page for signs of suspicious activity.
Many were accused of being paranoid, but their suspicions were validated when Britney later revealed that her posts were monitored and censored by the people who controlled her life.
So when many of those same fans started to pick up on some unusual posts on Spears’ page over the past week, they were quick to sound the alarm.
And as TMZ reports, this time, their warnings were taken seriously.
Here is an example of what Britney Spears often poses on Instagram. She loves to show off her dance moves! (Photo via Instagram) In fact, on Twitter and elsewhere, a rumor began to circulate that Britney was in some sort of danger.
Some even went so far as to suggest that the unthinkable had happened.
So before we go any further, allow us to assure you that Britney is alive and well.
Britney Spears is all smiles in this photo. She shared it to Instagram in April 2022. (Photo via Instagram) But it’s not hard to see how fans might have gotten the wrong idea.
The trouble began when Britney’s followers noticed that old content had been reposted on her page.
During her conservatorship, similar tactics were employed to create the impression that all was well during times when Britney was institutionalized against her will, or otherwise unwell.
Britney Spears is pretty tired and sweaty here after doing a dance on Instagram for her followers. (Photo via Instagram) Many noticed that Britney went from posting nudes to posting much more family-friendly content, just as she did during her conservatorship.
Suspicions were further raised when Britney praised Jamie Lynn Sears, despite the fact the fact that the sisters had been feuding for years.
Shortly thereafter, Brit announced that she was taking a trip to New York City, yet she never posted any pics from the trip.
Britney Spears is front and center in this photo. She uploaded it to her Instagram page in October 2021. (Photo via Instagram) Furthermore, there were no paparazzi photos from Spears’ East Coast vacation.
The suspicion turned to concern when Britney’s parents traveled to Los Angeles this week, with many speculating that Jamie and Lynn has rushed to their daughter’s home due to an emergency.
Fortunately, TMZ has arrived at the conclusion that Britney is perfectly healthy — she just needed a break.
Britney Spears looks like she’s losin’ her ish in this Instagram pic. (Photo via Instagram) Sources tell the outlet that Britney is currently in Mexico, and she only made the NYC announcement to throw the paps off her trail!
And it seems she has posted new content over the course of the past week, which should be enough to put her fans’ minds at ease.
There’s still no explanation for the old content, or the parents’ trip to Los Angeles, but the important thing is that Britney is alive and well.
And hopefully, she’s enjoying a well-deserved vacation south of the border!
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Six Nations 2023: Fixtures, schedule, kick-off times for England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy | Rugby Union News
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Opening weekend sees Wales host Ireland, England facing Scotland and France vs Italy. The championships end on Super Saturday on March 18 as Scotland host Italy, Wales visit France and Ireland welcome England; France are looking to defend their title in a World Cup year.
Last Updated: 22/12/22 9:57am
France’s Antoine Dupont raises the Six Nations trophy in 2022
The 2023 Guinness Six Nations takes place between February 4 and March 18 and will be of huge importance ahead of the Rugby World Cup in the autumn.
Last time out, France achieved their first championship since 2010 and completed the Grand Slam. Ireland were second – losing only to the champions – while England, Scotland and Wales faltered. Italy footed the table but managed a memorable win over Wales.
The opening match of this year’s championship will see Wales host Ireland on Saturday February 4 (2.15pm). On the same day, England face Scotland (4.45pm). The first weekend will be completed with Italy playing France on Sunday February 5 (3pm).
The second weekend begins with the top two from last year’s championship as Ireland play France on Saturday February 11 (2.15pm). Scotland host Wales later that day (4.45pm) before England welcome Italy on Sunday February 12 (3pm).
Week three sees Italy host Ireland (2.15pm) before Wales host England (4.45pm) for a fixture that always produces moments to savour on Saturday February 25. The third week will conclude with France playing Scotland on Sunday February 26 (3pm).
On week four, Wales will hope not to lose two years running against Italy on Saturday March 11 (2.15pm) as England play France for Le Crunch (4.45pm). Sunday March 12 sees Scotland welcome Ireland for a Celtic clash (3pm).
The Six Nations championships come to an end on Super Saturday on March 18. Scotland host Italy (12.30pm), Wales visit France (2.45pm) and Ireland welcome England (5pm).
Six Nations fixtures 2023
Saturday February 4 2023
Wales vs Ireland (2.15pm)
England vs Scotland (4.45pm)Sunday February 5 2023
Italy vs France (3pm)
Saturday February 11 2023
Ireland vs France (2.15pm)
Scotland vs Wales (4.45pm)Sunday February 12 2023
England vs Italy (3pm)
Saturday February 25 2023
Italy vs Ireland (2.15pm)
Wales vs England (4.45pm)Sunday February 26 2023
France vs Scotland (3pm)
Saturday March 11 2023
Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)
England vs France (4.45pm)Sunday March 12 2023
Scotland vs Ireland (3pm)
Saturday March 18 2023
Scotland vs Italy (12.30pm)
France vs Wales (2.45pm)
Ireland vs England (5pm)[ad_2]
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Final Fantasy 16: Release Date, Story, And Everything We Know
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Six years have passed since the last mainline installment in the decidedly not-so-final Final Fantasy series, making this one of the largest gaps between games in the series’ 35 years of history. However, all that waiting seems to be for good reason. What we’ve seen from Final Fantasy XVI makes the game look like a high-fantasy epic combining the grandeur of older titles with the cutting-edge technology of newer games, making us hopeful that this next entry will be well worth the wait.
We received a fresh look at Final Fantasy XVI during the summer showcase season, and even more details thanks to interviews with producer Naoki Yoshida. The game appears to be an incredibly ambitious Final Fantasy title, with unique larger-than-life battles and a story that spans decades of time. Here’s everything we know about Final Fantasy XVI.
Release date
Final Fantasy XVI is scheduled to release exclusively for PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023.
It’s worth noting, however, that the game will not be cross-generation, meaning PS4 owners will have to make the move to PS5 in order to play it. Square Enix shared this news during the game’s reveal trailer, noting, “The following content is captured on PC emulating the PS5 experience,” before adding the latest entry in the Final Fantasy saga will, “not [be] available on other platforms for a limited time after release on PS5.”
Is Final Fantasy XVI coming to PC or Xbox?
Rejoice, PC gamers! In the most recent trailers for the game, Square Enix not only confirmed Final Fantasy XVI is coming to PC, but also elaborated on how long its exclusivity window will last. According to a recent trailer, PlayStation 5 exclusivity will end December 31, 2023, or roughly six months after the game’s initial release. While this does not necessarily mean Final Fantasy XVI will hit PC immediately after, we’re just thankful this window is much shorter than the one for Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
As for if Final Fantasy XVI is headed to Xbox, we’ve yet to receive any confirmation from Square Enix. Given that a handful of Final Fantasy titles are already on Xbox platforms, it wouldn’t be too surprising. That being said, we’re still waiting on that Final Fantasy 7 Remake port so it really could go either way.
The story so far
From what we can tell from the trailer and official website, there’s conflict between realms in the world of Valisthea and a bunch of political drama, but also a focus on Dominants. Dominants are the few special people who can wield the power of Eikons, which are what summons are called in FFXVI’s world (and in FFXIV).
It looks like you’ll go through two separate time frames in FFXVI’s story, which you can see from main character Clive Rosfield’s evolution from a spiffy young man with a fancy haircut to a grizzled veteran with a scruffy beard and a mark tattooed on his face later in life. Yoshida told us the story will span three different eras: Clive in his teens, 20s, and 30s.
Clive is the son of his realm’s archduke, and wields Eikon-related powers in combat but isn’t necessarily a Dominant himself. He’s sworn to protect his brother Joshua, the young boy in the trailer who was fated as a Dominant instead. However, as shown in the trailer, Joshua couldn’t control his Eikon–he summons Phoenix after watching someone presumably important get killed right before his eyes. These events are capped by a battle between Phoenix and Ifrit, which might be the tragedy (stated in the official character profiles) that drives Clive in FFXVI.
Yoshida told us that one of the main themes in FFXVI is the clash of values between multiple different people with different ideals sharing the same space, and trying to decide together what is right and wrong.
“You’re going to focus on those motivations and those struggles, and then, you’re going to delve even deeper and into darker themes when it comes to how people should live; should people live the life that was chosen for them or fight to break free from that kind of destiny?” he said.
Another character seen in the trailer is Jill Warrick. She’s the young girl with grayish hair who accompanies Joshua. She’s said to have a complicated life and comes from another realm. She was essentially adopted by the Rosfields, and acts as a mediary between warring nations. She’s said to be a trusted confidant to both Clive and Joshua.
Throughout the debut trailer, you see other characters in battle and in conversations about the political turmoil that seems to be fueling the war in Valisthea. You see other iconic Eikons like Shiva and Titan being used on the battlefield. It looks like Eikons, and Dominants by extension, are akin to powerful weapons of war that shift the balance of power between realms in Valisthea. There’s also a fight against an armor-clad lance-wielding Dragoon, said to be an Imperial Viper, which has the characters shook–another series staple.
FFXVI’s world also revolves around Mothercrystals, which are said to bless the land with aether (basically magic). But a destructive force called The Blight is also washing over the world. It’s worth keeping in mind that FFXVI’s tagline is, “The legacy of the crystals has shaped our history for long enough.” We’re not sure what it means, but it’s provocative and may have to do with what’s been happening to Valisthea.
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Final Fantasy XVI – “Awakening” Reveal Trailer | PS5 Showcase
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The first trailer for FFXVI was titled “Awakening,” and offers four minutes of story, cutscenes, and gameplay. It also features a powerful orchestrated theme with a few Final Fantasy touches, like the iconic Crystal Prelude. If we had to take a wild guess, it sounds a bit like composer Masayoshi Soken’s work on FFXIV: Heavensward, suggesting a similar tone.
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FINAL FANTASY XVI – REVENGE
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The game’s most-recent trailer was revealed at the TheGame Awards 2022, and is titled “Revenge.” The trailer features more of the fast action gameplay we’ve seen in previous trailers, as well as a glimpse of the Espers players will find throughout their adventure, including Odin and Ifrit.
This will also be the first Final Fantasy game to receive an M-rating, which Square Enix told GameSpot was an intentional move to make a more mature story. According to the game’s rating, the upcoming Final Fantasy will include sex scenes that are “not fully shown” and plenty of violence including “blood, intentional deaths, torture…victims suffering” and “hate crimes.”
“To make sure that we could tell the story that we wanted in the way that we wanted to, we decided to pursue a mature rating in most of the regions that will be releasing the game,” producer Naoki Yoshida said. “But again, this is not because we simply wanted to make the game more violent or the game more explicit, this is because we felt it was necessary to allow us to explore those more mature themes that the game tackles.”
Massive Eikon battles
The second trailer, shown at Sony’s June State of Play, showcases the massive Eikon vs Eikon battles that will serve as major setpieces. Yoshida told GameSpot in an interview that these Eikon battles will all be unique–one might emulate a wrestling match while another might look like a 3D shooter, for just two examples–and estimated there are roughly 20 of them in all. While these battles are a big emphasis in the game, Yoshida also says there will be smaller-scale battles against standard enemies, mini-bosses, and even Eikons appearing as human-sized.
These battles take place in wide-open spaces, but Square Enix has since clarified that FFXVI isn’t an open-world game. That would seem to make the Eikon battlefields more like arenas.
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Final Fantasy XVI Gameplay Trailer | Sony State of Play June 2022
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What the logo can tell us
We can always count on artist Yoshitaka Amano to create a new logo for each Final Fantasy that tells us something about the game’s story. In the case of FFXVI’s logo, it features Ifrit and Phoenix face-to-face in a fight, which is a battle that concludes the trailer. With Ifrit as a key opposing force and Phoenix being the Eikon that the Rosfields wield, this seems to be a central conflict that drives the game. It also appears that Eikons are pivotal to how FFXVI’s world operates, more so than previous Final Fantasy games.
Gameplay
FFXVI takes on an action-RPG style of combat and looks like it shares similarities to FFXV and FF7 Remake. This is not all that surprising, given producer Naoki Yoshida’s sentiments regarding turn-based systems and their lack of allure to younger gamers. In battle, protagonist Clive can cast fireballs, engage at melee range with his sword and warp-like abilities, and use a few powers that look like they’re tied to Eikons (indicated by the stone fist summoned in the fight against a Dragoon).
While Clive is the central character and the player protagonist, he won’t be the only adventurer on a quest. Clive will be accompanied by AI-controlled party members who will banter and connect throughout the game, as well as a “faithful buddy” character to whom you can give direct commands to. Clive, though, will remain the central character.
No UI or HUD elements were shown, so it’s hard to tell if or how it incorporates parts of the series’ iconic ATB (active time battle) system, how spellcasting might work, or even how combat encounters flow. We’ve also only seen Clive in action, so we’re unsure if there’s a party system or how it would work (if it exists). In fact, Yoshida even mentioned that the studio hid UI elements during its Eikon battle trailer, because the UI itself would be a story spoiler.
Ryota Suzuki, who was a combat designer for Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon’s Dogma, is the battle director for FFXVI, which could result in something quite exciting. And despite this renewed focus on action, producer Naoki Yoshida noted that this new approach will not come at the expense of the game’s story.
Behind the scenes
In addition to the detailed reveal trailer, Square Enix also launched an official website with in-depth looks at FFXVI’s new world and characters to get you started on understanding the backstory. What’s notable about this entry, in particular, is that it’s being developed by Creative Business Unit III–which is the not-so-flashy name for the division behind the incredible MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV.
It’s promising given that Naoki Yoshida is leading production on FFXVI–he led the team behind the rebirth of FFXIV and continues to direct the MMO, which keeps getting better and is regarded as top-tier in video game storytelling. FFXVI itself is being directed by Hiroshi Takai, who has a lengthy history with Final Fantasy and Square Enix, and was even part of developing FFXIV’s reboot.
How to preorder
Final Fantasy XVI is available to preorder, but just what bonuses you’ll receive with your purchase can be a bit murky. Luckily, we’re here to try to clear it all up.
Three different in-game items are available, but whether you get them depends both on where you preorder the game and which version you opt for. Just about every retailer is offering the Cat Sith Charm (which boosts the rate at which you gain Gil) along with the Braveheart weapon, but the Scholar’s Spectacles item (which boosts XP gain) is only available with the following editions:
- Collector’s Edition
- Deluxe Edition (Digital)
- Standard Edition (Digital)
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to purchase Final Fantasy XVI, you can pick up the standard edition for $70. If you purchase this version from Best Buy, you’ll also get a free steelbook case.
The deluxe edition of Final Fantasy XVI retails for $100 and comes with a cloth world map of Valisthea and the Special Clive Rosfield steelbook Case. It’s worth noting that the Clive Rosfield steelbook is different from the steelbook offered with Best Buy preorders, so purchasing from that retailer will actually net you two unique steelbooks.
The collector’s edition of Final Fantasy XVI costs a hefty $350, but comes with a plethora of collectibles that certainly make the steep cost worth it. If you purchase the collector’s edition, along with any preorder bonuses you’ll also receive the following:
- Final Fantasy XVI base game
- Premium Statue – Phoenix vs Ifrit
- Metal Eikon pin collection
- Special Clive Rosfield steelbook case
- Cloth world map of Valisthea
- Bonus in-game weapon: Blood Sword
- Digital mini artbook
- Digital mini soundtrack
- The Realms of Valisthea wall banners (6-inch height printed cloth banners)
- Final Fantasy XVI preorder steelbook
For even more information on how to preorder, be sure to check out our Final Fantasy XVI preorder guide.
JB News 