The son of Tommy Cooper’s mistress previously opened up about the comedian’s spooky yet tragic on-stage death in 1984.
Tommy died at age 63 and shared two children, son Thomas Henty and daughter Vicky Cooper, with his wife Gwen Henty. The pair got married in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1947. Gwen died nearly two decades after Tommy’s death in 2002.
From 1967 until his death, Tommy, referred to as the King of Comedy in the 1970s, was also in a relationship with his assistant Mary Kay.
Tommy died on stage in 1984 (Credit: YouTube)
Tommy Cooper on-stage death
Before passing away, Tommy gave his last-ever performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. 12 million viewers tuned in, including his wife Gwen.
Detailing the horrific night 20 years later in 2014, his mistress’s son, Tony Kay, recalled the moment he had a sudden heart attack on stage.
“When he collapsed and everyone was laughing she knew there was something wrong,” he told the Mirror.
Tony revealed that Tommy had told Mary that he “believed he was going to die on stage”.
“Mum was distraught. She never got over the death of Tommy,” he said.
At age 83, Mary died in 2011. Before her death, she was left with a negative reputation. “After Tommy died they called her Mad Mary and made out like she was some kind of stalker,” Tony recalled.
He believed his mother had a relationship with Tommy “that I don’t think he had with Gwen”. Describing their relationship, Tony insisted Mary was “naive” but also “useful to him”.
“Maybe, in his own way, he did love her. But she was besotted by him.”
Tony stated that Tommy’s wife Gwen later acted as if she knew nothing about their relationship. However, he insisted she did.
Tommy had a relationship with his assistant while married to his wife (Credit: YouTube)
‘He was the love of her life’
Tony opened up more about his mum’s relationship with Tommy with the Express three years prior.
“My mum always saw the best in people and would refuse to accept they had flaws. He was the love of her life and she saw him through rose-tinted spectacles. She would not admit that he was not perfect,” he said.
Despite her feelings for Tommy, Tony believes that Tommy took advantage of her.
“But I don’t think he had any intention of leaving [Gwen]. He needed someone to care for him on the road and took advantage of her feelings. That’s the way I view it,” he stated.
Read more: BBC special celebrates Tommy Cooper’s 100th birthday and comedic legacy
What do you think of this story? Let us know on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers reveal that Jada Hunter wonders why Rafe Hernandez is acting weird. The couple is planning their January wedding. However, Fake Rafe, Arnold Fenger, has other ideas. Will Jada see through the farce? She may end up marrying her fiance’s doppelganger in the new year. Next, Maggie Horton Kiriakis tries to comfort Holly Jonas. She’s hurting because she heard Tate Black got Sophia Choi pregnant. However, her former best friend may have slept with Aaron Greene, too. Does Tate demand a DNA test before complying with Amy Choi’s request? Finally, on the 60th season of the NBC Peacock exclusive, EJ DiMera and Belle Black may go from enemies to lovers during the weeks of December 30, 2024 – January 10, 2025.
Days of our Lives 2-Week Spoilers: Jada Hunter Questions Rafe Hernandez
DOOL 2-week spoilers report that Police Commissioner Jada Hunter (Elia Cantu) is concerned about her fiance, Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering). The former cop has worked for Black Patch since he quit the SPD. However, Jada and Rafe plan for a winter wedding early next year.
Further, Days of our Lives recaps show Arnold Feniger (Galen Gerring) returning from his hideout in Argentina. Jada has no idea that Rafe’s lookalike has hit the streets of Salem. But this week on the beloved soap, Rafe Hernandez bumps into his old enemy. Will he tell Jada Hunter he’s seeing double?
Days of our Lives: Jada Hunter and Rafe Hernandez
DOOL social media predicts that Arnold plays the old switcheroo with Jada Hunter’s handsome husband-to-be. The astute cop can tell something is wrong with “Rafe.” Will Jada wind up marrying Arnold rather than Rafe Hernandez? It could be a wild ride for Jada and Rafe in the new year. Stay tuned.
Days 2-Week Spoilers: Maggie Horton Kiriakis Comforts Holly Jonas
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers indicate that Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Suzanne Rogers) offers her granddaughter, Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis), a shoulder to cry on. The young woman recently learned that her former BFF Sophia Choi (Madelyn Kientz) got pregnant by Tate Black (Leo Howard). Holly and Tate just got back together, and now this.
Plus, Sophia’s mother, Amy Choi (Shi Ne Nielsen), demands Tate and Sophia raise the baby together. She doesn’t give her teen daughter permission to terminate the pregnancy. But Holly’s ex-bestie hasn’t told anyone about her night with Aaron Greene (Louis Tomeo) on DOOL.
Over the next few weeks, Holly tries to navigate her latest news from Tate and Sophia. Additionally, Grandma Maggie works hard to try to cheer her up. Will the matriarch urge her granddaughter to move on with her life or fight for her boyfriend? Holly’s grandmother could encourage her to see other people. Doug Williams III (Peyton Meyer), perhaps? Watch Days of our Lives as the drama unfolds.
DOOL 2-Week Spoilers: EJ DiMera & Belle Black – Salem’s Newest Power Couple?
Days of our Lives 2-week spoilers spill that EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and Belle Black (Martha Madison) could become more than enemies with benefits. First, the Day of Days Winter promo showed the two arguing and then falling into bed together. But this one-night stand could turn into something more.
DOOL fans predict that Belle and EJ could develop a relationship. Yet, when EJ gets shot in upcoming episodes, Belle could be on the suspect list for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will she pursue the real shooter? She may get as far away from the DiMera mansion and Elvis Junior as possible.
Look for sparks between EJ and Belle soon on Days of our Lives. They could be Salem’s next supercouple. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Holly Jonas leans on her Grandma Maggie. What sage advice will she give the teen girl about Tate and Sophia? Finally, Jada Hunter can tell something strange about her fiance, Rafe Hernandez. Does Arnold take his place?
Return to Soap Dirt for the latest DOOL spoilers and news.
The celebrity world has said goodbye to many famous faces in 2024, with too many sad deaths happening in the past twelve months.
Celebrity deaths hit fans hard when they’re announced, as stars we’ve seen on the screen and in our lives for so many years pass on. Although they’ve left us, we remember them for the impact they left on the world.
Here, ED! remembers the stars we’ve loved and lost this year.
Derek Draper died in January (Credit: ITV)
Derek Draper
GMB star Kate Garraway, lost her husband Derek Draper in January this year. He was 56. Derek had endured a lengthy battle with Covid-19 after being first hospitalised with the virus in early 2020.
Liam died in October (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Liam Payne
One Direction star Liam Payne tragically died after falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina in October, and became one of the most shocking and sudden celebrity deaths this year. A toxicology report claimed that Liam had a “cocktail of drugs” in his system at the time of his death.
Maggie sadly passed away this year (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Dame Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith passed away in September at the age of 89. The star – whose career spanned more than six decades – died surrounded by her family at Chelsea and Westminster hospital. A statement released at the time didn’t confirm her cause of death.
John was a soap legend (Credit: SplashNews.com)
John Savident
In February, John Savident, who played butcher Fred Elliott on the soap died aged 86. A statement released to ITV News confirmed the actor’s death – but did not give a cause.
She died following a cancer battle (Credit: ITV)
Janey Godley
Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in November following a battle with cancer. She was 63 and was surrounded by her family in a hospice when she passed away.
The reality star appeared in Big Brother and Gogglebox (Credit: Big Brother UK)
George Gilbey
Gogglebox star George Gilbey died in March aged 40 after falling through a skylight on a warehouse roof in a workplace accident. Gogglebox and Celebrity Gogglebox fans paid tribute after hearing he joined the stars who passed away, as none of their deaths have been easy to take in. George died from traumatic head and also torso injuries.
The A Place In The Sun star died in February from lung cancer (Credit: ITV)
Jonnie Irwin
Jonnie died in February following a cancer battle, leaving behind his wife and three sons. The A Place in the Sun star was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. It then spread to his brain. However, Jonnie revealed his diagnosis publicly in November 2022.
Robin was found dead in a London hotel (Credit: ITV)
Robin Windsor
Strictly dancer Robin Windsor was found dead at age 44 in his hotel in February. His cause of death hasn’t been revealed. The funeral of Robin – who appeared on Strictly from 2010 to 2013 – took place the following month in his hometown of Ipswich.
The Hairy Bikers legend lost his battle with cancer (Credit: BBC)
Dave Myers
Another name who tragically joined the list of celebrity deaths was the beloved TV chef. Dave was best known as one-half of the culinary duo known as The Hairy Bikers. He tragically died at age 66 in February after battling cancer from 2022. His death was announced on social media by his best pal Si King.
The journalist died this year (Credit: ITV)
Dr Michael Mosley
Dr Michael Mosley died at age 67. The journalist died on June 5 whilst he was on vacation on the Greek island of Symi. After setting off for a walk, Michael went missing for four days. According to the BBC, he died of natural causes.
Read more: Mary Berry urges fans to check on bereaved loved ones following sudden death of her son
You can leave your condolences on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
Blockchains are often slow in transaction completion, with very high gas fees, which has become frustrating for most users. They have been looking for fast, scalable, and eco-friendly blockchain applications. Enter Avalanche, redefining the way we interact with decentralized technology. From DeFi, NFTs, or even browsing the blockchain, Avalanche offers smooth, effective, and user-friendly experiences. What makes Avalanche unique? How does it work? And why should you care? Let’s discover why Avalanche is trending among developers and making waves in the world of crypto.
What is Avalanche?
Picture Courtesy: chainport.io
Avalanche often referred to as AVAX, is a layer 1 blockchain platform designed to offer scalability, speed, and flexibility. It was introduced in 2020 by Ava Labs. It boasts as one of the few blockchains that could achieve blockchain trilemma – decentralization, scalability, and security in their truest forms, all without compromising any of them.
AVA uses the consensus algorithm that is different from conventional blockchains. It allows the execution of thousands of transactions per second (TPS) and finality within a couple of seconds. You got that right; it is unbelievably fast!
How Does Avalanche Work?
Avalanche’s innovative architecture works completely contrary to conventional blockchains. The design was prioritized across several parameters including speed, scalability, and decentralization, wherein the revolutionary innovation is presented as the most successful blockchain through which cryptos can be made. Let’s get into all the details:
1. Avalanche’s Tri-Chain Architecture:
A majority of blockchains operate in a single chain to perform all their processes, Avalanche has this unique three-chain structure, cooperating with each other and dedicated to distinct tasks.
X-Chain: Exchange Chain
It is the backbone of Avalanche for the creation and transfer of digital assets. This chain employs the Avalanche consensus protocol, enabling rapid and economical transactions. Tokens made on the X-Chain comply with Avalanche’s AVAX Standard.
C Chain: Contract Chains
C-Chain is built for smart contracts and DApps. It is compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and would allow a developer to bundle existing Ethereum-based applications with little or no change. It uses the Snowman consensus protocol and is optimized for the operations of smart contracts.
P Chain: Platform Chain
P-Chain is the backbone for validators and subnets (custom blockchains). It empowers users with the creation of blockchains designed for specific cases and enjoys the safety and speed of Avalanche. It also coordinates staking and validation.
2. Consensus Mechanism: A Game-Changer
Avalanche introduces a groundbreaking consensus mechanism that blends features of classic with innovative features:
Avalanche Protocol (for X-Chain):
It operates by a lightweight and gossip-based process. It doesn’t build global agreement; rather repeatedly samples small groups of validators for rapid and secure consensus.
Snowman Protocol (for C-Chain and P-Chain):
Linear and deterministic for smart contracts and optimized for high throughput. Without delay to seconds and guarantees security against various attacks.
With such an agreement, Avalanche can manage 4,500+ transactions per second (TPS) with the desired decentralization.
3. Custom Subnets: Tailored Blockchains
Another of the distinguishing features of Avalanche is its ability to create subnets, in the form of blockchains concluding customizable needs:
Subnets can be private or public, ideal for industries like healthcare, gaming, and finance, where tailored solutions are critical.
Each subnet can have its own rules, consensus, and tokenomics.
Although these subnets operate independently, they are inherently secured and scalable under the entire realm of Avalanche.
4. Interoperability with Ethereum:
Avalanche’s C-Chain ensures complete compliance with the Ethereum ecosystem. Thus:
Developers can make things like MetaMask, Remix, and others.
Minimal transfer to Avalanche from existing Ethereum dApps can be realized at much faster speeds and lower costs.
5. Staking and Validation:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system to secure its network:
To participate in consensus, validators must stake AVAX tokens.
To become validators, at least 2,000 AVAX must be staked.
These rewards are distributed according to both uptime and performance, allowing network integrity to be maintained.
6. Built for Speed and Finality:
Transactions on Avalanche achieve finality in under two seconds as irreversible and confirmed almost immediately.
This speed is a significant improvement on Ethereum’s average transaction finality of several minutes.
What Makes Avalanche Unique?
The Avalanche blockchain has several distinguishing features making it stand out in the heavily crowded blockchain space, boosting its innovative characteristics and a robust ecosystem that takes a majority of setbacks faced by the traditional blocks. Here are six differentiators that make Avalanche unique:
1. Tri-Chain Architecture:
Avalanche uses a three-chain structure that comprises an X-chain, a C-chain, and a P-chain to utilize different chains in optimizing efficiency and scalability:
Each chain performs a specific function as part of enhancing throughput and avoids congestion to seamlessly operate independently.
This separation also ensures transaction speeds remain high and does not interfere with the performance of smart contracts and subnets.
Unlike the architectures of single chain blockchains, such as Ethereum, Avalanche’s approach allows it to maintain a variety of workloads with much ease.
Delegating tasks to the specialized chains leads Avalanche to achieve superior performance and flexibility compared to most other blockchains.
2. Blazing Transaction Speed and Finality:
Avalanche is designed for speed:
Finalized transactions take about two seconds compared to Ethereum’s 6-12 minutes and Bitcoin’s 10-60 minutes.
The lightning-fast speed makes it possible to build real-time financial applications or games delays considerably impair functionality or disrupt user experience.
The network can process 4,500+ transactions per second (TPS), way above many rivals.
Such parameters put Avalanche among the swiftest, most effective blockchains going around.
3. Customize Subnets (Blockchain as a Service):
Avalanche allows users to design their subnets, separated, custom-made blockchains.
They make way for businesses to define how cloud banks operate by having different rules, governance modalities, and consensus methodologies.
Subnetworks have room for private and permissioned blockchains, which intrigue a lot of companies within heavily regulated activities, such as finance and healthcare.
Developers have total control of their subnetworks without compromising the security and scalability offered by Avalanche.
The flexibility of Avalanche makes way for a leader in Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions.
4. Eco-Friendly Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Consensus:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system. This method is much more energy-efficient when compared with the traditional Proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism:
Validators participate by staking AVAX tokens, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mining.
The consensus mechanism minimizes computational waste while maintaining high security.
Avalanche’s PoS approach aligns with global sustainability goals, making it a green alternative to older blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
That eco-friendliness is highly attractive to organizations and developers who care for the environment.
5. EVM Integration: Compatibility with Ethereum
Avalanche seamlessly interacts with the entire ecosystem of Ethereum, thanks to the C-Chain:
Developers may utilize Ethereum tools such as MetaMask, Solidity, and Truffle to develop dApps upon Avalanche.
Applications could easily adopt Avalanche from Ethereum as well, obtaining lower fees and faster speeds as a result.
It effectively always connects Avalanche with the world’s largest blockchain ecosystem and enhances that ease of adoption and use.
This is the best possible world with the best toolset from Ethereum combined with its high-performance infrastructure.
6. Decentralization Without Compromise:
Avalanche is one of the few to achieve such an exceptional balance among decentralization, scalability, and security:
The consensus allows thousands of validators without compromising on performance.
Unlike other blockchains that compromise decentralization to achieve scalability, Avalanche maintains a decentralized structure while still processing thousands of transactions per second.
This ensures that the network remains secure, censorship-resistant, and inclusive.
AVAX: The Native Token of Avalanche
Picture Courtesy: moonstake.io
At the heart of the Avalanche ecosystem lies AVAX, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. AVAX plays a crucial role in powering the network, enabling seamless transactions, rewarding participants, and ensuring the ecosystem’s security. Let’s explore AVAX:
1. Utility of AVAX in the Ecosystem:
AVAX isn’t just a token; it’s the backbone of Avalanche’s functionality:
Transaction Fees: AVAX is used to pay for all transaction fees within the Avalanche network, from simple transfers to deploying smart contracts.
Staking and Rewards: Users can stake AVAX to become validators or delegators, securing the network while earning rewards in return.
Governance: AVAX holders participate in governance, enabling them to vote on key proposals, such as network upgrades or fee adjustments.
Subnet Creation: To launch custom subnets, developers must pay a fee in AVAX, ensuring its integral role in scaling the Avalanche ecosystem.
2. Tokenomics:
Avalanche incorporates a well-structured tokenomics model to ensure sustainable growth:
Initial Supply: The total supply of AVAX was capped at 720 million tokens during its launch.
Circulating Supply: AVAX tokens are released gradually through staking rewards and ecosystem incentives.
Burn Mechanism: A portion of the AVAX used for transaction fees is permanently burned, reducing the supply over time. This deflationary mechanism supports long-term value appreciation.
3. Staking AVAX:
Staking AVAX is a cornerstone of the Avalanche network:
Minimum Stake: Validators must stake a minimum of 2,000 AVAX, while delegators need to stake at least 25 AVAX.
Rewards: Validators and delegators earn staking rewards based on the amount staked and the duration of their participation.
Lock-in Period: Staked AVAX is locked in a user-defined period (minimum of two weeks and up to one year).
This staking mechanism not only ensures network security but also incentivizes long-term participation.
4. Economic Design:
The AVAX tokenomics design balances supply and demand through strategic mechanisms:
Fee Model: Transaction fees are dynamically adjusted based on network usage, ensuring affordability while maintaining economic stability.
Incentives: AVAX incentivizes participation from both developers and users, creating a thriving ecosystem.
Burning Fees: The token burn feature decreases total supply over time, potentially increasing scarcity and value.
5. Use Cases of AVAX:
AVAX extends beyond just being a payment token:
Payments: Users can send and receive AVAX globally with near-instant finality.
Smart Contract Deployment: Developers use AVAX to deploy smart contracts on the C-Chain.
NFT Marketplaces: AVAX powers transactions in NFT marketplaces built on Avalanche.
DeFi Applications: Many DeFi protocols within Avalanche’s ecosystem, such as lending, staking, and liquidity pools, rely on AVAX.
6. Market Performance:
AVAX has seen significant adoption and investment interest:
Listing: AVAX is listed on major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, providing global accessibility.
Price Trends: As of 2024, AVAX has shown strong resilience in the competitive crypto market, thanks to its robust ecosystem.
Market Capitalization: AVAX consistently ranks among the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, reflecting investor confidence.
Use-Cases of Avalanche:
Avalanche’s versatility has enabled it to power a wide range of applications:
1. DeFi (Decentralized Finance):
Avalanche has become a key player in the DeFi ecosystem by enabling fast and low-cost transactions. Cost-efficient and quicker transactions have allowed Avalanche to enable dApps for lending, borrowing, yield farming, and liquidity provisioning, laying out a seamless stage for such transactions without intermediaries in finance. A fine-grained throughput and very low fees make it possible for a smooth DeFi experience, attracting protocols such as Aave and Trader Joe into its ecosystem.
2. Enterprise Blockchain Solutions:
Avalanche is increasingly being adopted by enterprises seeking private, customizable blockchains. Its unique subnet architecture allows companies to develop their blockchain built to suit needs, such as supply-chain management, identity, or financial services. Its flexibility and massive scalability make Avalanche an attractive option for industries that need such specific secure customized blockchain networks.
3. Non-Fungible Tokens:
Avalanche is designed to enable the creation and exchange of NFTs at great speed and low cost. C-Chain is intended for the deployment of NFTs into multiple marketplaces and platforms for digital art. The excellent transaction speed with which Avalanche transacts along with its relatively low fees mints and sells of NFTs can be done at minimum cost overheads to be competitive with Ethereum and the rest of the NFT ecosystem.
4. Cross-Chain Interoperability:
Avalanche’s cross-chain interoperability allows different blockchains to communicate seamlessly. It becomes more apparent especially to DeFi applications and others operating in more than one network since its integration allows a cross-chain interaction between off-chain assets and databases.
5. Gaming and Metaverse:
Avalanche is increasingly popular for gaming and metaverse applications, where low latency and scalability are critical. Games built on Avalanche can handle thousands of in-game transactions per second without delays, improving user experience. Furthermore, with the growing interest in the metaverse, Avalanche supports virtual worlds and digital economies by offering fast and cost-effective blockchain infrastructure, which is vital for building interactive, blockchain-based gaming and virtual reality experiences.
Avalanche vs. Solana:
Picture Courtesy: moralismoney.com
Let’s explore the key differences between Avalanche and Solana:
FeatureAvalancheSolanaLaunch Year20202020Consensus MechanismProof-of-Stake (PoS) with Avalanche and Snowman protocolsProof-of-History (PoH) combined with Proof-of-Stake (PoS)ArchitectureTri-Chain Architecture: X-Chain, C-Chain, and P-Chain for specific tasksSingle-Chain ArchitectureTransaction SpeedFinality in < 2 secondsFinality in ~400 millisecondsThroughput (TPS)4,500+ TPS65,000+ TPSEcosystem FocusMulti-chain, customizable subnets for diverse use casesHigh-speed dApps and decentralized exchanges (DEXs)Energy EfficiencyHighly eco-friendly Proof-of-StakeEnergy-efficient, but requires more resources due to high computational demandDevelopment ToolsCompatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), supports Ethereum toolsSolana-specific tools like Solana CLI and Solana SDKGas FeesLow fees (~$0.01–$0.10 per transaction)Extremely low fees (~$0.00025 per transaction)Consensus ProcessValidators use a gossip-based sampling process for consensusUses Proof-of-History to timestamp transactions, reducing delaysValidator RequirementsMinimum stake of 2,000 AVAXMinimum stake of 1 SOLScalabilityScales through subnets (independent blockchains)Scales vertically with high throughput on a single chainDecentralizationSupports thousands of validators; highly decentralizedCentralized compared to Avalanche, with fewer validatorsSmart Contract SupportUses C-Chain for smart contracts, fully EVM-compatibleNative smart contract development, non-EVM compatibleEcosystem StrengthStrong growth in DeFi, subnets, and enterprise use casesFocused on DeFi, gaming, and NFTsUse CasesEnterprise blockchain, DeFi, NFTs, and custom applicationsGaming, DeFi, high-frequency trading, and NFTsSecuritySecure with robust staking and decentralizationSecurity relies on fewer validators and high throughputAdoption RateRapidly growing, especially with subnet deploymentsKnown for fast adoption in gaming and NFT marketsChallengesThe complexity of subnet deployment, slower adoption compared to SolanaOccasional network outages and performance issues
Advantages of Avalanche:
Here’s why you should try Avalanche:
1. Very High Scalability and Rapid Transactions:
More than 4,500 transactions per second are handled by Avalanche with instantaneous finality, making it an extremely fast blockchain for the users. Therefore, delays through which users can undergo in making transfers are minimal, ensuring importance for any decentralized finance app or for games.
2. Low Transaction Cost:
Avalanche’s low gas fees (~$0.01 per transaction) make it highly cost-effective for developers and users. Due to this low-cost approach, it stands as the best choice for building decentralized applications (dApps), minting NFTs, or conducting regular transactions, especially compared with other blockchains including Ethereum.
3. Customizable Blockchains (Subnets):
Avalanche’s subnet architecture allows developers to create their own customized blockchains for specific use cases. Each of these subnets can have its own set of rules, and governance and may even run on a diverse consensus among quite a wide range of flexibility offered to the developer instead of having a single chain for every transaction.
4. Environmental Efficiency:
Avalanche uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which is more energy-efficient than traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchains like Bitcoin. Thus, the environment-friendly approach will facilitate scaling of the network without using up a lot of energy, making it attractive to environmentally conscious developers and users.
5. Robust Security and Decentralization:
Avalanche’s multi-layered security ensures that the network remains highly secure and resistant to attacks. A digital decentralized nature, having thousands of validators, is a further factor that strengthens the integrity of the platform.
How to Get Started with Avalanche?
If you’re looking to explore the Avalanche ecosystem, whether as an investor, developer, or user, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Create an Avalanche Wallet:
The first step to getting involved with Avalanche is setting up a wallet to store AVAX tokens and interact with dApps.
Download a Wallet: You can use the Avalanche Wallet, a user-friendly, web-based wallet that allows you to manage your AVAX and other assets. You can also use third-party wallets like MetaMask, which supports the Avalanche network.
Create Your Wallet: After downloading, create a new wallet, and ensure you back up your private keys and recovery phrases securely.
Connect to Avalanche Network: In your wallet, ensure you connect it to the Avalanche C-Chain (the default chain for transactions, DeFi, and NFTs).
2. Buy AVAX Tokens:
To interact with Avalanche’s ecosystem, you’ll need AVAX, the native token.
Choose an Exchange: You can buy AVAX on popular exchanges such as Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, or FTX.
Transfer AVAX to Your Wallet: After purchasing, transfer your AVAX tokens from the exchange to your Avalanche wallet for safer storage and easier interaction with dApps.
Transaction Fees: Remember, AVAX is also used to pay transaction fees on the network.
3. Explore Avalanche’s DeFi Ecosystem:
Avalanche’s ecosystem offers a wide range of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Here’s how to get started:
Access DeFi dApps: Visit platforms like Trader Joe, Aave, and Pangolin to explore decentralized exchanges (DEX), lending platforms, and liquidity pools.
Connect Your Wallet: Simply connect your Avalanche wallet to these DeFi dApps to start trading, lending, or providing liquidity.
Earn Rewards: Many DeFi protocols offer yield farming and staking opportunities where you can earn rewards by participating.
4. Staking AVAX:
Staking your AVAX tokens helps secure the network and earns rewards. To stake AVAX:
Choose a Validator: Use the Avalanche Wallet to stake your tokens with a trusted validator or delegate your tokens to one.
Start Staking: Select a validator, lock your AVAX for the desired time period (minimum 2 weeks), and start earning staking rewards.
Monitor Your Staking: You can track your staking rewards directly in your wallet or on staking platforms within the Avalanche network.
5. Develop on Avalanche (For Developers):
Avalanche offers developers a powerful and scalable platform to create decentralized applications (dApps).
Avalanche C-Chain: Developers can use the C-Chain (compatible with Ethereum) to build smart contracts and dApps using Solidity (Ethereum’s programming language).
Subnets: Avalanche’s subnet architecture allows developers to build custom blockchains tailored to specific use cases.
Documentation: Visit the Avalanche developer portal for tutorials, resources, and tools for building on Avalanche.
6. Join the Community:
Engage with the Avalanche community to learn more and stay updated.
Avalanche Forum & Discord: Join the official Avalanche Discord and community forums to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from others.
Follow on social media: Keep up with the latest news by following Avalanche on Twitter, Telegram, and Reddit.
Challenges and Risks of Avalanche:
There are some challenges also:
1. Scalability Under Stress:
Despite high throughput, the network could face congestion during extreme traffic, potentially impacting transaction speeds and costs.
2. Ecosystem Competition:
Avalanche competes with established platforms like Ethereum and Solana, which could limit its market share in the blockchain space.
3. Regulatory Uncertainty:
Global regulations on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology pose potential risks to the growth and adoption of Avalanche.
4. Security Concerns:
While Avalanche is highly secure, vulnerabilities in smart contracts and dApps on its network could expose users to hacks and exploits.
5. Adoption and Awareness:
The success of Avalanche depends on increased adoption by developers and businesses, which requires overcoming user inertia and building more awareness.
Avalanche is a testament to how far blockchain technology has come. With its unparalleled speed, eco-friendly infrastructure, and robust ecosystem, it’s no surprise that Avalanche is making waves in the crypto world. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or blockchain enthusiast, Avalanche has something for everyone.
What’s your take on Avalanche? Do you see it as the blockchain of the future, or do you think another contender might take the crown? Share your thoughts in the comments!
And if you’re as excited about DeFi, blockchain, and the evolving Web3 universe as we are, join our community! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates, trends, and insights—let’s navigate the world of Web 3 together!
Nakamigos has officially stepped into the gaming world with the release of Rise of the Wolf, a prototype RPG now available for Windows PCs.
Developed by HiFo Labs using the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, the game provides an early taste of the Nakamigos-CLOAKS universe. Whilst still in its prototype phase, the game offers immersive combat mechanics and visually striking environments tailored for high-end gaming systems.
The game allows players to explore a condensed yet dynamic RPG experience and invites creators to integrate Nakamigos-CLOAKS characters into their own projects.
Source: Nakamigos
What is Rise of the Wolf?
Rise of the Wolf is an early prototype set in the Nakamigos-CLOAKS universe, blending RPG elements with fast-paced action.
The game invites players to control a character armed with elemental weapons in a series of battles. Although it is not a full-scale release, the game showcases the potential of the Nakamigos-CLOAKS franchise, offering a glimpse into what future projects could look like.
Developed by HiFo Labs, the prototype focuses on providing a bite-sized experience and serves as a testing ground for ideas and feedback from its community.
Source: Nakamigos
Gameplay Features and Requirements
Players in “Rise of the Wolf” can engage in strategic combat, utilizing a range of weapons and abilities. Basic attacks are executed with the Sword of the Earth, whilst special moves are unleashed using the Swords of Fire and Sun. Health regeneration is achieved through the Potion of Summoning, giving players an edge in combat. Movement and attack focus are handled via the mouse, with keyboard inputs triggering attacks and other actions.
The game’s advanced visuals and mechanics demand high-performance hardware. Minimum system requirements include:
Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600Memory: 8GB RAMGraphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580Storage: 50GB SSD
Players should note that Rise of the Wolf is optimized for high-end gaming PCs and may experience performance issues on lower-end machines. Load times can take up to 60 seconds, a tradeoff for the prototype’s advanced graphical fidelity.
With its accessible controls and short session times, the game appeals to players seeking quick but engaging experiences. This early release also sets the stage for future Nakamigos projects, including the highly anticipated “The Legend of Himaji,” set to launch on Fortnite next year.
From the first trailer, I knew Neva would be an emotional experience. Nomada Studio’s previous game, Gris, was a poignant exploration of grief and the effects it can have on a person, told through the lens of a young girl who’d just lost her mother. Neva explores familial bonds through a different but just as emotional lens: parenthood.
The relationship between Alba and Neva mirrors a mother/child relationship through most of the game. The wolf starts as a small cub, curious about the world and ready to explore, and eventually he becomes a strong protector, equaling his mother’s capabilities. From there, the two fight against the blight that’s affecting the world, with Neva learning new abilities in every season.
The journey encompassing this coming of age includes some of the strongest voice acting you’ll find in a video game this year. However, unlike games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Metaphor: ReFantazio, which are bursting with dialogue, Neva accomplishes this feat with a much smaller script; throughout the entire five-hour adventure, only one word is ever spoken.
One of many gorgeous scenes throughout Neva.
Neva’s control scheme is standard fare for an action-platformer: one button to attack, one button to jump, one button to dodge, etc. Included in the control scheme, though, is a button specifically designated for calling Neva. No matter what you’re doing, or where you are, a simple press will make Alba say “Neva” and call out for the good wolfie girl.
While the mechanic has its uses–you can call Neva to your side if she’s far away, or instruct her to jump up a ledge–it’s mostly just there for the player’s enjoyment. Calling Neva usually results in Alba giving her companion a little scratch behind the ears–which means yes, in Neva, you can pet the dog.
Its biggest contribution to the story, and what sends Neva into the upper echelon of 2024 voice acting, is the emotion Alba conveys whenever the button is pressed. When there’s little danger around, and Neva is sniffing around or standing still, Alba’s voice is calm, loving, and light. The character’s love for her companion comes through, especially when it’s followed by sounds of delight from both characters following a loving head scratch.
Press that button in a more urgent moment, however, and Alba’s voice becomes much heavier. There’s urgency in her calls, permeated by a sense of panic. Her anxiety and fear come to the surface, and all it takes is a change in inflection. It’s powerful stuff, and it makes using the call button more than worth it even in hectic situations.
Neva is trapped, and Alba fights to free her companion.
There’s one moment in particular that really highlights how effective this voice acting can be. Alba and Neva are separated, and the player as Alba must traverse a perilous maze in order to reunite with the wolf. Throughout this endeavor, pressing the call button makes Alba utter a cry of pure terror, helplessly shouting into the void in search of her lost companion. The fear of the unknown is palpable, and I start to feel Alba’s anxiety with her as I hear her call the wolf’s name.
Now, putting Alba’s ability to call out for Neva on a button is not without its pitfalls. By doing this, Nomada ran the risk of some players not being able to hear the exceptional voice work at hand, simply because they were so focused on the action on screen that they were too busy attacking and dodging to press the call button.
However, Nomada brilliantly trained us to keep it in the back of our minds through the mechanic I mentioned earlier: the one where Alba uses her call to summon Neva to her side. The player now knows that calling Neva can summon her, so once the two are separated, it’s natural to press the button and see if it works–and when it doesn’t, to keep trying it in the hopes that maybe it will work eventually.
Anyone who’s ever been in care of a child and lost sight of them–be it in a store, a theme park, or even in their own homes–can relate to this feeling of paralyzing fear, uncertainty, and doubt… as well as the feeling of sheer relief when Alba finds Neva happily sitting on a platform, not a care in the world, as if nothing happened. Kids these days!
Neva is a profound analysis of parenthood, and all of the highs and lows that come with it. The raw emotion is best conveyed through its voice acting, credited to Cristina Peña, and putting Alba’s voice under the player’s control makes it that much more effective. Nomada Studio deserves a ton of credit for finding a way to convey the intricate complexities of being a caregiver–and even more credit for doing it with a single word.
Amidst the sea of revered luxury brands and generational fashion houses is a name that many have known and loved for decades now. That celebrated name is Elisabetta Franchi, the Italian designer who has made a notable impact with her eponymous brand that caters to women. Over the years, her unique blend of aesthetics has included sophisticated elegance with modern femininity, which has captured the hearts of fashionistas worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating timeless pieces, she has successfully managed to maintain the balance of using house codes with current trends. Her creations have graced the red carpets of global events, adorning Hollywood celebrities and influencers with their distinctive allure.
Inspired by her doll Betty, Franchi realized very early on that fashion and dressing women was what she truly loved. Pursuing this dream, she opened her first atelier in 1995 and in 2012, she decided to design under her own name and set up her brand. The year 2015 saw her showcasing her first collection at the prestigious Milan Fashion Week. This debut range included sleek dresses and evening wear, perfectly tailored skirts, and pant sets, with a mix of prints and neutral colors. She received widespread acclaim for her impactful yet ultra-feminine designs and impeccable craftsmanship, laying a strong foundation for the label’s future success.
One of the defining characteristics of the Elisabetta Franchi brand is the ability to infuse classical elegance with a contemporary twist. Right from the suits and two-piece sets to the dresses and shirts, all exude a sense of refined style, featuring clean lines, exquisite tailoring, and luxurious fabrics. Franchi’s deep understanding of the female form is evident in her creations, as she effortlessly accentuates the natural beauty and grace of women through her work. There is something for every woman and every occasion, covering casual, formal, and semi-formal apparel. Picture animal prints, chain detailing, fringes, cutouts, and of course, the clever use of the EF monogram often seen near the waist or the shoulder and neckline.
Today, the designer’s legacy continues to flourish, as her label remains a shining example of excellent workmanship. With each collection, she continues to captivate everyone with her simple yet distinctive aesthetic. Her ability to redefine Italian fashion for the modern woman still stands strong in the suits, flowy dresses, beautiful evening gowns and in all of the other chic styles.
Below you can find some gorgeous clothing from the Elisabetta Franchi brand, all available at The Luxury Closet.
Samikshya Borse
Samikshya is an ambivert who loves all things fashion, dance, and food. She believes in communication and the power of words and visuals to inspire people. A dreamer and a thinker, you can find her consuming digital content (incessantly) when not working.
Artificial intelligence is no longer just shaping entire industries—it is actively redefining them. By 2025, AI will have evolved from a mere innovation driver to a central force dictating how businesses compete, connect, and create. The following exploration highlights 7 key ways AI will dominate the corporate landscape and offers insights into what organizations can do to stay ahead.
1. AI As A Driver Of Sustainability
Sustainability has evolved from a corporate buzzword into a strategic imperative. By 2025, more businesses will treat environmental stewardship as a growth engine rather than a burdensome responsibility. AI can analyze massive data sets on resource allocation, waste production, and supply chain logistics, proposing optimized workflows that minimize environmental impact. Consider a bakery that uses AI to assess customer demand, allowing it to bake precisely enough bread each morning to avoid leftovers without running out. Scaled across numerous industries, these incremental improvements can significantly reduce waste and lead to more sustainable operations.
Smaller organizations often worry that “greening” their operations will be expensive or complex, yet many of the AI tools designed for sustainability are affordable and relatively simple to implement. Identifying where inefficiencies exist—be it in energy consumption, material use, or transportation—enables organizations to focus on the areas with the largest payoffs. Even modest AI-driven optimizations, when multiplied across a company or industry, can yield notable environmental and financial benefits.
2. Mainstreaming Edge AI
Edge AI—the ability to compute and process data on local devices rather than relying on the cloud—has been quietly gaining momentum. By 2025, it will likely be essential for businesses dealing with real-time applications or heightened security needs. Self-driving cars and wearables already harness edge AI to deliver immediate responses without the latency of sending data to a remote server. As demand grows for faster, more private AI-driven solutions, edge processing will become a cornerstone of advanced business infrastructures.
Organizations that rely heavily on the Internet of Things (IoT) will feel the benefits most keenly. By processing data locally, businesses can enhance both speed and privacy, cutting down on round-trip times to the cloud while also limiting how much sensitive data travels off-site. Before fully committing, however, decision-makers should analyze whether edge AI’s advantages align with their operational needs. Critical factors include the time sensitivity of data, bandwidth constraints, and the security implications of offloading data processing to a remote location.
3. AI As A Partner In The Workplace
Fears that AI will replace human workers persist, but the more realistic vision for 2025 sees AI as a reliable colleague—handling repetitive tasks while people focus on the work that requires empathy, creativity, and high-level problem-solving. Customer service provides a perfect example: AI-driven chatbots can effectively manage routine queries around the clock, freeing human agents to spend their energy and expertise on complex or nuanced issues. This synergy not only boosts efficiency but can also result in more fulfilling roles for employees, where mundane tasks are minimized.
To implement AI in the workplace, an organization might begin by pinpointing where worker burnout or turnover is highest. Chances are, those are tasks that can be partially automated without sacrificing job quality. As AI steps in to manage these repetitive duties, companies can redeploy staff to roles that demand human engagement—driving customer satisfaction, creative ideation, or strategic planning.
4. The Imperative Of Ethical AI
By 2025, organizations will be under immense pressure to demonstrate that their AI practices are grounded in fairness, transparency, and accountability. Beyond the legal implications, businesses that ignore ethical considerations risk damaging their reputations. For example, a financial institution using AI for loan approvals must ensure that its algorithm does not inadvertently discriminate against specific groups. Achieving this level of fairness often involves auditing AI systems to confirm they are basing decisions solely on relevant variables like income and credit history.
An ethical AI strategy hinges on robust governance and consistent audits. Ensuring data privacy and developing clear guidelines for algorithmic fairness are critical steps. Companies must also communicate these efforts to consumers, sharing both their approach to AI governance and the protective measures in place. When customers trust that AI is not a “black box” but a secure and ethical tool, they’re more likely to engage with and endorse a company’s products or services.
5. The Rise Of Hyper-Personalization
Hyper-personalization, already evident in services like Netflix’s eerily precise watch suggestions or Spotify’s intuitive playlists, will move far beyond static screens. AI will become more adept at interpreting individual preferences, motivations, and even energy levels, ushering in highly customized experiences that constantly adapt to real-world contexts. A simple fitness application, for instance, could transform itself into a dynamic personal trainer—monitoring daily activity, recognizing patterns in a user’s routine, and offering specific exercise regimens in real time. This evolution won’t be limited to isolated apps; AI will seamlessly embed itself in every aspect of our lives, from the wearable devices we use to the smart appliances in our homes.
For businesses, this trend demands a concerted effort toward personalization that goes beyond basic name inserts or generic product suggestions. To begin, companies might start by integrating AI-driven models into a single aspect of the user experience—such as targeted emails or personalized product selections—and then transparently explain how this data enhances the user’s experience. As customers grow more comfortable with AI’s role, organizations can expand these capabilities into additional touchpoints, cultivating trust while delivering increasingly fine-tuned services.
6. Generative AI As A Creative Force
Generative AI has quickly shifted from a novel tool to an everyday creative ally. By 2025, it will be indispensable in areas like design, marketing, and content development, offering up ideas, drafts, and rapid iterations at scales previously impossible. One startup founder recently revealed how generative AI helped them churn out 50 unique social media posts in a single afternoon—work that would have otherwise taken an entire week. This kind of speed and efficiency will become standard for any enterprise looking to stay competitive.
However, while generative AI can handle the heavy lifting of ideation and early drafts, it is not a substitute for the nuanced voice and insight humans bring to the table. The best results emerge when AI-generated content is refined by human creativity, ensuring the brand’s authenticity remains intact. Testing out generative AI in low-stakes projects—like brainstorming marketing ideas or templated communications—is a practical first step, but organizations should be mindful of preserving the distinctive qualities that make their brand recognizable and relatable.
7. Decision Intelligence For Smarter Choices
Decision intelligence represents an evolution beyond data analytics, offering businesses not just raw insights but actionable recommendations. Traditional AI tools might gather and sort information, leaving users to interpret complex charts or spreadsheets. Decision intelligence, by contrast, can help managers and teams navigate challenging scenarios quickly and confidently. A retail chain, for example, might use such a system to project peak shopping hours and instantaneously adjust staffing schedules. The outcome is a more efficient workforce, cost savings, and better customer experiences.
To tap into decision intelligence, organizations can start by identifying a single decision-making bottleneck—like optimal pricing or inventory tracking—and employing AI-driven solutions to experiment with different variables. Once companies see the benefits in these small projects, they can scale and refine their approach. The key lies in ensuring that the AI is not merely descriptive but prescriptive: it should outline an array of potential actions and clarify the likely outcomes of each.
Navigating The AI-Driven Future
As AI continues to evolve, its application across industries will become more fluid, more integrated, and more transformative. For businesses seeking to adapt, a practical path involves starting with smaller, well-defined AI deployments and then expanding upon those early successes. Balance the data-driven insights AI provides with a human-centered approach that values empathy, creativity, and ethics.
AI’s promise is not confined to massive corporations with unlimited budgets. Smaller enterprises can benefit from AI’s ability to streamline operations, interpret data, and transform customer experiences. Key is to remain agile, open-minded, and ready to iterate. The technology landscape will keep shifting, but those who embrace AI thoughtfully—coupled with a clear ethical stance—will be well-positioned to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
The result of this journey will be a business culture where AI acts as an indispensable tool rather than an existential threat. By harnessing AI’s potential for hyper-personalization, creative generation, intelligent decision-making, sustainability, edge computing, workforce support, and ethical responsibility, companies can unlock new ways to compete, innovate, and foster trust. The question is no longer if AI will reshape your industry, but rather how ready you are to transform alongside it—and what you will choose to create with these remarkable new capabilities.
Who knew a farming and life simulator could be this popular? Of course, if you’ve ever played Stardew Valley the answer to that question is obvious. It’s so engaging and fun to play and rammed full of stuff to do that it’s easy to forget the game is made by just one guy: Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone.
Mr. ConcernedApe has updated the official Stardew Valley website with some new sales figures, and they are impressive: the game has managed to sell over 41 million copies.
Mr. Ape breaks the data down a little for us, saying that 24 million sales have been on PC, and 7.9 on the Nintendo Switch. Sadly, he doesn’t mention other platforms, so all we know is that roughly 9 million sales have occurred on PlayStation, Xbox and mobile.
What’s really crazy is that in February of 2024, Mr. Concerned told us that Stardew Valley had hit 30 million sales, so between then and now another 11 million copies of the game have been sold. Part of that success was probably the massive 1.6 update that occurred in March. Before that, the game typically had anywhere from 10,000-50,000 concurrent players per day, which is already quite impressive. Following the update, though, the game broke its own records, hitting a peak concurrent player count of 236,614. Since then, Stardew Valley has consistently been getting over 100,000 concurrent players per day.
It also helps that the 1.6 update, like all other updates for the game, was completely free. Mr. SlightlyWorriedSimian remains steadfast in his refusal to charge for DLC or updates, even swearing it on his family honour.
He is currently working on a new game titled Haunted Chocolatier, but in April of 2023 he announced he was taking a break from it to work on Stardew Valley some more.
Sad news out of the world of television today, as beloved actress Linda Lavin has passed away at the age of 87.
The news comes as a shock to fans, as Lavin was as active as ever in the weeks leading up to her death.
In addition to promoting her recent Netflix series No Good Deed, Linda was filming another sitcom, Mid-Century Modern, for Hulu.
Linda Lavin attends the premiere of Netflix’s “No Good Deed” at TUDUM Theater on December 04, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Linda Lavin’s Cause of Death Revealed
According to sources close to the situation, Lavin passed away on Sunday following a short battle with cancer.
The first report of her death came courtesy of Deadline. The outlet revealed that Linda “passed unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer.”
News of Lavin’s death instantly made her name an instant trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), where she’s been the subject of thousands of tributes from co-stars, friends, and a legion of adoring fans.
Actress Linda Lavin poses for a photo on the opening night of “The Lyons” at the Vineyard Theatre on October 11, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
An Epic Career
Though best known for her work as the title character on the 1970s sitcom Alice, Linda racked up dozens of noteworthy film and television roles over the course of nearly 60 years in the industry.
She was also a favorite of theater directors, winning a Tony in 1987 for her work in the Neil Simon play Broadway Bound.
More recently, Lavin had regular roles on a number of network sitcoms, including Sean Saves the World, 9JKL, and B Positive.
Linda Lavin previews her new show “Starting Over” during the 54 Below Press preview at 54 Below on May 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
But for millions of fans, Linda’s most indelible work will always be her role on Alice.
One of the most beloved sitcoms of the ’70s and ’80s, the show was based on the Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.
The success of Alice derived largely from Lavin’s ability to make the audience laugh while simultaneously bringing tremendous heart and humanity to her role as a widowed single mom who takes a job in a diner.
And based on the tributes from those who knew her best, Linda Lavin brought that same warmth and humor to her personal life, as well.
Linda Lavin attends The Roundabout Gala 2023 at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on March 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton summed up the feelings of so many others when she tweeted:
“I just heard the news that my dear friend Linda Lavin died. Totally unexpected, even at the age of 87. A true friend and a total force of nature.”
Our thoughts go out to Linda’s loved ones during this enormously difficult time.
Source: Nakamigos
