“Seinfeld” had plenty of guest stars during its nine-season run. While many of them managed to antagonize the main characters in-universe, a select few actually got on the real-life Jerry Seinfeld’s nerves. Arguably the most famous example is Seinfeld’s feud with the real-life “Soup Nazi,” but that was about the character’s inspiration — noted soup chef Ali Yeganeh of Soup Kitchen International — being affronted by Seinfeld’s version instead of anything Larry Thomas (who played the fictional Yev “Soup Nazi” Kassem) did. However, one particular star’s cameo managed to get right up in Seinfeld’s face … literally.
In the “Seinfeld” season 5 two-parter “The Raincoats,” Judge Reinhold memorably plays Aaron, Elaine’s latest boyfriend who has an unfortunate penchant for standing really close to people when he’s talking. During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Reinhold revealed that when they rehearsed the scene, he couldn’t happen but notice that people seemed to be having a suspiciously fun time when he was interacting with Seinfeld. This is because they, unlike Reinhold at the time, knew that the scene genuinely creeped the star out. Here’s how Reinhold explained the situation:
“When I get to Jerry, I’m the closest, and then the crew was laughing in a way that it seemed like something was going on. And so we broke for lunch or whatever and I said: ‘Why are you guys laughing so hard when I get to Jerry?” And they said because he’s such a germaphobe, he’s terrified of what you’re doing.”
Reinhold embraced the awkwardness as Aaron the close talker
NBC
As anyone who’s seen the episode knows all too well, the information that Jerry Seinfeld was genuinely unnerved by his character’s close-talking tic didn’t deter Judge Reinhold in any way. In fact, as he was quick to mention in the interview, he somehow found a way to get even closer to the show’s star when they actually shot the scene, ensuring that Seinfeld’s mortified expression didn’t require acting:
“So, of course, by the time it got to camera, I was almost touching his nose. I mean, our nose hairs were almost touching. I know he was so uncomfortable. If you see it again, you’ll see he’s just crawling in his skin.”
Many “Seinfeld” cameos have interesting stories behind them. Philip Baker Hall said his life changed after playing Lt. Joe Bookman, the library cop in the “Seinfeld” season 3 standout, “The Library.” At the other end of the spectrum, Bob Odenkirk had never even seen “Seinfeld” when he agreed to play Elaine’s hapless med student boyfriend Ben in the season 8 episode “The Abstinence.” However, Reinhold alone can say that he spent a considerable portion of his appearance on the legendary sitcom in Jerry Seinfeld’s personal space.
WISeKey’s Subsidiary SEALCOIN 2025 Roadmap: Leading Machine-to-Machine Transactions Through Blockchain and Space Innovation
Zug, Switzerland — December 30, 2024 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), a global leader in cybersecurity, AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies, that its subsidiary, SEALCOIN AG, ends 2024 as a leader in secure, decentralized IoT ecosystems. Utilizing its blockchain-based TIOT token, SEALCOIN empowers IoT devices to autonomously exchange data, energy, and services, transforming real-time interactions with unmatched trust and efficiency.
In January 2025, SEALCOIN will achieve a major milestone in cooperation with WISeSat AG, another WISeKey subsidiary which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, with the launch of a new generation of WISeSat satellites designed to support autonomous machine-to-machine (M2M) transactions from space. This Proof of Concept (PoC) will demonstrate secure, satellite-initiated transactions with IoT devices, marking a significant step toward creating a scalable Transactional IoT (t-IoT) infrastructure. By combining SEALCOIN’s decentralized platform with WISeSat’s capabilities, the PoC will showcase how blockchain and space technologies can enable global IoT networks with unparalleled security and scalability.
Earlier in 2024, SEALCOIN successfully conducted a PoC for t-IoT transactions between two devices, proving its ability to disintermediate service providers and securely manage decentralized device interactions. The upcoming generation of WISeSat satellites will feature enhanced operational capabilities tailored for M2M transactions, reinforcing SEALCOIN’s position as a pioneer in space-based digital ecosystems. With decentralized ledger technology ensuring secure, tamper-proof exchanges, SEALCOIN is driving innovation in industries like energy, logistics, and environmental monitoring, expanding the possibilities for IoT devices to interact autonomously in real-time.
SEALCOIN’s roadmap for 2025 focuses on scaling its space-based IoT initiatives, refining blockchain solutions for advanced security and scalability, and exploring partnerships to expand the transactional IoT ecosystem.
By addressing real-world challenges with innovative solutions, SEALCOIN continues to deliver long-term value to stakeholders and set new standards for global IoT ecosystems. With Swiss regulatory compliance, advanced encryption, and collaboration with cutting-edge technologies like Hedera Hashgraph, SEALCOIN’s decentralized architecture ensures trust, transparency, and privacy in IoT transactions.
SEALCOIN AG is revolutionizing the future of machine-to-machine transactions with its innovative integration of blockchain and space technology. SEALCOIN is committed to fostering secure, scalable, and autonomous IoT ecosystems, enabling a new era of interconnected devices.
About WISeKey
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.
Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit http://www.wisekey.com.
DisclaimerThis communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
Press and Investor Contacts
WISeKey International Holding LtdCompany Contact: Carlos MoreiraChairman & CEOTel: +41 22 594 3000info@wisekey.com WISeKey Investor Relations (US) The Equity Group Inc.Lena CatiTel: +1 212 836-9611 / lcati@equityny.comKatie MurphyTel: +1 212 836-9612 / kmurphy@equityny.com
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Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins shared a new message to his fans as he marked 49 years of being sober.
The veteran actor has a long-running tradition of sending out messages of hope to people struggling with alcoholism and uses his sobriety as a way to motivate them.
On his sober anniversaries, Hopkins usually makes a video recording detailing his experience and how he chose to become sober and continued with the tradition this year.
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Anthony Hopkins Reveals The Moment He Stopped Drinking
In the almost two-minute clip, he shared his sobriety story with his fans, narrating what led him to stop drinking.
Hopkins began, “Good morning. Happy 29th December. 29th? Why 29th? Well, 49 years ago today I stopped [mimes the act of drinking].”
He shared that he was having fun then but realized he was in “big trouble” because he couldn’t remember anything.
“The Father” actor continued, “I was driving a car, drunk out of my skull. Then on that fateful day I realized I needed help, so I got it.”
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Anthony Hopkins Reveals How He Got Help
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After realizing he needed help, Hopkins said he “phoned a group of people” who were in a similar situation and began his sobriety journey. He added, “Anyway, I’ve had more fun these 49 years than ever.”
The actor used his message to inspire people struggling with alcoholism or alcohol-related issues. He assured them, saying, “If you do have a problem, having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine. But if you are having a problem with booze, there is help.”
Hopkins explained, “It’s not a terrible deal. It’s a condition if you are allergic to alcohol. Get some help, there is plenty of help around.”
He also said, “One thing I did not realize was I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me.”
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Anthony Hopkins Wishes Everyone A ‘Happy New Year’
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In the video’s concluding part, Hopkins expressed hope and positivity to his followers, using his life as an example of how sober people can still have fun and great opportunities.
He said, “Anyways, I got sober. It sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life. They still employ me, they still give me jobs.”
The 86-year-old shared, “I’m going to be 87 in two days time, so I’m celebrating my long life – my unexpectedly long life –so if you have a problem, you know where to go.”
Hopkins urged those with drinking problems to seek help by phoning a group, enrolling in a 12-step program, or doing whatever they could do “because it [alcohol] is a killer.”
He ended his message by blowing a kiss and saying, “With that, happy New Year!”
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Hopkins Urges People Who Need Help To ‘Go For It’
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He said, “Hello there, happy New Year to you all! All you revelers and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!”
Hopkins added, “Happy New Year, have a great time. If you get a hangover, remember me. I don’t get them anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed.”
The “One Life” star concluded, “I don’t envy you having fun out there, but if you need help, there’s a time. Life is in session. Go for it.”
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How Hopkin’s Life Took A ‘New Meaning’
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In a 2020 interview with The New York Times, Hopkins recalled the moment he decided to stop drinking in 1975.
He revealed that he woke up in a hotel room in Arizona but had no idea how he got there.
Hopkins said per the Independent, “I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got to stop this because I’m either going to kill somebody or myself. My life, from that moment on, took on new meaning.”
“The Silence of the Lambs” actor’s decision to quit drinking has benefitted him greatly.
The icon won his first Oscar in 1991 for his role as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Hopkin’s second Oscar win came in 2021 when he was 83.
He won the award for his role as a father suffering from dementia in “The Father,” making him the oldest person to win an Oscar.
Archie star Kara Tointon had many high-profile relationships, before moving away from the UK to focus on her two sons.
From a breakthrough role in EastEnders to Strictly victory with her ex-beau, Kara has established herself as one of the biggest TV stars. She is now playing the lead role in the drama miniseries Archies.
So, who has Kara dated in the past? Why did she split from the father of her sons, and who is she dating in 2024? Here’s a timeline of her tumultuous love life.
Kara Tointon is returning in Archie season 2 (Credit: ITVX)
Kara Tointon’s ‘first love’ was from her relationship with James Bourne
Her “first love” was Busted singer James Bourne who she started dating when she was only a teenager. Their relationship ended after seven years together.
She was accused of “dumping” the musician because his band split. But she claims they had called it quits on their relationship five months before the Busted dismantled. They were together until 2005.
Responding to rumours about her relationship with James, Kara Tointon shared: “It was horrible that people would think I’d break up with James because he was no longer in the band. He just said, ‘If you’re an actress, you’ve got to get used to this’.”
Kara met James when she was a teenager (Credit: Shutterstock)
Romance with Terry Kiely
The actress, who played Dawn on the BBC soap, went on to date Terry Kiely after moving on from her musician ex. They split after dating for 18 months in July 2006.
While Kara Tointon insisted her busy schedule was causing issue in her relationship with Terry, sources stated a different reason. An insider told The Mirror: “Kara and James are good mates and are always fooling around together,” referring to her co-star from EastEnders who would later become her boyfriend.
But Kara said: “We’re both very busy – although I hate to think work could have been a factor.”
James and Kara were good friends before dating (Credit: Shutterstock)
She dated her EastEnders co-star
In March 2007, she was dating her EastEnders co-star James Alexandrou. She was 23 at the time and never thought of getting involved with “someone at work” – but she did.
Talking about her relationship to The Mirror, the star said: “You worry about whether it’s right. But in the end, you can’t help who you fall for. He’s a wonderful person who’s very generous and always thinks about everyone else.”
“And the fact is, it wasn’t like a normal office where you sit at desks next to each other. In the time he was here, we only had two scenes together, so we didn’t really see each other at work, except in the green room.”
She admitted to building a strong friendship with James before they became an item. They became close while working on the sets of their show, although they did a few scenes together.
Kara finally agreed to go on a date with James two months after splitting from Terry, who she was still dating at the time.
“We were friends for so long, and it was easy when we went on our first date. We went to the cinema because he loves films,” she gushed.
But their short-lived relationship ended in November of the same year and sources said, “It is all very amicable,” according to Sunday Mirror.
The pair split after ‘epic rows’ (Credit: Shutterstock)
Whirlwind romance with Joe Swash
Kara and Joe Swash’s whirlwind romance started years after they met on the sets of their show. The actors who played siblings on the show went public with their relationship in November 2008.
They were head over heels for each other and the I’m A Celebrity star had marriage on her “mind”, according to The Mirror. However, rumours about tension in their relationship started swirling towards the end of 2009.
Reportedly they were bickering a lot – sources claim they had repeated “epic rows” backstage when they starred in Snow White at Bristol’s Hippodrome.
They called quits on their relationship in May 2010 and she went to Marbella with her friends to “get her head together”.
One source claimed: “Both she and Joe are really upset about it – but their rows were getting too frequent and they knew they couldn’t make it work anymore.”
While Joe accepted to have contributed to the failure of their relationship, she moved on with her Strictly dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Joe reflected at the time: “It was all down to me, and nothing to do with Kara,” the lovesick star confessed. She genuinely does everything right. It was my fault it broke down. I didn’t know what I had until she was gone.”
He even confessed that it “hurt” him a lot when he learned his ex and the Russian hunk were an “item.” Joe wanted to cheer for Kara in the dancing competition, but he wasn’t fully over her. Joe said: “I wanted to watch Strictly to support her but I knew it was going to rip my heart out.”
But he has since moved on and started a family with his wife Stacey Solomon. The couple shares three biological children – Rex, Rose and Belle, and three more from their respective previous relationships.
Artem lifted the Glitterball trophy with Kara (Credit: BBC)
Strictly boyfriend
The Archie star and Artem were perhaps one of the hottest TV couples. They met on Strictly, danced their way to victory and dated for four years from 2010 to 2014.
She told The Telegraph’s Mandrake column: “‘We are not together. We’re fine, but we aren’t a couple any more. The reason I haven’t spoken about it is because I hate reading about myself in that way.”
Reportedly, Artem’s visa allowed him very little time in the UK, so the pair found it increasingly difficult to spend time with each other. She wanted to focus on her role as Rosalie in Mr Selfridge instead.
Artem later married WWE wrestler Nikki Bella, who was his dancing partner in the 2017 version of Strictly. He was recently in the news for getting arrested in California over charges of alleged domestic violence.
It was revealed that he did not face any charges and was released on a £19,000 bond. However, it isn’t known if his wife was involved in his arrest, reports BBC.
Marius and Kara were planning to marry (Credit: Shutterstock)
Engagement with Marius Jensen
Kara dated Marius Jensen for ten months in 2016. The couple got engaged in 2018 after dating for two years. The EastEnders actress was also pregnant with their first child at the time.
Marius, a registered chiropractor, went on to have a second child with Kara in 2021. They share two sons – Frey and Helly. The couple split a few months after welcoming their second child.
A source told The Sun: “Kara and Marius quietly separated around ten months ago. There was no wrong-doing on either side, and they both still care about each other.”
“But they came to the decision that there was no future for them as a couple. They remain friends, and are both very committed to co-parenting their two children.”
Life away from the UK
It isn’t known who Kara is dating right now, but Manchester Evening reports she is focused on her duties as a mother while living in Norway.
“Now I have children so my priority is to be at home as much as possible. I live in Norway now – we’ve upped sticks and we’re there.”
She continued: “I travel back and forth, and in a way, I suppose I just go with the peaks and troughs willingly because it gives me the opportunity to be at home with my children.”
Read more: EastEnders fans gobsmacked by Stacey Slater’s bap prices: I’m off to Walford!
Will you watch Archie season 2? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
It’s been a pivotal year for the Ripple ecosystem, marked by significant launches and renewed regulatory optimism. That optimism comes despite an ongoing battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that will soon stretch into its fifth year.
Nevertheless, XRP, a Ripple-linked asset, achieved prices not seen since 2018. In the process, it climbed back into the top three crypto assets by market cap—and now multiple asset managers have submitted filings to kick-start the regulatory process on an XRP ETF.
Dig into that and more in the year in XRP and Ripple.
Ripple and SEC keep sparring
It’s been nearly four years since the SEC alleged that Ripple held an unregistered securities sale, initiating a $1.3 billion lawsuit against the company.
A judicial ruling last year concluded sales of XRP to retail investors did not violate U.S. securities laws, a favorable ruling for Ripple. Yet the saga is still unfolding this year.
In October, the SEC filed an appeal contesting aspects of the previous year’s ruling, focused instead on XRP sales on digital asset trading platforms and personal sales by Ripple executives. It was quickly followed by a Ripple cross-appeal, after which Ripple Labs Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty told Decrypt of the initial appeal—“It will backfire on the SEC.”
When might we know? Alderoty doesn’t think it will take long for a conclusion to come this time around, suggesting a decision could be made by 2026.
XRP ETFs inevitable?
Billions of dollars poured into exchange traded products for Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2024, and XRP joining the party in the U.S. is “inevitable” according to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse.
Exchange-traded products for XRP already exist in markets outside the United States, but some asset managers have gotten the regulatory process underway in the U.S. in an attempt to provide investors with similar options.
Managers WisdomTree and Bitwise filed for ETFs via the state of Delaware, while 21Shares sent its XRP ETF filing to the SEC. According to analysts, the potential for these ETFs helped influence record-breaking inflows in those products, aiding an XRP price surge as well.
XRP hits seven-year high
XRP has captured significant attention in recent months, reaching price levels it had not seen in almost seven years in the process.
After peaking at $1.92 during the 2021 crypto cycle, XRP broke through the threshold in late November and then extended its gains to a local high of $2.82 earlier this month. In the process, it briefly flipped Tether to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
That rise pushed XRP to a mark it hadn’t traded at since January 2018, when it made its still-standing all-time high of $3.40 according to CoinGecko.
While the token has since retraced from the local high, it remains one of the top performing major crypto assets of the year, gaining more than 250% in that timeframe.
RLUSD launches
After much anticipation, Ripple’s stablecoin—RLUSD—launched on December 17. Backed by by U.S. dollars, U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents, RLUSD launched in a year in which stablecoins, or tokens pegged to the value of fiat currencies, jumped in circulation by 56% from $130 billion to $204 billion, according to DefiLlama.
Designed to provide users with cross-border payment solutions, RLUSD is live for trading on Ethereum and the XRP Ledger.
Regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services, the Ripple stablecoin can be traded on MoonPay, Uphold, Bitso, Archax, and CoinMENA, with more options expected to be available to consumers in the future.
To avoid the controversy that has surrounded other stablecoin issuers, Ripple will publish monthly third-party attestations to maintain transparency about the stablecoin’s backing.
XRP Ledger joins meme party
Meme coins made a big splash across blockchains in 2024, led by Solana and the more than 4 million tokens deployed on token launchpad Pump.fun.
But for a brief period, the XRP Ledger joined the frenzy, allowing some traders to turn a few thousand dollars into a few hundred thousand. For example, one user trading the meme coin ARMY registered more than $100,000 in profit and $400,000 in unrealized gains off a $478 purchase just two weeks prior.
The craze led to major activity on the XRP Ledger, amid which validators agreed to reduce the reserve fees, or the amount of XRP required to maintain an account on the ledger.
On December 2, XRP Ledger broke all-time records for new accounts activated and the number of unique active accounts, which peaked at more than 105,000—nearly double the previous all-time high, according to data from XRP Scan.
While most meme coins on the XRP Ledger have fully retraced, it was a (brief) window into life on the more meme-happy blockchains for participants.
Edited by Stephen Graves
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The Split: Barcelona is coming to screens in December – but what went down the last time we saw the Defoe sisters?
The brand new two-part spin-off airs on 29 and 30 December at 9pm on BBC One, and sees Hannah Defoe, played by Nicola Walker, and her family jet off to Barcelona for a wedding.
The hit BBC show aired for three series (Credit: BBC One)
The Split: Barcelona
The Split, which stars Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan, aired for three series with the finale airing in 2022.
Written by Abi Morgan, the show has previously been billed as one of the best things on TV, and follows the highs and lows of legal eagles.
Nicola, Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button play the Defoe sisters, Hannah, Nina and Rose, who all work as lawyers representing divorcing couples.
The new spin-off series has been described by the BBC as “a Spanish extravaganza set over one sun-soaked weekend”.
The show is back for a sun-soaked spin-off (Credit: BBC)
What happens in The Split: Barcelona
The plot synopsis reads: “Two years on from the third and final series, formidable family lawyer Hannah Defoe (Nicola Walker) and her family are back and have gathered for a beautiful wedding at a magnificent vineyard, nestled in Catalonia’s wine region.
“The episodes will explore the themes of love, legacy, and modern marriage, through a sparkling cast of characters that audiences know and love.”
The sisters head abroad for a wedding (Credit: BBC)
The Split series 3 ending
The last time we saw divorce lawyer Hannah in, she was navigating through London’s divorce circuit.
What’s more, in episode 6 of The Split series 3, viewers finally discovered if Hannah and Nathan would stick together after 20 years of marriage.
Sadly for viewers, they decided to part ways and agreed to divorce, with Hannah finding herself tackling her own separation.
The ending also saw Hannah confess her true feelings to Christie, her lover and colleague. She then dropped the bombshell that she couldn’t leave her family to move to New York with him.
As for sister Nina in The Split, she went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and thought she saw Tyler (Damien Molony) – who stole her life-savings and fled. However, it was somebody else.
Meanwhile, other sister Rose paid a visit to the man who received James’s heart. She also bumped into Glen (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith) – with vicar implying that he has feelings for her….
Read more: The Split star Stephen Mangan’s heartache after losing both parents to cancer
Are you excited for The Split Barcelona? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.
Oh, look, another Night Dive Studios joint! This time around, the team remastered a beloved cult classic from the PS2 era: The Thing. The third-person shooter might not have had the best combat around, but it made up for it with great atmosphere and a unique AI/squad system that forced you to be careful around your NPC friends lest they assume you were a dangerous alien in disguise. But at the same time, as you tried to survive the arctic base from the movie, you had to worry about your own squad mates acting strange. Were they just scared? Angry? Or were they actually the deadly alien, masquerading as your friend?
This system made every moment of the original tense, and The Thing Remastered cleans up the UI and textures, and makes this chilling shooter easily playable on modern consoles. Now a whole new generation of kids can be scared by The Thing.
As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the fresh start of a new year, Xbox Game Pass is undergoing its own transformation with a flurry of game arrivals and departures.
It’s all change in fact, and as December rolls to a close, and January 2025 kicks into action with a host of new games, Game Pass whips up a frenzy. While we’re sad to see some beloved titles leave the service, there’s also excitement for the newly confirmed addition that will soon be gracing our Xbox and PC libraries.
Saying Goodbye to Familiar Faces
This week is a busy one for Game Pass subscribers and on December 31st 2024, we’ll be bidding adieu to six games across Cloud, Console, and PC:
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle: This anime-inspired fighter combines characters from various franchises for a crossover clash of epic proportions. A 4.5/5 scored review needs reading.
Close to the Sun: If it’s an atmospheric adventure you need, this one will sort you out, taking players on a chilling journey through a mysterious scientific facility.
Humankind: This historical strategy game allowed players to rewrite the course of human history and build their own civilisations.
Lego 2K Drive: Open-world driving combined the fun of LEGO and the thrill of arcade racing. What’s not to like? It may not have wowed us like we had hoped, but it’s still well worth a play.
McPixel 3: A quirky and chaotic puzzle game that challenges players to save the day with unconventional solutions.
Party Animals: This physics-based party game brings together adorable animals for a hilarious and chaotic multiplayer experience.
None of these are included in our Game Pass Gems article, but you may still lament their loss…
Welcoming New Arrivals
But there is some good news in return.
We’re still awaiting a full January line-up, but for now there’s a new game confirmed for subscription play. While we’re sad to see these titles go, there’s also excitement for the new game joining the Game Pass family:
Carrion (Cloud, Console, and PC): This reverse horror game lets you unleash your inner monster and wreak havoc as a terrifying creature. We found it to work rather well, concluding our review with ‘Carrion on Xbox is a very well-designed and crafted game. Whilst it can be frustrating to backtrack and redo levels when you’ve got a new power, the backtracking is part of the design rather than a flaw‘.
You’ll find this one available on January 2nd 2025 for Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Standard. If you can’t wait, you can purchase a download of Carrion from the Xbox Store for cash.
A New Year of Gaming Goodness
As always, Xbox Game Pass continues to deliver a diverse and ever-evolving library of games for subscribers to enjoy. While some titles may come and go, the service remains a fantastic value for gamers who want to explore new experiences and discover hidden gems.
So, as we raise a glass to the new year, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the games that have entertained us in 2024 and look forward to the exciting new adventures that await us in 2025!
Alex Scott has been replaced on Football Focus – just months after claims she’s been left feeling like she’s been “thrown under the bus” by BBC.
The beloved pundit has hosted the show since 2021. However, in October, she reportedly complained to bosses after being “deeply hurt” by their response after she was blamed for falling viewing figures.
And on Sunday (December 29), Football Focus was back for another instalment. But things were looking very different…
Alex usually hosts Football Focus (Credit: BBC)
Alex Scott replaced on Football Focus
On Football Focus on Sunday (December 29) instead of Alex hosting, Janette Kwakye is taking the reins.
Janette is a broadcaster and retried sprinter. The former Olympian turned TV presenter has worked on several shows – including providing commentary at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Janette has replaced Alex (Credit: Channel 5)
Alex Scott ‘thrown under the bus’ by the BBC
Alex’s replacement comes months after claims she’s been left feeling like she’s been “thrown under the bus” by the Beeb.
What’s more, with her BBC contract up for renewal next year, in October 2024 it was said Alex is “contemplating a move to America”, where girlfriend Jess Glynne is based, and walking away from Football Focus.
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: “Alex wants to concentrate on her ambassadorships with UNICEF and Refuge right now. She is also contemplating a move to America with her girlfriend, Jess [Glynne]. There are no guarantees she will be with the BBC next summer. Her contract is up for renewal and she is in talks for a raft of other exciting projects.
Alex Scott ‘contemplating moving on’ from Football Focus
The source added: “Football Focus turns 50 this year. And Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures. She felt she was thrown under a bus.
They then added: “The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures. The viewing figures are actually super healthy. Alex raised her concerns as she has been in this business long enough now to stand up for herself.”
Football Focus airs on Sunday (December 29) at 12pm on BBC One.
Read more: Alex Scott cruelly trolled as she’s tipped for Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day job
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