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Carrie Ann Inaba curses live on“ Dancing With the Stars ”while praising underdog’s salsa
The judge couldn’t hold in her enthusiasm for this athlete’s agile salsa to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.
Imran Khan’s PTI braces to fight federal takeover of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Islamabad says the PTI failed to lead the fight against armed groups, but analysts question the takeover.
Lt. Governor candidate Shawn Oliver suspends campaign after being arrested for allegedly drunk driving
Oliver, a 42-year-old Republican, struck five parked cars along Dartmouth Street in New Bedford just before midnight on Saturday.
If You Have a "Junk Room" at Home, Science Says You Likely Share These Surprising Personality Traits
You know that room. The one where the holiday decorations share shelf space with old textbooks, a broken lamp you keep meaning to fix, and three bags of clothes destined for donation – someday. You close the door when guests come over, maybe even lock it. Most of us treat that space like a guilty...
Toy Story 5, Backrooms and The Breadwinner Vie to Become the Second Biggest Film This Year...
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Often, people blame “data” for ruining Hollywood, when I’d argue that hype (which can often be debunked by data) is often worse, as you can see in these two headlines. To use a common meme, here’s how it started: and how it’s going: Earlier this year, I read countless (and I mean countless) articles (in almost every mainstream media outlet) about how Heated Rivalry was a huge hit and that it “heated” interest in hockey. But Heated Rivalry wasn’t a huge viewership hit compared to the hype: [ ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) [ You Can’t Eat Buzz…Did Heated Rivalry’s Buzz Translate into Actual Viewership? ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) Entertainment Strategy Guy · Jan 22 [ Read full story ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) In this case, the hype (Heated Rivalry is really popular) belied the data (It didn’t make the top ten charts, meaning it wasn’t a huge hit.1) Even worse, every time I write about this, I get a lot of negative feedback, hence why I only sparingly mention the show these days or add lots of caveats when I write about it, but this just further cements the hype. But companies, and the executives leading them, have to determine strategy based on reality, not media coverage. The NHL committed real marketing dollars to a campaign that didn’t work. Sure enough, the latest NHL season opened to under a million viewers. At some point, you have to focus on what the data says, because real dollars are at stake. And that’s why we have the Streaming Ratings Report! To provide and analyze cold, hard data. Luckily, this week, I can be positive and take a look at a huge opening on streaming, along with a very buzzy horror film that customers kind of like, but don’t really love. And a comedy that tried to rebound on streaming. Today, I’m covering two weeks—21-Sep and 28-Sep—so we have a lot to discuss (nearly 5,000 words worth), including a series of film misses for Netflix, another argument for weekly-released TV shows on streaming, another sitcom tries to avoid the comedy curse, Netflix has two new game shows (one powered by AI), Reacher falling off the charts after a huge run, Prime Video tries its hands at the romcom game**,** a look at the WNBA’s big season, a big night for the VMAs on CBS and MTV, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 14th to October 4th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - Two Hits and a Miss Come to Streaming… Three very interesting films came to streaming in one week, and I like comparing them since they show the range of theatrical films. One was a huge blockbuster, one was popular, and one was neither. One is a horror film, a buzzy genre; one is a comedy, a struggling genre; and one is an animated family film, the king of the box office. One went to a tiny streamer (HBO Max), one went to a second-tier streamer (Disney+), and one went to the biggest (Netflix). So… If you just went by box office, you’d expect Backrooms—the $197 million grosser, and partner of Obsession for “YouTube Horror Summer”—to dominate on streaming. If you read this report, though, you know that horror films don’t do great on streaming, and that’s the case again. Backrooms opened at 3.8 million hours according to Nielsen, and had 3.9 million hours in its second week. Here’s how that stacks up to other HBO Max films: We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… ...why I don’t buy Backrooms budget… …two new games shows arrive on streaming… …another sitcom struggles… ...another argument for putting out shows weekly on Netflix... ...and a whole lot more, nearly 5,000 words more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Next week, I’ll be taking a look at the eighth season of Hulu’s The Kardashians, answering the question: will this show ever make the charts? If Mormon wives can make it, surely one of social media’s most popular families can as well. Also, Prime Video has a new horror show based on popular IP, Carrie, Netflix has a horror show starring Josh Hartnett, Below, and Apple TV has a UK import, Small Prophets. Plus a bunch of movies like Disclosure Day heading to Peacock, The Housemaid coming to HBO Max, Ben Affleck’s latest on Apple TV, Animals, and Matchbox the Movie on Apple TV, a John Cena action comedy inspired by Hasbro’s toy cars. The week after is even busier! I’ll look at another IP-based horror show, Crystal Lake, a new MCU show on Disney+, VisionQuest, season two of The Lowdown on FX/Hulu, the fourth seasons of The Diplomat on Netflix and Tulsa King on Paramount+, another season of Love is Blind, and four straight-to-streaming films: Netflix’s Sacrifice (starring Chris Evens, Anya-Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, Salma Hayek. Charlie XCX), Apple TV’s Tenzing (starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Defoe), Prime Video’s Love of Your Life (Margaret Qualley) and Masterplan (Stanley Tucci) and a whole lot more, somehow. Long term, here’s some huge IP news: a Game of Thrones movie is coming to theaters, Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest in 2029, while Jon Watts (who helmed three of the most recent Spider-Man movies) is directing the next Star Wars trilogy, to be written by Simon Kinberg. I’m cautiously optimistic for both. It feels obvious to say that making good movies matters, but for bets this big (Star Wars is on a swoon, Game of Thrones hasn’t been to theaters yet), the quality has to be there.
Business Beat: Adventure Zone to host Trunk or Treat event Tuesday evening
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - Adventure Zone in Coldwater, Michigan, has officially announced its upcoming Trunk or T...
Post From Community: Halloween party at Ascension Family Health Center
Join Ascension for a spooktacular Trunk or Treat event at Ascension All Saints Family Health Center.
10 fun trunk-or-treat events for families to try in metro Phoenix
It's not too late to plan your trunk-or-treat events for the family. Here are 10 to try in metro Phoenix for Halloween.
Woman in ad who said a Democrat endangers kids pleaded guilty to endangering kids
Shellie Flockhart, who called Iowa Democratic House candidate Sarah Trone Garriott “dangerous” for kids, pleaded guilty after authorities said she drove drunk with her children in the car in 2017.
We have reached a new threshold in genAI gloom, with a game dev cancelling a demo for fear of copycats ripping them off before release
The creators of Drunken Goddess Reflux have cancelled a demo for fear of genAI copycats making a clone before they release the game.
Leipzig Face Nkunku Injury Scare Ahead Of Elversberg Clash
Martín Demichelis navigates a selection crisis as Christopher Nkunku battles an adductor injury, though Christoph Baumgartner’s long-awaited return offers hope following bruising defeats to European giants.
Rabid skunk found near Great Plains Regional Medical Center, health officials warn
The Oklahoma State Department of Health and Bcekham County Health DepartmentOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOct. 19, 2026Contact: Erica Rankin-Rileycommunications@health.o
WATCH LIVE: Trump campaigns for Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska
President Donald Trump on Tuesday will devote a big chunk of his dwindling time ahead of crucial midterm elections to head all the way to Alaska — attempting to bolster a Republican incumbent senator in another sign of GOP fears about retaining control of Congress after Election Day on Nov. 3.
Fusion Entertainment Signs Ryan DeForeest
Fusion Entertainment has signed writer-director Ryan DeForeest and started development on a feature adaptation of his short film 'My Brother & Me.'
First AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 gaming reviews show Radeon 8065S gains over 8060S
First Gorgon Halo gaming tests show 104 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p High. The Radeon 8065S also scores up to 11.8% higher than the 8060S system in 3DMark Time Spy.
KPop Demon Hunters x Funko: Every Licensed Product Listed
Explore Funko’s KPop Demon Hunters collection, featuring Pop! figures, Loungefly bags, apparel, accessories, exclusive releases, and discounts.
Presenting the 2026 Yankees Roster Report Cards
Which Yankees aced the tests from this season, and who flunked?
Duke Energy Grants Support Downtown Revitalization Efforts
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded $190,000 in grants to South Carolina communities to support downtown revitalization efforts. Funds will be used for facade improvements, wayfinding signage, public gathering spaces, and small business...
Unfinished Business: Silka Carries Funky Style, Serious Grit into 2026-27 Season
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Jacob Silka's wrestling journey at The Citadel has been anything but conventional.
Trump revives debunked Haitian pet claim at Ohio rally, hits Omar after search
Trump visited Youngstown to campaign for the state’s Republicans on the ballot next month
Music Review: Remi Wolf emerges, dirty but renewed, on 'Mud'
Remi Wolf, the singer-songwriter known for her funk and soul-inspired choruses and danceable beats, comes down to earth on “Mud,” her third album. Wolf settles into new territory on the
New App Helps Voters Identify Funding Behind Political Messaging
The app, paidforby.info, was established by journalist and lawyer Judd Legum and is affiliated with his website, Popular Information.
Nintendo Switch Sports Resort file-size reduced from 16GB to 9.83GB
Those of you opting for the digital version of the upcoming Nintendo Switch Sports Resort should be made aware that the estimated file-size has shrunk from 16GB and is down to 9.83GB.
'Wildwood' review: Laika's stop-motion animation impresses
Two intrepid teens head into the unknown on an absorbing, densely detailed rescue mission — not for the especially young — that stuns at every turn.
Republicans Promoted a False Rumor That James Talarico Was in Ohio
The Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas spent nine days off the trail with what he and his campaign said was a bad case of the flu. His opponents fueled rumors, including one that spread widely before it was debunked.
Smart TV owners have found a new use for AI: Removing home-screen clutter
Some TV owners are asking Claude Code to clear out the junk so they can just watch their shows.
Islanders 4 (EN), Maple Leafs 1: Costly but gritty win
The Islanders pulled off an impressive 4-1 win in Toronto despite losing two forwards for most of the game, with both Cal Ritchie and Matias Maccelli limping off to destinations unknown in the first period. Ritchie was the first to leave, on his first shift, but he was at least able to skate off after […]
The Crew of Virtually Unknown Donors Powering the Rise of the New Left
Millions of dollars are flowing to help Democratic socialists and other progressives.
Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown - Delta Chronicles 2 DLC launches October 28!
The Delta Chronicles 2 DLC contains 5 new missions, 2 recruitable heroes, 2 new technologies, 3 NPC ships & adds the Q Logs as a voiced bonus feature.
Fight to Unite turns the Belasco into a punk-rock benefit for families affected by ICE
Fueled by anti-ICE themes and a benefit for families affected by immigration enforcement, the festival at the Belasco offered a high-energy celebration of community as well as music.
Five Big Questions The Angels Must Answer This Offseason
From new ownership to the GM position to the manager's office and finally to the field, the Los Angeles Angels face some pretty significant unknowns as they begin preparations for 2027.
CSC Science Team Asks: What Should We Expect to Find in Nature?
The junk DNA paradigm shift is a good example of how an intelligent design framework can serve as a productive guide to scientific research.
AI Can’t Tell Real Science From Junk. That’s a Big Problem.
Artificial intelligence is in the news every day. It solves fundamental math problems by hundreds, hacks into highly protected networks, and outstreams Taylor Swift. AI is also supposed to lead us to…
Richie Owens' releases new book Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines & the Long Journey Home Vol 2
NASHVILLE — Richie Owens, Nashville-based musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work fusing his East Tennessee country roots with punk and alternative rock, has released Appalachia: Ballads, Bloodlines &
Christina Applegate, a leading MS advocate, says doctors found she doesn’t have the disease after all
In her podcast about living with multiple sclerosis, the actor announced she’s actually been living with some other, unknown condition.
American Greens Announces a New Concept in Golf Entertainment
STATESVILLE, N.C. – American Greens, a national leader in golf-related synthetic turf installations, and The 500 Club have announced completion...
Different measures of what learning looks like
Colorado voters face some big propositions — Amendment 87, Proposition 136 and Proposition NN — about money. Nothing like a fight over dollars to get everyone’s hackles up. If Amendment 87 and Proposition NN pass and Proposition 136 fails, a chunk of money will go to our public schools to help make up for years […]
Longtime California punk band's guitarist reveals ‘fairly serious' health issue, steps away from touring
The announcement comes less than three weeks after The Offspring played Sacramento's Aftershock festival, with several more shows still listed on the band's calendar.
How the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake changes the classic game’s script
At the start of the iconic 1998 Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, our playable hero Link wakes up in his tree cabin, heads outside and is greeted by his friend Saria. “Yahoo! Hi, Stotil!" she says. In other people’s copies of the games, she might say “Hi, Link!” or “Hi, Brick!” or use whatever other name the player was allowed to input when first launching the game. The more important point is that she starts with a “Yahoo!” In Nintendo’s 2011 remake of Ocarina of Time for the 3DS handheld, Saria greets Link with that same word. But for the 2026 Switch 2 re-remake of Ocarina of Time, out November 5, Saria’s salutation has changed: “Hello, Link!” she exclaims. There’s no “Yahoo” to be heard. Last month, in an official Nintendo video preview, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma described the remake as a “faithful interpretation using modern technologies.” Faithful means the gameplay hasn’t changed much. Dungeons, quests, and just generally what you do in the game doesn’t seem to have changed, not based on what Nintendo has shown nor the hour of the game I played in New York City a couple of weeks ago. The graphics have been overhauled. The controls have been tweaked. Players can now manually control the camera and make Link jump with the press of a button, both notable differences from the original 1998 design. But Link’s journey appears to take the same path, with the same obstacles in its way. The remake’s biggest alteration to Ocarina of Time that I’ve spotted so far just might be the script. About the game’s story, Aonuma said in September, “We’ve added quite a lot of new dialogue for the characters, so that their personalities shine even more.” Earlier this month, I played a chunk of the Ocarina of Time remake at a Nintendo showcase. In the game’s earliest moments, I made a point of talking to characters and recording what they said. I found the script to be more colorful, more natural in its phrasing, more careful to establish its characters, and certainly more wordy even with the removal of that one “Yahoo!”. I’ve got some very early-game examples, so you can judge the new writing for yourself.
Cyberpunk 2077 2.5 Update Secretly Added The Witcher 3 Sword and Cosmetics
Cyberpunk 2077’s surprise 2.5 update added a new dual-wielding playstyle, fresh ways to customize protagonist V’s look, extra quests and plenty more, but players have discovered that developer CD Projekt Red secretly added a range of new The Witcher 3-themed cosmetics, too.
A special art project reveals the beauty of science to parkgoers in Virginia Beach
A temporary installation at Mount Trashmore transforms a section of the park into a landscape of sound, color and movement.
Inside the Plague Research Labs at the Heart of a Russian Mystery
A Russian researcher, who died from an unknown illness, worked at a remote anti-plague facility. Few foreigners have visited these labs, which dot the former Soviet states, and are shrouded in secrecy.
Step back to Bedrock for a yabba-dabba-doo celebration
Good Night John Boy turns back the clock to Bedrock for a funky Halloween celebration, Yabba-Dabba-DOO!
As companies move out of state, is California's $4.25 trillion economy really in trouble?
California continues to see companies large and small move to Texas and other states, citing taxes, high costs and regulations. Is the business environment really as bad as it seems?
Massachusetts GOP lieutenant governor candidate suspends campaign after arrest in car crash
The Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Massachusetts has dropped out of the race hours after he was arrested in a suspected drunk driving crash.
Business Beat : Capri Drive-In Trunk or Treat set for October 24th
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - The historic Capri Drive-In Theater, is gearing up for its annual Trunk or Treat extrav...
Spill the tea, face the judge: Inside the ‘Judgy’ series by NowThis
Welcome to "Judgy," a social media series from NowThis that transforms everyday confessions into bite-sized courtroom comedy. Hosted by Singletary, the series
Suspicious letters with 'unknown substance' sent to election offices
Federal law enforcement is investigating letters containing suspicious substances mailed to various addresses nationwide, including several election offices, officials said Oct. 15.
Fox Global Keys on Content Creators, Microdramas With Mipcom Slate
Fox Entertainment Global Keys on Content Creators, Microdramas With Diverse Mipcom Slate.
DAVE THE DIVER DLC ‘Subnautica 2 Content Pack’ announced
MINTROCKET has announced DAVE THE DIVER’s final downloadable content pack—a Subnautica 2-themed expansion in partnership with Unknown Worlds Entertainment. It will launch free of charge…
Gotcha? Some said a glass of water 'proved' China faked its space station – but simple science destroyed the argument in seconds | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
A theory online claimed China's space agency was faking its space station – all because of a glass of water. Science debunked the theory.
Music Review: Remi Wolf emerges, dirty but renewed, on 'Mud'
Remi Wolf, the singer-songwriter known for her funk and soul-inspired choruses and danceable beats, comes down to earth on “Mud,” her third album. Wolf settles into new territory on the
The Offspring guitarist steps away from live shows due to health
The Orange County punk band announced that Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman would take time off to address a serious health issue as peers and fans sent support.
Most Fort Smith Board members avoid questions about Flock cameras
It’s unknown if Fort Smith will join a growing number of Arkansas cities taking action to end or curtail the use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. City Director...
Billy Crystal review: Comedian's '860' turns loss into living memory
Billy Crystal's '860,' directed by Scott Ellis at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, recounts the destruction of his home in the Palisades fires in his moving new solo show that looks back at the memories accumulated over his long career.
Trunk or Treat Held at Newport City Elementary School
Trunk or Treat was held at the Newport Elementary School on Saturday, and to see a full display of photos from the event, see The Express on 10-20-26. Pictured above,
FEATURE: Scientists edge closer to making world of "Ghost in the Shell" a reality
Becoming invisible and uploading human consciousness may sound like something out of the world of the famed cyberpunk anime and manga series "Ghost in the Shell," but two Japanese scientists are working to turn such science fiction concepts into reality.
Our Russian plague fears are fueled by the same old unknowns
Did Russian lab worker Darya Shipilova die of pneumonic plague? Once again, we are in the dark – and it is that lack of knowing that scares us.
Will We Ever Understand Dementia?
Since the days of Dr. Alzheimer himself, there has been a dream that severe senility might have an explanation — and a cure. The search for both has never been more urgent.
UFC veterans in combat sports action Oct. 15-17
Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing around the globe this weekend.
Crimson Desert Reveals Just How Big Its PS5 DLC Really Is in New Trailer
Get a full overview of Charting the Unknown
It’s the ‘black hole theory’ as Trump hits historic low in WA
President Trump’s poll numbers have sunk so low in WA they form a sort of political “event horizon,” a black hole that can’t be escaped, Danny Westneat writes.
Habits for Reducing Stress and Improving Health
As the year comes to an end and life gets busier, it can be difficult to keep a consistent routine and find time to take care of both your physical and mental health. Ben Meer, author of "How to Be Good at Life," joins the 3rd Hour of TODAY to share tips on how to create better habits that can reduce stress and improve your well-being. His recommendations include breaking daunting tasks down into smaller chunks, setting concrete goals and reserving at least one hour a week to organize your responsibilities.
Brandon Moreno's next assignment official for UFC 335
Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will look to keep his winning momentum in December.
S.C. business owner holds drunk burglar at gunpoint
The Pickens County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested someone in connection with a burglary at the Sip ’n’ Ride.
15-Minute Lesson Plan: 100 Unanswered Questions in Science
What questions about ourselves, our world and our universe would you most like to have answered? Why?
Scientists Discover a 99-Million-Year-Old Insect With a Bizarre Feature Never Seen in Living Species
Like a bendy straw, an ancient insect’s folded mouthparts may have flexed without collapsing, revealing a feeding adaptation unknown in living planthoppers. About 99 million years ago, a tiny insect became trapped in tree resin with mouthparts nearly twice the length of its body. The resin hardened into amber, preserving an unusual feeding organ that
UFC, Bellator vet Michael 'Venom' Page signs with Misfits Boxing
Michael "Venom" Page has begun his post-UFC journey by signing with Misfits Boxing.
Officials Estimate 100,000 In Danger Of Losing Healthcare Coverage As ACA Changes Loom
HARTFORD, CT — The estimated 100,000 customers who are projected to lose their healthcare coverage as a result of new requirements mandated by HR1 next year are families, neighbors and community members, Charter Oak Health Center President and CEO Vernette Townsend said Monday.
October brings trunk or treats, games, carnivals, Boo at the Zoo
Find family-friendly Halloween fun in El Paso with this list of pumpkin patches, carnivals and zoo events.
Art Garfunkel, 84, postpones tour due to respiratory infection
Art Garfunkel is reportedly postponing his upcoming tour.
5 things to know about The Promenade at Sunset Walk's Trunk-or-Treat
For the 7th year, an Osceola County entertainment destination rocks out its trunk-or-treat festivities, free of charge.
North Park's Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Earns Accreditation
North Park's Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering earns accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
From the Anime to the Game — Free Update Brings Edgerunners 2 Content and More to Cyberpunk 2077!
The free Edgerunners 2 Update to Cyberpunk 2077 is available now, with content inspired by the second installment of the hit anime series now streaming on Netflix
Vinyl record junkies find a lot to love at Utica's Record Riots
Kirkland was one of hundreds of vinyl record enthusiasts to brave the chilly temperatures Saturday morning, Oct. 17, to attend the Record Riots traveling convention at the Deerfield Fire Station. Based in New Jersey, Record Riots is one of the largest network of vinyl shows in the country, with pop-ups stretching from Utica to Ohio to Virginia. The Utica Record Riot typically takes place three times a year.
The Offspring guitarist steps away from live shows due to health
The Orange County punk band announced that Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman would take time off to address a serious health issue as peers and fans sent support.
Anime Gambling Horror Game Ditches Free Steam Demo Over Fears Of Getting Ripped Off By AI
Drunken Goddess Reflux will have a closed beta instead
Editorial: AI’s risks are no reason for panic
“Nobody knows anything,” the screenwriter William Goldman famously said of the movie business. Much the same can be said today for artificial intelligence, a technology that’s moving fast, destination unknown.
Massachusetts GOP ticket rocked by alleged drunken crash as candidate abruptly halts campaign
Massachusetts Republican Shawn Oliver suspended his lieutenant governor campaign after a DUI arrest following a rollover crash in New Bedford.
After 4 Hours, Phantom Blade Zero Just Became My Most-Anticipated Action Game
Get ready for the ‘kungfupunk’ era
'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2' ending, explained: Who dies, and who survives?
Showrunner Bartosz Sztybor tells Mashable why the anime's ambiguous ending took years to get right.
Plague is stoppable. The next health threat may not be.
The word plague is scary. Centuries ago, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people and changed the course of history. Plague still kills people around the world, and the word still evokes catastrophe. New fears of plague surfaced on October 2, when a lab worker in Irkutsk, Russia, died of pneumonia. Reports suggested that she may have contracted plague through a laboratory exposure. Understandably, people were alarmed. On October 7, the World Health Organization called for the Russian Federation to be transparent about what it knew. WHO issued an update on October 10. Russian authorities told WHO that testing did not identify plague and that investigations found no laboratory release. WHO said confidence in its risk assessment remained limited and that further clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory information was needed. The cause of the woman’s illness remains unknown, and WHO says a laboratory-associated exposure cannot be excluded. As I explained in a recent interview, this incident is very unlikely to lead to a pandemic. Plague is still active, including in the U.S., which sees a handful of cases each year. But it is a disease we can prevent and treat. Plague doesn’t spread readily, and it responds to antibiotics. The standard response—isolate the patient, trace contacts, and administer antibiotics and monitor for symptoms among contacts for seven days—works. We have even planned for antibiotic-resistant plague. At CDC, we developed a playbook for antibiotic-resistant plague and ran exercises on how to find and stop it. CDC guidance anticipates engineered resistance and recommends two different classes of antibiotics if there’s reason to suspect it. There is no evidence that resistance—or even confirmed plague—is involved in this incident. We have thought through how to address plague, but we’re not ready for the next major health threat that emerges from a lab or from animal spillover to humans. What should concern people is how little stands between the world and the next pathogen to get loose. Since peak COVID, epidemic preparedness has fallen off the political agenda, but the risk is greater than ever. More labs handle dangerous pathogens with more ways to make those pathogens deadlier, and more people live and work in close contact with animals. There are actions we can take now: We need better lab safety in every country. The number of labs that work with dangerous pathogens has increased worldwide over two decades, but there’s no enforceable international standard and no inspection regime; the Biological Weapons Convention, fifty years on, still has no verification mechanism. Labs that study dangerous germs need strong safety systems, training, and oversight. We need to reduce spillover events. Three in four emerging human infections start in animals, and there’s a lot we can do to reduce spillover risk, but the world is doing very little of it. Live-animal markets are one place to act. For instance, closing live-bird markets helped control H7N9 influenza in China. Reducing opportunities for people to encounter infected animals can prevent infections before they become outbreaks. In The Formula for Better Health, which is now out in paperback along with the hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook versions, I argue that labs do too many risky experiments with too many dangerous pathogens in too many institutions, and that every experiment should first answer one basic question: Is the likely benefit greater than the risk? Spillover risk can also be reduced: In the book, I discuss how Brazil cut its deforestation rate by 70% from 2004 to 2012 while increasing agricultural production and reducing risky contact between people and forest animals. We need faster detection and response. Delay costs lives. Strong surveillance, good labs, and trained responders can turn a single case into a small cluster of infections instead of an epidemic. Resolve to Save Lives has worked for nearly a decade to help countries find and stop outbreaks faster. The 7-1-7 target, which Resolve to Save Lives developed with partners in Uganda and elsewhere, provides a clear standard: detect within 7 days, notify within 1 day and complete all essential early response actions within 7 days. In Uganda’s Kasese district, for example, a review of a measles outbreak using 7-1-7 identified shortages of accessible funds, fuel, and vehicles that delayed the response. District leaders established funds they could access quickly. When, a few months later, the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever appeared, the district detected it in three days, notified authorities in one, and mounted an effective response in two. Only one case was confirmed, and the patient survived. Because funds were available before the emergency, authorities were prepared and able to act. This kind of preparation can’t wait until the next crisis begins. Plague is an old disease we that know how to stop. The next threat may be harder to recognize, harder to treat, and easier to spread. Safer labs, less risk of spillover, and faster outbreak detection and response need sustained investment now, while we still have time to prevent the next emergency. Share
Famed coach worries about Alex Pereira handling heavyweight power
Did the Ciryl Gane fight expose Alex Pereira's inability to take punches from heavyweight?
Hot 97 DJ Funkmaster Flex gets into fight at Knicks game
NEW YORK — Funkmaster “Funk” Flex was caught throwing down during the Knicks’ season-opening game at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. Flex, a rapper and the long-running radio host of
Mike Ditka's cause of death unclear after extended health battle
Chicago Bears great Mike Ditka suffered from two heart attacks and a stroke but his official cause of death at age 86 remains unknown.
Viewpoint: How the anti-abortion movement twists medical facts and promotes science misinformation
Misinformation and junk science about abortion are spreading at alarming rates and are becoming key components in legislation and litigation as well as in
NBA insider reveals potential Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis return timeline for unknown health issue
Kristaps Porzingis has not been to training camp after suffering an undsiclosed health issue. An NBA insider may know when the veteran center will come back.
16 celebrity couples you had no idea dated
Celebrity romances rarely stay secret, but some manage to fly under the radar. Revisit 16 surprising Hollywood couples, from forgotten flings to relationships you never knew existed.
Entertainment Look-A-Head: ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2,’ ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,’ ‘Clayface’
From Oct. 20-25, new games launch, movies hit the theaters and several series get new episodes.
Sony Retires Its Last 4K Blu-ray Player in Japan, PS5 Is All That's Left
Sony has stopped shipping the UBP-X700/K in Japan, its last standalone 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player in the country. Shipments ended on October 22, and according to Sony retailer Kunkoku, the remaining stock on Sony's Japanese store sold out almost immediately. There's no word on a successor. That...
CD Projekt Red Says Paramount Cyberpunk Film Will Not Retell the Game
CD Projekt Red's joint-CEO says the Paramount live-action Cyberpunk film will tell a new story in Night City, not a one-to-one retelling…
“The Earth is 6,000 years old.” How science debunks this religious view
The 6,000-year claim faces evidence from several places that have little to do with one another. What those independent clocks reveal is difficult to reconcile with the familiar young-Earth timeline.
Does a Russian lab worker’s death carry pandemic risk? Experts say it's unlikely, with one caveat
Some details surrounding a Russian lab worker’s death of an unknown pneumonia parallel COVID-19 news that unfolded seven years ago, but health security experts say they don’t see signs this is a precursor to another pandemic.
Paramount to develop Cyberpunk 2077 film, lifting CD Projekt RED's shares
Oct 9 (Reuters) - Paramount Pictures is developing a live-action film set in the universe of CD Projekt RED's video game "Cyberpunk 2077" alongside producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, entertainment
Halloween comes alive at Senior Care Health and Rehab
With Halloween two weeks away, Senior Care Health and Rehab is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Monday, Oct. 19, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at 910 Midwestern Pkwy.
How well have past GOTY winners sold?
We’re less than two months away from 2026’s The Game Awards, and what a year it’s been for fantastic games, including Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire II, the Blood of Dawnwalker, and Control Resonant – just to name a few. So as we approach the end of the year, we thought we’d look back on our estimates for the GOTY winners of the past four years. In terms of revenue, Elden Ring (2022 winner), Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), Astro Bot (2024), and Expedition 33 (2025) have generated a combined $3.8B via 73M copies sold: Let’s have a look, then. Elden Ring has generated $2B in revenue Elden Ring is a phenomenon in every sense. It’s sold a whopping 36.4M copies across Steam (50%), PS5 (35%), and Xbox (15% across console and PC). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring also just passed an astronomical milestone: $2B in revenue. While PlayStation and Xbox account for half of Elden Ring’s copies sold across these three platforms, they account for 57.5% of revenue. This – as ever – is due to regional pricing and the higher relative share of PC gamers in lower-priced markets. For example, around 17.4% of Elden Ring’s Steam copies sold were in China, where the game costs about 26% less than the price in the States. There’s an … interesting narrative going around these days that console gamers are only interested in ball-and-gun games and have the patience for little else. Well, Elden Ring’s impressive sales prove that is simply not true, and across all platforms. What’s more, over 9.8M people have played Elden Ring for over 100 hours, with nearly 3.5M people getting all of the achievements and trophies. For reference, 10.9% of Elden Ring’s PlayStation players have the platinum trophy, while 10.5% of players on Steam and 3.9% of Xbox players unlocked all the achievements. Git gud, Xbox players! Of the 1.5M people who played Elden Ring on PlayStation last month, 4% also played Dark Souls 3 last month, 4% played Bloodborne, and 3% played Sekiro. There’s those Soulsborne diehards for you. By many accounts, including my own, Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time. It’s an evergreen seller that will continue to be a cash cow for Bandai and FromSoftware for years to come. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring has sold another 2M copies across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox this year, generating almost $110M. This means it’s outperforming many of this year’s high-profile releases. Even Elden Ring’s standalone run-based PvE spinoff, 2025’s Nightreign, has sold 7.8M copies and generated $282M in revenue. Baldur’s Gate 3 is another billion-dollar-plus banger Another cross-platform phenomenon is Baldur’s Gate 3, which has sold 23.2M copies and generated over $1.2B in revenue. About 18.7M of these copies (80.6%) are via Steam, 2.9M via PS5 (12.7%), and 1.6M (6.8%) via Xbox. Around 1.3M folks on Steam bought BG3 before it hit 1.0. The PlayStation version launched about a month after the PC 1.0 release, while the Xbox version came four months later due to technical issues around developing local co-op on the Series S. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Across platforms, Baldur’s Gate 3’s monthly active users have never dropped below 2M, including 2.2M MAUs last month (68.5% on Steam, 21.9% on PS5, and 9.6% on Xbox). And it still regularly brings in 280K to 400K players every day: About 1% of BG3’s Steam player base has played for over 500 hours! That’s a little under 200K people. Astro Bot is also an evergreen seller, albeit a more niche, family one Astro Bot, 2024’s winner, has now sold 4.7M copies and generated $291M in revenue. The budget, including marketing, is almost certainly under $100M, given the small Japan-based core team and three-year dev timeline. You can really see why the tides are changing toward less expensive hubs. Astro Bot is the only first-party winner on this list, but follows other first-party winners of The Last of Us Part II (2020’s winner), God of War (2018), and Breath of the Wild (2017). Around 46.6% of Astro Bot’s copies sold have been physical, which is far higher than the typical game. This makes sense for a couple of reasons: There’s a large family audience for this one, and physical boxes are an item to wrap when giving Astro as a gift. Astro has collector value for the PlayStation core (this is nostalgia-fueled platformer celebrating PlayStation’s history) Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Astro is another one of those games that continues selling over time, regularly selling more than 100K a month. It’s sold around 1M more copies this year ($60M in revenue) and is a popular title with families. We can see this using the Alinea platform’s MAU crossover tool: Astro Bot’s top #2, #3, and #4 games by crossover in any given month this year are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox – without fail. The #1 title every month, though, is Astro’s Playroom, a pack-in with all PS5 consoles. For every month this year, between 20% and 30% of Astro Bot players also played Astro’s Playroom that month. So the free pack-in is a noice funnel for converting players to a full paid product. Expedition 33 sells 8.7M despite Game Pass cannibalisation Finally, we have last year’s winner – Expedition 33. The turn-based-RPG banger has generated $366M via 8.7M copies sold, with 58.8% on Steam, 35.7% on PS5, and 5.5% on Xbox. Xbox’s share of copies sold is this low due to Expedition 33 launching on Game Pass, where 4.3M people across console and PC accessed the game. A little under 700K Xbox players used their subscription to play Expedition 33 this year. That said, the game’s 1.5-year Game Pass deal ended last week on October 16, and we’re already beginning to see a positive trend on Expedition 33’s copies sold via Xbox (but the jury’s still out!). There’s understandably a lot of French pride behind this one, as France is the game’s #3 market on both Steam and PlayStation. Vive la France! One thing that stood out to me is that the GOTY winners aren’t $300M Hollywood productions made in the US. They’re mostly mid-budget studios outside the traditional AAA cost centres. Lots to think about there. Also, good games sell well; who’d have thunk it!? And there’s a whole load of them this year, with GTA 6 still to come, too. GTA just made the cutoff point for the VGAs this year. What a coincidence! Loading... Cool links and other stuff Our physical games newsletter from Tuesday was picked up by GameSpot, Eurogamer, TweakTown, and a bunch of others. We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply right here on Substack/email, and we’ll set you up. Next week, we’ve got some exciting news regarding the future of our newsletter, so stay tuned! The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. Want to see why these companies (and many others) are subscribed to Alinea? Get a free platform trial! [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]