4 stag derby

4 stag derby It’s hard to even comprehend how much PC gaming has changed in the past 20 years. But it was the classic FPS Half-Life 2 that convinced people to install this weird military-green launcher app named Steam and take the plunge on digital distribution. Not only was it a fantastic game, it built on Valve’s established track record of mod support, providing creators with the tools to create their own levels, campaigns and total conversions, even if the studio's own plans could be a bit of an inscrutable black box. Smash-cut to two decades later. We’re still waiting for an official reveal of Half-Life 3 , but at least we’ve had plenty to chew on in the meantime. While never quite as explosively popular to remix as Doom (largely due to much more demanding mod tools), Half-Life 2 has maintained an active community of creators, mappers and modders since day one. Some went on to create fully standalone games like No More Room In Hell , or G String , Black Mesa or Infra , but plenty more kept hammering away at free goodies for us all to gorge on. After installing many, many Half-Life 2 mods, here are my choice picks from recent years to get you up to speed with Gordon and pals. How to install Half-Life 2 mods Despite a steady drip-feed of small updates over the years, it wasn’t until this 20th anniversary weekend that Valve finally made it easier to install Half-Life 2 mods. The game now has integrated Steam Workshop support , but at the time of writing, only a handful of items are available there, so to access some of the best mods you’re going to have to shuffle some files around for yourself. Not a huge hassle, but it could be easier. You will, of course, need to own Half-Life 2, along with its expansions. To install stuff not on the Steam Workshop, you should follow each mod’s individual installation instructions, but the most common first step is to have either the Source SDK Base 2013 Singleplayer or the Source SDK Base 2013 Multiplayer packages installed on Steam, from the Tools section of your Steam library. If you own Half-Life 2, both of these should be accessible. You should also right-click on either/both, go into Properties/Betas and select the ‘upcoming’ branch for Singleplayer, and ‘prerelease’ branch for Multiplayer. This’ll ensure that you’re using the very latest build, which most mods require. Once you’ve got that downloaded and updated, all you need to do is drop any unzipped mod folders into your Steam\steamapps\sourcemods directory (usually starting with C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ ). If all’s in working order, close and re-launch Steam to have the mods pop up in Steam itself as part of your library. If they don’t, double-check to make sure everything has been unzipped to the right place. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. Fortunately you won't need to go through these steps for some of my picks. As while Valve haven’t made mod distribution especially easy for Half-Life 2 until just recently, it has approved a large assortment of fan-made adventures and more polished mods to be released directly on the Steam storefront. Here’s some easy-to-install must-plays: The best Half-Life 2 mods on Steam Workshop Half-Life 2: Update by Filip Victor Available: Direct on Steam No longer quite as essential, but still an important community favorite, released around HL2’s 10 year anniversary. Until the impressive Half-Life 2 RTX drops, this subtle community-produced remaster is worth using. For the most part this is Half-Life 2 just as you remember, albeit with slightly better lighting and effects, and a lot of old outstanding bugs (many spawned by Valve themselves while updating the engine) crowbarred into submission. It’s Half-Life 2 as nostalgia tells you it was, not as it actually was. While this mod does only cover the original Half-Life 2 and neither of its expansions, it’s a polished and smart enough production to be worth installing. Especially if you turn on the optional Community Commentary mode, featuring anecdotes, insights and reminiscing from an assortment of avid Half-Life 2 fans, YouTubers and streamers. While that might sound like torture to some (and admittedly not quite as impressive as Valve’s own commentary), they’ve got some fun insights, and if you’d still rather not hear it, it’s entirely optional. In a similar vein, those lucky enough to own a pair of high-tech goggles should check out Half-Life 2 VR (including Episode 1 & Episode 2 ) to experience the classic campaign from a fresh new perspective. Entropy : Zero 2 by Breadmen Available: Direct on Steam Still one of the biggest and best. Sequel to the solid but slightly rough-hewn Entropy : Zero , this campaign puts you in the alien jackboots of ‘Bad Cop’, who is a bit of an arsehole even by Combine police standards. But evil alien governments being what they are, he’s marked as expendable before long, sending him on a shockingly well-written adventure through the bowels of an old Aperture Labs (yes, from Portal) research facility, where he teams up with Wilson, a sapient gun turret, for some buddy-action comedy hijinks. It’s just top notch Half-Life, and explores new and interesting sides to the setting without feeling too much like overwrought fanfic. And there’s still plenty more Entropy : Zero on the horizon, too. There’s two expansions in the works, one continuing Bad Cop’s story following EZ2’s good ending, and one prequel campaign putting you in the shoes of a Combine assassin shortly after the alien takeover. On top of that, the third-party expansion Entropy : Zero - Uprising is still chugging along, with its first chapter available now. And to top it all off? Entropy Zero 2 has its own Steam Workshop page , packed with community-made maps and mods. Swelter by SDE Development Team Available: Direct on Steam Another excellent singleplayer campaign. Experience a day in the life of a regular Resistance grunt, sent on a diplomatic mission to Combine-held Central Asia (most likely former Kazakhstan) in this sunny, chaotic little campaign. It’s a full self-contained three-act adventure. Only a few hours long, but never a dull moment as you bounce between setpiece after setpiece, gunfight after gunfight, and some gorgeously detailed environments. Day turns to night turns to dawn as your mission progresses, keeping the atmosphere fresh as you travel across the country. As well as the usual horrors of Combine occupation, the formerly Soviet state is full of sun-bleached structures emblazoned with fading red stars, as well as local art and architecture. It’s nice to see another culture and part of the world through the lens of Half-Life 2’s sci-fi war for survival. But also you probably won’t have long to appreciate the sights because there’s a whole lot of shooting to be done using an assortment of HL2 staples and a stack of cold war hand-me-downs. Can’t go wrong with an AK at least! Jabroni Brawl: Episode 3 by Team Jabroni Available: Direct on Steam A rare multiplayer pick, but a fantastic time if you bring the right people to the party. Jabroni Brawl: Episode 3 is an anarchic, enormous collection of competitive multiplayer maps and modes, and spiritual successor to the deeply chaotic Jaykin’ Bacon: Source . The tagline ‘For idiots, by idiots’ isn’t messing around. Over 130 maps and 150 player models (many borrowed from other games) and 80 weapons (including a dubstep cannon, an AK with an axe-bayonet and the classic Rocket Crowbar) spice up 14 game modes including ‘Sneaks vs Mallcops’ and ‘The Shidden’. On a server with game modes set to shuffle and all the maps in rotation, you won’t be bored. Sadly, despite Jabroni Brawl being actively supported and still getting regular updates with new maps, modes and features, there’s not many people playing it. And those that do frequent the game’s public servers tend to be a raucous and abrasive lot. Our advice is to BYOB (Bring Your Own Buddies) and convince your favorite gaming Discord community to install it, set up a password-locked server of your own and jump in with a bunch of people you know. Half-Life 2 mods from the border worlds (not Steam) Half-Life 2: MMod by Gunship_Mark_II Available: On ModDB If HL2 Update was giving the game an oil change, a wash and a wax, then MMod blesses Half-Life 2 with a full engine tune-up, a flashy new spoiler and a fresh decal kit. Sequel to a similarly impressive overhaul for Half-Life 1 , MMod aims to tune up Half-Life 2’s core gunplay and visual effects, with more particles, dynamic lighting, much slicker weapon animations and some minor balance tweaks. No massive or sweeping changes to gameplay, but a subtle shift towards modernity, buffing out some of the worst scuff marks that HL2 has picked up over the years. It’s a neat way to replay Half-Life 2 and its expansions. It’s impressive enough in action, with the now-bassy SMG spitting out smoking brass and the shotgun putting the fear of Gord into the Combine, but where MMod shines brightest is in its portability. The Addons page on ModDB for it contains a vast library of compatibility patches, letting you apply MMod’s enhancements to dozens upon dozens of other campaigns, maps and mods. Some of these patches are for older, slightly less polished versions of MMod, but it’s still a fantastic excuse to dive into the Half-Life extended universe, including some of the RTSL campaigns below! Run. Think. Shoot. Live. Available: On the RTSL Site Not a single mod recommendation, but rather a community, and one at the heart of Half-Life 2 modding to this day. While big projects like Entropy : Zero 2 are the tips of the iceberg, this is where you’ll find the deepest, purest and coolest ice. RTSL organizes, hosts and distributes a constant, steady drip feed of interesting Half-Life collaboration projects, usually built around themes, challenges or restrictions for their community of mappers and modders, like a Doom-inspired all-action level pack or a set of high-verticality maps where backtracking is part of the fun . I'm hoping to see some of these uploaded to the Steam Workshop soon! It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Maybe not the most professional and polished productions, but endlessly varied flavors and textures to experience. With around 1600 hosted projects, you’ll have a nearly endless supply of HL2 to dive into here, but for starters, check out the recent TWHL Tower: Source . The latest in a series of Exquisite Corpse collaborations, a creative community patchwork campaign built around a simple concept: The player is storming a Combine-held tower, starting on the bottom floor. Each staircase introduces a new mapper, and often a completely different brand of gameplay. Expect claustrophobic, densely packed encounters and some very creative levels (of wildly varying quality—be warned) as you ascend, including (among other things) a System Shock 2-themed escape room. SourceWorld (Demo) by Bronco Development Available: On ModDB Last, but by no means least is one of HL2’s most mechanically ambitious mods to date, turning the game into a fully procedurally generated dungeon crawl. Set long after the Combine have been driven from Earth, you’re an unfortunate agent trying to pay off a massive debt by running smash-and-grab raids on parallel dimensions. It’s classic Half-Life 2 combat, but with escalating stakes. There’s even a little bit of Hades in here, with a story that unfolds over the course of multiple runs, with more equipment and even a persistent character skill tree giving you long-term progression options. The combat has been re-tuned somewhat to make even overly familiar threats menacing again. Don’t go underestimating the zombies, as they’re faster and more aggressive than you remember. Even if the current version of the mod is just the demo (featuring a limited range of map tile-sets and story events in the lab), it’s an astounding technological feat, and hints at Half-Life 2 still having some real life in it as a modding platform even as we hurtle into the very futuristic-sounding year of 2025. Here’s hoping for a bit more verticality in the maps come the final release, though. While Half-Life 2’s modding scene may not be buzzing with energy, it’s still producing some interesting and surprising projects. With SourceWorld pushing the engine to its limits (it was REALLY not built for procedural generation and I dare not peek at the nightmare spaghetti-code underpinning it all), perhaps this is the beginning of a grand resurgence, combined with the launch of Workshop support and expanded map size limit. Will we meet back here in another decade? Probably not, unless the editors lock me in the PC Gamer basement. But the right man in the wrong place can make all the difference.

As the transfer saga reached its conclusion with Neymar remaining at PSG, the footballing world was left speculating on what could have been. The missed opportunity for a star-studded reunion at Barcelona served as a reminder of the intricate dynamics at play in the world of elite football transfers, where even the most anticipated deals can falter due to unforeseen hurdles.

Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes.Slovak Prime Minister Threatens to Halt Electricity Supplies to Ukraine Amid Gas Transit Dispute

Professionalism is a grind both physically and mentally; the body battered, the emotions on a roller-coaster and always treading carefully that fine margin between the highs of winning and its flip side when defeat gnaws at your very being. Timoney has put in his time at Ravenhill, tasting some highs and many notable lows along the way. He has become wired to the ways of the pro game and even with all the acquired scar tissue, the Dublin native remains refreshingly insightful when discussing this unforgiving environment. Experiencing the departure of close friends from the squad, a tricky enough chat with Andy Farrell last November, whether he will still be at Ravenhill next season and not forgetting the current slump in Ulster’s form; these are all emblematic of an environment in constant flux, but all are addressed even though being reminded of them must be somewhat uncomfortable for the 29-year-old. Ulster’s current travails can wait a bit though, as just what it is like to see people you have been through the mill with leave the scene and exit the WhatsApp group or just not be there for coffee any more is a reminder that there will come a time when it’s you clearing out the locker. “I always said to myself that I’d never take it for granted, and that people come and go,” Timoney says. “You obviously get very close with people, and you don’t want to forget that but certainly when it’s you who has been around longer and it’s some of your friends are the ones going it obviously feels a little different.” His close pal Greg Jones — they were housemates in Belfast — moved on at the end of last season, their final game together being in last June’s URC Quarter-Final when they lost out to their native province in a knockout tie. “It’s just the nature of it though but it’s tough, it’s sad, I always think (this) every year and obviously there’s reasoning and logic behind everything and that’s just the way it is,” he says. “It’ll be me one day as well I’m sure but everyone that leaves is a loss in some way and Greg was certainly a loss. “I lived with him and was very good friends with him,” he adds of Jones who is now back in Dublin and playing AIL for St Mary’s College, “but just with the group as well, when he played, he was always amazing and off the pitch with that dynamic of different voices. “(I suppose) that changes every year and some years it’s people like him and there are countless examples of people who are a loss off the pitch and it’s about all of us (who remain) trying to bring out more of us and more of the younger lads through to where they can feel those voices and opinions and we can keep adjusting that dynamic,” adds the back rower with over 150 appearances for Ulster. He’s out of contract at season’s end so it could even be that Timoney is heading towards the door though when asked he indicates that he might be staying, suggesting that negotiations are ongoing. “I’d say there’s a good chance, (but) I don’t know,” is how Timoney frames still being here this time next year. “I think everyone wants to get things going in the right direction and I’m loving my time at Ulster as much as there are lots of disappointments and we’re struggling at the moment. “And I’ve full faith we can get things going in the right direction again,” he adds. Were he to go it would certainly be a blow as Timoney is one of Ulster’s most consistent performers and can play across the backrow, functioning in one of the game’s most demanding areas. One aspect which may yet influence a decision might be Timoney’s Ireland involvements, or rather lack of them in the national shirt despite being part of enlarged squads. Most recently, he was with Ireland for the November series but was one of very few players not given any match involvement over the four Tests played. The last of Timoney’s, so far, three caps came against Fiji in autumn 2022 so when he wasn’t give the nod for last month’s outing against the islanders, his Ulster teammate Cormac Izuchukwu being handed a debut and Connacht’s Cian Prendergast the bench place — frontliners Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier started — you can imagine that this likely led to an awkward chat with Andy Farrell. “Yeah, (it was) pretty difficult to be fair,” admits Timoney. “I go into every campaign hoping I’ll get picked for Ireland and thinking this is going to be the one that everything changes. “I haven’t played in a couple of years, but he just told me to keep the faith and keep doing what I’m doing and keep pushing and I’ll get better at all the things I’m constantly trying to get better at. “So, you have to be real with yourself and your ego there as well. You’re obviously upset but no one owes you a chance to play for Ireland so essentially, it’s not anyone else’s problem, it’s my problem. “So, I’ve just got to get to the point where they can’t ignore me. It’s on me to play better so I’ve certainly been trying.” Which leads back to Ulster and the five straight defeats behind them as they gear up for tonight’s interpro at the Dexcom Stadium. The sequence ought to have been halted last week against Munster at Ravenhill only for the visitors to snatch the result against 14-man Ulster with the game’s final play. Gut-wrenching really and Timoney tries to give the situation some context as well as explaining that there is no sense of overall panic as the squad are coping with transition as well as some challenging injury issues while, in recent times — Europe being a major factor here — the players have had to deal with some fairly formidable opposition. “None of us are happy with the current state of things,” he explains. “But there were times back in 2017 and 2018 when things felt worse for a number of other reasons as we all know. “Last weekend (against Munster) was incredibly disappointing the way the game finished but I thought the effort and some of the play for having 14 men for more than half the game was very promising and it’s still more games lost in a row, but it doesn’t feel like it’s getting worse. “It feels like it’s getting better, and I think we have to have that belief and look at ourselves and what we do better. “There is loads of stuff we can do better and we’re not lying to ourselves to by saying that we can get these things right and go out and win. If that wasn’t there, I’d feel worse, but it is there. “It’s been a tough period and it’s going to continue to be a tough period with the games we have, and the only answer can come from within our group and we feel as much as we’ve struggled in the past few weeks that the answers are there and that we’ll find them. “We’re doing our best to fix it, and we feel we’re not that far away.” The hard grind continues.

As the trailer builds to a climax, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the role that Aizen will play in "Bleach: Soul Awakening." Will he be a formidable ally, a treacherous foe, or something else entirely? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Aizen's presence in the game is sure to shake things up and keep players on their toes.As Liu Shao’ang prepares to embark on the next chapter of his life, his legacy in the world of short track speed skating will continue to inspire generations of athletes to chase their dreams and never give up, no matter the obstacles they face.RUBEN AMORIM is certainly not stupid and he can read the room at Old Trafford. Although, in his previous appearance at the Theatre of Dreams, this also saw him witness a leaking roof in his post-match press conference... which sums up the state of Manchester United right now. Yet the Portuguese coach knows all about the importance of having a connection with supporters and he can clearly see Red Devils’ fans are all “tired” with the situation at their shambolic club. Amorim has only been at United just over a month but the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Wolves was his fifth in seven games since taking charge in the wake of Erik ten Hag’s sacking. And now he must prepare for Monday’s visit of in-form Newcastle . The former Sporting Lisbon chief, 39, has a contract until 2027 and maintains that is enough time for him to be judged. He is not being helped by arriving in such a toxic situation with fans disillusioned at the way United have been run on and off the pitch. Yet Amorim ’s problem is that, over the last few weeks, the team has gone BACKWARDS . United’s last home game was Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth — which is when the roof started leaking on him . Incredibly, it was the club’s fourth Prem defeat at Old Trafford this season. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S Eddie Howe’s team will arrive on a run of four successive wins, so a game against Newcastle is the last thing United need. Yet Amorim insisted: “We have to fight against everything because our supporters are always there, but they are tired of this moment. “It’s part of football to have these difficult moments. I already knew that it was going to be tough. “You expect to win more games, to have players with more confidence to sell the idea and to work and improve things. “At this moment it’s really hard. We have to survive to have time and then to improve the team.” Amorim cannot be faulted for his honesty. He also conceded that the mood at Old Trafford could be tense whenever Newcastle attack. He added: “We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that. “It’s a very strong team with a lot of pace, with a lot of time working with the same coach. We want to be competitive and try to win the game, that’s all.” This is currently the worst United team in half a century — which is incredible when you consider how much money has been spent in recent seasons. It is not just the absence of quality, either. There is a lack of belief and energy and the team is so predictable. There is no reason why United cannot beat Newcastle. But equally, it would not be a surprise if they were crushed 4-0. After the loss against Wolves, Amorim admitted that the side had to “survive” in the Premier League as they sit 14th in the table, eight points off the relegation zone. Another worry is that United are struggling at corners and free-kicks. They have conceded ten goals from set-pieces this term — five of them coming under Amorim’s command. Goalkeeper Andre Onana was beaten by Matheus Cunha’s corner at Molineux seven days after Tottenham’s Son Heung-min did the same to Altay Bayindir in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. The fact that Wolves had practised trying to score direct from corners during the week showed there is an issue as Onana is not being protected by his defenders. Amorim admitted: “Set-pieces are becoming so important. We have to learn, even with the small guys.” United’s new coach was also asked whether Red Devils’ fans can play a part against Newcastle by ramping up the atmosphere on Monday. But he said: “I would not dare to ask anything of our fans. They give us everything: a full stadium, they’re always supporting, clapping loss after loss. “I just want to give something to the fans, not ask something of them.” United will be without captain Bruno Fernandes after his red card at Wolves . Although the Portuguese playmaker’s dismissal at Spurs in September was overturned, he continues to walk a disciplinary tightrope and cannot be trusted. Asked if former skipper Harry Maguire could be reinstated, Amorim said: “He will have to wait until the game. “He works really well. He’s focused on the job, not what people say. He does not make excuses, even if he had some tough moments. “I think in that department he is an example, so he is there to play to help the team. He’s trying to do that.” By Ken Lawrence WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United's struggles continued. The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of. United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes' red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner. Here is how SunSport rated the performances... ANDRE ONANA: 4 He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal - his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected. LENY YORO: 5 Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark. HARRY MAGUIRE: 6 The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods - at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time. LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6 Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game. NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5 Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch - Cunha. MANUEL UGARTE: 5 Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card. KOBBIE MAINOO: 5 Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed. DIOGO DALOT: 6 Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United - but he had no major influence on a poor team display. AMAD DIALLO: 5 Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago. BRUNO FERNANDES: 3 Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that. RASMUS HOJLUND: 5 Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left. SUBS Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6 Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6 Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6 Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5 Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5

Seattle, a tech hub that has seen rapid population growth in recent years, is now experiencing a slowdown in its rental market. As companies adopt remote work policies, some residents are opting to leave the city in search of more affordable housing options. This has put pressure on landlords to lower rents in order to fill vacancies. The decrease in rental rates in Seattle is a reflection of the shifting dynamics in the city's housing market.The Jets are going to Jets, right? As New York's beleaguered football franchise continues its search for a new head coach and general manager after firing Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas in-season, it appears the franchise is turning to former GM Mike Tannenbaum to help lead the way. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN: "Jets are retaining The 33rd Team to support them on their upcoming general manager and head coaching searches. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and Vikings general manager Rick Spielman will lead the project for the NFL Technology and Media company." Noting, "The 33rd Team will provide its data analysis and experience to assist the Jets in their search for new leadership." This drew groans from around the football world. Including from The Ringer's Sean Fennessey, who pointed out : "Hiring the GM you fired to hire your next GM. Can't make it up. Worst franchise in professional sports." Hiring the GM you fired to hire your next GM. Can’t make it up. Worst franchise in professional sports. https://t.co/prSz2gJsqO Others agreed. "I see this in business," Bill Gurley replied. "'Hire your replacement.' Uggh. No way that is optimal." "We are destined to be cursed," a fan said. "The GM who last won a playoff game for the Jets..." another commented. "Not a good year for Football in Jersey." "Just think in 2-3 years maybe Joe Douglas can assist as well," another user posted. "Woody is making Dolan and the Wilpons look competent right now," a New Yorker claimed. Perry Knotts/Getty Images Clearly, Jets owner Woody Johnson is going to do things his way before likely returning to his ambassadorship under the Trump administration in the president-elect's second term. For the sake of long-suffering Jets fans everywhere, let's hope it works out. Related: How Much Dead Cap Would Jets Take On By Cutting Aaron Rodgers In-Season?

In conclusion, while Kylian Mbappe may have failed to live up to the lofty expectations set for him, I believe that he is far from being the most overrated player in the world. He is a supremely talented footballer with the potential to become one of the best in the world. All he needs is the right environment and the right mindset to take his game to the next level. Mbappe is not a wall that needs to be pushed down, but a player who simply needs to step out of his comfort zone and reach for the stars.

VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- Flux Power Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLUX ), a developer of advanced lithium-ion energy storage solutions for electrification of commercial and industrial equipment, today announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ron Dutt, intends to retire from the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors is executing a comprehensive succession plan and search to identify the next CEO with the assistance of a nationally recognized search firm. Mr. Dutt will remain in his roles until the search for his successor is complete. Mr. Dutt commented, “It has been my honor to serve as Flux’s Chairman and CEO over the last 12 years, and I'm extremely proud of the team's many accomplishments. From our early days as a pre-revenue start-up and developing the market-penetrating “lithium-ion battery pack” for the high volume ‘walkie’ pallet jack, to becoming a thriving business and recognized provider of innovative energy solutions for the motive lift and ground support equipment markets, it has been a privilege to be a part of this company. I am grateful to the entire Flux team for what we were able to achieve together, and I look forward to supporting my successor through a successful transition.” “On behalf of the Board, management team, and employees, I want to thank Ron for his exceptional leadership and continued dedication to Flux Power,” said Director Michael Johnson. “Since joining as a Director at the company’s incorporation, I have seen Ron’s commitment to fostering a culture of mutual respect and integrity that has been foundational to the company’s success. His vision and dedication have been pivotal in the formation, development, and sustained growth of Flux Power. The Board of Directors and the entire Flux team appreciate his outstanding leadership and the lasting impact he has made on the organization. Looking ahead, we are committed to identifying the best candidate to continue our mission and build upon our strong foundation, and we look forward to working with Ron to ensure a smooth transition.” About Flux Power Holdings, Inc. Flux Power (NASDAQ: FLUX) designs, manufactures, and sells advanced lithium-ion energy storage solutions for electrification of a range of industrial and commercial sectors including material handling, airport ground support equipment (GSE), and stationary energy storage. Flux Power’s lithium-ion battery packs, including the proprietary battery management system (BMS) and telemetry, provide customers with a better performing, lower cost of ownership, and more environmentally friendly alternative, in many instances, to traditional lead acid and propane-based solutions. Lithium-ion battery packs reduce CO2 emissions and help improve sustainability and ESG metrics for fleets. For more information, please visit www.fluxpower.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other securities law. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words and phrases such as “anticipated,” “forward,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “intend,” “remain,” “potential,” “prepare,” “expected,” “believe,” “plan,” “seek,” “continue,” “estimate,” “and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the expected adjustments to the Company’s financial statements, including the estimated amount and impact of adjustments on the Company’s financial statements, expectations with respect to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and related remediation, the potential for additional adjustments to the Company’s financial statements and additional restatements, the Company’s ability to access its revolving credit facility, expected filing of its Form 10-K, and effect and impact on Company’s business and credit facility. All of such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the completion of the review and preparation of the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and the timing thereof; the discovery of additional information resulting to additional adjustments; delays in the Company’s financial reporting, including as a result of unanticipated factors; the Company’s ability to obtain necessary waivers or amendments to its credit facility in the future; the risk that the Company may become subject to stockholder lawsuits or claims; the Company’s ability to remediate material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting; risks inherent in estimates or judgments relating to the Company’s critical accounting policies, or any of the Company’s estimates or projections, which may prove to be inaccurate; unanticipated factors in addition to the foregoing that may impact the Company’s financial and business projections and guidance and may cause the Company’s actual results and outcomes to materially differ from its estimates, projections and guidance; and those risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, and its other subsequent filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Flux, Flux Power, and associated logos are trademarks of Flux Power Holdings, Inc. All other third-party brands, products, trademarks, or registered marks are the property of and used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. Follow us at: Blog: Flux Power Blog News Flux Power News Twitter: @FLUXpwr LinkedIn: Flux Power View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121700521/en/ CONTACT: Media & Investor Relations: media@fluxpower.com info@fluxpower.com External Investor Relations: Chris Tyson,Executive Vice President MZ Group - MZ North America 949-491-8235 FLUX@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BATTERIES ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY HARDWARE SOURCE: Flux Power Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 04:01 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 04:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121700521/enBy investing in the development and distribution of a male HPV vaccine, the Chinese business magnate aims to not only capitalize on a burgeoning market but also contribute to the prevention of HPV-related diseases among men. The introduction of a male HPV vaccine represents a paradigm shift in preventive healthcare, offering men the opportunity to safeguard their health and well-being through vaccination.

Gary Lineker lands first job since Match of the Day exit in shock new role alongside former England captainOn one hand, we have Li Xiang, a successful and well-known TV personality, proudly flaunting her lavish car collection. On the other hand, her daughter, Wang Shilin, symbolizes the next generation of elite society, getting ready to start her own journey behind the wheel.

Coronation Street legend announces she’s set to become a grandmother for the first time