Latest news with #Inquest
Malaysian Reserve
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
Guild Wars 2 Sets Sail to Lands Unknown in New Expansion 'Visions of Eternity' Launching October 28, 2025
New Beachside Homestead Plot and Elite Specializations Provide Launch Pad for Setting Sail to Undiscovered Lands of Castora BELLEVUE, Wash., July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today developer ArenaNet® announced Guild Wars 2®: Visions of Eternity™, the sixth expansion for the award-winning and critically acclaimed MMORPG Guild Wars 2. Releasing on October 28, 2025, Visions of Eternity will offer a suite of new content and features for established and new players alike, including a new Homestead plot, new and upgraded abilities for the skimmer mount, an all-new story set in the island realm of Castora, two new explorable maps, and a new elite specialization for all nine of the game's playable professions. The new Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity trailer can be viewed HERE, while further screenshots and concept images can be found at the online press kit. Visions of Eternity will go on sale for $24.99 and, like its predecessor Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds™, have three planned major updates scheduled for release throughout 2026. Launch day will open two new maps on the island of Castora, a heretofore unvisited part of Tyria and home to ancient magics that have warped the local flora and fauna in stunning ways. Amidst this enigmatic new land, players will be able to explore new build options for their characters as each of the game's professions can earn a new elite specialization with a collection of new traits and utility skills that will further increase the game's already staggering amount of gameplay customization options. The skimmer mount, already a master of aquatic environments, can develop new capabilities through one of three new mastery lines associated with Castora. The Homestead system introduced in Janthir Wilds is being extended in Visions of Eternity. A new plot for players' homesteads will be available on the sunny beaches of Castora. The expansion's Homestead Layout feature will allow players to easily and quickly share their customized space with others, allowing a perfect duplicate of a construction so long as a player has the requisite decorations. Whether they want to live in the wintery vales of Janthir or among the waves of a new island paradise, a player can choose which of their homestead plots is active at any time and use Layouts to easily restore their favorite looks. The three planned major future updates will launch at no additional charge and continue to add new experiences: two additional maps, new Raid Encounters, a new Convergence, new rewards (including new earnable items in the Wizard's Vault), two extensions of the storyline, new legendary gear, and more will arrive in 2026. Visions of Eternity's new story begins with rumors of an island fabled by the seafarers of Tyria, rich with magic and ley energy. Word arrives to the Tyrian Alliance that the Inquest, a conniving krewe of asuran technology researchers, has been in search of that island, Castora—and when the Inquest start sneaking around, it spells danger for the rest of Tyria. Together with those allies willing to brave a voyage into the unknown, the Commander sets off in the hopes of discovering what the Inquest's goals are—and stopping them before it's too late. 'Visions of Eternity continues our commitment to major yearly content expansions,' said Josh Davis, Guild Wars 2 Game Director. 'Over a decade into the game's life, we're making improvements and enhancements to game modes and systems, expanding the horizon of Guild Wars 2's gameplay. This expansion is offering up more elite specializations to further grow the possibilities for player customization and gameplay while becoming more seamlessly accessible across game modes and activities.' A wealth of new features, activities, and storylines open up new possibilities for play: New maps: Two new explorable maps will be available on October 28, with a third and fourth to follow in future updates. Elite Specializations: A new swath of character build options arrives to provide even more gameplay possibilities. Each new elite specialization offers new utility skills and traits for players to discover and hone their preferred play style across the broad range of the game's nine character professions. Anyone with a Guild Wars 2 account can partake in a beta to try out the new elite specializations August 20-27. New and improved Skimmer: Dive into the sea with improved exploration and combat abilities on the skimmer. The skimmer updates represent one of three new mastery lines tied to the region of Castora. New Raid Encounters and group content: The magically-infused landscape of the island is home to all manner of warped and twisted wildlife, which will provide groups of 10 players their ultimate challenge in instanced PvE content, coming in future updates. New Homestead plot: By turning the wreckage of an island shipwreck into a fantabulous beachside home, decorators will have full control over the furniture, structure, and accessories in their cozy new paradise. Homestead Layouts can be shared with other players, giving characters instant access to their friends' best designs so long as they have the required decorations. New Legendary Gear: A legendary weapon and legendary acquabreather at launch will be joined later by a legendary ring, legendary accessory, and another legendary weapon in later releases. These, along with a host of new armor and weapon sets and new Wizards Vault rewards will bring a decidedly magic island vibe to the adventure. Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity is available for pre-purchase starting today at for $24.99, and includes a bundle of pre-purchase bonus items, including a Tropical Resin Kintsugi weapon set, a Sea Captain Hat headpiece, the Eternal Alchemist character title, a shared inventory slot, and a level 80 character boost. The Deluxe Edition ($49.99) comes with the standard edition bundle, plus another batch of exclusive items: a Castoran Tentacled skimmer skin, a set of Fairy's Call Gathering Tools, an additional character slot, and an Identity Repair Kit. The Visions of Eternity Ultimate Edition ($74.99) includes the exclusive Standard and Deluxe Edition items, plus 4,000 Gems, Guild Wars 2's premium in-game store currency. For more information about Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity, please visit the official web site. About Guild Wars 2 Guild Wars 2 is a visually stunning online game that offers players the epic grandeur of a massive role playing environment combined with action combat, large-scale dynamic events that players tackle together, plus both team-based and World vs. World competitive battles. Available on Windows PC, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, the game is updated frequently with expansion and free content that chronicles the ongoing story of Tyria and introduces new environments and activities to explore. Yet with all these updates, the game continues the no-subscription-fee business model that made the original Guild Wars® so popular. For more details, please visit About ArenaNet ArenaNet is the developer of the groundbreaking Guild Wars 2 and best-selling Guild Wars online role playing games. The studio's mission is to create innovative online worlds, cultivate a vibrant and engaged global community of players, and to incorporate handcrafted artistry into every aspect of their games. ArenaNet formed in 2000 and it has attracted over 20 million players worldwide, with press and fans consistently calling Guild Wars 2 one of the best MMOs and RPGs of all time.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Nottingham man called police during 'episode' day before death
A man who died after being detained under the Mental Health Act had called police the day before while having an "episode" but was not sectioned, an inquest has Fletcher, who had been diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder, died at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on 3 July 2022 after being restrained while in a state of "distress".The day before, the 26-year-old had called police from his mother's house saying he would "kill somebody" if they did not attend and said he had taken Coroner's Court heard on Tuesday that, despite showing symptoms of a mental health disorder, he was taken back to his accommodation by officers. Under the Mental Health Act, Section 136 gives police emergency powers to remove an individual who appears to be having a mental health disorder to a place of jury inquest into Mr Fletcher's death, led by assistant coroner Alexandra Pountey, began on Fletcher's medical cause of death was recorded as the "physiological effects of physical exertion combined with the toxic effects of cocaine and other substances". The father of two was at his mother's house on 2 July when he called the police, but had been staying at the young people's charity body-worn video footage played in court showed that on officers' arrival to the house, Mr Fletcher was shirtless, sweating profusely and not making sense when speaking to them. He told officers he had been "made to believe" he was "crazy" and made reference to blood-stained clothing which was not real.A street triage team - made up of mental health practitioners and police officers - attended as well as an footage showed Mr Fletcher was physically assessed by ambulance workers, with his blood pressure and heart rate checked. 'No formal assessment' Community mental health nurse David Todd attended as part of the street triage was responsible for assessing Mr Fletcher's mental health and helping to determine what actions should be taken. Mr Todd told the court: "Initially I thought Kaine might have had symptoms of ABD [acute behavioural disorder] but later didn't." He said Mr Fletcher had "got his shirt back on" and "slowed down" and therefore did not believe a Section 136 was Todd added: "I considered that after his ambulance assessment he wanted to go back to his accommodation." However, the court heard no "formal assessment" took place. The inquest also heard that Mr Fletcher had been referred by his GP to Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust due to his mental health in February 2022, but never received any treatment. Mr Fletcher did receive help for substance abuse but the coroner said there "seemed to be a gap" between treatment for substance abuse and mental health issued. Stephen Simblet KC, representing Mr Fletcher's family, said he fell into that gap. The inquest continues.
Calgary Herald
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
This Vancouver author lost The Rock's movie — and lived to write about it
Article content Vancouver author Christine Stringer has turned her decade-plus career in the TV/film business into a fun and entertaining novel perfectly suited for a summer beach bag. Article content 'I want this to be a nice break for people,' said Stringer about her book. 'I want you to be able to take it to the beach and then be distracted by people on the beach, to be able to people-watch, and then get right back into the book.' Article content Article content Set in 1997, Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous follows a young Vancouver woman who heads to Los Angeles to work as an assistant for a top director. But, like many others who have done coffee runs on a film or TV set or picked up a producer's dry cleaning, Charity dreams of becoming a screenwriter and producer. Article content Instead, Charity finds herself working long hours and making no money, while trying to outwit a co-worker who appears to spend most of her time trying to undermine Charity's attempts at career advancement. To make matters way, way worse, Charity manages to lose a copy of a studio's yet-to-be-released summer blockbuster film. Article content Article content The story for Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous is definitely inspired by Stringer's own Hollywood story. Between 2002 and 2011, Stringer worked in the world of TV/film production. She was a production assistant and personal assistant in Vancouver to many producers and directors, including: Chris Haddock of Da Vinci's Inquest fame; Todd Garner, who produced a number of Ice Cube projects; Eric Bross, the director behind the Emmy-winning Traffic: The Miniseries; producer Paul Schiff, who did Walking Tall, the 2004 Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson film; as well as that movie's director Kevin Bray. Article content Article content In fact, it was Bray who made Stringer an offer she couldn't refuse, and after the shoot wrapped in Vancouver, asked her to come with him to L.A. to be his assistant. Article content Article content 'It plays out almost like it did in the book,' said Stringer, who was in her early 20s at the time when Bray suggested she go south. Article content 'I was blown away. I said yes, absolutely. It's what every assistant dreams of. But it very rarely happens. You know, all of us assistants on set, we're just like, 'Oh God, when is somebody going to discover my talent? How can I prove myself to make that next step up to producer, writer, director?' ' Article content Stringer has plenty of personal stories to draw on. But the most notable one, and the one that anchors the new novel, is the time she lost a copy of the yet-to be-released film Walking Tall. Article content 'The director asked me to take a copy of the film to this test screening in El Segundo, and I got pickpocketed. And I didn't know I was pickpocketed. I just thought that I lost the movie,' said Stringer.
Vancouver Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
This Vancouver author lost The Rock's movie — and lived to write about it
Vancouver author Christine Stringer has turned her decade-plus career in the TV/film business into a fun and entertaining novel perfectly suited for a summer beach bag . 'I want this to be a nice break for people,' said Stringer about her book. 'I want you to be able to take it to the beach and then be distracted by people on the beach, to be able to people-watch, and then get right back into the book.' Set in 1997, Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous follows a young Vancouver woman who heads to Los Angeles to work as an assistant for a top director. But, like many others who have done coffee runs on a film or TV set or picked up a producer's dry cleaning, Charity dreams of becoming a screenwriter and producer. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Once in L.A., Charity discovers her new life is far from the glitz and glam of red carpets and A-list celebrity parties. Instead, Charity finds herself working long hours and making no money, while trying to outwit a co-worker who appears to spend most of her time trying to undermine Charity's attempts at career advancement. To make matters way, way worse, Charity manages to lose a copy of a studio's yet-to-be-released summer blockbuster film. The story for Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous is definitely inspired by Stringer's own Hollywood story. Between 2002 and 2011, Stringer worked in the world of TV/film production. She was a production assistant and personal assistant in Vancouver to many producers and directors, including: Chris Haddock of Da Vinci's Inquest fame; Todd Garner, who produced a number of Ice Cube projects; Eric Bross, the director behind the Emmy-winning Traffic: The Miniseries; producer Paul Schiff, who did Walking Tall, the 2004 Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson film; as well as that movie's director Kevin Bray. In fact, it was Bray who made Stringer an offer she couldn't refuse, and after the shoot wrapped in Vancouver, asked her to come with him to L.A. to be his assistant. 'It plays out almost like it did in the book,' said Stringer, who was in her early 20s at the time when Bray suggested she go south. 'I was blown away. I said yes, absolutely. It's what every assistant dreams of. But it very rarely happens. You know, all of us assistants on set, we're just like, 'Oh God, when is somebody going to discover my talent? How can I prove myself to make that next step up to producer, writer, director?' ' Stringer has plenty of personal stories to draw on. But the most notable one, and the one that anchors the new novel, is the time she lost a copy of the yet-to be-released film Walking Tall. 'The director asked me to take a copy of the film to this test screening in El Segundo, and I got pickpocketed. And I didn't know I was pickpocketed. I just thought that I lost the movie,' said Stringer. Even remembering the moment, Stringer says, causes discomfort. 'It's exactly how it is in the book. I'm standing there with all the executives, and we're chatting, and then everybody leaves. The theatre empties out, and the director looks at me, and he's like, 'OK, where's the DVD of the film?' I look down and oh, s–t, I don't have it,' said Stringer. Not to spoil the plot, but you can probably guess that this situation is serious. If an unreleased movie gets pirated, a blockbuster's bottom line could easily become a punchline. 'I'm under FBI investigation. I can't leave Los Angeles. And I do believe, my phones were tapped,' said Stringer adding: 'It was wild, I was in my office, and I called home to tell my dad what was going on, and he says, 'I'll fly you home. I'll get you on a flight tomorrow to come home.' And then the assistant to the CEO of MGM knocked on my door, five minutes later, and told me her boss says I can't leave the country.' After a few weeks of scrutiny, Stringer learned that she was indeed the victim of a theft, but that did nothing to lessen the fact that it looked like her career had gone from promising to probably over. 'After the whole FBI thing, I was bullied into thinking that my Hollywood career was over. I was young, scared, naive and broke,' said Stringer. In a plot twist Stringer didn't see coming, she landed a job as an assistant to producer Gabe Sachs, who was shooting the new series Life as We Know It in Vancouver. 'As Gabe's assistant, I had the opportunity to work on a quality project, move back in with my parents, lick my wounds and save money,' said Stringer. That series only lasted a year, but, after that, Stringer found other gigs, including working on the TV series Psych and writing and associate-producing in the independent TV and film world. But she was never able to shake the feeling that the Walking Tall debacle was following her like a dark cloud. 'Every time I interviewed for a job, even in Vancouver, I was terrified that my MGM SNAFU would come up. My job was to assist the people who came in from L.A. after all,' said Stringer. Stringer, who left TV and film in 2011 when she had her first of two children, is following the classic Hollywood sequel format and is currently working on a second Charity Trickett novel. She has plans to follow that up with a third book. And yes, she is writing a screenplay just in case her novel catches Hollywood's attention. 'I would love for the book to get optioned,' said Stringer. 'It would be a full-circle moment to have this book become a film … It would be an absolute dream to have this happen, because I love the movies.' Dgee@
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police actions worsened medical crisis that led to black man's death, inquest finds
A vulnerable black man who died after police dragged him across a bathroom floor by his collar and handcuffed him had a medical emergency that was worsened by his interactions with the officers, an inquest jury has concluded. Godrick Osei, a student, had been experiencing acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) in the early hours of 3 July 2022 after using cannabis and cocaine, and drinking alcohol, the inquest into his death heard. The 35-year-old thought he was being chased by someone and called the police asking for help before breaking into a care home in Truro, Cornwall, and entering a narrow bathroom. Care home staff called 999 and when police officers arrived, Osei was locked inside the bathroom screaming and calling for help. Officers forced their way in and found Osei on the floor. One of the officers, PC Peter Boxall, told the inquest he dragged Osei by his collar as this was the safest way to get him out of the narrow space. He argued that handcuffing him was justified for the safety of the officers and members of the public, including Osei. The inquest heard ABD presents with symptoms such as extreme agitation, paranoia, rapid breathing and sweating, and can be exacerbated by restraint. Boxall said he had been trained in ABD but had not recognised it in Osei. The inquest jury returned a narrative conclusion on Friday. It said: 'Godrick's death was caused by heart failure related to acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) and associated drug and alcohol misuse and mental health difficulties (PTSD). 'His ABD was exacerbated by the use of illicit substances and alcohol and psychological distress he experienced with his interactions with the police.' In legal arguments during the inquest, the family argued that the jury should be given the option of reaching a conclusion of unlawful killing. They said that everything Osei experienced that night – including being dragged across the floor and sworn at – was 'part and parcel' of the events that led to his death. Devon and Cornwall police argued that natural causes ought to be the conclusion. The case is particularly sensitive for the Devon and Cornwall force after the death of church caretaker Thomas Orchard, who died after a heavy webbing belt was placed over his face by police during a mental health crisis in Exeter in 2012. An inquest jury found in 2023 that prolonged use of the belt may have contributed to his death. The charity Inquest, which has been supporting Osei's family, said his death highlighted a 'broader and longstanding pattern' of a disproportionate number of deaths of black men after police use of force, particularly those in mental health crisis. Research by Inquest in 2022 reported that black people are seven times more likely to die after police restraint than white people. After the conclusion of the hearing, Jodie Anderson, senior caseworker at Inquest, said: 'The police response to Godrick was brutal and inhumane. Terrified and in crisis, he called 999 seeking help, fearing for his life. Instead, he was met with aggression and force. 'Godrick's death highlights a deeply embedded culture within policing: one that defaults to violence rather than compassion. From the Macpherson report to the Casey review, the warnings about institutional racism have been clear – yet nothing changes.' During his inquest in Truro, Osei's family claimed he was treated 'inhumanely' because of his race, which was denied by the officers involved in the incident. His relatives described him as a deeply loved son, brother, and father-of-two, a 'gentle giant' who had struggled with his mental health after the death of his father. Una Morris, the family's lawyer, suggested to PC Boxall that his attitude changed when he saw Osei was black. The inquest heard that he told a colleague to 'red dot' Osei – aim a Taser at him, though the electrical weapon was not discharged – and said: 'Fucking hell, look at the sight of his fingers.' The lawyer asked Boxall if dragging a black man by the collar across the floor and swearing at him was 'inhumane'. Boxall replied that the man's race made no difference. 'We needed to gain control,' he said. However, he apologised for his language. Devon and Cornwall police have been contacted for comment.
