Latest news with #Sentinels
Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
US Air Force will shift funds from a nuclear missile program for $400 million refit on Trump's Qatar jet
The Pentagon is set to shift funds from the US's Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program to refit a jet gifted to the US and President Donald Trump by Qatar. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing last week that the funds were from "excess to need in 2024," per Defense One. He went on to stress that redirecting the funds would not set back the $140 billion Sentinel program, an initiative to replace the US's aging nuclear missiles that has experienced years of delays and a near doubling of its estimated cost. "Let me be very clear, the Sentinel program is fully funded [and has] all the resources it needs to execute as quickly as possible," he said, per Defense News. The US accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar back in May, but critics have raised numerous concerns, including the cost of refitting it as well as security issues with turning a foreign jet into a flying White House. Others have criticised the deal over Constitutional rules related to accepting expensive gifts from foreign leaders. Some lawmakers and outside experts have said the expected costs of modifying the jet could be as high as $1 billion, as the aircraft would require extensive retrofitting of security and communications systems before it could be used for presidential air travel. But Meink disputed that cost, and said that refitting the plane would cost around $400 million, and could be completed in a year. Trump, during his first term, signed a contract for two new Boeing aircraft to enter the Air Force One fleet, but delays mean the planes are unlikely to be ready for service until 2027 or 2028, near the end of Trump's second term. The Sentinel program was designed to replace the US's stockpile of Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, which can be fitted with nuclear warheads. In January, it was reported that costs for the program were spiralling, from an initial projection of $77 billion to potentially $140 billion. Air Force Global Strike Command oversees the 400 Minuteman III missiles deployed in silos across the central US. These long-range missiles have been one of the most threatening elements of the US nuclear force since they became operational five decades ago. The Sentinels are set to replace them in the 2030s.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Review: 'Doom: The Dark Ages' reinvents run-and-gun formula … again
LOS ANGELES: The rebooted Doom series has been a masterclass in reinvention. Bucking the trend of military shooters, the id Software team crafted a brilliant gameplay loop that's the spiritual successor to the run-and-gun action the developers pioneered in 1993. It relied on movement, herding enemies and creating satisfying combo-based combat while introducing exploratory elements. The sequel Doom Eternal refined that formula, emphasising vertical gameplay that made the Doom Slayer protagonist feel like a fighter jet, according to game director Hugo Martin. The third entry for the reboot goes in a different direction. A vision that works Doom: The Dark Ages is a prequel to the first two games and lets players discover the events leading up to the original reboot. It finds the Doom Slayer as a tool of the Maykrs as he's deployed to help the Sentinels in their battle against the minions of hell. Over the course of 22 levels, players will be in the heart of the Argenta Unholy Wars' politics and drama as the villain Prince Ahzrak searches for the Heart of Argent, a power capable of making him a god. He and his hell minions attack the Sentinels, who are hiding that power and trying to keep it out of his hands. The beauty of The Dark Ages is that players don't need to know much about the past games. They can jump into this chapter and enjoy the spectacle of seeing the Doom Slayer become the ultimate demon-fighting machine. When playing The Dark Ages , veterans will notice that this version of the Doom Slayer is a different beast from the past games. Developers at id Software revamped the combat to emphasise a more ground-based approach. If Doom Eternal made players feel like a jet pilot, The Dark Ages will make them think they're controlling a zippy modern tank. Most of the combat revolves around a shield that can deflect attacks and protect against projectiles while dicing fodder with a Captain America-like throw. Further in the campaign, the shield is imbued with runes that give it other ways to attack. Aside from offence, the shield also has a role in exploration, with players using it almost like a grappling hook at certain nodes. They can also crash through weakened walls or destroy pulleys that hold doors shut. It's a simple tool that's controlled by two buttons, but id Software does a remarkable job of giving it versatility, so that it can do much more, especially when combined with weapons. Weapon versatility The Dark Ages has an arsenal with enough versatility that players won't be leaning on two weapons. The fan favourite Super Shotgun can handle a wide range of encounters, but the Doom Slayer will encounter enemies that move too quickly or have attacks that take advantage of its limited range. That's when players will have to rely on other weapons and their properties, which emerge when they're powered up at the Sentinel Shrine. The team at id smartly crafted weapons to encourage players to switch them up, depending on the circumstances. If players need to stun enemies, the Cycler can shock swarming adversaries, giving players the opportunity to thin the herd. The Rocket Launcher has the ability to regain health when players parry an attack and enter the splash damage zone. Combine this with the melee weapon and shield rune upgrades, and players have several strategies to survive the demon horde onslaught. The weapons and shield forge a fascinating offshoot from the combat of the first two games. It's ground-based but manages to feel fast while satisfying players' desire to combo attacks, showing off the Doom Slayer's maneuverability. The gameplay echoes the original Doom titles that reward players who can circle strafe around attacks and dodge the shower of projectiles that flash across the screen. In The Dark Ages , series veterans do the same thing, albeit with a bigger arsenal and solid defensive moves that make dodging unnecessary. In fact, the campaign has moments where it feels as though the Doom Slayer is slugging it out with Cyber Demons, trading blows while blocking the enemy's melee attacks. At times, combat is essentially a heavyweight prize fight in mid-fisticuffs. A flow state The developers mix up the main gameplay with levels, in which players control an enormous mech called an Atlan and pilot a dragon named Serrat. The giant robot action gives players a sense of scale in these battles where they fight enormous demons mainly with melee attacks. The simple fighting mechanics work as the behemoths don't have much in terms of subtlety of movement. Meanwhile, the dragon levels are less successful but still exhilarating. Flying Serrat is more complicated than controlling the mech and requires a different set of skills. Players have to locate aircraft and shoot them down while also locking in on other adversaries, while dodging attacks, in order to blast them away. The developers do a notable job of mixing these elements of play through the campaign. For example, players fly their dragon and take down a massive enemy hell-icarrier (for lack of a better word) and they can land Serrat atop the vehicle, enter it and wipe out the enemies inside. All of this flows remarkably well, and that's the driving force behind the gameplay. Amid the whirlwind of extreme violence, The Dark Ages builds a momentum in its level design and pushes players along. And though it has secrets and rewards exploration, the team lays out these secrets in way that keeps propelling the Doom Slayer forward. In other words, it's a game that keeps the energy going forward and doesn't stop until its epic conclusion. – The Mercury News/Tribune News Service
Daily Record
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Disabled Scot quit school after making £10k a month managing Fortnite players from bedroom
Ross McLaren quit school and cancelled his Advanced Highers are finding his calling building a lucrative business in the gaming world. A disabled young Scot quit school after raking in £10,000 a month managing some of the world's biggest online gamers from his bedroom. Ross McLaren was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy which left him wheelchair bound. The passionate gamer, who dreamed of becoming a pro- Fortnite player, built a six-figure business aged 17 while living at his Midlothian home with parents Lesley and Craig. Now aged 22, Ross manages a team of ten and oversees the daily operations of some of the biggest names in online gaming including megastar Fortnite players Clix and Sentinel. Ross told the Record: "I really wanted to be a pro-Fortnite player but I realised I wasn't good enough. "I got into video editing for professional Fornite players and started working with small gaming streamers for free when I was in school. "By summer 2021 I was making £10,000 per month and I told my parents I didn't want to sit my Advanced Highers. "They had their doubts and asked me to go back to school - but I quit after one day." Ross explained how his disability enabled him to get into the gaming world and hone his craft. He said: "Having muscular dystrophy was somewhat of an advantage for me as it meant I spent a lot more time on a computer when I was younger as I couldn't go out and play sports like other kids." The then-schoolboy began offering his video editing services to small streamers for fun. Just as he was about to give up, Ross struck gold. "I was working with a streamer called Bugha who only had about 20,000 subscribers," he said. " Bugha played in the Fortnite World Cup in 2018 and won $3million. Overnight, his subscriber count hit one million.' Bugha – now with 4.7million YouTube subscribers – stuck with Ross, and business 'spiralled from there'. Ross then caught the eye of another famous Fornite player called Clix who had 3.5 million YouTube subscribers. Following pressure from his parents, Ross went back to George Heriot's School for one day before quitting - and landed one of the biggest opportunities of his career. He was asked to run a gaming channel fronted by UK YouTube icon KSI who boasts more than 22 million subscribers. He now works as a freelancer, and manages content for professionals like Clix and top E-Sports organisation Sentinels, based in Los Angeles. Top Fortnite streamers like Clix earn around £100,000 per month and Ross collects a lucrative commision for producing content. The young entrepreneur now has his sights on relocating to the US to be closer to his star clients. He added: "It's crazy how things have turned out. "My job didn't exist a few years ago - now business is thriving. "I hope to move to Dallas. With Fortnite, the servers are based there and many of the players are. "I'm planning on taking the leap to move to be closer to my clients." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stellar Blade PC Version: How to pre-order game? Here's release date, platform, specifications, PC requirements and more
Shift Up has confirmed that Stellar Blade will launch on PC on June 11. The announcement came shortly after a trailer was posted early on PlayStation's YouTube channel. The game was originally released on PS5 and is now making its way to PC with new features and content. PC Version Launch Shift Up has announced that the PC version of Stellar Blade will include new content. It will offer an unlocked framerate for smoother gameplay. The PC version will also support Nvidia DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3. These technologies will help improve performance and visual quality. PC players will be able to play the game in ultra-wide and super ultra-wide resolutions. High-resolution background textures will be available. Players must enable the 4K texture option in the settings to use them. Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3: Is there a release date yet? Here's all details about Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship Free Update for PS5 Players All new content available in the PC version will also be released on PS5. Shift Up confirmed this in a blog post. The update will be free for all PS5 players. The studio said it aims to offer the best experience to all players. Live Events DonKi Lee, the game's technical director, stated that this update will benefit players who could not access the game due to platform restrictions. It will also give new content to those who already played the game. New Boss and Costumes The game will include a new boss fight. Players can battle Mann, the leader of the Sentinels, in the Boss Challenge mode. Eve, the main character, will receive 25 new costumes. These will also be available for PS5 players after the update. Improved Controls and Accessibility PC users will get support for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers when using the DualSense controller. Full key customization will also be available for gamepads, keyboards and mice. Players can remap buttons based on their preferences. Shift Up will add support for Simplified Chinese and Japanese voiceovers. Facial animations matching these languages will also be included in the update. Also Read: MindsEye: Release date, storyline, gameplay, main character, bonus content and platforms PC Requirements and Global Release The studio shared system requirements for the game. It will need at least 16GB RAM and 75GB SSD space. The minimum GPU requirement is a GTX 1060 or RX 580. The game targets 1080p at 60fps on low settings and 4K at 60fps on very high settings. Stellar Blade will launch on June 11 globally. Players can pre-order the game on Steam and the Epic Games Store. FAQs Will PS5 players receive the new content for free? Yes, all new content in the PC version will be available on PS5 through a free update, as confirmed by the developer. What are the basic system requirements for Stellar Blade on PC? The game requires a 64-bit OS, 16GB RAM, GTX 1060 or RX 580, and 75GB SSD space to run at 1080p on low settings.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How Sentinels shocked everyone at VALORANT Masters Toronto: Undefeated run secures playoff spot
Sentinels Qualify for VALORANT Masters Toronto Playoffs: Sentinels are making headlines for all the right reasons at VALORANT Masters Toronto 2025. After a clean 2-0 sweep against Wolves Esports and a decisive 2-1 victory over Bilibili Gaming, the North American powerhouse has advanced to the playoffs without dropping a single series in the Swiss Stage. This performance cements their position not just as strong contenders, but as one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. Swiss Stage: Sentinels Take the Direct Route For VALORANT fans and competitive players alike, this isn't just about one team going undefeated—it's about how North America is showing up on the international stage. With every match, Sentinels have displayed strategic adaptability, mechanical skill, and team synergy that rivals the best from EMEA, Pacific, and China. Let's break down their journey and what it means going forward. Match 1: Sentinels vs Wolves Esports (2-0) The opening series saw Sentinels come out with purpose. On Split, they capitalised on a strong defensive start and held their nerve in a tight 13-11 finish. Bang and zekken stepped up in crucial moments, preventing Wolves from gaining momentum. Moving into Lotus, Sentinels delivered a much more dominant showing. Their coordinated use of utility and confident site retakes kept Wolves on the back foot throughout. The map ended 13-8 in favour of Sentinels, who walked away with a clean series win. Match 2: Sentinels vs Bilibili Gaming (2-1) This was a far more intense affair. Sentinels opened strong with a 13-9 win on Icebox, showcasing clean executes and clutch play from TenZ and Zellsis. However, Sunset proved tricky. Bilibili punished early mistakes and forced a third map with a clear 13-5 win. It all came down to Lotus again—where Sentinels held their composure and closed out the series 13-9, becoming the first team from the Swiss stage to qualify for playoffs. Why Their Undefeated Run Matters? Sentinels' unbeaten record isn't just a number on paper—it reflects tactical depth and on-stage confidence. Their ability to stay composed under pressure, adjust mid-game, and close out series shows maturity and tournament readiness. This isn't the same team that struggled with consistency in earlier seasons; this is a refined squad built for top-tier competition. View this post on Instagram Their perfect run also grants them an early entry into the playoff bracket, giving them extra time to prepare and analyse potential opponents. In a tournament format where every map counts, this kind of edge can't be overlooked. Tactical Highlights and Key Players TenZ remains a central figure, but he's now better supported by a well-balanced roster. Zellsis and bang have consistently delivered in clutch moments, especially in multi-kill rounds. Map Pool Strength: Sentinels have shown confidence across Split, Lotus, and Icebox—suggesting they're not relying on one trick or playstyle. Their current form blends explosive mechanics with smart discipline. That combination will be tested in playoffs, but so far, it's worked against both Western and Chinese teams. What's Next at VALORANT Masters Toronto? The playoffs will pit Sentinels against tougher competition, including the top seeds from Stage 1 across regions. With favourites like Fnatic, Paper Rex, and 100 Thieves also in the mix, every map becomes a test of nerves, preparation, and execution. But make no mistake—Sentinels are entering with momentum and a clean record. They're not chasing redemption; they're playing to win. Sentinels are delivering one of their strongest international performances in recent memory. Their unbeaten run in the Swiss stage of VALORANT Masters Toronto has captured attention across the esports world. With momentum, strategy, and individual brilliance on their side, this squad is shaping up to be a serious contender for the title. For fans following the Masters closely, this is a team worth watching—one that's not just surviving the competition, but shaping it. FAQs Q. How did Sentinels qualify for the playoffs at VALORANT Masters Toronto? Answer: They won both Swiss-stage matches—2-0 against Wolves Esports and 2-1 against Bilibili Gaming—securing their playoff spot early. Q. What teams have Sentinels defeated so far? Answer: Sentinels defeated Wolves Esports in a 2-0 sweep and beat Bilibili Gaming in a close 2-1 series. Q. Are Sentinels the only unbeaten team in the Swiss stage? Answer: As of June 9, yes. They're the first team from the Swiss stage to qualify for playoffs without a single loss. Q. What's next for Sentinels in Masters Toronto? Answer: They'll enter the playoff bracket where they'll face top-seeded teams from other regions in high-stakes, elimination matches. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
