Sydney Sweeney, one of Hollywood’s most well-known actresses in recent years, has been cast as the Blonde Phantom in a new Marvel series for Disney+, replacing singer Taylor Swift, who was originally considered for the part.
Scarlett Johansson is producing the television series, which will center on the 1950s heroine Louise Grant. This character, created by Stan Lee and Syd Shores in 1946, is a superb fighter and detective without supernatural abilities who discreetly helps her boss combat crime.
Blonde Phantom initially appears in the eleventh issue of All Select Comics. Blonde Phantom’s real name is Louise Grant, and she worked as a private investigator’s secretary. She accepted her secret identity to assist her boss in solving crimes, exhibiting exceptional hand-to-hand combat and investigation skills.
The Disney+ show aspires to bring back the essence of this great character, modernizing it for new generations while remaining true to her comic book roots.
Marvel Faces Are Dominating the Production
Scarlett Johansson, who played Black Widow in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, will produce the series. Sweeney’s casting has raised expectations, as she is well-known for her work in HBO’s ‘Euphoria.’ Fans are excited to see how Sweeney portrays Blonde Phantom, a character who combines elegance and strength.
Johansson’s involvement in the production ensures a high level of quality and authenticity, thanks to her extensive understanding of the Marvel universe and dedication to perfection. MyTimeToShineHello announced Sweeney’s involvement on the social network X, generating a commotion among followers. Previously, there were reports that Swift would make a cameo appearance in the Deadpool and Wolverine film, which is planned to be released July 25, 2024.
Although Swift’s prospective involvement in future Marvel ventures is unknown, her absence as the Blonde Phantom has left fans of both performers disappointed and curious.
Michael Jordan has set a new record, with his signed 2003/04 NBA trading card being auctioned off at an eye-catching $2,928,000 as revealed by Goldin Auctions. This is a record for any one of the NBA legend’s trading cards, with the bid confirmed by the company recently.
The buyer has not been revealed by Goldin, but the final value of the bid was $2.4 million. The auctioning house adds a 22% buyer premium, which bumped the total price up close to $3 million.
Michael Jordan trading card sets new record at auction
Michael Jordan dropped 40 PTS in ECSF Game 3 against the Magic! (1995)
A total of 38 bids were made for the signed trading card, which exceeded the 10pm deadline. The winning bid was made around 11:30pm, beating out the rest to set a new record.
The card holds a score of 10 by the Professional Sports Authenticators, meaning it is almost a perfect piece of memorabilia.
While the card might have set a new record for Michael Jordan’s own series, it is a fraction of the all-time. That record belongs to Mickey Mantle, whose 1952 Topps card was sold for $12.6 million in August 2022 by Heritage Auctions.
Chelsea are set to earn £5 million from Real Madrid after their 15th Champions League win this past weekend at Wembley Stadium in London. The Blues had included a clause in Eden Hazard’s contract for a bonus payout if Los Blancos won their 15th title in Wembley.
And even though Hazard has retired from football, the West Londoners are still profiting from their big-money sale in 2019, earning a small boost from the Champions League winners.
Eden Hazard transfer still paying off for Chelsea with Real Madrid bonus
💙🧬 Eden Hazard and Chelsea…
👤 352 appearances ⚽️ 110 goals 🅰️ 92 assists
🏆 Premier League x2 🏆 FA Cup 🏆 League Cup 🏆 UEFA Europa League x2
⭐️ Chelsea Player of the Year 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019.
⭐️ Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year 2015, 2019.
At the time, Eden Hazard was Real Madrid’s record transfer and was expected to become the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo on the left wing. However, he struggled to replicate his incredible form at Stamford Bridge, and was held back by several injuries throughout his four-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, he still won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2022 and also lifted a couple of LaLiga titles in the famous white shirt.
Hazard will be returning to West London for Soccer Aid on June 9, and has been enjoying life after retirement last summer. He is still hailed as one of the Blues’ best ever players, after a career that has inspired many.
Ross Barkley is set to return to Premier League football, with a move to Aston Villa imminent. The Clarets are set to pay a sum worth around £5 million to Luton Town for their star midfielder, who had a brilliant season although Luton Town were relegated in the end.
There is an agreement on the player’s side already, and only the medical and formalities need to be completed for Villa to have their first new signing of the season.
Ross Barkley to join Aston Villa from Luton Town
🚨🟣🔵 Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign Ross Barkley from Luton Town, confirmed.
Negotiations are progressing, as per @guardian_sport — Barkley is keen on the move.
❗️ Understand Unai Emery really likes Barkley and believes he could be a smart signing for #AVFC. pic.twitter.com/E0MK8QmPDy
The midfielder spent one season on loan (20/21) with Villa, before moving back to Chelsea, followed by a spell with OGC Nice in France. He then returned to England to join newcomers Luton, and scored five goals while providing six assists in 37 games.
Ross Barkley could prove to be a great signing for the club, considering he has Champions League experience with Chelsea. And with Unai Emery’s side returning to the European top flight after decades, it’ll be great to have a senior player who can provide much needed composure in tense situations.
Villa are expected to make more signings in due course, specifically to bolster their defence and add more quality in attack as the transfer window opens.
ASUS made waves at the Always Incredible launch event for Computex 2024 by introducing a range of groundbreaking technological advancements and reaffirming its dedication to AI integration. The event shone a spotlight on the company’s latest AI-driven innovations, with a particular focus on the Copilot+ PCs spanning from everyday AI to advanced AI capabilities. These new PCs represent a pioneering category of computing, empowered by a 45+ TOPS NPU AI engine, promising revolutionary speed and performance across ASUS’s product lineup.
ASUS Announces Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities. AI Strategy, Copilot+ PCs, and Creator Solutions at Computex 2024 Always Incredible Launch Event
Embracing Ubiquitous AI for Endless Possibilities
ASUS Co-CEO Samson Hu took center stage to unveil the company’s Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities. AI Strategy, emphasizing ASUS’s commitment to leading the charge in the AI revolution. Samson Hu stated, “ASUS is helping lead the way to make AI accessible everywhere for everyone and ensuring that everybody can benefit from the possibilities guaranteed by AI.”
Introducing the Zenbook S 16 and ProArt Creator Solutions
The highlight of the event was the Zenbook S 16, an ultra-slim OLED laptop featuring the exclusive Ceraluminum™ chassis in nature-inspired colors. This premium laptop boasts the latest AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 processor, delivering exceptional performance in a remarkably thin design. The ProArt portfolio also received a boost with new creator solutions, including laptops, displays, and peripherals designed to empower users for smarter and faster creation on-the-go.
Gaming Powerhouses and Professional Laptops
The Taiwanese giant also unveiled the TUF A16 and TUF A14 gaming laptops, equipped with up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs. These stylish and portable gaming machines offer high-refresh-rate G-SYNC® displays, Dolby Atmos® audio, and advanced connectivity for immersive gaming experiences on-the-go. Additionally, the Zenbook S 14 and ExpertBook P5 cater to professionals and small office settings, powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors.
Collaborative Efforts for Next-Gen AI PCs
Leaders from Microsoft, AMD, and NVIDIA joined ASUS at Computex to emphasize their collaborative efforts in advancing the AI era. Mark Linton from Microsoft Corp. praised ASUS for pushing boundaries with Copilot+ PCs, while AMD’s Jack Huynh highlighted the cutting-edge technology embedded in the third-generation AMD Ryzen AI processors. NVIDIA’s Jason Paul underscored the enhanced AI performance present in ASUS’s ProArt 16 laptop, catering to creators and gamers alike.
Availability and Pre-Orders
The Zenbook S 16, ProArt P16, and PX13 laptops, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, are now available for pre-order worldwide. Interested customers can visit http://asus.com globally or http://BestBuy.com in the US to secure these innovative devices. Pricing starts at US$1,399 for the Zenbook S 16, US$1,699 for the ProArt PX13 convertible, and US$1,899 for the ProArt P16 clamshell laptop.
Experience the future of AI-powered computing with ASUS’s latest offerings, designed to elevate productivity, creativity, and gaming experiences. Stay tuned for more updates as ASUS continues to drive innovation and accessibility in the realm of next-generation AI PCs.
Acer has announced an exciting update for its Swift series of thin-and-light laptops. Beginning in Q3 2024, the Swift lineup will feature models powered by the new AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series laptop processors. These cutting-edge processors bring unrivaled speed and performance to Acer’s latest AI-driven PC offerings, thanks to their enhanced CPU and GPU cores, as well as an ultra-efficient NPU. Additionally, the new laptops will receive a free update to Copilot+ PC experiences upon availability.
Upcoming Acer Swift Series Laptops to Feature Models with New AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Processors
Bringing AI to Everyday Computing
“AI is continuing to reshape our customers’ expectations for PCs across gaming, content creation, professional and everyday use,” said Jerry Kao, COO, Acer Inc. “With AMD, we are delivering more AI-enabled experiences to our customers with unprecedented power and performance. In the coming months, we are excited to announce new systems powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors.”
Jack Huynh, Senior Vice President and GM of the Computing and Graphics Group at AMD, echoed these sentiments: “We’re excited to partner with Acer across their thin-and-light next-generation AI PCs. We are creating a new category of AI PCs with Acer featuring our 3rd generation AMD Ryzen AI processors with the world’s most powerful NPU with 50 TOPS, the world’s fastest APU with next-gen Zen 5 architecture, and the world’s best graphics for gaming.”
Next-Level Performance with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Processors
The AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, based on the advanced Zen 5 architecture, bring up to 12 high-performance cores and 24 threads, promising groundbreaking performance for ultrathin laptops. The new processors integrate AMD XDNA™ 2 technology, delivering up to 50+ NPU TOPS of AI processing power. This ensures users can leverage AI capabilities locally, running generative AI applications, Large Language Models, and AI assistants directly on Acer Swift laptops without needing an internet connection, thereby maximizing creativity and productivity without draining battery life.
Optimized for Power Efficiency and High Performance
One of the standout features of the AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors is their optimization for lower power consumption, which translates to excellent battery life even under heavy computing loads. These processors also offer up to 36 MB cache, enhancing productivity and responsiveness. Built-in AMD Radeon™ 800M graphics provide robust support for high-resolution displays and accelerated encoding, whether or not a discrete graphic card is present.
Real Madrid have now officially confirmed the arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer, ending a transfer saga years in the making. The France international ended a seven-year spell with PSG, leaving on a free transfer after choosing to not extend his contract last summer.
In 2022, Madrid came incredibly close to signing him for around €200 million, but the player changed his mind and personally called Florentino Perez to tell him that he could not join them at the time, preserving the relationship and delaying the transfer.
Kylian Mbappe officially joins Real Madrid from PSG
Had Kylian Mbappe accepted the offer made by Real two years ago, he would have been the best paid player in the squad. However, his earnings will now be at par with other top earners in the squad such as Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.
With the move, Mbappe has joined a star-studded line-up, fresh from their 15th Champions League win. Joining the likes of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in attack, the France captain is set to form a fearsome offensive trio that could dominate Spain and Europe for the coming decade.
However, we will have to wait a little more to see the 25-year-old in Real Madrid colours. The striker is set to represent France at the Euros in Germany this summer, after which he will join Madrid for their pre-season tour.
It’s likely that Mbappe will play through the middle for Real Madrid, with Vinicius Jr set to retain his place out wide. But considering Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical flexibility and the freedom his players have on the pitch, it’s more likely that we could see a rotational system in attack.
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has just unveiled the ROG Ally X, an enhanced version of its popular handheld game console. Tailored for Windows 11 gaming, the ROG Ally X features the formidable AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor and comes with significant upgrades in storage, RAM, battery life, and ergonomics. With the latest Armoury Crate SE 1.5 software, which includes a new customizable game library and unified system updates, the ROG Ally X promises to #playALLYourgames better than ever.
ASUS Republic of Gamers Announces All-New ROG Ally X
ASUS ROG Ally X
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Display
7” FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB, Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ with Gorilla® Glass DXC coating, touchscreen, 120 Hz refresh rate, 7 ms response time, AMD FreeSync Premium
CPU
AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme Processor (“Zen4” architecture with 4 nm process, 8-core /16-threads, 24 MB total cache, up to 5.10 GHz boost)
GPU
AMD Radeon™ Graphics (AMD RDNA™ 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz, up to 8.6 Teraflops)
Memory
24 GB LPDDR5X on board (7500 MHz dual channel)
Storage
Up to 1 TB M.2 2280 NVMe™ PCIe® G4x4 Value SSD
I/O Ports
1 x Audio combo jack 1 x Micro SD Card reader (UHS-II, 312MB/s) 1 x USB-C® supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (DisplayPort™ 1.4 with FreeSync support, Power Delivery 3.0 (Input: 20V/5A, Output 5V/1.5A)) 1 x USB4® (Thunderbolt™ 4 compliance, DisplayPort™ 1.4 with FreeSync support, Power Delivery 3.0 (Input: 20V/5A, output:5V/3A)
Audio
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology Dolby Atmos® AI noise-canceling technology Hi-Res Audio certification Built-in array microphone
Battery
80 Wh
Power Supply
USB-C®, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25 A, 65 W, Input: 100~240V AC 50 / 60 Hz universal
Dimension
28.0 x 11.1 x 2.47 cm
Weight
678 g
More Storage, Faster RAM, and Longer Battery Life
Driven by user feedback, the ROG Ally X boasts major enhancements in its internal components. It now includes a 1 TB SSD, doubling the storage capacity from the original 512 GB model. The redesigned motherboard features an M.2 2280 slot, allowing users to upgrade their storage more easily with larger drives.
In addition to storage improvements, the ROG Ally X is equipped with 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, offering greater flexibility. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU shares video RAM with system RAM, which is crucial for modern games that demand high-resolution textures. With 24 GB of system memory, users can allocate ample memory to both the system and GPU, ensuring top-notch performance in next-gen AAA titles.
One of the most notable upgrades is the 80 Wh battery, which doubles the capacity of its predecessor. This enhancement allows for longer gaming sessions away from power outlets. Despite the increased battery life, the ROG Ally X maintains a lightweight design, weighing only 70 grams more than the original, and its balanced weight distribution ensures comfortable portability.
Enhanced Controls and Connectivity
The ROG Ally X features a redesigned chassis in a sleek black colorway, with deeper handles and a more rounded shape for enhanced comfort. The ergonomic layout includes angled buttons and sticks, with slanted triggers for easier pressing. Smaller macro buttons on the back minimize accidental presses while remaining accessible.
The joysticks have been upgraded with durable modules rated for a 5-million-cycle lifespan, featuring stiffer springs for a familiar response curve that appeals to long-time controller gamers. The D-Pad has also been refined, offering precise eight-direction input ideal for fighting and retro games.
Responding to user requests, the ROG Ally X replaces the original XG Mobile port with two USB-C® ports, one of which is Thunderbolt™-compatible. This change provides broader compatibility with third-party docks and external GPUs, enhancing the device’s versatility.
Superior Cooling and Thermals
To accommodate the new battery, the ROG Ally X incorporates smaller fans with 50% thinner blades, improving airflow efficiency. The fan housing includes two new tunnels that direct air toward an additional third exhaust vent on the upper edge of the device. This advanced thermal solution increases air volume flow by 24%, effectively cooling both internal components and the touch screen, which measures up to 6°C cooler for more comfortable extended use.
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Ally X represents a significant leap forward in handheld gaming, combining powerful hardware with thoughtful design improvements based on user feedback. With enhanced storage, faster RAM, extended battery life, updated controls, and superior cooling, the ROG Ally X is set to redefine portable gaming. Experience the future of gaming on-the-go with the ROG Ally X, and #playALLYourgames like never before.
Among other advancements in iOS 18, key emphasis has been placed on cognitive functions. According to Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple is to refresh the iPhone Control Center with the launch of iOS 18 which will include new versions of the ‘now playing’ music widget along with HomeKit smart home controls.
More About the iOS 18 Control Center
Gurman provides more details regarding iOS 18, stating that the Settings app will feature refreshed aesthetics, better organization, and stronger search. The Control Center is getting some new features, such as a redesigned music widget and improved compatibility for smart home devices.
The Control Center design has been effectively unchanged since it first appeared alongside the iPhone X in 2017, indicating a refresh is well overdue. Though we haven’t been provided with specific notes related to design, it’s likely that the ‘Now Playing’ UI could be enlarged to accommodate for album art and a progress bar by default, a long-standing user request.
For HomeKit, the current iOS system automatically picks six accessories to highlight in the Home section of the Control Center. But what is automatic to some might be annoying to others as it will not reflect in his or her own preferences and it might change unexpectedly. This feature would allow the Control Center menu to be manually edited by the user, and the layout would be fixed in order to be more easily accessible. Plus, tile sizes effectively pointing at the Home app would make it a lot more user-friendly. Users appreciate less reliance on ‘AI’ for the iOS 18 update
In a nutshell, iOS 18 is set to refresh the entirety of the operating system with enhancements to improve user experience and functionality in all parts of the interface. Users are looking forward to the official iOS 18 release that contains the expected alterations in Control Center among other features, to experience these on their devices in full effect.
Warner Bros. Television is in the initial stages of developing a TV series based on “300,” sources have informed Variety.
300 (2006) Image Credits – IMDb
While precise storyline specifics are undergoing refinement, insiders indicate that the series will function as a prequel to the 2006 movie. Presently, no writer or platform has been linked to the endeavor.
Key Players in Talks for ‘300’ TV Series Adaptation
Negotiations for agreements are ongoing, with Zack Snyder, the director and co-writer of “300,” reportedly in discussions to direct and serve as an executive producer for the series. Deborah Snyder, also an executive producer for the original film, would join as an executive producer under the Stone Quarry production banner, alongside Wesley Coller from Stone Quarry. Additionally, talks involve Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, and Bernie Goldmann, all of whom were producers on the film.
Representatives for WBTV declined to provide comment.
“300” was adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, drawing loose inspiration from real historical events and the 1962 film “The 300 Spartans.”
From Blockbuster to Broadcast: ‘300’ Series
The movie depicts Leonidas, the Spartan king, leading a small group of elite soldiers in a stand against the vast army of Xerxes I of Persia. Gerard Butler portrayed Leonidas, while Rodrigo Santoro took on the role of Xerxes. The ensemble cast also featured Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Tom Wisdom, and Michael Fassbender. “300” was a major success, earning over $450 million worldwide, surpassing its reported $65 million budget. It also inspired various parodies, including the films “Meet the Spartans” (2008) and the “South Park” episode “D-Yikes!”
Gerard Butler. Image Credits – Variety
Gerard Butler delivers a powerful performance as King Leonidas, exuding strength and determination as he leads his men into battle. Rodrigo Santoro is equally captivating as Xerxes, portraying the imposing ruler with an air of divine authority.
But it’s not just the performances that make “300” a must-see film. The visual effects are nothing short of breathtaking, with every frame meticulously crafted to capture the gritty, visceral nature of combat. The film’s use of slow-motion and stylized imagery adds to the intensity of the action sequences, immersing the audience in the chaos of war.
Beyond its stunning visuals, “300” also offers a compelling narrative that explores themes of honor, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. The camaraderie among the Spartan warriors is palpable, making their struggle against overwhelming odds all the more inspiring.
While some may criticize the film for its historical inaccuracies and stylized portrayal of violence, it’s important to remember that “300” is first and foremost a work of fiction inspired by Frank Miller’s graphic novel. As such, it should be appreciated for its artistic vision rather than judged by strict historical standards.
Zack Snyder. Image Credits – Variety
In 2014, a sequel titled “300: Rise of an Empire” hit theaters. Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel “Xerxes,” the film saw Snyder co-writing the screenplay but not directing. Many original cast members returned, including Headey and Santoro, while Sullivan Stapleton took on the lead role of Themistocles. Though not as critically acclaimed as its predecessor, it still managed to gross $337 million worldwide against a $110 million budget.
If the “300” series were to proceed, it would join a growing trend of films being adapted for television, reflecting the continued demand for recognizable intellectual properties in the streaming landscape. Notably, Amazon has recently commissioned a “Legally Blonde” prequel series exploring Elle Woods’ high school years, and earlier this year, they premiered the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” TV series featuring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Meanwhile, Apple is in the process of developing a “Time Bandits” series. Other recent examples include television adaptations of films like “Fatal Attraction,” “Sexy Beast,” and “Dead Ringers.”
