Tag Archives: Gate

Buckingham Palace Christmas Market: Tourists Arrive Only to Face a Locked Gate and a Large Puddle

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Name: Buckingham Palace Christmas Market.

Year: Debuting this year.

Exterior: Absolutely charming.

Really? A Christmas market at Buckingham Palace? Indeed! Picture a spacious avenue adorned with wooden stalls, creating a “stunning winter wonderland” filled with twinkling lights and festive trees, right at the palace’s forecourt.

Sounds almost too good to be real. Is that true? Just take a look at the images!

I. Where are those lights suspended from? They seem to float magically. That’s part of the allure.

And there’s snow on the ground. When was this picture taken? Don’t worry. You can check it out for yourself. There are many trains heading to London, and they are all free.

Wait – is this a prank? Yes, it has some elements typical of a hoax.

Like? AI-generated fake photos of the Buckingham Palace Christmas market are circulating on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

What’s the purpose? That remains unclear. Numerous accounts have shared various AI fabrications without any obvious intent.

Besides disappointing royalist Christmas enthusiasts? It certainly seems that way. Many visitors have reported encountering only locked gates, safety barriers, and remnants of water puddles.

So, is there any truth to this? Just around the corner from the palace gates, the Royal Mews gift shop is offering a festive pop-up, featuring royal-themed Christmas gifts and a single kiosk serving hot drinks at the back.

It’s not quite the same. The Royal Collection Trust feels the need to clarify: “There will be no Christmas market at Buckingham Palace,” it states.

Are these types of AI hoaxes becoming more frequent? It’s unfortunate. In July, it was reported that an elderly couple was misled to the Malaysian state of Perak by a video showcasing a non-existent cable car.

That’s hard to believe. Additionally, travel agency Amsterdam Experience is noting a rise in inquiries for trips to Amsterdam to see imaginary places in the Netherlands.

What about their iconic windmills? Windmills beside picturesque canals and tulip fields exist only in AI-generated visuals.

When will people learn? It appears not anytime soon. Tourists who rely on AI for travel planning could find themselves stranded on a secluded mountaintop in Japan or searching for an Eiffel Tower in Beijing.

I’m not usually one for quick judgments.Using AI for travel planning is quite misguided. Perhaps, yet currently, around 30% of international travelers are doing just that.

Remember to say: “Never travel without ensuring that the destination actually exists.”

And please don’t say things like: “I’m looking for the main entrance to Jurassic Park. Is it located behind the carpet warehouse?”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Senate Approves NOAA Executives Linked to Sharpy Gate Scandal

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On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Neil Jacobs as the new director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This appointment marks a pivotal moment for NOAA, which is focused on selecting a leader with extensive expertise in atmospheric sciences. The agency is tasked with weather forecasting and climate record management, areas of contention during the Trump administration.

Nevertheless, Jacobs’ involvement in the 2019 Sharpy Gate controversy has drawn criticism, suggesting he may have yielded to political pressures.

Sharpy Gate originated from President Trump’s erroneous claim that Hurricane Dorian threatened Alabama. Despite local forecasters from the National Weather Service in Birmingham stating the area was not at risk, Trump intensified his assertions and showcased a hurricane forecast altered with a Black Sharpie.

Following this, NOAA leadership reprimanded local weather officials, and Jacobs, who was serving as NOAA’s assistant secretary for environmental observation at the time, was caught in the controversy.

The National Academy of Administrative Affairs conducted an investigation and concluded that Jacobs breached NOAA’s ethical standards.

At his confirmation hearing in July, Jacobs stated that he would approach a similar situation differently today.

Jacobs received bipartisan support in a committee vote last month, with five Democrats joining Republicans in favor of his nomination.

On Tuesday, he was confirmed as part of a broader package that included a dozen ambassador nominations.

Under President Trump’s second term, NOAA has already seen significant changes, including the announcement of hundreds of job cuts followed by the rehiring of many positions.

Additionally, the Trump administration has proposed substantial budget cuts for the agency and has also moved to suspend its climate change report, a crucial component of NOAA’s duties.

During the confirmation hearing, Jacobs emphasized that staffing should be a priority, recognizing that human factors play a vital role alongside natural changes in climate.

The hearing occurred shortly after severe flooding in Texas, prompting Jacobs to highlight the importance of providing timely warnings during such weather emergencies.

“Modernizing our monitoring and warning distribution systems will be my top priority,” he declared.

Jacobs also advocated for the establishment of a Natural Disaster Review Committee, inspired by the National Transportation Safety Board.

“We need increased data collection and post-storm evaluations,” he said. “Understanding what went right and wrong and whether warnings reached the public is essential.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Turkmenistan’s “Gate of Hell” Crater: Burning for 40 Years Without Explanation

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Fires typically consume fuel over hours, days, or even weeks. However, certain underground fossil fuel deposits can sustain a blaze for decades.

The gas crater in Darvaza, famously known as the “Gate of Hell,” has been burning for a remarkable 40 years within a 60-meter-wide (196 feet) pit located in Turkmenistan’s Karakham Desert.

The crater’s origin is a topic of debate. Some claim it resulted from an unauthorized Soviet gas drilling operation in the 1970s that inadvertently trapped an underground pocket of natural gas; others believe it was formed naturally in the 1960s.

Regardless of its origins, geologists detected methane leaking from the crater and attempted to ignite the gas to prevent environmental disasters. They expected it to extinguish within weeks, yet it has continued to burn for decades.

The Darvaza gas Crater is a 60m (196 feet) pit in the Karakham Desert in Turkmenistan. – Photo Credit: Getty Images

This crater sits atop extensive oil and gas fields that traverse Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, likely linked to a vast underground reservoir of methane, which fuels the fire almost indefinitely.

In 2013, Canadian explorer George Crunis embarked on an expedition to study the crater. Dressed in a heat-resistant suit, he descended to the crater’s depths to collect soil samples and found simple organisms capable of surviving in the extreme conditions at the bottom.

While the Gate of Hell may be the most famous fire, it is not the oldest. Underground coal seams can sustain fires for centuries.

One coal fire beneath Mount Wingen in Australia has been ablaze for over 5,000 years. Such fires might continue indefinitely until the vast underground fuel supply is depleted.

This article addresses the question posed by Dennis McCann of Derby: “What are the Gates of Hell, and why do they keep burning?”

Please email us your questions at Question@sciencefocus.com or message us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (remember to include your name and location).

Explore our ultimate Fun fact and discover more amazing science pages.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

2024 BAFTA Game Awards: Baldur’s Gate, Spider-Man, Alan Wake lead major nominations

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The British Academy has announced the nominations for the 20th BAFTA Game Awards, to be held in London on April 11th.

Topping this year’s list is Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, which earned 10 nominations. Spider-Man 2 has 9 nominations. Alan Wake 2 has 8 nominations. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Star Wars Jedi Survivor each have six nominations. Hi-Fi Rush, a colorful music-based action game from Japan’s Tango Gameworks, earned five nominations, as did Mintrocket’s blockbuster Dave the Diver.

Since 1998, Bafta has celebrated the creative achievements of video games alongside those of the film and television industries. Formerly known as the Bafta Interactive Entertainment Awards, the Bafta Games Awards were launched as a separate event in 2004. The awards are decided by a combination of Bafta’s professional members and selected expert judges, with the EE Player’s Choice award determined by public vote.

At last year’s awards, retro-style indie monster shooter Vampire Survivors surprised everyone by beating blockbuster contenders Elden Ring and God of War: Ragnarok to win the award for best game. This year’s nominees include the blockbuster RPG Baldur’s Gate, the horror thriller Alan Wake 2, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, PlayStation’s Insomniac Games Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and Dave the Diver, a humorous game where a sushi chef hunts his own fish.

Changes to this year’s awards process include giving members an additional three months to vote and publishing a shortlist of 60 games. Bafta’s Director of Awards and Content Executive Emma Baehr emphasized the diversity of the nominations, which also featured several first-time developers. “We’ve seen some big-budget games, with Baldur’s Gate leading with 10 nominations, but we’ve also seen British indie game Viewfinder with four nominations,” she noted. She added, “Eleven of the 12 performers in the performance categories are first-time nominees, and we look forward to welcoming them to the British Academy.”

The complete list of nominations is displayed below.

animation

alan wake 2
hi-fi rush
hogwarts legacy
marvel’s spiderman 2
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
super mario bros wonder

artistic achievement

alan wake 2
baldur’s gate 3
cocoon
Diablo IV
Final Fantasy XVI
hi-fi rush

audio achievements

alan wake 2
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III
hi-fi rush
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
marvel’s spiderman 2
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

Alan Wake 2 has been nominated for eight awards due to its thrilling storyline. Photo courtesy of Remedy Entertainment

best games

alan wake 2
baldur’s gate 3
dave the diver
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
marvel’s spiderman 2
super mario bros wonder

british games

cassette beast
dead island 2
disney illusion island
football manager 2024
finder
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin

Debut match

cocoon
dave the diver
dredging
Stray Gods: Role-playing musical
Bemba
finder

Finder. Photo: Thunderful

evolving game

cyberpunk 2077
Final Fantasy XVI Online
fortnite
Forza Horizon 5
Genshin
no man’s sky

family

cocoon
dave the diver
disney illusion island
hi-fi rush
hogwarts legacy
super mario bros wonder

A game that goes beyond entertainment

Sennar’s chant
Goodbye Volcano High
Chia
Terra Nil
thirsty suitors
Bemba

game design

cocoon
dave the diver
dredging
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
marvel’s spiderman 2
finder

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multiplayer

baldur’s gate 3
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III
Diablo IV
forza motorsport
party animal
super mario bros wonder

music

alan wake 2
Assassin’s Creed Mirage
baldur’s gate 3
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
marvel’s spiderman 2

Impa appears in “The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears”. Photo: Nintendo

interactive entertainment

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

story

alan wake 2
baldur’s gate 3
dredging
Final Fantasy XVI
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor

new intellectual property

Sennar’s chant
dave the diver
dredging
hi-fi rush
Jusant
finder

main character performer

Amelia Tyler as narrator in Baldur’s Gate 3
Cameron Monaghan as Cal Kestis in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Nadji Jeter plays Miles Morales in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Neil Newbon as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3
Samantha Béhar as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3
Yuri Ronenthal as Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Cameron Monaghan in Star Wars: Jedi Survivor. Photo: John Kopaloff/Getty Images

supporting cast

Andrew Wincott as Raphael in Baldur’s Gate 3
Debra Wilson as Cele Junda in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Ralph Ineson as Sidolphus “Cid” Telamon in “Final Fantasy XVI”
Sam Lake as Alex Casey in Alan Wake 2
Tony Todd plays Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Tracy Wilds as Jaheira in Baldur’s Gate 3

technical achievements

alan wake 2
Final Fantasy XVI
mountain horizon call

entertainment

The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
marvel’s spiderman 2
star field

EE Player Selection (Public Vote)

baldur’s gate 3
cyberpunk 2077
fortnite
The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears
Lethal Company
marvel’s spiderman 2

Source: www.theguardian.com

Baldur’s Gate 3 wins top award at The Game Awards 2023, but show faces criticism for short speech and dismissal

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RPG game Baldur’s Gate 3 has been honored as Game of the Year at the largest awards ceremony in the industry. This game, which was released earlier this year for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox, surprised reviewers with its expansive world and story that allows players to influence the game through their choices. Inspired by the classic Dungeons and Dragons tabletop game, it is one of the most acclaimed titles of the year, beating out other popular games like Alan Wake 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, and Super Mario Bros.

Belgian developer Larian won six awards at the event, including Best Multiplayer and Role-Playing Game, for Baldur’s Gate 3. Alan Wake 2, created by Finnish studio Remedy, won Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, and Best Art Direction. Other winners included Nintendo’s latest Zelda and Mario titles, Xbox’s Forza Horizon racing series, and the long-running Final Fantasy series. However, Spider-Man 2, one of the most nominated games, did not receive any awards.

The Game Awards are known for showcasing trailers and advertisements for new games, and this year was no different. It included a collaboration between game creator Hideo Kojima and Hollywood director Jordan Peele, as well as the announcement that Matthew McConaughey will play the lead role in the upcoming sci-fi action game “Exodus.” Additionally, a new Jurassic Park game, Survival, was announced, and trailers for new releases from popular game series like Prince of Persia and Monster Hunter were shown.

While the awards show attracted over 103 million viewers last year, the host, Geoff Keighley, was criticized for spending too much time on trailers during this year’s event and failing to acknowledge industry layoffs. Some awards were announced without the winners being invited on stage, and the winners had little time to give their acceptance speeches.

The complete list of game winners included Baldur’s Gate 3 for Game of the Year, Alan Wake 2 for Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction, and several other games in various categories such as Best Multiplayer, Best Family Game, Best RPG, and Most Anticipated Game.

Source: news.sky.com