Tag Archives: simultaneously

Harvard Makes Major Move in Bitcoin ETF Holdings

Posted on by
Reply

Harvard Endowment Increases Bitcoin ETF Stake by 257%, Signals Shift Toward Alternative Assets

Harvard University’s endowment has significantly boosted its investment in the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), increasing its stake by 257% to approximately $442.8 million in the third quarter. This notable rise reflects the purchase of about 6.81 million shares of IBIT as of September 30, up from 1.9 million shares at the end of June. The move elevates IBIT to Harvard’s largest disclosed position in its recent 13F filing, surpassing major tech holdings within its portfolio.

At the same time, Harvard nearly doubled its investment in the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), acquiring 661,391 shares valued at roughly $235 million—a 99% increase from 333,000 shares reported in June. This concurrent growth in both Bitcoin- and gold-linked ETFs highlights a clear institutional shift toward diversifying into non-traditional assets.

**A Strategic Asset Allocation Shift**

Despite ongoing volatility in the cryptocurrency market and recent outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs, Harvard’s increased exposure to Bitcoin through IBIT signals a strong vote of confidence in digital assets. The endowment’s dual expansion into both Bitcoin and gold suggests a strategic balance between pursuing growth opportunities and hedging against macroeconomic risks such as inflation.

The nearly 100% surge in gold holdings reflects a defensive tilt in the portfolio, positioning the endowment to mitigate potential market uncertainties. Meanwhile, the substantial increase in Bitcoin ETF shares underscores Harvard’s belief in the long-term structural potential of digital asset infrastructure.

**Implications for the Crypto Market and Institutional Investors**

Harvard’s sizeable commitment to Bitcoin ETFs provides a notable data point for investors and asset managers tracking institutional flows into crypto-linked instruments. Historically, university endowments have approached digital assets with caution, making Harvard’s decision to deploy hundreds of millions of dollars into IBIT especially significant.

This development may influence the broader asset management community’s attitude toward Bitcoin and crypto ETFs, potentially accelerating institutional adoption. By reinforcing exposure to both Bitcoin and gold, Harvard is charting a path that blends innovation with prudence—balancing emerging digital asset opportunities with traditional safe-haven investments.

In summary, Harvard’s Q3 filings reveal a deliberate and substantial repositioning of its portfolio, embracing alternative assets amid a complex macroeconomic landscape. This evolving strategy could signal a broader trend of institutional diversification into cryptocurrency-linked products alongside time-tested hedges like gold.
https://blockonomi.com/harvard-makes-major-move-in-bitcoin-etf-holdings/

AlphaPepe and Lyno AI Sell the Dream, Zero Knowledge Proof Spends $100M To Build It

Posted on by
Reply

Recent updates on AlphaPepe and Lyno AI have stirred attention for different reasons. The former has drawn meme-coin enthusiasts with its staking pools and daily reward claims, while the latter has framed itself as an AI-driven arbitrage network promising algorithmic efficiency across chains. Both reflect the current mood of crypto presales in 2025: restless, experimental, and eager to turn narrative into momentum.

Yet they also hint at a question investors keep circling: what happens when utility, infrastructure, and fairness replace marketing theatrics? That question leads naturally to Zero Knowledge Proof, a project that upends the order of development itself. Instead of raising funds on promises, it built a $100 million network first, proving that privacy-driven computation can become the next functional standard for blockchain utility.

—

### Zero Knowledge Proof: The Privacy Breakthrough

Zero Knowledge Proof delivers what traditional blockchains have long promised but failed to achieve: complete privacy without sacrificing verification. It created a system where institutions can validate every transaction without revealing any underlying data.

Over $100 million has already been invested—not to build later, but to operate now. $20 million worth of infrastructure will process encrypted transactions, allowing finance, healthcare, and enterprise users to handle confidential information securely.

Only a few crypto projects in 2025 can demonstrate systems built to operate at this scale before their presale auction even goes live.

At the center of this ecosystem are **Proof Pods**, hardware devices that turn cryptographic validation into real daily earnings. $17 million is invested in manufacturing the Proof Pods, which will be delivered in five days once the presale goes live.

Each unit, priced at $249, connects to the operational network and starts earning automatically, with levels scaling up to roughly $300 in daily rewards. Instead of speculative mining, users contribute real compute power that supports AI and blockchain verification simultaneously, creating value grounded in productivity.

Fairness defines the presale. Every 24 hours, exactly 200 million Zero Knowledge Proof coins will be distributed through transparent on-chain auctions. Contributions from ETH, USDC, USDT, BNB, and 24 other currencies determine proportional shares from the ninety-billion-coin allocation.

For participants evaluating crypto presales in 2025, this model stands out: equal access, verifiable distribution, and a network that’s already running before a single promise is made.

—

### AlphaPepe: Meme Culture with Measurable Utility

AlphaPepe has built a following by mixing meme culture with actual mechanics that give holders something to do beyond watching charts. Its presale on the BNB Chain is priced near $0.00722 per token, with over 3,200 holders and close to $400,000 raised.

Smart contract audits score it a perfect 10/10 from BlockSAFU, and liquidity is locked to reduce early exit risks. The project also delivers tokens instantly after purchase—an uncommon step toward transparency.

A USDT reward pool worth over $2,000 and flexible staking options have turned it into a meme coin that functions more like a community protocol than a quick trend.

Analysts suggest a potential listing price of around $0.05, reflecting growing confidence in presales with real mechanics.

Every indicator shows AlphaPepe positioning itself not through hype, but through systems that keep users engaged daily: staking, rewards, and transparent distribution.

Meme coins rarely combine humor and structure well, but this one is attempting it with measurable progress. For investors watching the lighter side of blockchain experiments, AlphaPepe represents how entertainment value and basic utility can share the same network without conflict.

—

### Lyno AI: Automation Meets Blockchain Arbitrage

Lyno AI takes a different path, focusing on algorithmic cross-chain arbitrage instead of culture-driven momentum. Its pitch centers on using AI to scan multiple blockchains, identify pricing gaps, and automate trades that would normally require speed, expertise, and capital.

The presale price sits near $0.050 with over 869,000 tokens sold and approximately $43,000 raised so far. Contributions are supported by audits reportedly conducted by Cyberscope, and early buyers gain access to fee-sharing from arbitrage activity—30% routed toward stakers if the model executes as planned.

This is an idea built for users curious about automated strategies rather than meme-style community rallies.

Market commentary has thrown out aggressive upside projections for Lyno AI, sometimes citing quadruple-digit percentage targets, but the more grounded appeal lies in its attempt to simplify a process that usually benefits only professionals.

AI-driven arbitrage is ambitious, requiring consistent execution under real market stress, cross-chain coordination, and regulatory attention around automated trading systems. Still, the early structure, staged pricing, and functional narrative give it a clear identity.

For those watching AI intersect with blockchain utility, this presale explores whether automation can be packaged into something everyday traders can access, rather than merely admire from a distance.

—

### Key Takeaways

Both AlphaPepe and Lyno AI show how experimentation defines crypto presales in 2025. One blends meme-driven energy with structure—audited contracts, staking pools, and a live community around low-cost entry points. The other applies automation to trading itself, aiming to compress arbitrage decisions into seconds through AI.

Each reflects a different instinct in crypto culture: AlphaPepe turns participation into play, while Lyno AI transforms complexity into code.

Yet the project that truly redefines readiness is Zero Knowledge Proof. It built its $100 million network before asking for a dollar, merging institutional privacy with public verifiability. Its infrastructure, auction framework, and Proof Pod system are fully developed and prepared to go live—not theoretical plans.

Among crypto presales in 2025, Zero Knowledge Proof represents something rarer: technology completed before the presale even begins.

—

### Find Out More At:
[Insert relevant links and calls to action here.]
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/alphapepe-and-lyno-ai-sell-the-dream-zero-knowledge-proof-spends-100m-to-build-it/

Is Where Winds Meet an MMO?

Posted on by
Reply

NetEase has never advertised *Where Winds Meet* as an MMO, but it certainly features a lot of MMO elements. The marketing primarily highlights its wuxia-inspired action combat, freeform open world, and optional 4-player co-op. However, beyond the co-op, there is actually a much more expansive MMO-like “Online Mode” embedded within the game.

After examining features across the global betas and the existing Chinese client of *Where Winds Meet* (released in December 2024), it appears that the game segments its MMO staples into separate modes. In this way, *Where Winds Meet* both is and isn’t an MMO.

### Lone Wanderer Mode: The 150-Hour Campaign

At its core, *Where Winds Meet* offers a 150-hour campaign that takes place in the Lone Wanderer Mode. This encompasses all open-world activities, side-quests, the main storyline, and various collectathon elements scattered throughout the game.

Campaign bosses and side-quests can also be tackled in a co-op session with up to three friends. However, this mode is primarily centered around the single-player host. Most bosses grant game progress exclusively to the host, while co-op participants receive an exclusive in-game currency as a reward for their efforts.

### Co-op Mode vs. MMO Online Mode

When asking whether *Where Winds Meet* is an MMO, it is important to clarify a major point many players misunderstand due to the game’s subtle marketing: the co-op mode is not the same as the Online Mode.

The co-op mode functions similarly to co-op gameplay in games like *Elden Ring* or other Soulsborne titles. You are invited as a “muscle for hire” into the host’s world, and experience several gameplay limitations while there.

In contrast, the Online Mode is a completely separate experience. You can think of the solo/co-op mode as a private server belonging to you, whereas the Online Mode operates as a persistent server in an MMO environment where dozens of players may interact in the same world simultaneously.

The exact number of players supported concurrently in a single session or shard in the global release remains unknown. This setup is somewhat comparable to the MMO components in *Once Human*, another game by NetEase. However, *Once Human* is more of an MMO than *Where Winds Meet*, despite *Where Winds Meet* having potentially more social aspects within its Online Mode.

### MMO Mode Activities

In *Where Winds Meet*, playing campaign quests or much of the side content in the Online Mode is not possible. Instead, this “MMO mode” (although not officially labeled as such) contains traditional MMO activities organized into separate game modes:

– **PvP Arena** — Includes 1v1, 2v2, 5v5 battles, and large-scale 30v30 Guild vs. Guild (GvG) fights (based on the Chinese client).
– **PvPvE Battle-Royale Extraction Mode** — Start with zero gear and fight to be the last player or team standing.
– **10-Player PvE Raids** — Classic MMO raids adopting a soft tank-healer-DPS class structure.
– **5-Player Boss Parties** — A scaled-down, non-endgame version of raids with dedicated tanks, healers, and boss aggro mechanics.
– **Combat Trials** — Multi-enemy PvE challenges with their own seasonal leaderboards.
– **PvP Bounties** — Take contracts to hunt down and eliminate other players.

The Bounties system is a particularly important social MMO feature. Depending on a player’s actions—such as killing others or committing crimes—you can take on the role of a bounty hunter by accepting contracts to kill targets. Much like invasions in Soulsborne games, contracts can also be fulfilled by invading a bounty target’s solo world.

### Interaction Between Online and Solo Modes

Online and solo modes sometimes interact in intriguing ways. One example is the disease system: players can contract diseases that progress through several stages. To cure these, a player may enlist the help of another with expertise in life skills such as healing. The healer actually visits the afflicted player’s solo world and plays a mini-game to purge the disease.

These social elements make *Where Winds Meet* a middle ground between a live-service action RPG and a traditional MMORPG.

### Why Isn’t *Where Winds Meet* Called an MMO?

Despite its many MMO-like features, there’s one significant aspect where *Where Winds Meet* falls short as a full MMO: open-world sandboxing.

In the Online Mode, almost everything besides resource-gathering in the wilds is removed from the open world. Instead, PvE and PvP content exclusive to this mode is accessed through menu interactions and separate instances.

This design choice limits the potential for the Online Mode to offer a downscaled MMO open-world experience akin to that found in *Once Human*.

### Conclusion

*Where Winds Meet* offers a unique hybrid experience. Its substantial single-player campaign, coupled with isolated co-op play, exists alongside a separate Online Mode packed with MMO-inspired features. While the Online Mode lacks the full open-world sandbox nature of a typical MMO, it still provides engaging social and multiplayer content.

Stay tuned for more news and detailed guides about *Where Winds Meet* here on Sportskeeda.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/where-winds-meet-mmo-mode

LPGA TOTO Japan Classic 2025 round 2 tee times and pairing explored

Posted on by
Reply

Nasa Hataoka and Miyu Yamashita took the early lead at the LPGA Toto Japan Classic 2025 after shooting an impressive 7-under 65. Following Thursday’s action, the duo held a one-stroke lead over Jiyai Shin.

The second round of the LPGA Toto Japan Classic 2025 is set to begin on Friday, November 7, at 8:00 AM local time. Miranda Wang, Kana Nagai, and Lucy Li will start from the first tee, while Benedetta Moresco, Mitsuki Kobayashi, and Kotone Hori will tee off simultaneously from the tenth hole.

### TOTO Japan Classic 2025 – Round 2 Tee Times

Here’s a detailed look at the Round 2 tee times for the TOTO Japan Classic 2025:

#### Hole 1 Tee Times
– 8:00 AM: Miranda Wang (CHN), Kana Nagai (JPN), Lucy Li (USA)
– 8:11 AM: Saki Baba (JPN), Aihi Takano (JPN), Seonwoo Bae (KOR)
– 8:22 AM: Kano Nakamura (JPN), Nanako Inagaki (JPN), Yuna Araki (JPN)
– 8:33 AM: Saki Nagamine (JPN), Chia Yen Wu (TPE), Aline Krauter (GER)
– 8:44 AM: Asuka Kashiwabara (JPN), Yuka Yasuda (JPN), Arpichaya Yubol (THA)
– 8:55 AM: Paula Reto (RSA), Mi Jeong Jeon (KOR), Shuri Sakuma (JPN)
– 9:06 AM: Jeongeun Lee5 (KOR), Emily Kristine Pedersen (DEN), Nataliya Guseva (UNA)
– 9:17 AM: Shina Kanazawa (JPN), Kumkang Park (KOR), Dewi Weber (NED)
– 9:28 AM: Minjee Lee (AUS), Karen Tsuruoka (JPN), Saiki Fujita (JPN)
– 9:39 AM: Sayaka Takahashi (JPN), Patty Tavatanakit (THA), Ai Suzuki (JPN)
– 9:50 AM: Ayaka Watanabe (JPN), Nana Suganuma (JPN), Weiwei Zhang (CHN)
– 10:01 AM: Chisato Iwai (JPN), Akie Iwai (JPN), Minami Katsu (JPN)
– 10:12 AM: Nasa Hataoka (JPN), Miyu Yamashita (JPN), Jiyai Shin (KOR)

#### Hole 10 Tee Times
– 8:00 AM: Benedetta Moresco (ITA), Mitsuki Kobayashi (JPN), Kotone Hori (JPN)
– 8:11 AM: Robyn Choi (AUS), MinYoung Lee (KOR), Aditi Ashok (IND)
– 8:22 AM: Shiho Kuwaki (JPN), Eri Okayama (JPN), Julia Lopez Ramirez (ESP)
– 8:33 AM: Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA), Ayaka Furue (JPN), Somi Lee (KOR)
– 8:44 AM: Yuri Yoshida (JPN), Manon De Roey (BEL), Fuka Suga (JPN)
– 8:55 AM: Mary Liu (CHN), Yui Kawamoto (JPN), Haeji Kang (KOR)
– 9:06 AM: Ina Yoon (KOR), Gemma Dryburgh (SCO), Hibiki Iriya (JPN)
– 9:17 AM: Lala Anai (JPN), Celine Borge (NOR), Karis Davidson (AUS)
– 9:28 AM: Wei-Ling Hsu (TPE), Rio Takeda (JPN), Sora Kamiya (JPN)
– 9:39 AM: Gurleen Kaur (USA), Nana Yamashiro (JPN)
– 9:50 AM: Miyu Sato (JPN), Kristen Gillman (USA), Ayako Kimura (JPN)
– 10:01 AM: Serena Aoki (JPN), Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (FRA), Chanettee Wannasaen (THA)
– 10:12 AM: Ilhee Lee (KOR), Kotoko Uchida (JPN)

Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-lpga-toto-japan-classic-2025-round-2-tee-times-pairing-explored

The Outer Worlds 2’s weirdest weapon is a flashing rainbow sword that turns combat into a rhythm game I’m terrible at

Posted on by
Reply

It’s fair to say that *The Outer Worlds 2* loves its weird weapons. From the first moment you step foot on Paradise Island, you’ll start discovering all sorts of strange murder contraptions. These range from a sniper rifle that fires sneaky explosive bolts you detonate when you reload, to a pistol that infects enemies with a contagious disease they can spread.

The strangest weapon by far that I’ve discovered in my travels through Arcadia, though, is a sword that turns combat into a rhythm game. Yes, you read that correctly—if you don’t slash and slice to the old-timey beat, you won’t gain its bonus. This sword might seem like a bit of a meme at first, but when fully powered up, I’m convinced it might be the best melee weapon in the game.

### The Spectrum Dance Saber

The weapon is called the Spectrum Dance Saber, and it’s quite hard to get. You’ll first have to complete an elaborate collectible quest to unlock it, and even then, it’ll set you back 16,500 bits, making it by far the most expensive weapon I’ve found in the game. Even after unscrupulously looting my way across the first few regions, this still put a serious dent in my hoard of bits.

Its perk reads:
**Dance Mode:** Perform the prompted dance action to keep the beat alive!

Here’s how it actually works: when you enter combat, a new UI appears in the center of the screen, the music starts, and two arrows come in from either side. All you have to do is swing the sword at the right time to power it up a little. Each swing changes the color of the sword and fills the note in the UI.

### Effects and Gameplay

This is where it starts to get a bit busted. The Spectrum Dance Saber applies effects to enemies based on the color it is when you hit them. For example:

– If the note is **white**, it will freeze enemies.
– If it’s **red**, they’ll detonate in a fiery explosion.

Once you’ve successfully hit enough beats and the note is full of all the colors, the sword enters its super state, flashing a rainbow as it cycles through them at speed.

In this super state, every slash applies a different effect to enemies based on sword color. The results are pretty chaotic as enemies simultaneously freeze, explode, corrode, and more, stacking multiple conditions on them.

Even better, you no longer have to keep the beat in this turbo-state, meaning you can attack at will. When the super state ends, the sword starts the minigame again.

### Tips for Using the Spectrum Dance Saber

Although the beat is very consistent, it’s challenging to match your attacks with enemies while also blocking, evading, and just generally staying alive. However, there’s a useful quirk: your timed swings don’t actually have to hit enemies to count. This means you can power up your sword with regular swings from cover and then rush into combat when it reaches its turbo-state.

Admittedly, this might be a bug that gets patched out later, but for now, it works.

### How to Obtain the Spectrum Dance Saber

You can get the Spectrum Dance Saber once you complete Paradise Island and unlock Free Market Station. Head to the bazaar and go upstairs in *The 2nd Choice Tavern* to find Fionna F. Walker.

If you can collect 25 Tossball/Pitchball cards (to beat her collection), this Sub Rosa merchant will let you access her special inventory, including the rhythm sword.

While 25 cards might seem like a lot, I managed to gather most of them from Paradise Island and Free Market Station, with the last few coming from Golden Ridge.

When the game fully releases, I’ll be publishing a guide with all of the Tossball/Pitchball card locations, so I’ll be sure to link it here. Stay tuned!
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/outer-worlds-2-spectrum-dance-saber/

‘Surprise!’ Abby comes out to her 90-year-old grandfather

Posted on by
Reply

Abby Fink has always been close to her 90-year-old grandpa. As she began to get older, he started to become a bit more inquisitive about her personal life, which made things slightly uncomfortable since she wasn’t out to him.

Abby recalls,
“I’m pretty close with him. I call him every couple of weeks. Usually, we have a phone conversation and he asks how New York is, or school, or wherever we are. And in every single conversation he’s like, ‘Do you have a boyfriend? Do you have a boyfriend yet? Where’s your boyfriend?’”

Over Labor Day weekend, Abby took her girlfriend home to Minneapolis. At the insistence of her father, her girlfriend joined them for the family lunch with Grandpa.

After an awkward beginning, with Grandpa not knowing who Abby’s surprise guest was, Abby’s dad stepped in and began the conversation:
“[M]y dad is like, ‘This is actually Abby’s girlfriend.’ And she and I kind of both made eye contact at the same time, and we’re both like, ‘Surprise!’ at the same time, like, simultaneously. And everyone kind of chuckled, and then there was this long pause. We were all kind of, like, waiting for him to respond. And he just goes, ‘I love it!’”

And that was that.

—

This is Abby’s true LGBTQ story.

*“I’m from Driftwood,”* a collection of “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer stories from all over the world,” appears weekends on LGBTQ Nation. For more true LGBT stories, or to share your own, visit *I’m from Driftwood.*
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/surprise-abby-comes-out-to-her-90-year-old-grandfather-2/

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘My Hero Academia’ Season 8 on Crunchyroll, Where A Thrilling War Arc And Superpowered Storyline Conclude In This Beloved Anime’s Epic Final Season

Posted on by
Reply

After a year of waiting, fans of *My Hero Academia* can rejoice as the title returns for an eighth and final season on Crunchyroll starting this month. The sci-fi superhero adventure anime series wraps up the story of teen boy Izuku Midoriya (Daiki Yamashita), who aspires to become the number one Hero, despite being one of the 20% of humanity’s population born Quirkless.

In *My Hero Academia: Season 8*, we’ll witness the ultimate clash between Heroes and Villains as Izuku and his mentor, All Might (Kenta Miyake), take on Tomura Shigaraki (Kōki Uchiyama) and All For One (Akio Ōtsuka/Hiroshi Kamiya) to conclude the Final War arc and bid farewell to the characters and storylines that fans have come to know and love over the past nine years.

—

### MY HERO ACADEMIA SEASON 8: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

**Opening Shot:**
Petals fall from beautiful, blooming cherry trees as the voice of Izuku “Deku” Midoriya (Daiki Yamashita) narrates:
“The heroes declined, and the villains flourished. The odds of winning in a frontal assault were slim, and it felt like we were attempting to reel in a delicate line of string. That’s why we worked out a plan, split up our opponents, and tried to seize the advantage.”

A wrinkled hand reaches out before pulling back. “A powerful wind was raging,” Deku concludes, before a young, scarred hand catches an errant petal. “A powerful wind.”

—

### The Gist

Things aren’t looking too great for our heroes as Season 8 begins. Season 7 ended with America’s number one Hero, Star and Stripe (Romi Park), sacrificing herself in a battle against Tomura Shigaraki (Kōki Uchiyama), and gecko-like Villain Spinner (Ryō Iwasaki) helping Shigaraki regain full control of his body. Additionally, Villain Himiko Toga (Misato Fukuen) sacrificed herself to save young Hero Ochaco “Uravity” Uraraka (Ayane Sakura).

Now, at the start of Season 8, Deku and Shigaraki are deadlocked in a brutal battle. Toga’s many clones of Twice (Daichi Endō) are overpowering and outnumbering the Hero forces while simultaneously weighing down their “Coffin in the Sky.” Meanwhile, the U.A. student duo of Tenya “Ingenium” Ida (Kaito Ishikawa) and Shoto Todoroki (Yūki Kaji) are en route to stop Villain Dabi (Hiro Shimono)—now revealed to be Toya—from causing major destruction as his thermal energy rises to critical levels following a clash with his father, Endeavor (Tetsu Inada).

But the centerpiece in this first episode is one last big fight between longtime enemies: Japan’s former number one Hero, Toshinori Yagi, AKA “All Might” (Kenta Miyake), and the 200+ year old Quirk-stealing Villain who forced him into early retirement, the dastardly All For One (Akio Ōtsuka/Hiroshi Kamiya).

As the last bastion of the Heroes’ defense able to stand against All For One, All Might uses an assistive mechanical suit to overcome his now Quirkless state. He emulates various Quirks and attacks of his students at U.A. to stall and de-age All For One enough to take him out of the fight.

While this intense battle unfolds, another fight occurs hundreds of miles north. U.A. student traitor Yuga Aoyama (Kōsuke Kuwano) stands as the unlikely last hope to defeat Tartarus jailbreaker, mass murderer, and corpse collector Villain Kunieda (Tatsumaru Tachibana). When “Invisible Girl” Toru Hagakure (Kaori Nazuka) comes to his aid, they just might have a chance to save the Heroes from Kunieda’s life-force-stealing evil flowers.

Get ready for plenty of surprises, epic showdowns, and emotional moments as *My Hero Academia* officially comes to an end.

—

### What Shows Will It Remind You Of?

*My Hero Academia* calls to mind other fight-filled anime series revolving around the battle between Good vs. Evil (and the grey areas in between), such as *Naruto*, *Jujutsu Kaisen*, *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba*, *Hunter x Hunter*, and of course, *My Hero Academia: Vigilantes*.

—

### Our Take

The first episode of *My Hero Academia: Season 8* is an electrifying beginning-of-the-end that carries the gravitas, energy, and thrills you would hope for—and expect—from a popular show’s final season.

Even with moments of recapping previous events and over-the-top dialogue, this episode flies by and keeps you on the edge of your seat from the start. From smooth animation and eye-catching visuals to moving moments that tug at your heartstrings and humorous lines that break the tension of this sometimes grim, deadly war arc—the across-the-board amazing, evocative voice acting work pulls you in and gives you goosebumps as it honors the characters and story that came before while building toward an unforgettable finish.

There is an earnestness baked into the very DNA of this series that, even in its cornier bits, makes the show ultimately feel winning, charming, and human. It’s an absolute (Detroit) Smash!

—

### Sex and Skin

None.

—

### Parting Shot

All For One has managed to recover from All Might’s attacks and closes in on the older hero, ready to make his finishing move and erase that ever-present smile for good—when suddenly, the villain is frozen in his tracks, unable to move.

“Blood runs red for everyone,” we hear, before witnessing the return of the big *My Hero Academia: Season 2* villain, Hero Killer: Stain (Gō Inoue), who now fights alongside All Might and the heroes.

Also, a post-credit scene reveals Aoyama planning to work alongside Hagakure to free the heroes from Kunieda’s flesh-eating plants as his last act as a U.A. student.

—

### Sleeper Star

Undoubtedly, Kenta Miyake as All Might. Even on death’s door with the stakes impossibly high, All Might retains a positive attitude, belief in humanity, and sense of humor—all conveyed through both the dialogue and Miyake’s masterful vocal performance.

—

### Most Pilot-y Line

There are several All Might lines to choose from (it’s just in his nature as a slightly sappy, catchphrase-slinging superhero), but this one, directed to All For One, particularly stands out:

“I heard Shigaraki’s hatred has affected you. Then you can’t ignore me, can you? Why? Because I am here!”

—

Get ready to stream *My Hero Academia: Season 8* and experience the thrilling conclusion to a beloved saga. Don’t miss it!
https://decider.com/2025/10/25/my-hero-academia-season-8-crunchyroll-review/

Happy 45th Birthday Mary Halvorson

Posted on by
Reply

Happy 45th Birthday, Mary Halvorson!

Mary Halvorson is a true guitar heroine, renowned for her innovative style and captivating performances. In 2022, she released two essential albums simultaneously, both of which have garnered critical acclaim.

Discover our in-depth review of these remarkable works and explore why Mary Halvorson continues to be a vital and influential figure in contemporary music.
https://magnetmagazine.com/2025/10/16/happy-birthday-mary-halvorson/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=happy-birthday-mary-halvorson

Upper body workout: 5 must-do exercises

Posted on by
Reply

By Anujj Trehaan | Oct 07, 2025, 10:17 AM

**What’s the story?**

The trapezius muscle, commonly referred to as the trap, is an important muscle that spans the upper back and neck. It plays a vital role in shoulder movement and stability. Strengthening the traps can improve posture, enhance athletic performance, and reduce the risk of injury.

Here are five effective exercises to activate and strengthen the trapezius muscles.

—

### Tip 1: Shrug Your Way to Stronger Traps

Shoulder shrugs are an easy yet effective exercise to target the upper traps. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Lift your shoulders towards your ears while keeping your arms straight, then lower them back down.

Repeat for 10 to 15 reps. This exercise can be done with or without weights, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced lifters.

—

### Tip 2: Deadlifts for Full-Body Engagement

Deadlifts work multiple muscle groups, including the traps. Stand with feet hip-width apart, a barbell over your mid-foot. Bend at your hips and knees to grip the barbell, then lift by straightening your hips and knees simultaneously.

Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement. Perform three sets of eight to 12 reps.

—

### Tip 3: Face Pulls for Upper Back Activation

Face pulls are great for targeting both the upper traps and rear deltoids. Use a cable machine set at eye level or higher. Stand facing it with feet hip-width apart, grasping two handles with an overhand grip.

Pull the handles towards your face while keeping your elbows high and wide, then return slowly to the starting position. Aim for three sets of 12 to 15 reps.

—

### Tip 4: Bent-Over Rows to Build Strength

Bent-over rows target mid-trap fibers, while also working other back muscles such as lats and rhomboids. With feet shoulder-width apart, hold a barbell or dumbbells with an overhand grip.

Bend forward at your hips until your torso is almost parallel to the ground, then pull the weights towards your abdomen, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of each rep. Do three sets of eight to 12 reps.

—

### Tip 5: Upright Rows for Trap Focus

Upright rows specifically target upper trap activation when performed correctly, using either dumbbells or a barbell. Stand upright, holding weights with your palms facing you, close together at chin level.

Lift your elbows outward and upward, maintaining a slight bend in your knees throughout the movement. Lower back down slowly, completing the cycle. Repeat for three sets of eight to 12 repetitions.

—

Strengthening your trapezius muscles through these exercises can significantly improve your posture, enhance your workouts, and help prevent injuries. Incorporate them gradually into your fitness routine for best results!
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/trapezius-muscle-activation-5-exercises/story

‘Steve’ review: Cillian Murphy is superb in uneven drama

Posted on by
Reply

By Isha Sharma | Oct 03, 2025 | 04:43 pm

**What’s the story?**

*Cillian Murphy’s Steve*, out now on Netflix, is directed by Tim Mielants, who previously collaborated with Murphy on *Small Things Like These*. Based on Max Porter’s 2023 novella, *Shy*, the film traces a turbulent, nerve-racking day in the life of Steve, the headmaster of a reform school for boys. Murphy excels in his complex role, but the film leaves much to be desired.

—

### Plot: Follows a committed, troubled teacher at a reform school

The film centers on Steve, the headmaster of Stanton Wood, a reform school for unruly male teens. His mental health is in tatters, the staff is underpaid and overworked, and the boys show little to no sign of progress. One day, authorities inform Steve that the school will be closed in six months, leaving him to come to terms with this shocking and unfortunate news.

—

### #1 Murphy delivers a stirring act

Cillian Murphy captures the ache, anxiety, and aggression of Steve exceedingly well—you can truly sense the storm brewing inside him. Steve wears himself out trying to help the kids, and Murphy essays the role with just the right amount of intensity. For Steve, this job is a form of redemption; saving the boys would mean rescuing himself too.

—

### #2 The film has ambition, but not everything comes together

The film offers sharp dialogue and boasts an ensemble cast of talented, experienced actors including Emily Watson and Tracey Ullman. However, aside from Steve, every character feels underwritten and remains distant from the audience. Adding to this, the ending comes across as quite incomplete. Rather than encouraging reflection, it simply leaves viewers frustrated.

—

### #3 The movie begins to feel weary after a point

An unbridled energy and constant chaos define the film—boys fighting, teachers struggling, and an exploitative documentary crew conducting interviews. Everything happens simultaneously, and the school is in complete disarray. While this frenetic energy works in the film’s favor initially, it soon begins to overwhelm the narrative, leaving viewers feeling exhausted rather than entertained.

—

### #4 More on the above aspect

The film has an unapologetically raw and realistic feel but struggles to engage fully. You stay with it because you want to see how Steve’s journey will unfold, but the wayward, sloppy writing never makes this easy. The boys get ample screentime, yet by the film’s end, we know very little about them.

—

### Verdict: Murphy’s performance alone can’t save the film

*Cillian Murphy delivers a scintillating performance in Steve and leaves no room for complaint, but his artistry alone cannot save the movie.* The film feels tiring and tedious, frequently finding itself on shaky, uneven ground. While Murphy’s role is one for the ages and the film maintains an intense, gritty atmosphere, the overall experience is an unrewarding and unentertaining ride.

**Rating: 2.5/5 stars**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/cillian-murphy-s-steve-review/story