EU leaders are still struggling to reach a deal on a recovery fund, with deep differences remaining.
TikTok: We are not ‘under the thumb’ of China
A senior company official tells the BBC the video-sharing app would never give user data to the government.
US election 2020: Kanye West launches unconventional bid for presidency
Fans have questioned whether the rapper’s last-minute bid for the presidency is genuine.
Disney World Has Closed A Mask-Wearing Loophole
Visitors to the newly re-opened Disney World will no longer be allowed to wander the parks maskless with the excuse of food or drink, thanks to new rules banning eating or drinking while walking. While the rule change didn’t merit an announcement from the entertainment giant, the change to Disney World’s face mask policy was picked up by Disney fan blogs, and reported by Variety.
Guests at the park are still allowed to remove their masks for the purpose of eating or drinking, but the rule change now specifies that they remain stationary and socially distanced from other patrons while doing so.
“Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and cast members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming,” read the guidelines on Disney World’s website. “You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”
Xbox Series X Event Has A Pre-Show You Don’t Want To Miss, Xbox Exec Says
Microsoft’s big Xbox Series X games showcase is coming up this Thursday, July 23, and it’s expected to feature Halo Infinite and some of Microsoft’s other first-party titles. The show kicks off at 8 AM PT with a pre-show led by games media veteran Geoff Keighley.
Unlike some pre-shows that don’t have much news, this one will be different, according to Xbox marketing boss Aaron Greenberg. “Trust me you don’t want to miss this pre-show,” Greenberg said on Twitter. “We have been working with and our partners on some exciting reveals!”
Greenberg did not offer any further teases about what to expect. GameSpot will be reporting for the entirety of the event, so keep checking back with us for the latest.
Netflix Announces Its Top 10 Most Popular Movies Of All Time
In addition to confirming the most popular movies and TV shows of 2020 so far, Netflix has announced (via Deadline) the most-watched original movies on the platform of all time over their first four weeks.
The Chris Hemsworth action movie Extraction ranks No. 1–it was seen by 99 million households worldwide over its first four weeks. The movie was written by Avengers’ veterans Joe and Anthony Russo, and it was directed by stunts expert Sam Hargrave.
Following at No. 2 is the 2018 Sandra Bullock movie Bird Box, which was seen by 89 million homes in its first four weeks. After that, the Mark Wahlberg movie Spenser Confidential ranks No. 3 (85 million views over its first 28 days), with 6 Underground (83 million) and Murder Mystery (73 million) rounding out the top five.
Top New Games Releasing On Switch, PS4, Xbox One, And PC This Week — July 19-25, 2020
New Releases is here to highlight some of the top new games launching each week, and this episode features some indies you shouldn’t let slip under your radar, like the 8-bit Panzer Paladin, the bloody Carrion, and the snow-covered Roki. Nintendo Switch also proves its power with Crysis Remastered, and Dying Light gets its new Hellraid DLC.
Panzer Paladin — July 21
Available on: PC, Switch
This platformer puts you in control of Flame. The little pilot can take on the game’s 17 stages himself or hop into his mech suit to really bring the heat. While in the suit, you can steal weapons from enemies and turn them against your foes, or snap the weapons in half to unleash powerful magic. There are more than 100 of them to wield.
Federal Judge’s Husband, Son Shot By Unknown Gunman In New Jersey
PGA Tour 2K21 Will Have Some Commentary Lines That Only Ever Play Once
PGA Tour 2K21 is releasing August 21, and it’ll contain some audio lines that players will hear once and then never again. The commentary team of Luke Elvy and Rich Beem recorded some lines while “in full flight” that won’t repeat after you hear them the first time.
This news comes via a tweet by John McCarthy, the senior audio designer at developer HB-Studios, which previous developed The Golf Club series. He says that he’s been going over the commentary, and found a “classic” that he had forgotten about.
Oh man…. We’ve got some bits of commentary in @PGATOUR2K that will only play once EVER and you wont hear it again. Just got a classic from @Luke_Elvy and @beemerpga that I had forgotten about. Can’t wait for people to hear these two in full flight 😂😂😂
— John McCarthy (@Mstr_John) July 17, 2020
What exactly this means isn’t clear, but judging from the tweet, they’ll likely be strange, funny lines. McCarthy gave one example to Elvy when he asked what he was referring to, discussing an “aside” that will make its way into the final game.
After A Long Wait, NHL 21 News Is Finally Coming Soon
NHL 21 was nowhere to be seen at EA Play Live in June, but it seems the game may finally be getting close to its proper reveal. The game’s community manager said in a July 17-dated tweet that a an “update” on NHL 21 is coming sometime this week.
EA not announcing NHL 21 at EA Play was no surprise given that the company historically focuses on FIFA and Madden in June before announcing the year’s new NHL game later on.
#NHL21 Update next week
— Clappy (@ChelComms) July 17, 2020
The real-world NHL season will resume on August 1, and hockey fans are in for a treat. Instead of playing out the rest of the regular season, the NHL is picking up with the playoffs. An expanded roster of 24 teams will compete, and there will be five or six games per day at the beginning.