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Daily Horoscope: August 18, 2026

18 August 2026 at 06:01

The sky isn’t done going deep yet. Moon in Scorpio isn’t letting up, stargazer, and today it really means business — squaring Pluto overnight to bring buried things closer to the surface, squaring Jupiter this afternoon to make the emotional weight feel bigger than expected. Take seriously what surfaced last night; it didn’t arrive without a reason. Saturn opposing Venus is building pressure in relationships and desires all week, asking harder questions about what you actually want and who you want it with. The long view holds: Saturn trine Jupiter is a steady hand on the wheel, and the ground beneath all of it is solid. Today is for going inward.

Read your horoscope for the week, and see what the stars have in store for your sign today. 

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Something settled while you were sleeping — Moon trine Mars overnight has a way of doing that, delivering a knowing you didn’t have when you went to bed. Yesterday the drive was foggy and directionless. Today you wake up with a cleaner read on what you actually want to move toward, Aries. Don’t second-guess it. Morning instincts are the right ones to trust.

Aries monthly horoscope

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Yesterday handed you something good. Today, Saturn opposing Venus wants to know what you’ll do with it — not in a punishing way, but in the way of someone who believes you’re capable of more than comfortable. Venus conjunct Makemake is asking the same from a different angle: what do you actually stand for here, Taurus? Good things require tending. Start tending.

Taurus monthly horoscope

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Saturn trine Mercury is exact as of yesterday, and today it’s fully operational — the thinking is disciplined, the words have structure, and anything you put your name on right now carries more authority than usual. Jupiter’s still in the mix too, keeping the scope ambitious. You don’t just have a good idea, Gemini. You have the architecture for it. Time to actually build.

Gemini monthly horoscope

Cancer glyph

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

The Moon conjunct Haumea bypasses the thinking brain entirely — straight to the body, the gut, the thing you know before you know why. You’ve been doing a lot of processing this week, Cancer. Today you don’t have to process anything. Just trust what you feel without interrogating it first. Your instincts are ahead of your analysis right now. Let them lead.

Cancer monthly horoscope

Leo: July 23 – August 22

The Sun trine Eris today is the aspect that gives you permission to do the unexpected thing — not for shock value, but because the most interesting move available right now isn’t the obvious one. You’ve spent two weeks being exactly what everyone expected, Leo. Today the sky is actively making a case for the side of you that catches people off guard. Use it.

Leo monthly horoscope

Virgo glyph

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

You’ve been staring at the same thing so long you can’t tell if it’s good anymore — that’s not a quality problem, that’s a proximity problem. Step back. Mercury trine Saturn is calling the work solid today, and Saturn doesn’t say that to make you feel better. It says it because it’s true. Stop tinkering, Virgo. The thing is done. Let it go.

Virgo monthly horoscope

Libra glyph

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Yesterday was easy, and you let yourself enjoy it, which was the right call. Today, Saturn opposing Venus has a follow-up question — one you’ve been putting off because answering it requires wanting something openly, without hedging. You’re good at keeping things comfortable, Libra. Saturn is asking what you actually want underneath the comfort. It won’t stop asking until you tell it.

Libra monthly horoscope

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Moon square Pluto in the early hours does its work while you sleep — you wake up and something has rearranged itself, some uncomfortable truth sitting closer to the surface than it was yesterday. That’s not a problem, Scorpio. That’s Pluto doing exactly what it’s supposed to. Whatever came up last night, look at it. It surfaced because it’s ready to move.

Scorpio monthly horoscope

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Something good arrived yesterday without you having to chase it. Today watch the afternoon — Moon squaring Jupiter makes everything feel bigger and more promising than it is, and the temptation to immediately scale up what’s working will be strong. Let the good thing stay the size it is for now, Sagittarius. It doesn’t need to become a whole thing yet.

Sagittarius monthly horoscope

Capricorn glyph

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Saturn opposing Venus is an interesting pressure point for you — it’s your ruling planet doing the pushing, which means you feel it from the inside. The structure you’ve built is solid. The question being asked today is whether there’s room in it for what you want personally, not just professionally. There is, Capricorn. You’re allowed to want things that don’t fit the plan.

Capricorn monthly horoscope

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Yesterday validated something you’ve been sitting on, and now you want everyone to know it — that’s Moon squaring Jupiter this afternoon, making the right call feel like it needs an announcement. It doesn’t. The idea stands without you narrating it, Aquarius. Let it move at its own pace. The people who need to get it will get it without you explaining it to death.

Aquarius monthly horoscope

Pisces glyph

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Yesterday the path felt like walking through fog with no guarantee of where you’d come out. Today it’s the same fog, but you’re less bothered by it — Moon trine Mars overnight loosened the resistance without making the route any clearer. You don’t need a clear view to move, Pisces. You just needed to stop fighting the fog. There it is.

Pisces monthly horoscope

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Drake Responds After ‘Goated’ Ella Langly Spotted Vibing Out to His Song With Lil Wayne

17 August 2026 at 23:59

Ella Langley was recently spotted vibing out to Drake and Lil Wayne’s song “HYFR” online. Now, Champagne Papi has responded with matched energy.

In a post on social media, the “Choosin’ Texas” singer lip-synced along to “HYFR” played in the background. Then, Drake took to one of her Instagram posts, liking it and commenting, “Goated Pen,” alongside a pen emoji.

We can only assume the light banter here is just friendly, but Drake does have a charm that often implies more. This was certainly true of his online date with content creator and cosplayer Pinkchyu.

The OnlyFans star was the winner of a 20v1 gameshow, as part of Stake’s ninth anniversary celebration. As part of her prize, she got to spend some 1-on-1 time with the rapper.

Pinkchyu was later asked by TMZ if she and Drake did more than just talk. “No, no, no. We just had a lot of conversations,” she admitted. She went on to note that she and Drake are “complete opposites.” However, she said he was “wonderfully kind.”

Drake is buying Pinkchyu’s mother a home

Notably, during the stream, Drake promised to buy Pinkchyu’s mom a house, after finding out that this was the main reason she’d signed up for the competition. It appears that he is making good on that promise, and Pinkchyu’s mom is very happy.

“I think she’s just really grateful,” Pinkchyu told TMZ. “I do [OnlyFans] and a lot of the money I have I do take care of my family, like, help my sisters. I’m half Mexican, so we’re all really, really close, and so obviously she’s like over the moon.”

The goth influencer added that Drake’s generosity made her “really happy.”

Pinkchyu wasn’t the only 20v1 contestant to praise Drake for his charm

In additon to Pinkchyu, adult film star Lily Phillips was also a contestant on the 20v1 game show. It also turns out that she had nothing but nice things to say about Drake. I’ve never met a nicer celebrity. He is so down to earth, so goofy, so silly, so funny,” she shared with The Tab. “He is the same with everyone, whether you’ve got a million followers like me or you’ve got zilch.”

Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images

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3 One-Hit Wonders of the 90s Who Still Perform to This Day

17 August 2026 at 23:30

Earning a hit song isn’t the hardest part; it’s actually penning a follow-up hit. Many bands and artists struggle with this, as the initial hit was a tough enough feat in itself. Replicating success doesn’t always work out, and an artist can easily be forgotten or left behind in the mainstream while continuing to work to build a following on their own. This is why, 30 years later, these one-hit wonders of the 1990s still perform to this very day.

Los Del Río

In the mid-90s, Spanish pop duo Los Del Río penned a massive dance hit called “Macarena”. Initially released in 1993, an upbeat version dubbed the “Bayside Boys Remix” spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1996. This version features an English spoken section by the Bayside Boys, who chant “Hey Macarena!” The dance craze was created after the duo noticed a flamenco dancer in Venezuela performing similar moves. Surprisingly, the duo formed in 1962 and released 20 albums in their career. The pop duo still performs to this day.

Haddaway

Though Haddaway penned only one major hit in the US, they penned multiple in Europe. Nonetheless, he’s included among the one-hit wonders of the 1990s. His 1993 hit “What Is Love” peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Though three more singles off the same album charted high in Europe and other countries, none broke into the top 40 in the US. In March, Haddaway released his sixth studio album and has many upcoming performances booked for fall 2026.

TOADIES

As much as their diehard fanbase would like to say otherwise, Toadies fall into the one-hit wonder category. Their signature track “Possum Kingdom” charted significantly higher than their other singles. In 1995, it peaked at No. 4 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Their follow-up single, “Away”, peaked at No. 28 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 23 on the Mainstream Rock chart. In the 2000’s, “Push The Hand” and “No Deliverance” landed at No. 34 and No. 38, respectively. Toadies still perform with a cult following who will be jumping to debate whether they belong on this list. They’re currently on The Charmer Tour with Local H, performing across the US throughout the fall.

Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images

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It may shock you to learn that these three one-hit wonders of the 1990s are still performing 30 years later.

Yungblud Suffered What Should Be a Concert-Cancelling Injury But He’s Still Planning to Perform

17 August 2026 at 22:49

Yungblud has suffered a brutal injury that should be a concert-canceler, but he’s still planning to go on with the show.

Taking to Instagram, Yungblud shared a photo showing his leg in a cast. In the post caption, he quipped that his leg is “f**ked” but that he’s “still standin (sort of)” and will still be “giggin.” Next up, he’s got shows in Portugal and Belgium. “I’m comin, and it’s gonna be f**king mad,” he assured fans. “See you next week. Let’s ride.”

While he doesn’t specifically mention what caused the injury, it is speculated that it’s due to a dirt bike injury.

In response, Yungblud has been getting a lot of support from his followers. “Oh, I remember how you played gigs in a wheelchair in the past,” one person recalled in the post comments. “And how you were jumping even with the wheelchair. Get better soon, Domino!”

Someone else added, “Good lord, Dom, what all damage did the bike do to need a full leg wrap? Road rash from hell, I figure, ouch. We’re gonna have to wrap you in bubble wrap, friend! Hope ya heal up quickly!”

Yungblud had to cancel a North American gig earlier this year

Yungblud’s gnarly leg injury comes weeks after her had to cancel his appearance at the Cowboys Music Festival. The singer was suffering from severe mental health exhaustion and needed time to recover.

In a social media statement, Yungblud explained, “To all my family in Canada, I apologize for not being there with you all this weekend.”

“I’m currently in a place where I’m working on myself and taking time off at home in the U.K.,” the rock star added. “I’m taking this extremely seriously and facing head-on what’s going on for the good of the long term. I will never take any of this for granted, and I will see you all soon. I love you all.”

Yungblud’s management also offered a statement. “Reluctantly, we have made the decision as a team to pull Yungblud from The Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary this Sunday,” they penned. “We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause; these are not decisions we take lightly. All other scheduled shows will go on as planned.”

Finally, Cowboys Music Fest organizers issued a statement as well. “Our thoughts are with Dom (Yungblud). We are sending him all our love and support and wish him nothing but the very best during this time. We want him to know and feel the true love he has here in Canada.”

Photo by Mariano Regidor/Redferns

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Magic: The Gathering Just Released Five New The Hobbit Drops With Super Rare Cards and Art

17 August 2026 at 21:57

Magic: The Gathering players can now attempt to order five different brand-new products as part of the latest The Hobbit-themed superdrop.

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop

Magic: The Gathering’s latest Secret Lair drop went live today and brought a ton of new The Hobbit-themed cards out to tempt Lord of the Rings fans with limited quantity rare products.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop went live for pre-orders this morning and actually includes five unique products, each with a different theme and art style.

Here is a full breakdown of each product and which Magic: The Gathering cards players can find in them:

  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen
    • 1x Arcane Heist, 1x Contentious Plan, 1x Curiosity, 1x Solve the Equation, 1x Windfall
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Second Breakfast and Beyond
    • 7x Food Token
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Over the Edge of the Wild
    • 1x Cloudshift, 1x Tocasia’s Welcome as “Quite a Merry Gathering”, 1x Stony Silence, 1x Imp’s Mischief, 1x Seize the Spoils
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Smaug’s Spoils
    • 1x Fellwar Stone as “Erebor Heirloom”, 1x Lightning Greaves, 1x Liquimetal Torque, 1x Sol Ring, 1x Thought Vessel
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Desolation
    • 1x Defile, 1x Diabolic Intent, 1x Dread Return, 1x Mirkwood Bats, 1x Read the Bones

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen will be available exclusively in Out of Sight edition for $59.99, while all other Secret Lair x The Hobbit drops will be available in Foil ($39.99) and Non-Foil ($29.99) while supplies last.

For every $199 spent, orders will also come with a promo Arcane Signet as “Heart of the Mountain”, featuring the gemstone found deep beneath the Lonely Mountain, while supplies last.

As always, Secret Lair drops are really targetted for the collectible and superfan market and the average Magic: The Gathering player probably won’t make a grab for these products unless there happens to be a particular hard to find card in one that they’ve been searching for.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop follows the recent Secret Lair Commander Deck: Hatsune Miku which went up for sale on August 10. That first of its find Secret Lair Commander Deck ended up being incredibly successful thanks to the popularity surrounding both the 100-card format and Hatsune Miku.

It will be very interesting to see how well these The Hobbit products sell now that they have the spotlight. Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.

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The Best Part of Netflix’s ‘Tires’ Season 3 Might Be Hiding in the End Credits

17 August 2026 at 21:54

Netflix just dropped Season 3 of Tires, and the new episodes are already making a big hit. However, hidden at the end, in the credits, is one of the best parts of the show.

Tires has been a hit comedy for Netflix over the last few years. Starring comedians like Shane Gillis and Stavros Halkias, the show follows the ins and outs of a medium-level auto shop chain in the Northeast.

‘Tires’: Come for the Comedy, Stay for the dope soundtrack

When the screen goes dark, though, and the credits begin to roll, the music soundtracking the cast and crew is truly incredible. Some other songs from the end credits of Tires Season 3 include “AT&T” by Liquid Mike, “Freaks” by Surf Curse, and “Certain Kinds of Trash” by Chain & The Gang.

At the end of Season 3, Episode 4, you can hear the song “LOS NARCOS” by Master Peace. The British artist even live-reacted to his song being included. Check that out below, and make sure to watch the show for the rest of the killer credits tunes.

Tires was created by Shane Gillis, Steve Gerben, and John McKeever. The show premiered on Netflix in May 2024, and is now in its third season. In addition to Gillis and Halkias, the show’s cast also features Gerben, Chris O’Connor, Kilah Fox, and Thomas Haden Church.

The show has grown to be one of the most popular comedies of the current streaming era, and for good reason. The writing is sharp; the performances are sublime, and, well, I’ve already heaped a lot of praise on the soundtrack.

In 2025, Gerben and McKeever sat down for a Hollywood Reporter interview to discuss the show. Near the end of their conversation, the pair addressed why the show does such a great job handling hot-topic subject matter.

“I’m going to take that one because John would be too modest to answer this. It’s John,” Gerben asserted. “He knows how to walk that line, and he will also— sometimes it’s very hard in the moment when everybody’s pitching, like, funny ideas or whatever, to be the bad guy and be like, ‘That’s too far.’ And yet he makes those decisions. And it is John.”

He added, “That is a very specific thing where it’s like, he— Shane can walk a line too; we’ve all seen that. But insofar as the writing process, John is just so good at that.”

Tires Season 3 is now streaming, only on Netflix

Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Netflix

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Tony Hawk Says He Won’t Quit Skating Until This Iconic 2000s Rock Band Stops Touring

17 August 2026 at 20:42

On August 15, 2026, pro skate legend Tony Hawk vowed he wouldn’t quit skating until Interpol stops touring. The band kicked off their 2026 North American tour on July 31 in Denver, and were making a stop in San Diego where Tony Hawk introduced them to the crowd.

“It is my honor and privilege to introduce you to this band,” said Hawk from the stage at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. He then shared some memories of being a longtime fan, including first discovering their 2002 debut album Turn On the Bright Lights.

“I got to see them live for the first time doing a sound check at Jay Leno,” Hawk continued. Both Interpol and Hawk appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2004. “I was a guest on Jay Leno with them [and] they actually had my ramp behind the sound stage … I watched them play ‘Slow Hands’. They watched me do slow hand plants.”

Tony Hawk Draws Comparisons Between His Pro Skate Career and Interpol’s Legacy

Tony Hawk added to his introduction by noting the similarities between his career and Interpol’s. Although he began his pro skating career in the 80s and the band didn’t debut until 2002, he felt that he and Interpol experienced similar paths to success.

“I feel like we’ve had a similar trajectory this whole time. Neither one of us has quit doing what we love,” said Hawk. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m not going to quit skating until Interpol stops touring.”

After the show, Interpol made an Instagram post featuring a fan-captured clip of Tony Hawk’s introduction. They captioned the post, “From Leno in 2004 to now, thanks for riding with us [Tony Hawk].”

Notably, Hawk replied, “My wife said ‘slow handplants’ was lame but I say dad jokes are peak comedy.”

As a day-one Interpol fan, Tony Hawk definitely has something to look forward too soon. The band is releasing their ninth album, This Mirror Weighs a Ton, on August 28, 2026. It’s their first album since 2022, which landed at No. 178 on the U.S. charts. Fans are surely hoping for bigger chart success with this album, but the huge tour they’re embarking on might be enough to satisfy.

The tour continues through August, with their next show stopping in Brooklyn on August 26 for the CBGB Festival. Then, they’re heading to Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, before coming back to the states on October 4 for a show in Boston. The remainder of October has them stopping in Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and more before concluding in Nashville on October 17.

Photo by Katie Flores/Billboard via Getty Images

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Brent Hinds Featured on New CKY Song, Marking the Late Mastodon Guitarist’s First Posthumous Recording

17 August 2026 at 20:18

It’s been nearly one full year since the death of former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds. Now, fellow heavy metal act CKY has released a brand new song featuring Hinds, marking the late musician’s first posthumous release.

On 14 August 2026, CKY dropped “Beware of the Heartless”. The track features a guitar solo by Hinds. Check out the tune below.

Speaking about the song, CKY guitarist Chad I Ginsburg said, “We were reminded that it was a year since our friend Brent passed away. Brent played a solo on a song we recorded called ‘Beware Of The Heartless’, and I thought, ‘Why would I leave this on my computer?'”

He added, per Metal Injection: “Brent took the time to play on it, and we loved him, and in honor of his passing, we were too bummed out in the moment to think about that s**t, but I want to throw it out there because I don’t want to hold on to it forever. I want to let go of it and give it to everyone.”

Notably, this is not the first time that CKY and Hinds collaborated. He also played a solo on “Days Of Self Destruction,” from CKY’s 2017 album The Phoenix.

Brent Hinds passed away in August 2025 after a tragic motorcycle accident

Brent Hinds died in a two-vehicle accident in August 2025. While driving his motorcycle through a four-way stoplight intersection, Hinds collided with an automobile. The crash left the musician with fatal injuries that claimed his life.

Authorities investigated and determined that the other driver was not at fault for the crash.

Notably, a few months before his death, Hinds unceremoniously exited Mastodon. At the time, the split was not amicable, it seemed, as he made some very brutal comments about his ex-bandmates afterward.

Mastodon did not return Hinds’ ire, but have since released a documentary, “The Mastodon in the Room“, that offers their perspective. The short-form doc finds the remaining members of the band recounting their experience, and how things went sour, specifically due to Hinds’ substance abuse issues.

“I could see the disconnect happening and the enthusiasm getting less and less,” said bassist Troy Sanders. “[Our] overall camaraderie as a four-piece [was] dwindling. It became quite obvious at that time that the onstage energy would just be hit or miss.”

Ultimately, the band decided to confront Hinds, but he was resistant and opted to leave the band.

Photo by Raphael Dias/Getty Images

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Late Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds passed away in 2025, but now a guitar solo he recorded for a CKY song has been officially released.

Born 57 Years Ago Today in Boston, the 80s Boy Band Heartthrob Whose Younger Brother Became One of Hollywood’s Biggest Movie Stars

17 August 2026 at 19:50

On this day in 1969, Donnie Wahlberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was first known as an original member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. Donnie was discovered at the age of 15. It was his rapping abilities that got him the role in the group, making him the first member to join. Record producer Maurice Starr, who had discovered New Edition, created New Kids on the Block as a counterpart. Initially, Donnie’s brother Mark also joined the group but left just a few months later.

New Kids on the Block formed in 1984 and released their debut album two years later, in 1986. Their debut was commercially ignored, and it would be their sophomore release that shot the band into stardom. In 1988, New Kids on the Block’s Hangin’ Tough was a massive commercial success, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Their breakthrough single, “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”, featured co-lead vocals by Donnie Wahlberg and bandmate Jordan Knight. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following this, their next single, “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)”, became the group’s first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. This was followed by “Hangin’ Tough” in 1989, which would be Donnie’s first No. 1 hit as a lead vocalist. The album’s final single, “Cover Girl”, peaked at No. 2, just shy of topping the chart, and also featured lead vocals by Donnie. In 1990, the group’s cover of The Superiors’ “Step by Step” was one of the best-selling singles released that year. It peaked at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cashbox Top 100.

NKOTB BREAKS UP, DONNIE TRANSITIONS INTO ACTING

In 1994, New Kids on the Block called it quits for various reasons. Media scrutiny, extensive and intense touring schedules, and artistic differences led to their disbandment. Meanwhile, Donnie’s brother had launched his own group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. In 1996, Donnie Wahlberg landed two major breakout acting roles in Bulletproof and Ransom. In 1999, Donnie was praised for his harrowing performance in The Sixth Sense.

He went on to have a successful television career, starring in Band of Brothers (2001) and the crime drama Boomtown (2003). From 2010 to 2024, he starred as Detective Danny Reagan in the police drama Blue Bloods. In 2025, he revived the character in its spin-off, Boston Blue.

From 2015 to 2019, Donnie co-starred on the reality TV show Wahlburgers alongside his brothers Paul and Mark. Mark Wahlberg also embarked on a successful acting career, eventually becoming a high-profile Hollywood actor.

New Kids on the Block reunited in 2008 and continue to tour together to this day.

Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images

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New Kids on the Block singer and actor Donnie Wahlberg was born on this day, 57 years ago, in Boston, Massachusetts.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants Leaked for Chapter 7 Season 4

17 August 2026 at 19:07

New Fortnite Sprite Variants are reportedly being added in Chapter 7 Season 4 following the August 20 update. According to dataminers, Fortnite Override will not only feature new Fortnite Sprites, but players will have even more variants to track down if they want to complete their collection. Sprites have also received a major redesign for the new season.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants Are Coming in Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Override Sprite Variants
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games recently revealed the 8 new Fortnite Sprites being added in Chapter 7 Season 4. However, up to this point, it wasn’t clear whether Sprite Variants would also be returning. Would we have to hunt down Gummy, Galaxy, and Gem variants in Fortnite Override again? If a new leak is to be believed, there will actually be even more variants to collect next season.

This latest update comes from FNBRIntel, who claims that Epic is adding new Fortnite Sprite variants in Chapter 7 Season 4. “Sprites will still have variants in Season 4, including new ones!” Interestingly, this seems to imply that all seven Sprite Variants from Chapter 7 Season 3 will also be returning.

Here is a list of the Fortnite Sprite Variants potentially returning in Chapter 7 Season 4:

  • Gold
  • Gummy
  • Galaxy
  • Gem
  • Holofoil
  • Cube
  • Quack
  • New Chapter 7 Season 4 Variants

Of course, the biggest mystery is what the new Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprite Variants will actually look like. With Fortnite Override launching on August 20, we fortunately shouldn’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Fortnite Sprites Have a New Design in Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 New Sprite Designs
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Override trailer also appears to confirm that Sprites are getting a new redesign in Chapter 7 Season 4. In the new gameplay footage, the Sprites appear to be cubes that look like backpacks.

For example, there is a scene where Jonesy picks up the Fortnite Sonic Sprite. However, instead of the cute Sprite hovering over the player’s back, it now looks like a blocky backpack that is strapped to you.

The new Fortnite Sprite look might be in reference to Fortnite Override’s gaming legends theme. After all, the season has a Tetris crossover and features many pixel/cube-based gaming aesthetics.

Fortnite Sonic Sprite Power Trailer
Screenshot: Epic Games

At the time of writing, it’s unclear if all Fortnite Sprites in Chapter 7 Season 4 will have the new cube-look design. However, the 8 new Sprites revealed so far do appear to have this new look. With new Sprites, additional variants, and a complete redesign, it looks like collectors will have plenty to track down when Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

The post New Fortnite Sprite Variants Leaked for Chapter 7 Season 4 appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

He Downloaded a Guns N’ Roses Song Hours Before His Wife Was Murdered. Then It Was Played at His Trial

17 August 2026 at 19:00

On the night of August 17, 2002, Justin and April Barber were walking along the beach of Guana River State Park in Jacksonville, Florida, after celebrating their third wedding anniversary. Justin would leave the beach with four gunshot wounds, but April wouldn’t leave at all. According to Justin, a robbery attempt on the dark beach turned deadly, ending in April’s death.

But as the investigation went on, Justin’s story started to unravel. Despite the alleged robber-turned-murderer, Justin became the primary suspect. In June 2006, when he was brought to trial for his wife’s murder, the 1988 Guns N’ Roses track “Used to Love Her” became the big red arrow pointing right at Justin.

The prosecution noted that Justin downloaded “Used to Love Her” on the day his wife was murdered. Incriminating lyrics include “I used to love her / But I had to kill her / I had to put her / Six feet under / But I can still hear her complain”. The song was actually written about Axl Rose’s dog at the time. But the defense noted that it was just one song out of 16 others Justin downloaded on August 17, 2002.

“Of 1,695 songs on his computer, 16 of which were downloaded on the afternoon of [April’s] death, and out of those, we were brought this one in the courtroom,” defense attorney Bob Willis said at the time.

1988 Track ‘Used to Love Her’ Used as Evidence Against Justin Barber in 2006 Murder Case

The years that led to April Barber’s death were fraught with stressors, criticisms, preoccupations with appearances, and Justin’s extramarital affairs. They were married young after just under a year together, and April’s younger siblings lived with them after they were married. The tension seemed to grow from there. When Justin’s work transferred him to Jacksonville, April stayed in their home in Georgia. They saw each other on weekends.

According to April’s friends and family, there were always potential warning signs. In 2001, he took out life insurance policies worth $2 million. On August 4, 2002, April confronted Justin about his cheating, threatening to end their marriage. Then, on August 16, she returned to Jacksonville for their anniversary. By the night of the 17th, she was dead. Her loved ones were immediately convinced Justin had killed her.

It took several years of detective work before there was enough evidence to take Justin Barber to court. This included his computer records. In February 2002, he searched “medical trauma right chest”. A week later, he searched “gunshot wound right chest”. He later searched “Florida divorce”. A few hours before April’s murder, he downloaded “Used to Love Her”. According to the district attorney, this was Justin’s way of psyching himself up to kill his wife.

Murderous Husband Used Guns N’ Roses Track to Psych Himself Up, But His Careful Plan Unraveled

Detectives pieced together Justin’s plan. He was going to shoot April, then himself, drag her to the car, and drive around looking for help, under the guise of a beach robbery. But evidence suggested that April ran, Justin attempted to drown her, then finally killed her by the boardwalk. His self-inflicted wounds derailed his plan further when he wasn’t able to get April’s body to the car. So he left her on the beach.

According to District Attorney Matt Foxman, “[Justin Barber] wanted the $2 million, he wanted sympathy for being shot, and he wanted to look like a hero who’d tried to save his wife. He wanted it all.”

In 2006, Justin was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He allegedly showed no emotion in the courtroom when the verdict was read. According to psychology experts, Justin Barber had all the classic symptoms of a sociopath.

Photo By Larry Marano/Getty Images

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Fortnite Override Battle Pass Trailer Confirms Final Chapter 7 Season 4 Skins

17 August 2026 at 18:36

Epic Games has officially revealed the final Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass skins lineup. After several skins leaked early over the weekend, the new Fortnite Override Battle Pass trailer gives us our first proper look at every outfit players can unlock when the new season launches on August 20.

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Trailer Reveals All Chapter 7 Season 4 Skins

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Trailer
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games released a new Fortnite Override Battle Pass trailer on August 17, finally confirming the Chapter 7 Season 4 skins lineup. The new footage gives players a closer look at all eight outfits featured in the upcoming pass, including the long-awaited Sonic skin and the return of Geno.

The reveal is particularly notable because images of the full Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass had already leaked early online. However, the latest trailer now gives us official confirmation of the final lineup, the official names of the skins, and which unlock order they will appear in the Fortnite Override Battle Pass.

Here is the complete Fortnite Override Battle Pass lineup and their unlock levels:

  • Bastian (Level 1)
  • Grace Crowne (Level 10)
  • K1TTYW1NS (Level 10)
  • Wrixel (Level 35)
  • Mali (Level 35)
  • Phantom (Level 60)
  • Geno (Level 60)
  • Sonic (Level 85)

You can see the full Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle pass skins in their 3D models in the screenshot below:

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Skins Lineup
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass has one gaming Collab

Unsurprisingly, Sonic is easily the biggest addition to the Fortnite Override Battle Pass. The SEGA mascot has been heavily featured throughout Epic Games’ Chapter 7 Season 4 marketing campaign so far, which has also revealed a Green Hill Zone location and a Tails Sidekick.

The other major character in the pass is Geno, who appears to play an important role in the new season’s storyline. The Fortnite Override trailer previously showed the character alongside Doctor Eggman as gaming worlds begin colliding with the Battle Royale island.

Interestingly, the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass only features a single gaming collab. Epic Games had previously revealed collaborations with Persona 5, Mega Man, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Pac-Man, Kingdom Hearts, and several other gaming franchises. However, only Sonic will be included in the $8.99 pass.

Fortnite Override Key Art 4k
Screenshot: Epic Games

Most of gaming legends characters this season appear to be separate Item Shop releases rather than Battle Pass rewards, meaning Fortnite Override could have a steady stream of Gaming Legends cosmetics throughout the season.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 officially launches on August 20, 2026. With the Battle Pass lineup now confirmed, players only have a few more days to wait before Fortnite Override goes live and they can unlock them.

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Fortnite Override Battle Pass trailer confirms all eight Chapter 7 Season 4 skins, including Sonic, Geno, Bastian, and more.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Bonnie Tyler Gets Heartfelt Hometown Sendoff as Hundreds of Fans Lined Wales Streets for Her Funeral

17 August 2026 at 18:28

Beloved Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, the unmistakable voice behind songs like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out for a Hero”, passed away on July 8, 2026. She was 75 at the time of her death.

In a heartfelt show of love from her hometown fans, hundreds of people lined the streets of Swansea, Wales, as the hearse carrying Tyler passed by for her funeral procession on Saturday, Aug. 15. Tyler’s private celebration of life memorial was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 17, at the Swansea Minster church.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Bonnie Tyler during her funeral at Swansea Minster in Swansea, Wales. The singer famous for hit "Total Eclipse" who was born Gaynor Hopkins, died in hospital on July 8th 2026, aged 75 in Portugal.

More #GettyVideo 🎥 Justin Goff 👉pic.twitter.com/gNU2MiUrHQ

— Getty Images Entertainment (@GettyVIP) August 17, 2026

The public was allowed to view the service—which was livestreamed—at St. David’s Square. Notably, Tyler had been living in Portugal before her death.

Bonnie Tyler’s death was very unexpected

Tyler’s death was very unexpected, and followed a short bout of serious health issues. On May 6, 2026, the singer underwent emergency surgery in Faro, Portugal. Doctors were treating her for a perforated intestine.

Ultimately, Tyler was placed in an induced coma and kept in the intensive care unit, per USA Today. Doctors attempted to bring her out of the coma, but she suffered a cardiac arrest. They were able to resuscitate her and get her stable. It was believed that she would make a full recovery.

On June 15, Tyler woke up from the medically induced coma, but was not doing well. Sadly, less than one month later, she died from complications of the illness.

Many of Bonnie Tyler’s celebrity friends have mourned her death

Following Tyler’s death, many of her celebrity friends shared public tributes. According to the BBC, artists such as Shakin’ Stevens and Bryan Adams memorialized the late singer, as did her longtime friend and family member, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.

My heart is broken with the news that our dearest Bonnie Tyler has passed away,” Zeta-Jones wrote in a social media post. “Bonnie was married to my cousin and has been such a part of my life. We are photographed here together the night before my wedding. She sang and rocked it at my wedding.”

“An extraordinary woman with vocals to match,” Zeta-Jones continued. “A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met. Thank you, Bonnie, for the joy you brought so many.”

She finally added, “Sleep tight, beautiful lady. We shall forever ‘Keep A Welcome In The Hillsides’ of Wales for you. Sending my love to Robert and the family.”

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns

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35 Years Ago Today, Nirvana Shot One of the Most Iconic Music Videos Ever for Less Than $50,000

17 August 2026 at 17:51

On this day in 1991, Nirvana shot the music video for the song that broke grunge into the mainstream. In May 1991, the band recorded their hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. on September 24, 1991, the release of their sophomore album, Nevermind, defined the decade ahead. Ahead of the album’s release, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released as a single on September 10, 1991. Its iconic music video was shot one month before, on August 17.

The music video was shot at GMT Studios in Culver City, California, for less than $50,000. It was a low-budget shoot that featured real Nirvana fans as the audience. Ahead of the shoot, the band released an announcement calling on fans to appear in the video. The announcement read, “You should be 18 to 25 years old and adapt to a high-school persona, i.e preppy, punk, nerd, jock…”

Director Samuel Brayer believes he was chosen for the job because his test reel was so poor that the band felt the result would be more “punk” and “not corporate.” Overall, this would be Brayer’s first music video shoot, and he went on to shoot videos for Ozzy Osbourne, Blind Melon, The Smashing Pumpkins, and many more throughout the decade.

the inspiration for the iconic music video

Kurt Cobain mentioned on various occasions that one of his favorite films was Jonathan Kaplan’s 1979 film Over the Edge. This can be heard in the 2015 documentary film, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. In Over the Edge, rebellious teenagers lock their parents and teachers in a school while they destroy the town. Cobain made a connection between this film and the music video concept for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Additionally, The Ramones 1979 film Rock ‘n’ Roll High School also served as inspiration for the video.

Nirvana is seen performing during a school pep rally in a dystopian reality. Students mosh while cheerleaders in black wear black outfits with anarchy symbols. The students destroy the set, which actually happened, as many of the extras grew frustrated during the shoot. Ultimately, this left the crew scrambling to finish safety shots, as the extras had destroyed the set by the end of shooting.

The video won Nirvana the Best New Artist and Best Alternative Group awards at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2000, Guinness World Records named “Smells Like Teen Spirit” the most-played video on MTV Europe. Upon release, the song peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and went to No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart.

Photo by Goedefroit Music/Getty Images

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On this day in 1991, Nirvana shot their iconic music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which broke grunge into the mainstream.

The Weezer Movie Just Got a Major Update

17 August 2026 at 17:38

In 2025, it was announced that Weezer is getting their very own movie. Now, we’ve got a major update on the forthcoming rock flick.

Stereogum reports that on Aug. 12, Weezer guitarist Brian Bell attended the premiere of Green Day’s new film, Nimrods, in Los Angeles. During the event, local radio station Alt 98.7 asked him if Weezer had thought of making a movie. “We already have,” Bell replied.

He went on to say, “Although I’m not supposed to talk about it. But yes, it’s in the can. It’s gonna be incredible.” Finally, Bell confirmed, “You’ll see it in 2027.”

At this time, the Weezer movie does not have an officially announced premiere date

The Weezer movie is said to be in a mockumentary style, similar to the 2022 Weird Al movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The film is rumored to be titled Weezer: Security Threat, and is directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman.

Not a whole lot is known about the plot of the film. During a 2026 Rolling Stone interview, frontman Rivers Cuomo described it as a “comedy improv project.”

Keanu Reeves has been cast as the film’s villain, reportedly playing a fictional version of himself. Other cast members include Ben Schwartz, Eric Andre, Johnny Knoxville, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Rainn Wilson.

Additonally, Weird Al is set to make an appearance, as is Spike Jonze. As for musical friends of Weezer: Olivia Rodrigo, Courtney Love, and Juliette Lewis all make appearances.

Keanu Reeves and Weezer are old friends

Interestingly, Keanu Reeves and Weezer go way back. Reeves’ band Dogstar actually played a part in Weezer’s rise to fame. Dogstar was the first band that Weezer played with when they originally formed in the early 90s.

During the heyday of grunge, Dogstar was a pretty well-known group. The band released two albums between the mid 90s and ealry 2000s: Our Little Visionary (1996) and Happy Ending (2000). In 2002 they went inactive, but later reunited in 202o. Three years later, they released Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees in 2023.

As for Weezer, we pretty much all know that story. Their self-titled (blue) album in 1994 was a mega hit, and a landmark album for rock music. They too went on hiatus—in 1997—after releasing their sophomore record, Pinkerton. Weezer reunited a few years later and have since gone on to release many more studio albums. Their 20th album, Weezer (Gold Album), is set to release on Aug. 21, 2026.

Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images

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23 Years Ago, Jim Caviezel Was Struck by Lightning While Filming ‘The Passion of the Christ’

17 August 2026 at 16:50

Jesus might’ve taken a serious beating in the 2004 Mel Gibson epic The Passion of the Christ, but the actor who played him didn’t exactly get off scot-free himself. While filming the final shot in the movie back in 2003, Jim Caviezel, who starred as Jesus, was struck by lightning, along with production assistant Jan Michelini, who’d also been struck earlier in the shoot. Producer Steve McEveety described the second incident to Variety, saying, “I’m about a hundred feet away from them when I glance over and see smoke coming out of Caviezel’s ears.” 

Though it was reported at the time that neither Caviezel nor Michelini were badly hurt, that didn’t end up being true in Caviezel’s case. The effects of the lightning strike eventually led to two different heart surgeries for the actor, along with “lots of medication.” It wasn’t until the second procedure in 2014 that Caviezel says his problems were “finally corrected.” However, even that wasn’t without its hiccups.

Jim Caviezel Was Struck by Lightning While Playing Jesus, Leading to Years of Heart Problems

Despite crediting the 2014 surgery with saving his life, he explained to Shawn Ryan in 2023 that it, ironically enough, killed him as well—temporarily, that is. “I died on the operating table,” Caviezel revealed. “They brought me back. But I was supposed to be here,” he continued. “The reason why I brought that up is I felt incredible peace and love. That’s waiting for us.”

Caviezel went on to describe his brush with death as “amazing,” and compared the experience to cracking an egg. “And then it just came out, and I was dead, and I didn’t have to breathe anymore,” he recalled. Although Caviezel remembered the dying part being painless, he said that all changed when the doctors were finally able to revive him. You can listen to Caviezel recount the story for yourself in the video above.

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The lightning strike caused years of heart problems, and Caviezel says he later briefly died during surgery to repair the damage.

Leak Offers More Evidence of Blizzard Hit Coming to Switch 2 in September

17 August 2026 at 16:40

A new leak from a reliable source claims to confirm two earlier rumors about a 2023 Blizzard game finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 this fall.

Leak: Diablo IV Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 September 15

Screenshot: Blizzard
Screenshot: Blizzard

Diablo IV released three years ago at this point, but Nintendo gamers have still been waiting to get in on the action. The title is already available on PC and in the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems, but some new leaks and rumors suggest that it will finally be arriving on a Nintendo device as well in just a month.

The new information comes from DealLabs, who are claim to have information to confirm that the Age of Hatred Collection is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and will include the base game as well as the major expansions Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred.

According to the intel from DealLabs:

“As promised, we’re back with new details on the release of Diablo IV on Switch 2. It will indeed be the Age of Hatred Collection , available in both physical and digital editions for €69.99 / $69.99 / £62.99. As a reminder, this collection includes the base game as well as the major expansions Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred.”

The leak went on to dive into details surrounding the release date, as well:

As for the release date, it’s finally set for September 15, 2026. The official announcement date remains unknown, but it could well coincide with the opening of pre-orders , scheduled for September 12, 2026, according to our latest information. This date is significant, as it corresponds to the opening of BlizzCon 2026, which will be held from September 12 to 13, 2026.”

Readers should keep in mind that this information is still unofficial and Blizzard and Nintendo have not actually confirmed any details about this release at this point. If the leak does end up being accurate, it does seem likely that the new version of the game would be announced at next month’s BlizzCon event and released very shortly afterwards.

With BlizzCon just around the corner, it will be very exciting to see what else Blizzard has been working on behind closed doors. World of Warcraft Classic fans are still hoping to learn more about the mysterious Camelot. Additionally, there’s always the hope that Blizzard might suprise fans with a brand-new game reveal, rather than just new content and expansions for its many existing live service games.

Be sure to check back soon for more and Blizzard news and updates.

Diablo IV is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles. The Nintendo Switch 22 version has not been officially announced at this point.

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Screenshot: Blizzard

15 Years Ago, William Shatner and Patrice O’Neal Cried Together After the Charlie Sheen Roast

17 August 2026 at 16:39

By the time Patrice O’Neal took the stage at Comedy Central’s 2011 roast of Charlie Sheen, he seemed genuinely bothered by some of the things his fellow roasters had to say about him. In response to William Shatner’s joke about Sheen waiting to get into the right projects like O’Neal’s family, O’Neal said, “You’re a f—king —hole, Captain Kirk!” He also took a moment to address all the references people made to his diabetes that night, including Amy Schumer’s line about the roast serving as a farewell party for O’Neal’s foot. “I’m dying of diabetes and you motherf—kers are like, ‘Oh, that evil fat f—k,’” O’Neal told the dais at one point.

Many made note of how well O’Neal did at Sheen’s roast, especially considering that he didn’t rely solely on prewritten material. “He had to go from his guts,” fellow comedian Robert Kelly recalled, pointing out that any other comic would’ve been finished if they’d gone the same route as O’Neal. For his part, O’Neal explained that he’d been practicing his entire life to be okay when facing the possibility of failure. Even all these years later, O’Neal’s set is singled out as the highlight of the show.

Patrice O’Neal Had a Tearful Conversation About Death With William Shatner Two Months Before He Died

But O’Neal’s interactions with Shatner weren’t all bad. According to Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, who spoke to Shatner after the broadcast, Shatner and his wife ran into O’Neal outside that evening, and their final encounter with him somehow managed to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. As the three waited for their cars together, they had a brief chat regarding O’Neal’s health. “It was a strange place to have a conversation about life and death,” Shatner remembered, “but it was presaged by his clarity at the roast.”

Shatner and his wife reminded O’Neal that diabetes wasn’t like cancer and that there were ways that he could reverse the effects of the disease. O’Neal was reportedly moved by this, and as the three parted ways, every single one of them was in tears. “He knew that he was dying, that he was a dying man, and in a way, he wanted to die,” Shatner said. “That’s what I saw. That’s why we cried.”

O’Neal died two months later from complications of a stroke, which was caused by type 2 diabetes. He was 41 years old. 

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After trading shots at Charlie Sheen’s roast, O’Neal and Shatner shared a tearful conversation about life, death and his health.

New GTA 6 PlayStation Commercial Shows Latest Graphics

17 August 2026 at 16:38

Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is in full swing after the game just got a new PlayStation commercial. The August GTA 6 PS5 ad gives us our most up-to-date look at the game’s graphics yet.

New GTA 6 PlayStation Commercial Debuts on PS5

GTA 6 PlayStation Commercial It Happens On PS5
Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

Sony surprised players today by releasing a new GTA 6 PlayStation commercial on their social media platforms. The new advertisement will reportedly play on television and online markets. Before you get too excited, the Grand Theft Auto 6 ad does not feature new gameplay or story footage. Every clip in it was featured in previous trailers.

However, it does feature the most up-to-date GTA 6 footage we currently have. The trailer specifically includes the cutscene where Jason is riding his motorcycle under a plane. And the second clip features Lucia driving a getaway car, while Jason jumps on the back of the vehicle to try to get inside of it. The new GTA 6 commercial is a part of PlayStation’s “It Happens on PS5” advertisement campaign.

In May, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick had revealed that Rockstar Games had entered an exclusive marketing partnership with Sony for the new Grand Theft Auto title. Zelnick also said that more GTA 6 trailers would be released after the Netflix First Look stream on August 27. This new PS5 commercial appears to be a part of those plans.

Was GTA 6 Graphics Downgraded?

GTA 6 PlayStation Trunk
Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

While the GTA 6 PlayStation commercial didn’t feature new footage, it does feature the game’s most recent build we know of. As a result, eagle-eyed fans have been going over the footage to see whether the game has had any “downgrades” from what was shown off in the Trailer 1 and 2. The verdict? Players seem to be split on it.

The Jason and Lucia driving scene in particular has received criticism from some fans. For example, on Reddit one user wrote “Dang those graphics in image look kinda rough.” Another player critical of the game’s graphics exclaimed “Image two already looks like a downgrade from the trailers.”

However, not everyone agreed with the downgrade claims. Many argued that the footage in the PS5 Commercial is direct rips from GTA 6 trailer 2, meaning there would be no change. In all fairness, both scenes are also in motion, which makes it hard to really get an idea of the quality. Regardless, it appears that Grand Theft Auto 6 marketing is now beginning to roll out.

GTA 6 PlayStation Driving
Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

The next big preview of the game comes with the GTA 6 Netflix stream on August 27. The Grand Theft Auto 6 Extended Look event is expected to bring gameplay footage and new story details. It’s also rumored to be episodic and could run as long as an hour when combined. However, Rockstar has not confirmed this yet. So as of now, it’s just speculation.

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A new GTA 6 PlayStation commercial has dropped with the latest graphics ahead of the Netflix Extended Look stream on August 27.

Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

Screenshot: Rockstar Games, PlayStation

Archaeologists Rediscover 30-Million-Year-Old Dog Fossil Hiding in a Museum Collection

17 August 2026 at 15:29

Dogs have been our closest companions for several millennia now, but they’ve been around for a lot longer. Millions of years longer, in fact. As reported by the University of Michigan, researchers recently took another look at a 30-million-year-old fossil from Oregon and realized they were dealing with one of the most complete early dog skeletons ever discovered.

The fossil was originally dug up back in the late 1980s. Like many archaeological finds, it was then shoved away to gather dust in a museum collection, largely because paleontologists thought it belonged to an oreodont, an extinct creature considered an early relative of several modern animals like sheep, camels, and pigs.

Eventually, further study showed it was actually a Mesocyon coryphaeus, an extinct early canid (aka dog). Previous evidence had only yielded skulls. This specimen yielded more than a skull; it was missing only its tail and portions of its hands and feet. It even contains a baculum, a.k.a. the penis bone dogs today still have.

Scientists Found a Lost Branch of Dog Evolution in an Oregon Museum Collection

The discovery, or, rather, the rediscovery, is important on its own, but it also gives researchers a better idea of how these dogs lived. They were shorter, for one, and a lot stockier. Their bones were thick, meaning they could literally be described as big-boned. Its elbows suggest that it could rotate its forearms, which could have helped it climb or grapple. It also had a prominent big toe.

This was not an ancient Golden Retriever. This was a sturdy dog built to survive the wild.

Eventually, its environment changed, as forests gave way to open woodlands as the climate cooled. This species eventually became an evolutionary midpoint between dogs that climbed trees and those that preferred staying on the ground. That said, you would think Mesocyon was an ancestor of modern dogs. It isn’t. It’s a branch that eventually disappeared, and that’s probably the most interesting part of this fossil’s rediscovery.

It’s evidence that something that just barely shares a link to a modern creature once existed.

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