Latest news with #Claymore
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Genshin Impact Nod-Krai teaser reveals Varka and Alice character designs, elements, and voice actors
HoYoverse has officially revealed two long-anticipated characters—Varka and Alice—in the latest Genshin Impact Nod-Krai teaser titled Moonlit Ballad of the teaser showcases their full character designs and confirms their elemental affinities, finally delivering on years of in-game teasing. Varka, the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius, appears with a tall, muscular build and visible battle scars, highlighting his combat experience. The teaser shows him wielding the Claymore weapon Wolf's Gravestone, confirming his status as a Claymore user. Additionally, his Anemo vision is clearly displayed on the left side of his coat, solidifying his elemental alignment. Meanwhile, Alice—an eccentric and powerful figure in Genshin Impact lore and the mother of Klee—also makes her long-awaited debut. She is depicted with long blonde hair, elf-like ears, and a distinctively styled witch's hat. Her Pyro vision is attached to her hat, though the teaser does not explicitly show her weapon of choice. Given her identity as a witch, it is speculated she may be a Catalyst user. Voice actor details for both characters have also been revealed. Varka is voiced by Sugita Tomokazu (Japanese), Park Sang-hoon (Korean), and Hao Xianghai (Chinese), while his English voice actor has not yet been announced. Alice is voiced by Rachel Kimsey (English), Inoue Kikuko (Japanese), Yeo Min-jeong (Korean), and Zhang Qi (Chinese). As two of the most significant unrevealed characters in the game's lore, their debut has generated significant excitement among the Genshin Impact community. More information on their roles, story involvement, and playability is expected to be revealed as the Nod-Krai update approaches.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
John Swinney's chat about independence is getting embarrassing now
It's all becoming a wee bit sad lately. John Swinney starts talking about independence and nobody cares. Independence is supposed to be the SNP's flagship policy, the biggest topic of debate in Scotland – if you believe the nationalist faithful, of course. But when the First Minister opens his mouth on the constitution, most voters tune out. Swinney is the inversion of The Great Gatsby. He keeps throwing independence parties but nobody turns up. He's alone in the ballroom waiting for guests who will never arrive. Swinney has just unveiled his 'new plan for independence'. In truth, it's a nothing-burger, a big fat load of zilch. There's basically no difference – nothing new – to what he said about independence a month ago at the Scotland 2050 summit. That too was the dampest of damp squibs. A squib so damp you'd shudder if you shook its hand. In fact, Swinney isn't just repeating himself; he's repeating himself saying nothing. There's an existential horror to that: Swinney must wake up and feel like crying at the thought of having to spew out the same empty rhetoric over and over again. Read more from Neil Mackay: Let's check this plan out. It has 'three points', apparently. First, there will be a 'campaign designed to build the highest levels of support possible for independence'. Isn't that the SNP's raison d'être? Isn't that what they're supposed to be doing every day? What have they been doing until now? Campaigning to build the lowest levels of independence support? Although, to be fair, that is the opinion of some of the more daring naysayers in the Yes movement. Second, the [[SNP]] will build 'public pressure around Scotland's fundamental national rights' and 'turn the heat up on Westminster' when it comes to Scotland's 'right to choose'. Not to be too pedantic about this word salad, but once again: isn't this what the party is supposed to have been doing, since the last time it was supposed to have been doing it? There's an absurd circularity here that almost demands mockery. Third, Swinney wants to 'persuade independence supporters that the way to deliver independence is only with an emphatic SNP win in 2026'. You know what I'm going to say, right? Did he imagine that we actually thought he wanted to persuade independence supporters to vote Reform? It's beyond zero. This takes the notion of the void, of the vacuum, and somehow manages to empty out even more meaning or sense. Independence supporters were, as far as I could see, united in their frustration at this cypher of an announcement. The problem for Swinney is that the Yes movement has had these games played on it before. For years, Nicola Sturgeon seemed to announce that 'indy was coming' once a month. For a while, it worked. It kept the base fed and it provided column inches and debate. Eventually, though, everyone – even the most deluded McGlashan who would gleefully commit seppuku with their Claymore for 'Scottish freedom' – knew they were being conned. It wasn't so much that the curtain was ripped away, like in The Wizard of Oz, and we all suddenly saw the trickster at work. Rather, Sturgeon droned on so much that the curtain simply withered away over time. For Swinney to continue these tricks is lamentable. His indy chat is just embarrassing. He must know it won't work. Yet, the tragedy for Swinney is that he's trapped in this farce. He must go through this rigmarole every few months lest he be seen by his fractious base as some unionist quisling. The truth is nobody in the SNP has the slightest clue about how to achieve either another referendum or what independence means in any substantive form. They all passionately support independence – that bit isn't a con. But they've run out of ideas on the logistics. They're caught between the self-interested need to stay in power, which means they can't put independence front and centre on a daily basis for fear of deterring moderate voters; and the self-interested need to placate the base – for without the base, they're finished. What one can say in fairness about Swinney and the current iteration of the SNP is that they've steadied the ship. They've at least made the theory of good governance their priority, even if that may be somewhat lacking in practice. In this era, though, an insurgent political movement like Scottish independence needs helmed by someone with enough passion to fill Hampden. The Yes movement requires an authentically charismatic – even populist – leader. Swinney is an authentically decent chap, but even his fans would admit he can be managerial and bloodless. The world may be better off without charisma-politics, but sadly that's what the times demand. If the years could be rewound, the best strategy would be to hive the Yes movement off from the SNP and have it led by some non-political figurehead with bags of personality and the gift of the gab. The SNP could then get on with governing as best they can in order to show what could be achieved under independence, while the celebrity face of the movement charmed the pants off the nation. That ain't gonna happen, though. The SNP is in charge, and Swinney is the dude in the chair. So prepare for regular – perhaps monthly – cries of 'indy is coming'. Just don't for a moment imagine that any of this empty rhetoric takes independence forward one inch. Neil Mackay is The Herald's Writer-at-Large. He's a multi-award-winning investigative journalist, author of both fiction and non-fiction, and a filmmaker and broadcaster. He specialises in intelligence, security, crime, social affairs, cultural commentary, and foreign and domestic politics.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WWE SmackDown takeaways: Wyatt Sicks win tag titles, Jelly Roll tosses Logan Paul
WWE Friday Night SmackDown on July 11 took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., and featured a tag team match between Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo against Jimmy Uso and LA Knight. The final weekly show before Saturday Night's Main Event and Evolution saw R-Truth pick up a quick win over Aleister Black and Alexa Bliss win a fatal 4-way match. Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus went back and forth on the mic, which also led to a brawl between Jade Cargill and Naomi. This episode felt very rushed, and there really wasn't all that much to take away from it. Here's what stood out the most: Wyatt Sicks win tag team titles After earning No. 1 contender status, the Wyatt Sicks got their tag team title shot against the Street Profits. Montez Ford didn't seem scared of the spooky group as he repeatedly mocked his opponents early in the match. One weird moment in this one was when Angelo Dawkins was putting the screws to Joe Gacy, only to abandon a pin at a one count to call Dexter Lumis into the ring just so he could throw him out of it to set up a dive to the outside. Other than that, it was a solid match that earned chants from the crowd. Ford hit his signature frog splash, but couldn't get to the pin thanks to Eric Rowan pulling him out of the ring. A moment later, Lumis and Gacy connected with a double team maneuver to score the pin. Well, if you want to make the Wyatt Sicks seem like an unbeatable mythical force as they have been presented, I guess that means they have to win matches. The Street Profits most recent title reign never really got into the next gear due to shoddy booking. Week in and week out, WWE has seemed to struggle with booking the tag team division. Either they get no attention, or it's been multi-team brawls or multi-team matches with constant interference. It's felt like the plan has been to just kick the can down the road to the next episode in hopes of figuring it out as they go. Booking the Wyatt Sicks is already hard enough. Good luck doing it with them holding the titles, because they're an act that doesn't need gold to be special – much like Bray Wyatt. Jelly Roll comes to Randy Orton's aid to stop Logan Paul Musician Jelly Roll, who was born in Nashville, treated the fans to a musical performance. That is, until Logan Paul made his presence felt by interrupting and unplugging equipment. Paul then met Jelly Roll in the ring to cut a promo on the musician and announce the signing of his podcast deal with WWE. Jelly Roll checked Paul, and after the two got face-to-face, Randy Orton joined the party. Orton, with veins popping through his forehead, yelled at Paul to show some respect to Jelly Roll. Then Orton was hit with a Claymore out of nowhere. Drew McIntyre attacked and was promptly escorted away by security. Paul took the opportunity to inflict more damage on Orton. That's when Jelly Roll got physical and tossed Paul aside. Paul then went down the entrance aisle and destroyed Jelly Roll's musical equipment. Rumors of Jelly Roll's physical involvement in WWE made the rounds before the show, and now we know it's looking like Logan Paul will be his first foe in the ring. With Orton and McIntyre involved, maybe we get a tag team match that can allow Jelly Roll to be protected in a match while the real workers carry the load. We'll see where it goes. LA Knight attacked after winning tag team match This week's main event was a tag team match created after the opening promo segment. Jimmy Uso teamed up with LA Knight against Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo. It was an interesting pairing ahead of their matches on Saturday Night's Main Event. Sikoa leaned heavily into his disgust for his brother Jimmy, showing off his typical fantastic heel work. Mateo attempted to capitalize on what Sikoa started, but a hot tag to Knight flipped the script of the match. Knight cleaned house, then tagged Uso back in before landing his signature second-rope elbow drop. Uso hit a splash, but Sikoa quickly regained the upper hand. Knight quickly re-entered the ring to even the score again until he was distracted by Paul Heyman. Knight ate a big boot from Talla Tonga, but Uso rolled up Sikoa from behind to score the quick three count. After the match Knight hit Sikoa with a BFT, and then turned his focus back to Heyman. Unfortunately, Bron Breakker appeared from behind to spear him through the ring, and Bronson Reed added a Tsunami. Knight will now enter Saturday's match against Seth Rollins compromised. This was a decent enough main event, which served just to set up the post-match shenanigans. How will Knight rebound from the attack and then deal with Rollins' team at SNME?
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SmackDown Results (July 11): LA Knight ambushed, Logan Paul interrupts Jelly Roll segment
WWE SmackDown delivered a packed episode this week, featuring everything from shocking title changes to one of the most talked-about celebrity segments of the year. The Friday night opened with LA Knight cutting a promo on Seth Rollins, only to be interrupted by Paul Heyman. Solo Sikoa and MFT soon followed, forcing Heyman to retreat. A backstage brawl led to a tag team match later in the night, with Jimmy Uso stepping in to support Knight. Notably, Tama Tonga was absent. — WWE (@WWE) Alexa Bliss vs Kairi Sane, Sol Ruca And Roxanne Perez In women's action, Alexa Bliss outlasted Sol Ruca, Roxanne Perez, and Kairi Sane in a Fatal 4-Way after hitting Sister Abigail on Sane. Charlotte Flair accompanied Bliss to ringside, though their uneasy alliance was clear. — WWE (@WWE) The Wyatt Sicks vs Street Profits Live Events The Wyatt Sicks claimed the WWE Tag Team Championships in a thrilling contest against the Street Profits, who debuted new gear reminiscent of early '90s Shawn Michaels. The crowd was red-hot as both teams traded near falls before Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis sealed the win. — WWE (@WWE) Logan Paul interrupts Jelly Roll 's live performance Roll's hometown performance was interrupted by Paul, leading to a red-hot segment involving Randy Orton , Drew McIntyre, and a fired-up Roll. Paul insulted Roll and celebrities in wrestling before chaos erupted. McIntyre hit Paul with a Claymore, Orton was ambushed, and Roll got physical to a massive pop. He'll now corner Orton at Saturday Night's Main Event. — WWE (@WWE) R-Truth vs Aleister Black R-Truth, still riding strong fan support, came out aggressive against Aleister Black, though Black countered effectively with his Muay Thai strikes. A steel chair entered the mix, but Truth was stopped by a sharp knee. Moments later, Black considered using the chair himself, only for the referee to intervene. In the chaos, Truth capitalized with a surprise roll-up, handing Black his first pinfall loss since returning. Backstage, Damian Priest tried to calm a furious Black, who briefly walked away—only to return and lay Priest out with a knee to the jaw, cementing a heel turn born out of frustration and defeat. — WWE (@WWE)
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Drew McIntyre mocks WrestleMania 41 rival with x-rated selfie DURING match as four word message has fans in stitches
The Ayrshire-born WWE wrestler couldn't resist the antics after Lewis Capaldi's old pal got revenge on Damian Priest in Las Vegas Giddy Drew McIntyre got his revenge at WrestleMania 41 against rival Damian Priest - and he's got a viral selfie to treasure the moment forever. The Scots WWE heavyweight took his opponent apart in front of 63,000 people in Las Vegas in the early hours of Monday morning (UK time). It was a monumental occasion in wrestling history with John Cena taking the Undisputed WWE title from Cody Rhodes. The brutal Sin City Street fight clash was no less dramatic and was a long time in the making with the weeks of build up to the clash causing some real damage. After performing at WWE Smackdown in London, McIntyre was pictured backstage catching up with musician Lewis Capaldi before Priest ambushed him and slammed him into a car window. The 39-year-old Ayrshire native ended up with glass in his eye as a result and was hell bent on revenge since then. During the match, while on the outside with Priest, McIntyre's brother handed him the phone for a quick snap. As Priest sat in agony, McIntyre throws up two fingers in an offensive gesture and takes a selfie. His caption reads: "Still bored at work lol." McIntyre then finished of Priest with his trademark Claymore and got the pin and the win. The post got almost 2m views in just under 30mins as fans went were left in stitches at the Scottish warrior's latest antics. One posted: "In Drew we trust!" One fan added: "Getting this notification live at mania was wild."
