Latest news with #Germany
Digital Trends
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Don't sleep on these amazing new Game Pass games this weekend (August 1-3)
Xbox has already released a lot of its plans for Gamescom this year, including the fact that Silksong will be playable on its upcoming handheld. Sadly, very few of us can make the trip to Germany just to play that and all the other games coming to Xbox Series X this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of new games for us to dive into this weekend. In fact, one of the most exciting games of the year was quietly added to Game Pass in early access, making it the perfect game to grab some friends and jump into. That is in addition to a deep sim title and a game that needs no introduction but you might not realize is back on the service. That's enough teasing from me, though, so let's talk about three Game Pass games you can't afford to sleep on this weekend. Grounded 2 (early access) The original Grounded was a slow starter but a wildly fun and inventive survival game. This sequel, which just hit early access, is already bigger and better than the original. Grounded 2 shrinks you and your friends down to bug-size in a park filled with more bugs to fight (and ride), resources to collect, and weapons to craft. There's even more lore and story to uncover here that builds on what was set up in the first game. I do have to note that this is early access, which means it isn't complete yet. You won't find an ending to the story, and there are still new features and mechanics on the way. Even with that caveat, I love exploring the world from a shrunken perspective with friends and no other game lets me do that. Recommended Videos Grounded 2 is available now in early access on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Farming Simulator 25 Simulator games have been on a roll lately, and the king of them has always been Farming Simulator. Xbox is giving us full access to the latest entry this weekend, but I have to say that this game isn't for everyone. This is a simulator in the stricter sense of the word. You will be managing your farm, operating realistic machinery, and dealing with various weather conditions that threaten your harvest. You can also get into raising animals in this version for another layer of challenge and immersion. If you can vibe with the more procedural and slow pace of this experience, it is a very addictive cozy game. Farming Simulator 25 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. GTA 5 This is more of a PSA than anything else since everyone knows what GTA 5 is, if you don't own it already. However, if you don't, you can see what all the hype is about with Game Pass right now ahead of both GTA 6 and another crime drama game coming up, Mafia: The Old Country. While that upcoming game isn't an open world, that series still takes heavy narrative inspiration from GTA. There are few games that manage to have as fun of a single player experience, optional side activities, and multiplayer that all fire on all cylinders. The fact that GTA 5 managed to pull that all off is why it has managed to stay relevant for over a decade now. GTA 5 is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Digital Trends
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Revisit some of the best games on PlayStation Plus this weekend (August 1-3)
August is going to be a big month for game news thanks to Gamescom, but not so much for releases until the end. That's when we'll get our hands on Metal Gear Solid: Delta and the PS5 exclusive Lost Soul Aside. As always, we also have some great new PlayStation Plus games on the way on August 5, but that means we have one more weekend to fill before getting our hands on another excellent month of games. I'll be the first to say that navigating the backlog of games on PS Plus is cumbersome to say the least, but there are tons of top-tier games hidden in those menus you may not know are there. This weekend, join me in giving these awesome games some love. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition Devil May Cry was the latest video game show to get adapted back in April thanks to the animated Netflix show that perfectly recaptured that early 2000s style. While it took some liberties with the lore and characters, it brought a ton of attention to the original series. Everyone has their personal favorite entry, but Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is widely considered to be the peak of the stylish action franchise. The Special Edition is built specifically with current-gen systems in mind for perfect performance, amazing graphics, but also a ton of new content. The most exciting of which is the ability to play as Virgil in addition to Nero, Dante, and V. If you like styling on demons, seeing some of the craziest cutscenes in gaming, and over-the-top battles, you will struggle to find a better game than this. Recommended Videos Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. World War Z: Aftermath One of the most interesting games coming to PS Plus next month is the cult classic DayZ. This survival game originated as a mod of another game, Arma 2, before expanding into its own massive zombie survival game. It is a hardcore and punishing take on zombie games, but also old, clunky, and it demands a lot of time to become proficient in. What I suggest as an alternative, or warm-up if you're keen on that type of experience, is World War Z: Aftermath. This zombie shooter is much more on the arcade-y side of the scale, playing more like a Left 4 Dead game, only with hundreds more zombies swarming you at a time. If you played Space Marine 2 last year, this is from the same team so you can expect that same level of mayhem. Grab some friends and have a blast ripping thousands of zombies to shreds. World War Z: Aftermath is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising I'll talk more about it next week, but we have a somewhat weak anime game coming next week. Sadly, it is still a rarity when a game based on an anime is even average, let alone good. But if there's one studio you can count on to make an amazing anime fighter, it's Arc System Works. This is the team that made Dragon Ball FighterZ and my pick for this week, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising. Don't let the fact that it's a fighting game turn you off — there are tons of beginner-friendly options and tutorials to get you pulling off combos and flashy supers in no time. Plus, there are tons of side modes and a fully featured single-player mode to play with. With full rollback netcode, though, this game plays like a dream online. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC.
Russia Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Germany and rest of EU transforming into a Fourth Reich
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Germany and the wider European Union of sliding into what he described as a 'Fourth Reich,' marked by a surge in Russophobia and aggressive militarization. The stark warning was delivered in an article published Friday in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act on European security. Lavrov lambasted the EU and NATO for betraying the core principles of the Helsinki process, which emphasized equal and indivisible security for all. Instead, he claimed that Western powers have pursued unilateral dominance, NATO expansion, and political interference in sovereign states under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights. 'Today's Europe has completely plunged into a Russophobic frenzy, and its militarization is becoming, in fact, uncontrolled,' Lavrov wrote, citing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's calls to build Europe's strongest army and reintroduce conscription as evidence. He also pointed to recent remarks by Germany's defense minister about readiness to kill Russian soldiers as further proof of a hostile and dehumanizing agenda. This brings historical events to mind. With their current leaders, modern Germany and the rest of Europe are transforming into a Fourth Reich. He argued that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has failed in its mission, becoming a vehicle for Western propaganda and selective enforcement. He said the West ignored Russian calls for equitable security guarantees, and that NATO's continued encroachment on Russia's borders left Moscow no choice but to launch its 2022 military operation in Ukraine. To defuse tensions, Lavrov called for 'an honest dialogue' aimed at stabilizing the situation on the Eurasian continent through a new security framework based on sovereign equality and the principles of the UN Charter. 'There will be a place for European countries within this architecture,' he wrote, 'but they certainly will not be the ones calling the tune. If they want to be part of the process, they must learn proper manners, abandon diktat and colonial instincts, and get used to equality and teamwork.' Lavrov concluded by warning that if NATO and the EU continue to hollow out the OSCE's core principles, the organization may collapse altogether, and history will remember those who 'buried' the last chance for peaceful coexistence in Europe.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Chelsea hit stumbling block in Xavi Simons transfer chase… because RB Leipzig aren't interested in any Blues stars
CHELSEA'S Xavi Simons chase has hit a snag — as RB Leipzig do not want any Blues players. Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Tyrique George and Carney Chukwuemeka have all been offered as makeweights. 6 6 6 But the German club want a straight-up £60million fee for the Dutch playmaker, 22. Agent Ali Barat — hired by Simons to sort out his exit and who has close ties with Chelsea — is trying to break the stalemate. But Stamford Bridge chiefs are making progress with loaning out young players. Midfielder Kendry Paez, 18, has followed keeper Mike Penders, 20, to sister club Strasbourg and striker Marc Guiu, 19, is joining Sunderland. The Blues have also signed winger Jesse Derry, 18, from Crystal Palace. Simons initially joined RB Leipzig on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. The Dutch international made the switch permanent back in January. RB Leipzig forked out a club-record £43million to sign Simons. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 6 While significant add-ons were also agreed that could take the fee up to as much as £70m. Simons decided to quit the German club after they failed to qualify for the Champions League. How Nicolas Jackson could make £80m Newcastle switch | Transfers Exposed 6
Wall Street Journal
2 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Bayer Ups Guidance After Pharmaceuticals Unit Outperforms
Bayer raised it sales and earnings guidance on a better-than-expected first half of the year for its pharmaceuticals business. The German pharmaceutical and agricultural conglomerate on Thursday said it now expects to post revenue on a currency-adjusted basis of EUR46 billion, or the equivalent of $52.51 billion, to EUR48 billion for the year, up EUR1 billion on either end from its previous forecast.
