Latest news with #Toad
Daily Mirror
27-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Mirror meets friendly dolphin 'superpod' who've moved to 'Scarbados'
A 'superpod' of dolphins are giving Scarborough a tourism boost. They are easy to spot being the largest in the world, with extra blubber that keeps them warm in the north Within three minutes of parking my car on Marine Drive I'd seen 20 dolphins. But this wasn't some exotic holiday hotspot. This was sunny Scarborough, in the north of England - or 'Scarbados' as it's playfully called. It was once named the worst in the UK for seagull attacks but now it has a new attraction in town which has been boosting tourism and delighting visitors. The town in North Yorkshire has been chosen as a favourite hangout for a 'superpod' of 225 bottlenose dolphins and their calves, thought to be the biggest in the UK. Currently in England there's just one other dolphin population, off Cornwall to Sussex, which is believed to be much smaller at 40 individual dolphins. These northern bottlenose dolphins are also easy to spot as they are the biggest species in the world, at four metres and weighing half a tonne. Experts say they need the extra blubber to cope with the weather up north. A researcher at the Sea Mammal Unit, Grant Ellis, based at the University of St Andrews, who has been studying this population, describes the dolphin's 'expansion' into Scarborough as 'fascinating'. He's been tracking the bottlenose dolphins including Crumble, Captain Hook, Simone, Rheum, Soo, Bunsen and the eldest Runny Paint, aged 40, a female with a recognisable dorsal fin, who is at least 40 years old. During my day trip to Scarborough to see what all the fuss was about I was amazed to park up and then see a huge pod gracefully moving up the coast in single file and just 100 yards from the harbour wall. My guide for the day was Stuart Baines, a former legal executive, who has spent his retirement working hard to monitor these beautiful beasts. 'It has enriched my life,' he told me, as he pointed out two distinctive dolphins, Toad and Mark, both disabled 'who are slightly slower than the rest' but happy and healthy otherwise. 'They are two special dolphins, Toad is disfigured with marks on his side but they get on well. They're just a bit slow sometimes and get left behind by the group.' Stuart began monitoring porpoises 15 years ago and it was 'very rare' to see dolphins but now it's almost daily. 'It raises your spirits when you see them. We've got young calves in the area too now, so they will see it as their territory now. They will be here forever I suspect.' We joined his pal, the skipper of the Becca-Marie, Stuart Ford, who runs wildlife safaris up and down the coast, to try and get a closer look. The former fisherman started his wildlife safaris with his dad after watching a David Attenborough documentary and realising they had all the wildlife he was studying on their doorstep. The skipper told me: 'They just love boats and when I see a pod of dolphins, I'm buzzing. It's magical. When you see the dolphins breaching to the side of the boat, it lifts my day. We did a big three hour trip on Saturday to Bempton where you've got Puffins and Gannets and then on our way back we came across this huge pod, a 'superpod' of dolphins. 'We just stopped the boat and all 50 boats went towards us and underneath us, you could see them swimming under the boat, when the water was gin clear. They were just jumping out. 'It was stunning, everyone was 'wow'. You're not travelling abroad to see them, you're coming to little sunny Scarborough and everything is here. It's beautiful.'. Stuart, 55 and his dad Ronnie, 77, were lobstermen for most of their careers but seven years ago they were inspired to change their career path by David Attenborough. 'We've been fishermen all our lives watching Gannets diving. Then there was this David Attenborough documentary about Gannet diving and watching that we thought 'we've got that at Flamborough or Bempton (Cliffs), all within a 15 mile radius and we've got seals. 'Everything is here. We've got it all.' As he was talking to me, we arrived to see the grey seals, which have also seen their population explode a few miles from the beaches at Scarborough. As we cut the engines their little heads started popping up all around us, like meerkats. The skipper says they think we are a fishing boat and are expecting extra snacks. 'They're like Whack-a-mole. I think they look like dogs without ears, I love the seals, they're great,' he said. His dad, Ronnie, sat behind the wheel, said; 'I got too old for pulling nets so this suits me fine. This is the best job of my life. ' After a hopeful start to my morning I was hoping for a closer look at the dolphin population but our first trip came up empty. 'I don't advertise it as a dolphin trip because you just cannot say for sure, with the seals, they're always here. 'We also obey the rules, no longer than 15 minutes and we have to move on and let them go on their way.' Then after sea fog stopped play, for all the boats in Scarborough, we spotted several dolphins again from Marine Drive again, where crowds of a hundred have been seen to gather to watch the dolphins play and where there's a new SeaWatch centre. Among them are spotters, part of a 'dolphin army' of wildlife lovers in Scarborough, which includes boat captains and locals, who all monitor the dolphins. They have their own WhatsApp group with more than 250 members, for sightings from Staithes to Withernsea, for information to pass on to a huge study being carried out by experts. This study is being carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) in the Northeast and Yorkshire. The Citizen Science project is called 'Citizen Fins' and is being carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit and The University of Aberdeen, who are monitoring this growing and expanding pod. They are logging the sightings with the help of the public. Since 1989 they have been carrying out research into Scotland's East Coast bottlenose dolphin population alongside the University of Aberdeen. But now as the population has been increasing and with dolphins being regularly spotted further south, their research is also expanding. When the study started, there were around 130 animals in the Moray Firth, Scotland in the early 90's. Researcher Grant Ellis said: 'The population in Scotland has been increasing, we now know there are at least 225 animals using the east coast of Scotland in recent years' 'My PhD project is to investigate the potential range expansion into the northeast and Yorkshire. 'We know that animals from the East Coast Scotland population are going as far as Flamborough Head and Bridlington Bay. We can identify the animals individually from naturally occurring markings on the dorsal fins and effectively track their movements through photographs. "The Sea Watch Foundation, and Whale and Dolphin Conservation groups also record sightings in this area. It could be they are going further south, so it's really important that people report sightings and submit photos so that we can understand how far these animals are travelling. 'This is hopefully good news, it could mean the animals are finding new areas of habitat as the population increases and suggests there are suitable prey down here for them. 'It's really encouraging that they are being seen on a regular basis and in quite large group sizes. It's been wonderful to see some of those animals I've seen previously in Scotland pop up down here. 'Some of these dolphins are older than I am such as Runny Paint, she was first recorded in 1989 and has some distinctive white markings on her dorsal fin. She's very recognisable even from land. 'These dolphins are the largest of their species in the world, They can measure up to four metres long and weigh 450 kilos. Because they are at the northern extreme and in colder waters they have thicker blubber. 'But despite their size, if they want to disappear, they can just vanish. 'I just think it's a brilliant news story, from speaking to local people in Scarborough they were not often seeing bottlenose dolphins here until about six years ago.' It was this dolphin lovers' WhatsApp group that helped us locate the pod again, just outside the harbour, apparently home from their day trip out. It was just us on the Becca-Marie boat and a small pirate ship, treated to this awesome view. Catching up with tourists on the pirate ship when we got back on dry land they told how the dolphins were reacting to the children up front, who'd started trying to talk 'dolphin' squeaking and squealing. Robyn MacKay, 31, his partner Elliott Mackay, 34, and Harris, seven, from Edinburgh, were still thrilled to see the dolphins during their holiday. 'It was very surreal,' Elliot said with Robyn adding: 'We were not expecting to see any, it was amazing. We saw a wee family of six. With Harris showing me the impersonation of a dolphin he was doing on the boat and saying: 'I thought it was so cool.' Nathan Hooper, 51 and his partner Rosemary Singlehurst, 44, from Cambridgeshire were also surprised to see the pod. 'It definitely made our holiday,' Nathan said and explained how all the children were at the front making dolphin noises. Stuart Baines says it's not just dolphins who are finding the North Sea off Scarborough attractive. 'Fishermen who have worked this area their whole career are now seen Minke whales and basking sharks. We've even had humpback whales spotted four times last year. 'It's a real boost for the town and people are coming here out of season too because of the wildlife. 'People don't have to go to the Caribbean to see dolphins, we've got them here in Scarborough.' Details on how the public can contribute their photos to the study can be found at
Buzz Feed
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
36 Cute And Fun Gifts That Would Make Eeyore Smile
A Lego daffodil kit for decor they can build themselves. The 216-piece set comes with everything they need to build four stems, and at less than $10, it's a steal compared to most Lego kits. A pair of darling ice cream bowls with squeal-worthy, flower-shaped bases. Warning: Their ice cream might melt into soup as they take one million photos of the bowls in action. The Clown Egg Register — a silly collection of clown likenesses painted on eggs. Back in the day, Clowns International painted the faces of its members onto eggshells to keep a record of everyone's signature makeup. Like snowflakes, every clown is unique! And like eggs, your recipient will be cracking up when they see the 150+ mini renditions. A DIY plush keychain kit with materials to make three magical little critters. It's easy enough for kids as young as six to enjoy, making it a great time killer on rainy days or an ice breaker if you're babysitting. Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates in soothing pastel colors to give their knickknacks the vinyl record treatment. Listen, they don't have to throw away their mountain of pilfered condiment packets, but they'd look a lot nicer in one of these. Plush, high-quality versions of Frog and Toad they'll want to bring on all their whimsical adventures. They'll be like, 'This morning, when I woke up, I felt good because the sun was shining. I felt good because I have these little dudes as my friends." And a microwaveable, lavender-scented weighted plush providing gentle relief for anxiety, cramps, or really-needing-a-warm-hug syndrome. Pop the new friend in the microwave or freezer to enjoy the soothing effects. A fanciful mushroom kitchen timer, which is so much more endearing than using their phone or screaming at Alexa. It also has a glowing 4.4-star rating on Amazon, which is kinda unheard of for novelty timers. Cynthia Hart's Victoriana Cats — an ornate sticker book featuring *very* fancy kitties that would make any aristocrat swoon. There are 300 stickers, plus pages of adorable illustrations they can embellish with more cats. A paw-shaped chair cushion, because who doesn't want to be lovingly cradled in a kitten's paw? A bear-y nice under-eye stick formulated with skincare darling niacinamide, along with soothing Icelandic mineral water and seaweed extract, to soothe puffiness and dark circles. If a beauty item isn't shaped like an animal, is it even worth getting? A pair of fruit-shaped hand towels that reviewers say are super soft and dry quickly. Personally, I'm eyeing the peach variation, but the orange and pineapple versions are super cute too. A pair of chandelier earrings for an over-the-top, iconic look that will make everyone's eye light up when they see their earrings light up. These don't just look swanky: They're made with flexible oxidized silver and clear Czech teardrop crystals. A set of mushroom bookmarks because I know I'm not the only one who wants to live in a fairytale home. Since the silicone mushies are flexible, they can even pop them in the middle of their book to save their spot mid-page. A Monchhichi fruit beanie plush they can display on their desk, bedside table, or anywhere else they might need a friendly face. The Japanese toy was designed to "inspire friendship, love, and happiness," making it a great throwback gift for someone you care about. A pack of strawberry candles that do a very good impression of the real thing — they even smell like fruit when burned! Imagine these on a strawberry shortcake instead of birthday candles. Incredible. A mini brass ruler keychain so they're never left wondering how tall a bud vase or if Stuart Little's car is the regulation 6 centimeters away from the mouse fire hydrant. A cutie pie planner to help them be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. There's room for appointments, errands, and people to in due time. A miniature Otamatone keychain for playing little ditties on the go. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a date and wished I had my little music note instrument so I could serenade them. This version has classic (public domain) tunes that they can play along with by pressing the button in rhythm to the song. A pocket library complete with mini books (including classics like It, The Hobbit, and Catcher in the Rye). They can give it a shake to satisfy their lust for destruction, then meditatively put the times back on their shelves when they need a little screen break. An adorable ladybug pin in case they need to manufacture some extra luck. They can pop one on their lapel, hat, tote, or wherever else needs a tiny companion. A set of vintage-inspired spoons — if these aren't cottagecore, I don't know what is. They can set them out at their next tea party and let the compliments roll in. Praise for good taste? Sweeter than two lumps of sugar. A pair of the *iconic* Kaco pens (known for their adorable heart tops) in your choice of Pantone color. They have every Color of the Year going back to 2000, so you can pick a year with sentimental just their fave color. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel to display their tiny masterpieces. It's perfect for adults and teens looking for a quick project and kids working on their fine motor skills. A magnetic goose holder if they're alwaaaays forgetting their keys. They can use it to hold up anything magnetic (I'm envisioning maybe a mini metal basket filled with knickknacks) — some reviewers have been arming theirs with knives. A set of cowboy straw toppers that add a little "don't mess with Texas" vibe to their water bottle by protecting the drinking straw from strangers bumping into it. Look how cute this bottle looks with a lil' hat on! It thinks it's people. :') A wind-up toy shaped like a cat riding a robot vacuum. We've all seen the videos — it's time to recreate it at home. A "Gracula" garlic crusher that ironically helps them with one of the most tedious chores in the kitchen. Just throw in the peeled cloves, twist, and feel grateful they Let the Right One their kitchen. A tin of emergency googly eyes sure to help out your friend whenever they're in a pinch during a prank war. The pack comes with three different sizes, so get ready for everything in their home to suddenly start staring back at you. An alarmingly adorable capybara night-light to keep them company on sleepy summer evenings. They can bop their new silicone friend on the head to toggle through seven different colors and three dimness settings. And if you opt for the flower version, it comes with two different buds to hold. 🥹 Teeny-tiny onigiri vases who look thrilled by the opportunity to hold their new clippings and flower buds. Each smiling rice ball is handcrafted, so they're all unique. A miniature wacky waving inflatable tube man in case they wanna grow up to be a used Hot Wheels salesman and need something to draw in new customers. A Miffy humidifier that — OK, everyone stop squealing! I know it's cute! Anyway, this lil' gadget doubles as a night-light and is super easy to clean and refill. They can place it next to their plants, by their bedstand, or truly anywhere because it's so small and portable. An opossum toy who somehow managed to not only get a driver's license but also find a street-legal peanut to drive into town. Congrats, 'possum! An expanding file folder they can fill with up to 200 pieces of paper and free up sooo much desk space. As an accordion folder follower, I have to say these things are top-notch for organizing everything from restaurant menus to ticket stubs. And Eeyore washi tape to add some gloomy charm to their stationery, letters, or photo albums. While not sticky enough to keep a donkey's tail on, it works great for adding little accents around the house. You to your friend: Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Business Wire
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo Download: Party and Friendship
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week's Nintendo Download includes the following content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – Become the Superstar of the show in Jamboree TV, a game show hosted by Toad that is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the Super Mario Party Jamboree game. Throw an even bigger bash with minigames that use the Joy-Con 2 controller like a mouse 1 and the Nintendo Switch 2 system's built-in microphone to respond to your sounds. There are new festivities to join as well: Put yourself right into the action with CameraPlay 2, enjoy two new rulesets in Mario Party Mode, get loud and excited in Bowser Live, and lock-in for the co-op Carnival Coaster. Party on with the Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV game – available now! Pokémon Friends – Unwind with puzzles in the Pokémon Friends game! Solve sets of three random puzzles to help untangle your mind. Then, place the yarn you obtain into the Plush-O-Matic: a special machine that creates in-game Pokémon plush. As you try to make them all, you can track your crafted plush in the catalog. You can also mark your calendar with a stamp each day you play, and then go back and practice the puzzles you played on those days. Complete friend quests for folks around town to earn rewards, including furniture which you can use to decorate your in-game plush rooms. You can also expand your catalog of plush with DLC 3 packs, including the Puzzle On! Pack #1 and Puzzle On! Pack #2. Pokémon Friends is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems, as well as mobile devices 4! WWE 2K25 – Rule beyond the ring anytime, anywhere! WWE 2K25 brings you an unparalleled lineup of Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers spanning generations. Take control of your Superstar from the women's or men's divisions in a single multi-gender MyRISE storyline where Bayley, Kevin Owens and other Superstars infiltrate NXT to take control of the WWE universe. The game features new brawl environments, unlockable arenas, characters and more — plus new ally storylines involving Jey Uso, Bianca Belair and other WWE Superstars! WWE 2K25 is available now on Nintendo Switch 2. No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – As Kaname Date – a special agent with an AI partner embedded in his left eye – your mission is to track down Iris, an internet Idol trapped in a mysterious escape game. Conduct interviews to investigate her whereabouts, dive into a subject's dreams to reveal clues hidden in their psyche and solve mind-bending puzzles to learn the truth. No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch July 25. Pre-order is available on Nintendo eShop. WILD HEARTS S – As a hunter, face off against beasts that have endured the blazing lava, raging blizzards and rising miasma plaguing the harsh lands of Azuma. These beasts, known as Kemono, embody the very essence of nature in all its beauty and ferocity. The key to surviving the fight lies in joining forces with comrades and wielding Karakuri technology. Hunt giant beasts using a variety of Karakuri tech, now with up to three teammates 5! WILD HEARTS S launches on Nintendo Switch 2 July 25. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop. Monument Valley 3 – Set sail for adventure in this brand-new story in the award-winning Monument Valley series. Monument Valley 3 takes you beyond the monuments and into the open sea. Play as Noor and navigate gorgeous, ever-changing environments, solve mind-bending puzzles, and uncover the secrets of the Sacred Light. When her village is threatened by rising tides, Noor must chart her own course and discover her strength in this stunning, emotional adventure. Monument Valley 3 is available now! Nintendo Music: Activities: My Nintendo – Donkey Kong Bananza Rally Towel – Cheer on Donkey Kong and Pauline during their adventure in the Donkey Kong Bananza game with the Donkey Kong Bananza Rally Towel, a physical reward available only from My Nintendo! My Nintendo members can redeem 650 My Nintendo Platinum Points 7 for this spirited towel while supplies last. My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes – Oh, Banana! Enter the My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes 8 for a chance to win a bunch of goodies featuring Donkey Kong and his buddy Diddy Kong! My Nintendo members can redeem 10 My Nintendo Platinum Points to enter up to 5 entries total. For more information, visit My Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes – Time is running out to enter the Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes 9 for a chance to win a collection of gaming goods inspired by classic games, the Nintendo Music app and more! Hurry – this sweepstakes ends July 31 at 11 p.m. PT. For more information, visit Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Check out the full list of deals available this week at Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch: For news and updates on all things Nintendo, you can also check out the free Nintendo Today! smart-device app. Whether it's news about games, info about your favorite characters, or videos and comic strips — you'll get personalized fun every day. 1 Attach the Joy-Con 2 strap and hold the controller firmly when using mouse controls. 2 Additional games, systems and/or accessories may be required for multiplayer mode. Internet, Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account required for online features, including GameChat. Compatible USB camera (sold separately) required for video features. Not available in all countries. Terms and GameChat requirements apply. Games, systems, memberships, and some accessories sold separately. Until March 31, 2026, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not needed to use GameChat. After the GameChat Open-Access Period has ended, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required. Games, systems, memberships and some accessories sold separately. 3 Basic Pack required to use DLC. Sold separately. 4 Mobile version is free to start; optional in-game purchases available. Persistent internet and compatible smart device required. Data charges may apply. 5 Additional games and systems may be required for multiplayer mode. Any Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. Games, systems, and Nintendo Switch Online memberships sold separately. 6 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart-device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. 7 A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( 8 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 13 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 p.m. PT on 7/16/2025 and ends at 11:00 p.m. PT on 10/1/2025. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) visit (2) visit (3) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (4) redeem 10 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo x Donkey Kong Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. There will be three (3) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) Donkey Kong Rematch ™ Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch ™ (ARV $59.99 USD), one (1) Donkey Kong Bananas Hawaiian Men's Shirt (adult sizes XS -3XL) (ARV $39.99 USD), one (1) Donkey Kong & Diddy Kong Pin Set (ARV $30.00) USD), and one (1) Donkey Kong Beach Towel (ARV $24.99 USD). Total ARV of all prizes: $464.91 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. 9 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 PM PT on 3/31/25 and ends at 11:00PM PT on 7/31/25. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership; (3) visit (4) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (5) redeem 0 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo Gear Up With Nintendo Switch Online Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. Limit 1 entry per person. To enter via the alternate method of entry, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account, you can register for one at (2) include the required information on a 3' x 5' card or postcard and (3) mail in postcard as stated in Official Rules. There will be ten (10) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) metal panel featuring Nintendo Switch Online artwork (ARV $149.99 USD), one (1) personalized Nintendo Switch Online jacket with hood (sizes adult XS – 5XL) (ARV $79.99 USD), one (1) Nintendo Switch Online stainless-steel water bottle ($56.95 USD) and one (1) Nintendo Music branded gaming headset (ARV $33.81 USD). Total ARV of all prizes: $3,207.40 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. MORE ABOUT… NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that allows members to team up or face off online in compatible Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Splatoon 3, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Members also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among many others. Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing (terms and requirements apply, visit Those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership can still join the fun during the Open-Access Period, ending March 31, 2026. Additionally, members can access the Nintendo Music smart-device app to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create playlists, browse music by different categories and more. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE + EXPANSION PACK With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, players get access to even more benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, retro SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately). Nintendo Switch 2 players can also access a library of classic Nintendo GameCube games, enhanced features for compatible Nintendo 64 games and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full version of games required to use content for that game; sold separately). NINTENDO eSHOP Nintendo eShop is a digital store that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2. Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2 both on-device and from the Nintendo website. PARENTAL CONTROLS AND MORE Remember that Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 both feature parental controls that let adults manage the content and features their children can access, including GameChat. Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players who register a Nintendo Account gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about parental controls and other features, visit or Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
Time Out
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Hyped London bakery Layla is opening a second site
Londoners love a good pastry. Just head to one of the city's most hyped bakeries, like Toad, Jolene or Fortitude, on a Sunday morning to see Damson Madder-clad city dwellers lining up in their droves to get their hands on the latest drop of a limited edition danish. It's good news then for all the city's croissant lovers, because another popular bakery, Layla, has just announced it is opening a second site in London. Layla Bakery, a popular spot in Notting Hill that often see sees queues winding down Portobello Road, will open its second outpost further west in Acton this September. The new site will be geared towards takeaways, with a few stools inside and a couple of benches outside. The Acton branch will be serving up similar bakes to the Ladbroke Grove location, including sourdough breads, sandwiches, pastries and tarts. They will serve the bakery's most popular offerings, as well as exclusives for local customers. Recent Layla eats include raspberry and lemon verbena 'bowties', peach and mascarpone olive oil cake and yuzu Swiss meringue custard tarts. Layla's founder Tessa Faulker said Acton was chosen for its community spirit, and head baker Colton Dinner (lovely bit of nominative determinism here) will take charge as the executive baker at both outposts. Layla Bakery Acton will opens Thursday September 4 at 53 Churchfield Road, Acton W3 6AY. The best bakeries in London for 2025, according to Time Out. The best bar in London in 2025, according to Time Out.
Boston Globe
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Amid squeeze on musical ecosystem, an old Cambridge venue gets new life
It reopened earlier this year, after a year-and-a-half closure, according to the venue's owners. In doing so, it became something of an anomaly in Greater Boston. Band member Clifford Carraha tested a microphone on the small stage. Ben Pennington/for The Boston Globe As beloved, housing and cost of living crises. Gregg Perry, the trio's 42-year-old guitarist from Arlington, plays in a couple bands, but the gigs don't come as often as they once did. A Berklee College of Music dropout, Perry works as a delivery driver part time nowadays, he said. Advertisement 'I don't know, man, the Boston music scene is really tough,' he said. 'Just trying to get a gig, dude is like, [expletive]. . .' His voice trailed off. Advertisement JP Faundez Power Trio bandmates Gregg Perry, J.P. Faundez, and Clifford Carraha (left to right) played together in Toad. Ben Pennington/for The Boston Globe Tommy McCarthy, and his wife, Louise Costello, are behind Toad's rebirth. It is the fifth bar they've opened. The first, and perhaps most well known, is Both musicians by trade, McCarthy and Costello didn't know much about running a bar at the time. 'We just thought if you could create the music, the rest will follow,' said McCarthy recently. That mantra has guided the reopening of Toad. It's connected by a doorway to a larger pub, formerly known as Christopher's, now called McCarthy's. While Toad puts on live music — blues, acoustic singer-songwriters, rock — later at night, McCarthy's has a traditional Irish session every day of the week that starts at 7 p.m. The Burren has a similar setup of different performance spaces. Jonathan Bricker, a professor who teaches courses on live music, touring, and concerts at Berklee, said the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out many small, independently run venues that are a creative lifeblood for the local musical community. 'Rooms like that are essential for developing, for trying out, and growing as an artist, as a band, wherever you find yourself on the musical spectrum,' said Bricker, who manages several local acts. Data on small, independent music venues, and their closures since the start of the pandemic, are hard to come by. The Advertisement Toad's reopening is welcome news among local musicians. Trama acknowledged that at a time when it is becoming 'tougher and tougher' for artists to exist in Greater Boston, any survival of another place to gig should be applauded. 'All of these smaller places, they are a lifeline to the culture of art in the whole Boston area,' he said recently. 'More of them, the better.' People mingled before the music started at Toad. Ben Pennington/for The Boston Globe 'It's a victory, definitely,' she said of Toad's reopening this past April. 'Having it back is a major win. Places like Toad, you have every skill level of musician playing that room.' Jim Haggerty, a full-time musician who has played bass for about 50 years, lamented the dwindling number of small venues. He described Toad, a place he has played more than a hundred times, as somewhere 'where professional musicians can play, and, if you have a good enough following, you can make a living.' Haggerty moved to Boston from upstate New York in the 1980s, when it was possible to work odd jobs, pay cheap rent with 'a bunch of buddies,' and pursue one's artistic dreams. It's no longer that town, he said. Haggerty lives in Roslindale and was able to buy a house 'before things got crazy.' Implied is that musicians nowadays have a much steeper fiscal climb to put down roots locally. Advertisement 'I got extremely lucky,' he said. Back in Toad before his gig, Carraha, the bassist and singer, said for him, the barometers of a good set are straightforward: Are the players in sync, feeling the groove? Is the crowd responding positively? Carraha, a 42-year-old Watertown resident, has been playing gigs around town for about 25 years. In his day job, he co-owns a catering company. 'Every venue is essential because as artists we need that,' he said. His bandmate, Perry, will be happy with his take from the night's performance. Perry will make $120, he said. In years past, he played gigs at Toad where the entire band got $150, plus whatever was in the tip bucket, and some comped food and drinks. 'It's medicine for the soul,' he said of music. 'I need this.' Minutes later, his band started to play. Danny McDonald can be reached at
