Monthly Archives: January 2021

Cast your mind back to 2017, and you might remember the arrival of a Wipeout-clone called Redout. It strutted in with little fanfare, and we were pretty savage in our review of it: the promising experience quickly dwindles to nothing more than a headache inducing lightshow, said our reviewer. It tumbled out of our mind faster than you could say bring back F-Zero.

Fast-forward to 2021, and you can imagine our bemusement to find Redout surfacing again. Its not a game that really deserved a sequel, but then we took a look at the trailer and were taken slightly aback. Rather than another go at bringing Wipeout to console, this was taking aim at a different 90s stalwart: Starfox.

Redout: Space Assault is out now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Switch and PC.

Its all there: the over-the-chassis viewpoint, the barrel rolls, the wingmen, the chatting over the intercom and the wild, bigger-than-your-screen bosses. We half-expected Peppy to start buzzing in over the speaker. The thing is, while it may be an homage, its a brand of game that we havent played in a long, long while, and we are more than a little up for taking it for a spin again.

Its certainly having a bold go at creating its own universe. You play as Leon Barnett, a maverick fighter pilot (arent they all?) of the Poseidon Security Forces. You are in control of a Super Orbital Recon Fighter, and your job is to protect and escort the various settlers who are looking to make a life on Mars, as Earth has become all but inhospitable. The trouble is that pirates and other malcontents are eager for spoils, and its up to you to take them down.

Redout: Space Assault has a couple of things going for it that might push it further away from the Starfox comparisons. For one, its porting in Redouts penchant for super-fast gameplay. For all its great moments, Starfox was never particularly speedy as a game, so this might make for an interesting diversion. You also get to find cards in battle, which can be used to unlock boosts for your fighter. Theres a promise that you will become so overpowered that you can take on destroyers and entire fleets, which sounds fun.

If theres one thing its missing, its multiplayer. Theres no mention of it in press materials, and the emphasis is on the single player campaign. Its not a dealbreaker for a game of this type, but coming off the back of STAR WARS Squadrons, it feels a hell of a miss.

Features include:

Redout: Space Assault is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S and starts at 8.39 from the Xbox Store. Its also out on PS4, PS5, Switch and PC through Steam. Keep an eye out for our full review its coming soon.

Game Description:

THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARCADE SPACE SHOOTERS IS HERE Redout: Space Assault puts you in control of a Super Orbital Recon Fighter during the 2395 Colonization of Mars: dive in the fastest, most epic and exciting arcade space battle you can experience. Outsmart, outmaneuver, overpower, outclass your opponents in lightning-fast, adrenaline-inducing single-player space combat. You play as Leon Barret, ace fighter pilot of the Poseidon Security Forces. Here at Poseidon Corp., we are trying to pave the way for the colonization of Mars, as mankind is struggling for survival, split between a depleted hot Earth and a cold, claustrophobic Lunar colony. Your job is to maintain order by eradicating rebels and space pirates, facilitate our scientists research while keeping them safe, and protect all our personnel from the numerous external threats. Dive down into gigantic asteroid mining plants, shoot down Rebel drones and fighters, roll left and right avoiding enemy fire, unleash impossibly powerful missile volleys, but also race against stray pilots and space scavengers at breakneck speed for the sheer thrill of it. By completing missions you will unlock Cards and Tokens to upgrade your fighters Hull, Shields, Energy Weapons and Missiles until you are able to go up against massive Capital Ships and single-handedly shift the tide of the war. In an interplanetary struggle where nobody is good or bad, you will experience Leon rising through the ranks, the meaning of necessary evil, the cost of integrity and ultimately, what it means to take a stand.

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Redout: Space Assault brings the nostalgic joys of Starfox to Xbox One, Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Switch and PC - TheXboxHub

Infectious foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 42% globally by 2020, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCDAT) announced on Sunday, which does not predict a recovery before 2022.

Foreign investment, which totaled $ 1.5 billion (2 1.2 billion) in 2019, fell to $ 859 billion (70 706 billion) last year, down from at least 30% in 2009 during the global financial crisis.

This year, the company maintains earlier forecasts of a 5% to 10% drop in foreign investment, underlining James John, Director of Companies and UNCTADs Investments, at a press conference to present these data.

Foreign direct investment is likely to recover in a U format, which is slower than foreign trade and GDP. [produto interno bruto] Globally, the V is expected to recover, as international investment plans are reacting somewhat too late to the crisis.

The contraction of foreign direct investment, especially in developed countries, has fallen to 69% its worst in 25 years and in developing economies to fall to only 12%.

This random trend has increased the share of investment in developing countries to 72% worldwide ($ 616 billion or 50 506 billion), the highest rate ever.

According to the regions, the European Union (EU) is one of the worst-hit areas, down about 70% to a total of $ 110 billion (90 90 billion).

Of the 27 EU economies, 17 foreign investment fell, including in Germany, Austria, France and Italy, while in Sweden it doubled and in Spain it grew by 52%, John said.

In the Spanish case, the director of companies and investments at UNCDAT said that this was due to the fact that Spanish companies were bought by a large number of foreign competitors.

An example of this is the acquisition of 86% of Operator Masma (owner of Portuguese operator Novo) by a consortium of US funds Providence, KKR and Sinven for $ 2800 million (00 2300 million).

Latin America was the growing region most affected by the health crisis in terms of investment, as FDI inflows fell by 37% to $ 101 billion (83 83 billion) by 2020, according to John.

In Brazil, foreign investment fell by 46% and in Peru by 76%. Colombia is down 49%, Argentina foreign direct investment is down 47% and Chile is down 21%.

In this region, Mexico is the country that recorded the lowest fall in foreign direct investment at 8%.

In Africa, the fall in foreign direct investment was 18% lower, while Asia was the best-resisting region, down only 4% last year, more than half of foreign investment ($ 476 billion). Or 39 391 billion).

China is also one of the few major economies to grow by 2020-23%, even increasing its investment by 4% to $ 163 billion (4 134 billion) compared to 2019.

This was due, among other factors, to policies that supported the entry of foreign capital recognized after imprisonment, which lasted less than other latitudes in this country.

In India, investment grew by 17% to US $ 57 billion ($ 46 billion), with the country benefiting from capital inflows into the digital economy.

In the United States, the index fell 49% to $ 134 billion ($ 110 billion), hit by a drop in investments by key partners such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

Investments Greenfield [primeira entrada de uma empresa num pas estrangeiro]This is a good indicator of future prospects, which totaled $ 547 billion (44 449 billion) last year, down one-third (35%) compared to 2019.

John concluded this year that investors will be cautious, indicating that the gradual recovery of the indicator depends on factors such as vaccination campaigns, new waves of Govt-19, state crisis recovery plans and the current weak situation. Large emerging markets.

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Global foreign investment falls by 42% | Govit-19 - haveeruonline

While NASA warns of another five space rocks headed towards the Earth, one Finnish astrophysicist is proposing human colonization of the asteroid belt itself within the next 15 years.

As the Earth lurches out of month one of 2021, NASA has issued a brief, advising that five more asteroids that are potentially between 25 and 100 meters (82 and 98 feet) in diameter are due for close flybys before the month is up.

On Tuesday, the 25-meter asteroid 2021 BD3, with a diameter roughly half that of the Arc de Triomphes height, will pass the planet at a safe distance of 3.9 million km (3.9 million miles). A short time later, an object dubbed 2021 AL, which measures 40m in diameter or roughly five London buses end-to-end, will whizz past at a distance of 4.1 million km.

Next up, on Thursday January 28, will be the 40-meter space rock 2021 BZ, which will shoot past at 2.1 million km.

To round up a rocky start to the year, on January 29, asteroids 2021 AG7, which could be up to 100m in diameter or the same size as Londons Big Ben, and the 30-meter 2021 AF7 will pass the Earth at 4.2 million km and 6.8 million km, respectively.

Meanwhile, one forward-thinking astrophysicist proposes that, rather than asteroids coming to us, humans should instead colonize the asteroid belt, in as little as 15 years.

Dr. Pekka Janhunen, an astrophysicist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute in Helsinki, has proposed the construction of habitable floating mega-satellites orbiting the dwarf planet Ceres, some 523 million kilometers from Earth, among the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Like something plucked straight from modern science fiction series, these disk-shaped settlements, linked by powerful magnets, would boast thousands of cylindrical structures which could house a total of 50,000 people who would all benefit from artificial gravity generated via floating cities slow rotation.

Janhunen also proposes space mining from Ceres as a means by which to set up an economy and make colonization profitable and sustainable, making use of space elevators to carry resources back to the pods and potentially back to Earth for processing.

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Big Ben-sized space rock among FIVE headed this way, as scientist proposes humans COLONIZE asteroid belt itself - RT

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Its goal-setting season for companies and individuals alike, but not all goals are created equal. Some goals are far more likely to propel people into senior executive roles, and some goals are far more likely to turn average executives into legends.

In the study Are SMART Goals Dumb?, my firm Leadership IQ studied more than 16,000 people to discover what types of goals lead to breakthrough performance. And among the dozens of findings, heres one that will immediately impact your career trajectory.

Top Executives Are 64% More Likely To Set Difficult Or Audacious Goals

What separates the people who become top executives from everyone else? Is it luck? Or talent? Or ambition? The answer varies based on the exact circumstances, but theres one factor that seems to have a big impact, and its the extent to which someone sets really difficult goals vs. more achievable and realistic goals (e.g., SMART Goals).

As you can see in the chart below, when we analyze goal-setting behaviors by a persons level in the organization, we discovered that 54% of top executives set difficult or audacious goals, while that was true for only 33% of frontline employees. In other words, top executives are about 64% more likely to set difficult or audacious goals.

Data from the study "Are SMART Goals Dumb"

Now, its no guarantee that setting difficult or audacious goals will propel someone into the senior executive ranks. But the linear relationship between ones rung on the career ladder and difficult goals is striking. And for anyone interested in discovering the secrets to becoming a top executive, this is critical data.

Top Executives Are 91% More Likely To Enjoy Leaving Their Comfort Zone

Its not just difficult goals that are strongly correlated with being a top executive. Using an online test called Do You Set HARD Goals or SMART Goals?, the study revealed that top executives are far more likely to enjoy learning new skills and leaving their comfort zone.

The 12,801 people who took the online test were asked to choose between the statements, I dont like to leave my comfort zone, or, I will leave my comfort zone on occasion, or, I like to leave my comfort zone. And the data revealed that top executives are 91% more likely to enjoy leaving their comfort zone in pursuit of their goals.

There is a very strong linear relationship between how high a person ranks in the company and how much they are willing to leave their comfort zone in pursuit of their goals. Frontline employees and junior managers are more likely to enjoy the traditional status quo. By contrast, top executives are far more likely to enjoy leaving their comfort zone.

Steve Jobs And Elon Musk Set Really Difficult Goals

In a 1985 Playboy interview, Steve Jobs uttered his famous dent in the universe line. While his exact words have been misquoted countless times, what he actually said in reference to the types of people that Apple was hiring is still pretty difficult and audacious:

At Apple, people are putting in 18-hour days. We attract a different type of person: a person who doesnt want to wait five or ten years to have someone take a giant risk on him or her. Someone who really wants to get in a little over his head and make a little dent in the universe. We are aware that we are doing something significant. We are here at the beginning of it and were able to shape how it goes. Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those moments when we are influencing the future.

Imagine instead that Steve had said, Were working eighteen-hour days because we think that we can reduce the fees you pay at the ATM from three dollars to two dollars. Does that statement rise to the level of making a little dent in the universe? Would that goal count as difficult and audacious? Probably not.

Elon Musk is considered by many people as one of Silicon Valleys most adventurous entrepreneurs, and he exemplifies setting difficult goals and leaving his comfort zone. From building a superhighway to the Moon to colonizing Mars, Elon doesnt set his sights on average goals. Tell him that something is a safe bet, and its a safe bet that he wont want to do it. Blogging about Teslas founding, Elon wrote:

I thought our chances of success were so low that I didnt want to risk anyones funds in the beginning but my own. The list of successful car company startups is short. As of 2016, the number of American car companies that havent gone bankrupt is a grand total of two: Ford and Tesla. Starting a car company is idiotic and an electric car company is idiocy squared.

Its not everyone who will invest their own millions into an endeavor that has a strong track record of failure. But when you consider that Elons definition of success, then you begin to understand the drive to set difficult goals and leave his comfort zone.

Heres How You Can Get Started

Name the most significant and meaningful accomplishments in your life. Achievements that may have been professional or personal, or whatever. For example: When I started a new business, or The day I ran the Boston Marathon (and all the training that led up to it), or Standing in the starting gate at the Olympics, or That breakthrough product I invented, or When I nursed my sick child back to health, or When I got my college degree. Remember, its no ones call but yours to name the victories that have been the most important to you.

Now I want you to take whatever response you gave and ask yourself the following question; Is my goal for 2021 as difficult and audacious as those goals were?

If your 2021 goal passes the test, congratulations. But if it doesnt, then make your goal more difficult and extend past your comfort zone a bit more. And remember that youve actually pursued and accomplished these types of difficult and audacious goals before.

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Top Executives Like Elon Musk And Steve Jobs Are 64% More Likely To Set This Type Of Goal - Forbes

Amazon's The Expanse star Cara Gee talks about portraying polyamory, LGBTQ+ representation, and Camina Drummer's emotional journey.

Cara Gee, who plays Camina Drummer onThe Expanse, spoke highly of the shows representation of polyamorous characters. The critically acclaimed sci-fi drama was picked up for season 5 by Amazon after being canceled by Syfy in 2018. Based on the fiction novel series of the same name by James S. A. Corey, The Expanse takes place in a dystopian future in which the human race has colonized the solar system and Earth and Mars are in the midst of a cold war.

Cara Gee plays the character Camina Drummer, a leader of the Belters. Throughout the series Drummer became incredibly close with Naomi, played by Dominique Tipper, while working together on the warship the Behemoth, causing fans to point out their sexual tension and potential compatibility as a romantic couple. However, Naomi eventually returns to her previous ship, the Rocinante, and the two characters part ways. Season 5 finds Drummer, the leader of a polyamorous, queer family operating a tight-knit pirate fleet, consisting of the ships Dewalt (of which she is the captain) and Mowteng. Falsely believing Naomi to be dead, throughout the season, Drummer becomes close with Oksana, a crewmember of the Dewalt, played by Sandrine Holt, who helps Drummer deal with yet another devastating personal loss.

Related: The Expanse: Who Are The Belters? Origin, Purpose, & Real Meaning Explained

In a recent interview with Screenrant, the Canadian actress opened up about the importance, not only for the character of Drummer but also for the shows audience, of exploring Drummers sexuality and romantic life from a place of love.

Drummer's dynamic with Oksana is so warm, and of course with the whole crew, who have this very caring communal love. Can you talk about Drummer finding this connection?

Cara Gee: Thank you for asking. I was so excited that we got to represent this polyamorous Belter family. I think that respectful representation of polyamory is nowhere to be seen in the television landscape, and I'm so proud that we did that. I think that for our queer fans to see Drummer finally get hers is so satisfying.

Nobody shipped Drummer and Naomi harder than me and Dominique. But that was brutal. It's brutal to have the girl get away again, the heartache of being in love with a straight girl is a trope that we've seen. So, to finally see her - I wouldn't say happy under the circumstances of the show - but happy with the relationship, is really beautiful. The relationship between all of those polyamorous characters is so tender and vulnerable. And I'm so delighted with how it's coming across how it's turned out.

Although polyamory is not new to The Expanse's world-buildingit has been mentioned in the backstory of other charactersit has a much stronger representation in this current season with Drummers story. Gee fully embraces the fan community uplifted by the shows representation of LGBTQ+ characters and polyamory, evidenced, in part, by her frequent use of the hashtag #PolyamBelterFam to discuss the show on Twitter.

The Expanse joins the ranks of many current television shows aiming to showcase relationships with LGBTQ+ characters or relationships that are otherwise underrepresented and/or marginalized. Whats even more revolutionary is their ability to do so without exoticizing these relationships or portraying them as anything other than normal. While much more unpredictable drama is likely in store for Camina Drummer, audiences finally get to see her, if for a brief moment, in a loving relationship. One can only hope it lasts!

More: The Expanse Season 5 Has Majorly Improved A Book Character

Shadow & Bone Images: First Look At Ben Barnes As The Darkling

Nadira Goffe is a movie/TV news writer for Screen Rant. She got her masters in Media Studies at the University of Leeds in 2019. Additionally, Nadira is a podcast host, writer, and occasional baker. She is based out of her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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The Expanse Drummer Actor On The Show's Respectful Polyamory Representation - Screen Rant