6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes’ impact on NFL revealed after Week 6 ratings announcement while Chiefs were on bye
TV ratings for NFL week six have been revealed, with the Kansas City Chiefs not playing damaging the viewing figures.
TV ratings suffered without the Chiefs playing[/caption]
And without last season’s Super Bowl winners in action, TV figures plummeted.
Sports Media Watch report that broadcasts so far this season are being watched by 17.5 million fans on average – a one per cent increase from 2023.
But NFL week six went against the trend, with the 49ers’ win over the Seahawks on Thursday down five per cent compared to same slot last year.
All of Fox’s 1pm games were down a whopping 13 per cent.
The Lions‘ draw with the Cowboys was watched by 24.06 million supporters on Fox – but that is down eight per cent from the Eagles-Jets in that window in 2023.
There was also concern for NBC as the Bengals‘ victory against the Giants was the least-watched Sunday night football broadcast since 2020 with 15.44 million viewers.
The Jets’ narrow defeat to the Bills saw 17.3 million tune in – but last year’s Monday night game in week six saw 19.64 million watch the Cowboys-Chargers.
Just two matches performed better than their 2023 week six counterparts.
The Jaguars-Bears from London and the early Sunday afternoon slot on CBS saw more watch than previously.
But Fox are ready for a bigger weekend with the Chiefs facing the 49ers in a repeat of last term’s Super Bowl on Sunday.
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Inside China’s ‘Ghost Town of Mansions’ with lavish homes for the super rich now reclaimed by FARMERS
THIS is one of many of China’s ghost towns that have been taken over by farmers which see goats live around the shells of luxury mansions.
The eerie complex is located in Shenyang City, 400 miles northeast of Beijing.
An aerial photo showing the deserted mansions in Shenyang[/caption]
Cattle can be seen walking between the concrete shells of the half-finished mansions[/caption]
An interior image of the abandoned housing sales office on the Greenland development[/caption]
It features over 100 abandoned luxury mansions in that have been abandoned mid-construction by its overzealous property developer.
Greenland Group broke ground on the project in 2010 in the middle of a property boom which saw developers take on debt to build homes ahead of demand.
But now, Greenland is one of over 50 housing developers that have defaulted on their debts in recent years.
China’s developers and buyers have “tremendous faith” that the value of their property will steadily creep up – and prices won’t crash,” Max Woodworth, an expert in Chinese urbanisation, previously told The Sun.
In 2023, Greenland defaulted on over £307 million worth of international bonds but no official explanation was ever given as to why construction abruptly ended.
Greenland only sold 5% of the homes at the State Guest Mansions project in Shenyang before construction ended.
But the property developer is not alone as there are around 20 million pre-sold and incomplete homes sitting empty in China.
However, in total there are around 65 million surplus homes in the country.
With the crystal chandeliers, large stone pillars, and grand spiral staircases left to crumble to dust, local farmers have moved their cattle in.
Now, like a post-apocalyptic scene, goats and cows wander around the incomplete European-style villas in a bizarre and eerie combination of extreme urbanisation and nature.
Images from the development show cows in make-shift pens made from the crumbling verandas and arches.
Meanwhile, the interiors of some of the buildings looks like time has stood still with paintings and maps still on some of the walls and the decadent light fixings and other furnishings still in their place.
TOP PRIORITY
The reclamation of the land by farmers symbolises an issue of high priority for the country and its leaders.
China’s 2023 No. 1 central document, the first policy statement released by top authorities every year, declared safeguarding national food security and farmland as of key importance.
Explainer: China's property crash
China's property market is suffering a major crisis with a surplus of 65 million homes, defaulting property developers, and falling prices.
Property gave the country’s economy a huge boost and heavily contributed to China’s GDP.
In 1998 the state deregulated property sales, making it a much more secure investment.
With this, prices increased and more housing was built to cater for an ever-growing population.
Property developers urged by the state to make large investments reaped huge rewards in terms of profit which in turn drove rapid expansion.
The boom continued for as long as prices continued to rise and houses were being built before the demand of people looking to move in was there.
Property accounted for about 30% of the country’s booming economy but then the boom stopped when investment reforms were put in place on those buying up property as the state wanted people living in these homes.
By selling homes before they were even built, the construction of these properties depended on the sale of future ones.
The industry was entirely reliant on this format of building and so after the reforms, demand plummeted and prices crashed which in turn saw the property developers fail to pay their debts.
Such issues have been continually held in high regard by Xi Jinping since he took to office in 2013.
Since the beginning of his rule, the president has held the firm belief that “the rice bowls of the Chinese people must always be held firmly in our own hand and filled mainly with Chinese grain,” Foreign Policy reports.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and rural affairs, every day the 1.4 billion people in China eat around 700,000 tons of grain, 1.92 million tons of vegetables, and 230,000 tons of meat.
Having to feed such a large population means that land that has been abandoned and left to turn into a ghost-town” can be put to much better use.
This is especially true after the country gave up much of its undeveloped land for other projects.
Between 2009 and 2019, China sacrificed so much farmland for industrialisation and urbanisation that it equates to the size of South Carolina, according to FP.
It is likely that more and more farmers will turn to these ghost towns as a way to expand farming with China’s ongoing property crises due to how it approaches investments and land.
“The land system in China produces strong incentives for city governments to promote real estate and land development as a way to raise to revenue and generate economic growth,” Woodworth said.
It’s not just land that gets abandoned in China, after a graveyard full of untouched Bentley’s and £200,000 Porsches were found deep in a forest.
The interior of one of the abandoned properties with the crystal chandelier still handing from the ceiling[/caption]
Papers and other signs of life can be seen laying around the shells of these buildings[/caption]
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Shohei Ohtani takes just two pitches in NLCS Game 4 between Dodgers-Mets to prove he is MLB’s GOAT – and worth all $700m
IN just two short pitches Shohei Ohtani proved why he is the greatest MLB player of all time.
The LA Dodgers superstar was on the mound for just a minute when he hit a bomb against the New York Mets.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a bomb just two pitches in against the Mets[/caption]
Ohtnai signed a $700m, ten year contract, with the Dodgers at the start of the season[/caption]
It flew off at a staggering 117.8mph during the first at bat of NLCS Game 4 on Thursday night.
A loud New York crowd, booing the Japanese slugger, went deadly silent.
His monster strike flew out into the center field bullpens for a leadoff homer leaving Citi Field in shock.
In a few short seconds, it had shown why the Dodgers had decided to fork out $700 million on a ten year deal for him.
That set the tone for a rousing 10-2 win for the Los Angeles tourists.
And it put them one step from the World Series, taking their game lead to 3-1.
That wasn’t the only moment of Ohtani brilliance, however.
He walked three times in a row next up, forcing the Mets to pull starting pitcher Jose Quintana in the fourth.
He had the Mets bullpen terrified, a rightfully so, he had hit 54 regular season home runs.
And if their outrageous outlay on Ohtani was to help buy their way to another World Series, it looks money well spent.
In 2024, he became the first and only player ever to score 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season.
A record enough for most to call him the GOAT, but, combined with his Los Angeles Angels spell, it’s a given.
Nobody has ever had the skill, fear factor, and game-changing ability of Ohtani.
All this, and he hasn’t even been able to pitch this season due to surgery.
He’ll be back doing that in 2025, more than likely, to make him the deadliest dual threat the MLB has ever seen.
Oh, and he’s only 30 years old, with more to come.
One Mets fan described him as a “terror” from the stands, and it’s hard to argue that nickname.
The Mets have had an incredible season, with nobody expecting them to be in the NLCS.
But the Dodgers are too good, have too many stars, have spent too much money, and have the greatest player ever.
There’s still hope going into Game 5, but it all looks a step too far.
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Amazon is selling an ‘expandable’ tiny home kit for just $1,000 – it’s easy to install and move-in ready
WITH the cost of renting and buying a home soaring, Amazon has the perfect solution.
The online retailer is selling tiny home kit for just $1,000 and it’s ready for you to move right in – what’s not to love?/
Your brand new tiny home could be just a few clicks away[/caption]
The tiny home is available to buy online right now for a bargain price[/caption]
The Mini Foldable Container House is just as cute and cosy as you might expect and features a charming double door and quaint windows.
The tiny home boats one modern open plan room, but you could easily add in dividers to create individual rooms.
It’s main selling point? This tiny home, which is made from metal, is full expandable, meaning it can fit just about anywhere.
The 4800 X 5900 space is the perfect size for a single occupant – and with a few personal touches could be your dream pad.
And don’t worry if you’re not a DIY whizz, the home is super easy to install.
However, an electrician and plumber will need to be booked in to get it set up.
If you don’t fancy moving in full-time, the container can also be used as a portable office, storage shed or for guests to stay.
The tiny home trend has spread far and wide over recent years, with many people opting to live small and save their hard earned cash.
And it’s not just Amazon you can snap one up from, earlier this year Walmart shoppers spotted another kit you can get your hands on with just a little extra work required.
With it being DIY, instead of hiring builders and contractors to come in and craft the home, Walmart shoppers will only pay $2,499 for the kit, along with subsequent delivery fees and other miscellaneous expenses.
It features 64-inch double doors and 7-inch side walls, along with a full-sized window and two smaller windows attached to the top of the doors, according to the product description.
The seller, Handy Home Products, stressed that the added windows “keep the interior well-lit” whenever needed.
Weather-resistant siding also comes with the $2,500 kit, along with a 15-year warranty should it fail for any reason.
Those who purchase the tiny home kit shouldn’t have any trouble putting it together in the location they choose, as it only “requires basic skills and household tools for assembly.”
Handy Home Products claimed that the entire project could be completed in a weekend with the correct set-up.
All the included items in the kit are pre-cut to the necessary measurements.
“With no measuring, no cutting, and user-friendly instructions, this will prove to be an enjoyable DIY weekend project,” the description noted.
The kit was made in the United States, and the entire design offers a 10-year warranty along with Walmart’s Free 60-day returns policy.
What is a tiny home?
Technically, a tiny home is any house measuring under 400 square feet.
Many tiny homes are built on trailers so they can be towed anywhere, and some are converted from old school buses or vans.
Each state has its own rules about tiny homes, but, generally, they are not subject to the same taxes as regular homes.
However, Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have made tiny homes illegal as permanent dwellings.
As reported by GI.biz, ex-PlayStation executive Shawn Layden thinks he’s pinpointed the issues with the industry.
He believes that too much money is being spent on making games, and the focus has been taken away from creating things people love.
Layden says: ‘[In the past] we spent a lot more time looking at games and not asking ‘what’s your monetisation scheme’, or ‘what’s your recurrent revenue plan’, or ‘what’s your subscription formula’?
“We asked the simple question: is it fun? Are we having a good time? If you said yes to those questions, you’d usually get a green light.
“You didn’t worry so much about the end piece, for better or for worse. Of course back then you didn’t make a game for millions [of] dollars. So your risk tolerance was fairly high.”
This echoes what many people have said about the industry. As games cost increasingly more money to make, they need to sell more copies to be successful.
However, there are also more games releasing than ever before, meaning that there’s more competition for gamers’ money.
When there are more games on the market, companies sell fewer copies of each game.
Layden continues: “Today, the entry costs for making a triple-A game is in triple digit millions now. I think naturally, risk tolerance drops.
“And you’re [looking] at sequels, you’re looking at copycats, because the finance guys who draw the line say, ‘Well, if Fortnite made this much money in this amount of time, my Fortnite knockoff can make this in that amount of time.’
“We’re seeing a collapse of creativity in games today [with] studio consolidation and the high cost of production.’
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Amazon chops price of ‘unique’ heating gadget to $19 so you won’t need to turn on the heat yet and can keep bills lower
IF you’re looking ahead to the long cold winter nights, this Amazon buy might make them more bearable.
Amazon shoppers have heaped on the praise for a heating gadget that will keep your heating bills low this winter.
Amazon shoppers heaped on the praise for a gadget that will keep you from feeling cold at home this winter (stock image)[/caption]
The Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater is currently available for just $19.48[/caption]
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or snuggling up for a cozy night in, you won’t have to break the bank to keep your space warm and toasty.
Homeowners can currently nab the Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater as part of a discount sale.
Reduced from $23.99 to $19.48, the portable gadget is ideal for both home and office use.
It is also equipped with anti-tip technology and overheat protection for all your safety concerns.
For further peace of mind, the heater is designed to automatically switch off after a certain period of time.
The non-oscillating heater also comes equipped with a thermostat, allowing you to set it to your ideal temperature.
You can also select the fan option to boost air circulation without heating.
It measures 6.34-inches in width and 9.45-inches in height, with a 7.52-inch depth.
Three pounds in weight, the convection heater provides 360-degree coverage.
With rapid heat technology, manufacturers recommend against using the gadget in a high-humidity environment.
Amazon users rated that compact heater an average of 4.4 stars out of five.
One shopper explained how a “unique feature” of the product has helped them save on their gas bill.
“Most small heaters these days have a spring loaded button, which is depressed when the unit is placed on the floor,” they wrote in the review section.
“If the unit is tipped over the button springs out and turns the unit off.
“These buttons are fairly small diameter and if the surface is not rock solid the button will not properly depress and the unit will not function.
Buy it now
Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater, $19.48 – buy it here.
“This heater has a small round plate on the bottom of the button which provides more surface area so the button will engage when the unit is placed on a tightly woven throw rug, for example.”
The buyer revealed how they usually set up the budget-friendly buy to maximize tits power.
“Instead of turning on the gas-fired central heating for our house, we will set this guy up in our living room and watch TV nice and cozy with this heater at our feet.
“Our throw rug has defeated the other models. Not this one.”
“[It] really does heat and move air and can pretty much warm up a whole bedroom in 15 minutes,” said another person, who called the heater a “trooper.”
The best Amazon deals October 2024
*If you click on a link in this article, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Amazon customers can enjoy sensational deals on fashion and beauty items, including shapewear and skincare essentials.
We’ve listed some of the best deals below.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, $14.95 $12.97 – buy here
COSRX Glass Skin Starter Set, $32.99 $29.50 – buy here
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Liam Payne cops question ‘five people’ over tragic One Direction star’s death & looking to bring criminal charges
POLICE have questioned five people in relation to Liam Payne’s sudden death and suggested criminal charges could be handed out in this probe.
The former One Direction star died after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday.
One of Liam Payne’s last posts was a Snapchat video[/caption]
Police have reportedly questioned five people in relation to the ex-One Direction members death[/caption]
Police shared details about their investigation into the musicians shock death[/caption]
Cops reported that Liam’s room was allegedly discovered trashed as various items had been smashed and broken.
Worrying images also appeared to show white powder and burnt aluminium foil in his room after he tragically fell, according to Argentine media.
Police will test these supposed items to see if they were illegal substances.
An autopsy found the star died from severe “internal and external haemorrhaging” from the fall, and added that Liam could have been unconscious at the time.
Prosecutors have reportedly also questioned five people directly after the music star was found.
These individuals have included two women, thought to have been with Liam, 31, before his death, and three employees at the Casa Sur hotel the musician had stayed at, according to the Argentine outlet Clarin.
Police reportedly added that the two women had left the hotel before Liam’s death.
Hotel staff stated the star reacted “erratically,” in a 911 call, and said he “could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Cops are reportedly looking to make two criminal charges in relation to Wednesday’s incident.
Local media have claimed these could be in relation to a “supply of narcotics and facilitating a place for their consumption.”
Liam was also allegedly seen arguing with a mystery woman at the hotel just three hours before the fatal incident.
A guest staying at the Casa Sur hotel, Michael Fleischmann, claimed the musician was “very upset” and shouted about money in front of other people.
Fleischmann told the local newspaper The Buenos Aires Herald that the incident occurred around 2pm local time.
Liam was found dead just after 5pm.
White powder and burnt aluminium foil were allegedly found in the pop star’s hotel room[/caption]
Burnt aluminium was also supposedly seen in the bath[/caption]
The American claimed he heard the singer say: “I’ll give you US$20,000 dollars just because I can. I have US$55 million and I like to help people.”
Liam travelled to Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, earlier this month to watch his ex-bandmate Niall Horan perform in the country.
The couple extended their stay but the American actress revealed she was ready to go home after two weeks.
“Honestly, love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long. And we were supposed to be there for, like, five days, turned into two weeks,” Kate said in a TikTok video before Liam’s death.
“I was just like, ‘I need to go home’.”
Kate appeared in Liam’s final social media video that he posted minutes before his death.
The singer uploaded a video, which appeared to have been filmed days prior, where the pair were seen eating and talking about their plans for the day.
WORRIED FAMILY
Liam’s friends had become so worried about the star’s drinking and alleged drug use that they were planning an intervention with him this week, a source told The Sun.
His close ones said the singer has been in a dark place for the past few weeks.
They added Liam was struggling with his career and personal life.
This comes as reports suggested the singer was dropped by his record label Universal just days before the tragic incident.
“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne,” Universal said in a statement after his death.
“His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.
“We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones.”
Liam Payne had visited Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy[/caption]
Fans paid their tributes to the pop star with a candle lit vigil outside the hotel[/caption]
One Direction statements in full
We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
“Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Zayn Malik said: “Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”
He added: “When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
“I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever”.
And Harry Styles wrote: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Bret Baier Admits Mistake With Trump Clips During Kamala Harris Interview
The Fox News chief political anchor said the wrong snippet around the Republican candidate's "the enemy from within" claim was left out of his sit-down interview with the U.S. Vice President.
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Queer Lebanese Director Returns to His Hometown in ‘Tripoli/A Tale of Three Cities’ Trailer (Exclusive)
Raed Rafei interviewed people about their embrace of new ideas for his doc, "a poetic reflection on the ... dramatic moments that Lebanon has experienced ... in anticipation of the current devastating war."
6 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Andrew Garfield dragged for backing Mel Gibson: ‘You are a f–ing rube’
He’s stepped in it. Andrew Garfield has voiced support for Mel Gibson – and social media isn’t happy. In a recent interview with People, Garfield, 41, who starred in the 2016 Gibson directed movie “Hacksaw Ridge,” said about working with Gibson, 68, “I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned...