The director of Predator: Badlands opens up about how he wanted to place the film at the furthest point of the Alien and Predator franchises. Predator: Badlands is turning out to be exactly the kind of win the franchise needed to prove itself with modern audiences. During its opening weekend, the new sci-fi action film opened at number one and pulled in about $80 million worldwide, including $40 million domestic, which happens to be a record opening for a Predator movie. And early legs look pretty reliable too, with a worldwide total around $82. 8 million so far on a 105 million budget, an A- on CinemaScore, and a fairly strong Rotten Tomatoes score that has critics calling it one of the freshest entries since the original. Part of the buzz comes from where it sits in the larger Alien and Predator universe. Director Dan Trachtenberg has been clear that Predator: Badlands pushes things further ahead than anything we have seen before. And, when speaking about the timeline, he explained that the movie is set at the furthest point in the future for both franchises and talked about navigating around other recent projects. Predator: Badlands Director on Timeline He tells Variety, “Very intentionally, it is the furthest into the future in both Predator and Alien. When we were making it, I wasn’t really sure what was going on with Alien: Romulus, and I don’t even know how aware I even was of Alien: Earth. So I just didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I wanted to make sure we were doing our own thing, and selfishly, I’d also done so much Predator in different time periods that I was excited for this to be in the future, even past Alien: Resurrection.” Story-wise, Predator: Badlands takes place centuries from now on the hostile planet Genna. It follows Dek, a young Yautja who is exiled from his clan as a runt and given one last chance to prove himself by hunting the legendary apex creature known as the Kalisk. After crash landing, he teams up with Thia, a damaged Weyland Yutani synthetic who is stranded after her own mission goes sideways, and a small native creature nicknamed Bud. Together they face Genna’s brutal wildlife, a rival Predator clan, and a Weyland Yutani team that wants to weaponize the Kalisk. Dimitrius Schuster Koloamatangi plays Dek and also voices some of the other Predators. Elle Fanning plays Thia along with her more ruthless synthetic sister Tessa. The supporting roles are mostly other creatures and androids, which reinforces the hook that there are no human characters this time. That choice also lets the film lean harder into Predator culture and Weyland Yutani lore, including nods that connect it spiritually to the Alien side without turning it into a full crossover. Predator: Badlands hit theaters in the United States on November 7, including IMAX and RealD 3D runs. And with the film positioned as the furthest step forward in both timelines (and already performing well), it feels like it’s only a matter of time before they cross paths yet again.
https://bleedingcool.com/movies/predator-badlands-director-on-navigating-two-franchise-timelines/
Tag: intentionally
Amazon beats Nothing at its own game with this brilliant early Black Friday Nothing Phone 3 deal
Black Friday proper is still a few weeks away, but we’re already seeing some great deals on the best Android phones on the market. One of the best offers so far is for the weird and wonderful Nothing Phone 3, which you can now get for $678.99 at Amazon US and £629 at Amazon UK.
In a rare alignment of the Black Friday deals cosmos, the Nothing Phone 3 is discounted in both its 256GB and 512GB variants across the US and UK. Specifically, Amazon UK has even undercut Nothing’s own Black Friday sale prices by £20 on the 256GB model and £30 on the 512GB model. Let’s take a closer look at the deals.
### Today’s Best Nothing Phone 3 Black Friday Deals
The Nothing Phone 3 is the company’s first undeniably “flagship” phone, a title they proudly announced when launching the handset earlier this year. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, 12GB or 16GB of RAM (depending on storage), and a triple 50MP camera system with 3x optical zoom. With these specs, the Nothing Phone 3 aims to compete with flagship devices like the iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S25.
However, what stands out most about the Nothing Phone 3 is its one-of-a-kind design. This is a uniquely styled phone that builds on the qualities of its predecessors, featuring intentionally misaligned cameras and a quirky rear-mounted “glyph display” dot-matrix interface that really sets it apart.
While the Nothing Phone 3 may not quite match the processing power of some mainstream rivals, it still offers impressive features even at its usual retail price of $799 / £799 / AU$1,509. Besides the triple camera system, it boasts a 6.67-inch display, a 5,150mAh battery, and support for 65W fast charging.
We went hands-on with the Nothing Phone 3 just after its launch and found it carries an “abstract, asymmetrical vibe” that appeals to those looking for something different. Fans of Nothing also appreciate the clean and simple Nothing OS Android interface, although the brand has faced some controversy recently over its handling of software updates. Still, the Nothing Phone 3 remains a strong contender from an intriguing and quirky outsider brand.
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### More Black Friday Phone Deals
Looking for additional options? Here are some of today’s best Black Friday sales across the US:
– **Amazon:** Up to 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers, and vacuums
– **Apple:** iPads, AirPods, and MacBooks starting from $119
– **Best Buy:** Up to $1,000 off TVs, laptops, and headphones
– **Dell:** Laptop deals starting at $249.99
– **Home Depot:** 40% off appliances, furniture, grills, and tools
– **Lenovo:** Up to 45% off laptops and tablets
– **Lowe’s:** Up to 30% off appliances, holiday décor, and tools
– **Samsung:** Up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs, and phones
– **Target:** 40% off Christmas décor, clothing, and furniture
– **Walmart:** Furniture, cheap TVs, and vacuums starting at $69
– **Wayfair:** Up to 54% off Christmas décor, furniture, and more
And if you’re shopping from the UK, don’t miss out on these Black Friday deals too.
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Stay tuned for more updates as Black Friday approaches and additional deals go live!
https://www.techradar.com/phones/nothing-phones/amazon-beats-nothing-at-its-own-game-with-this-brilliant-early-black-friday-nothing-phone-3-deal
Syracuse University chancellor says anti-Israel campus protests ‘encouraged’ by Iran
The chancellor of Syracuse University revealed his belief that pro-Hamas, anti-Israel protests were encouraged and potentially orchestrated by Iran while speaking on a panel this week in Washington, D.C.
Chancellor Kent Syverud spoke on a panel Tuesday alongside the chancellors from Vanderbilt and Washington University in St. Louis. He described the protest activity that took place on his college campus as well as other universities across the country.
“When things happened that I really believe were encouraged from Iran,” Syverud explained to the audience. “[The protests] did not have the involvement of very many, if any, of our own students.”
Syracuse’s top official also discussed the difficulty of holding individuals, including students, accountable because of the use of face masks or coverings intentionally used to shield identity.
“People were using masks to avoid accountability for what they were saying and doing,” Syverud added, noting that people in masks could have been “activists from elsewhere.”
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier of Vanderbilt, in Nashville, also pointed out clear coordination and the “playbook” for protests was backed by “organized networks” that could have motivated or directed students and agitators to demonstrate and disrupt campus.
“[Students] were looking at [and] were using the playbook that they had seen at Columbia and other places, and it was the same messaging. It’s more than social contagion,” Diermeier explained. “I think there are organized networks as well. And for sure we saw that.”
Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin nodded in agreement.
“Many of the things that happened on our campus, including an attempted encampment, we didn’t allow it to take place and ultimately had folks arrested to shut it down on a Saturday evening,” Martin added. “Three quarters of those individuals had nothing to do with the university.”
The panel was organized by Alums for Campus Fairness, a group that gathers university alumni and serves to combat antisemitism on college campuses and across the U.S.
The protests which Syverud refers to have plagued university campuses mainly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
Columbia University faced a significant number of protests that still often occur, though just outside the campus gates as the university has changed rules that previously permitted demonstrations.
Last April, more than 100 protesters were arrested after the NYPD was forced to break up an encampment that was impacting students’ ability to navigate campus. In May, protesters occupied Butler Library on Columbia’s campus, calling it “Basel Al-Araj Popular University.” Officers were once again called to the scene and made multiple arrests. More than 70 students were expelled or suspended.
Similar protests occurred at other prominent universities such as Harvard, NYU, and UCLA.
Syracuse University did not respond to a request for comment.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/01/us-news/prominent-university-chancellor-says-anti-israel-campus-protests-were-encouraged-from-iran/
What’s Going on in the Sky? Chemtrails & Geoengineering
**EPA Releases Comprehensive Information on Chemtrails, Contrails, and Geoengineering**
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available all their current knowledge on chemtrails, contrails, and geoengineering, continuing their research into these topics. According to the EPA, contrails—or condensation trails—from aircraft generally do not release dangerous chemicals unless used for specific purposes such as agriculture or firefighting. Furthermore, the EPA states there is no evidence that contrails are intentionally formed as part of geoengineering or weather modification efforts.
While chemtrails are monitored and regulated when used legitimately, geoengineering activities currently lack sufficient oversight, presenting potential risks. The EPA also notes concerns about amateurs and private entities experimenting with interventions in the ozone layer and clouds without fully understanding the possible consequences. The European Union has expressed apprehension about contrail impacts in the future, and more information can be found through their resources.
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### EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s Statement
“Americans have legitimate questions about contrails and geoengineering, and they deserve straight answers,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We’re publishing everything EPA knows about these topics on these websites.”
The EPA has launched a new online resource explaining the science behind contrails, addressing longstanding myths and misconceptions. The webpage also directly tackles claims that these trails are intentional releases of harmful chemicals or biological agents for nefarious purposes, including population control, mind control, or weather modification.
In addition, the EPA has created a dedicated resource focusing on solar geoengineering—techniques aimed at cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight back into space, typically by injecting gases like sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere to form reflective particles.
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### Concerns About Geoengineering
“EPA shares the significant reservations many Americans have when it comes to geoengineering activities,” added Administrator Zeldin.
The resource explores current scientific research on geoengineering and potential environmental and human health impacts. These include:
– **Ozone Layer Depletion:** Particles added to the stratosphere could deplete the ozone layer.
– **Environmental Effects:** Sulfur addition may increase acid rain and soil acidity, harming crops and ecosystems.
– **Weather Changes:** Altered rainfall and drought patterns may result from changes in hydrological cycles.
– **Health Risks:** Some particles may descend to ground level, potentially causing respiratory issues.
The EPA’s online materials also detail efforts to monitor private actors possibly engaging in geoengineering. Additionally, they cover weather modification and cloud seeding, alongside relevant federal and state government actions.
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### Understanding Geoengineering
Geoengineering encompasses a wide range of activities designed to either cool the Earth or remove greenhouse gases—such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—from the atmosphere.
Examples include:
– **Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR):** Techniques like direct air capture and ocean fertilization.
– **Solar Geoengineering or Solar Radiation Modification (SRM):** Methods that increase Earth’s reflectivity to reduce warming.
Common solar geoengineering techniques include:
– **Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI):** Introducing small reflective particles, such as sulfur dioxide, into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight.
– **Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB):** Adding sea spray particles to brighten clouds over oceans.
– **Other Approaches:** Techniques like Cirrus Cloud Thinning and space-based methods have been less explored due to technological challenges and costs.
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### Potential Impacts of Solar Geoengineering
While the goal is to reduce global temperatures by reflecting sunlight, these technologies carry risks that require careful evaluation:
– **Ozone Layer:** Injection of aerosols may harm the ozone layer, though reduced ground-level ozone from lower sunlight might reduce some health risks.
– **Crop and Ecosystem Health:** Increased acid rain and decreased sunlight could negatively affect agriculture and natural ecosystems.
– **Hydrological Cycle:** Changes in precipitation patterns might cause droughts or floods in certain regions.
– **Human Health:** Particles descending to Earth can impact respiratory health.
Overall, scientific understanding of these consequences remains limited due to uncertainties in observations and modeling.
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### What Are “Chemtrails”?
The term “chemtrails,” short for “chemical trails,” is used by some to describe conspiracy theories alleging that contrails from routine air traffic are actually intentional releases of harmful chemicals or biological agents for sinister objectives like population or mind control, or geoengineering.
The EPA clarifies that chemicals are sometimes sprayed intentionally from aircraft for legitimate, documented purposes such as firefighting or agriculture. These activities involve low-flying propeller aircraft—not the high-altitude jets that produce contrails—and are strictly regulated.
The EPA actively collaborates with federal agencies to monitor air traffic and ensure no dangerous or illicit activities occur.
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### Are Contrails Related to Geoengineering or Weather Modification?
The federal government has no record or knowledge of contrails being intentionally created over the United States for geoengineering or weather modification purposes.
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### Access EPA’s Resources
For more detailed information, visit the EPA’s newly launched online resources covering:
– Geoengineering activities and their potential impacts
– Scientific explanations of contrails and debunking of chemtrail myths
The EPA remains committed to transparency and public education on these important issues.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/whats-going-on-in-the-sky-chemtrails-geoengineering/