Brie Larson Leads ACE Comic Con's Return to the Midwest at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont, Illinois)

ACE Comic Con Midwest 2019 Announcement

ACE Comic Con will return to the Midwest this fall following an incredible year for film, TV, comic book and entertainment fans everywhere! Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) will headline ACE Comic Con Midwest at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., on Oct. 11-12-13, 2019.

ACE Comic Con Midwest will also feature 60+ world-renowned comic book writers & artists, including Andy Park, Marvel Studio's Director of Visual Development & Concept Art and artist Billy Martin, 125+ hand-picked vendors & exhibitors and three full days of live panel programming, children's activities and free activations including PlayStation's Road to Greatness.

• VIP Admissions, Photo Ops, Autographs, and General Admission tickets will be available soon, with a portion of Brie Larson ticket sales benefitting Girls Inc. of Chicago, a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

"We are bringing superhero fans around the world the greatest lineups wherever we go," says Stephen Shamus, ACE Universe President. "Brie helps represent the largest franchise in film history, with Avengers already generating over $2 billion at the box office and over $1 billion for Captain Marvel. ACE Comic Con is unmatched and unrivaled in its ability to bring out the biggest stars from the most popular franchises, solidifying itself as the number one show in the Midwest region."

"It feels like our lives have come full circle at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, a venue that holds a special place in our hearts. We started here in 1997, building the Comic Con and fan community, and are proud to bring an event the city of Chicago deserves," says Gareb Shamus, ACE Universe CEO. "The Stephens family has been so gracious to us for so many years, and we are excited to work with them again on giving superhero fans another extraordinary weekend filled with award winning actors, writers, illustrators, and so much more! This will truly be a once in a lifetime experience!"

ACE Comic Con Midwest at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is the next installment of the already world-famous ACE Universe brand. ACE's second trip to the Midwest follows unforgettable weekends at ACE Comic Con Seattle, ACE Comic Con Arizona and ACE Comic Con Long Island, featuring global icons such as Chris Evans (Captain America), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Stan Lee (Marvel), and many more. 

ACE Comic Con Seattle 2019 Teaser:

SOURCE: ACE Universe

ACE Comic Con Related Stories:

• Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) Will Headline ACE Comic Con Seattle
• Spider-Man Co-Creator Stan Lee Added To Star-Studded Lineup Of ACE Comic Con Arizona
• Chris Evans, Tom Holland And Casts Of "Captain America", "Spider-Man: Homecoming" To Headline New ACE Comic Con At Gila River Arena

Captain Marvel - Poster

Captain Marvel Related Sories:

• ASCAP Screen Music Awards 2019 to Honor Film Composer Michael Giacchino, Captain Marvel Composer Pinar Toprak and Stage & Screen Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
• Marvel Music And Hollywood Records Present Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
• Citizen Watch Sponsors World Premiere Of Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel And Unveils Official Captain Marvel Timepieces
• Higher, Further, Faster: Marvel's First Female Cinematic Superhero
• Marvel Studios' First Female-Lead Super Hero Captain Marvel Takes To The Skies With Alaska Airlines

Xbox Showcases 60 Anticipated Games, Including 34 to Premiere in Xbox Game Pass

Keanu Reeves, Cyberpunk 2077 Actor, unveils the release date at the Xbox E3 2019 Briefing at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live, Sunday, June 9, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Casey Rodgers/Invision for Xbox/AP Images)

Xbox showcased a blockbuster lineup of 60 anticipated games for both console and PC in its Xbox E3 Briefing and shared a glimpse of the future with Project Scarlett, which launches alongside "Halo Infinite" in 2020. 

Halo Infinite 

Headlined by the biggest game of 2019, "Gears 5," along with 34 games premiering in Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox E3 Briefing delivered 11 world premieres and a record 14 games from Xbox Game Studios, which will soon include legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions.

"It's great to celebrate with our incredible fans and show how we are delivering against our vision to empower gamers to play the games they want, with the friends they want, wherever they want," said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox. "With thousands of Xbox games in development, we curated our show around our players, with new titles premiering in Xbox Game Pass across console and PC, and game streaming that enables them to play their favorite games, with their friends, wherever they go."

THE BEST WAY TO DISCOVER GREAT GAMES ON CONSOLE AND PC

PC gamers around the world can now join the Xbox Game Pass for PC beta through the new Xbox app, which is available today on Windows 10. Xbox Game Pass for PC is designed specifically for PC gamers with a curated library of over 100 high-quality PC games from over 75 developers and publishers including fan-favorite PC titles like "Football Manager 2019," "Imperator: Rome" and "Metro Exodus."

• Xbox also announced the launch of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a new plan combining the curated games library for console and PC with Xbox Live Gold.

In addition, Xbox announced a variety of new blockbuster games that are available with Xbox Game Pass for Console starting today, including "Metro Exodus," "Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition," "Borderlands: The Handsome Collection" and "Batman: Arkham Knight."

XGP Batman Arkham Knight

The Xbox E3 Briefing also showcased new Xbox Game Studios titles that will premiere in Xbox Game Pass, including "Gears 5," "Battletoads," "Bleeding Edge," "The Outer Worlds," "Ori and the Will of the Wisps," and 25 games from the ID@Xbox program.

WELCOMING DOUBLE FINE PRODUCTIONS TO XBOX GAME STUDIOS

Xbox announced today the intent to acquire legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions, which will bring the total number of development studios under Xbox Game Studios to 15. Led by industry veteran Tim Schafer, the addition of this boundlessly creative studio will reinforce the Xbox team's commitment to developing original content with memorable characters and unexpected stories. Double Fine showcased the long-awaited "Psychonauts 2" today on the Xbox E3 stage:

• "PSYCHONAUTS 2" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC, MAC, LINUX, PLAYSTATION 4). Razputin Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn't been the same since he was kidnapped, and what's worse, there's a mole hiding in their headquarters. Raz must use his powers to stop the mole before they execute their secret plan—to bring the murderous psychic villain, Maligula, back from the dead! "Psychonauts 2" launches worldwide in 2020.

THE FUTURE OF CONSOLE GAMING

During its briefing, Xbox demonstrated its commitment to console gaming as a critical choice for players who want a device designed, built and optimized for gaming.

Project Scarlett will set a new bar for console power, speed, and performance, arriving Holiday 2020 alongside "Halo Infinite." With a custom-designed AMD processor, high bandwidth GDDR6 memory, and a next-generation solid state drive (SSD), Project Scarlett will give developers the power they need to bring their creative visions to life. Thousands of games across four console generations will look and play best on Project Scarlett.

BRINGING XBOX TO THE CLOUD

In addition to delivering players the games they want, with the people they want, across console and PC, Xbox is also empowering people to play wherever they want by bringing Xbox to the cloud.

First, Xbox announced the ability to stream games from your Xbox One console, starting in preview this October. With console streaming, gamers will have access to their Xbox One game library and Xbox Game Pass titles on the go, streamed directly from an Xbox One console to a mobile device.

The Xbox E3 Briefing also marked a new milestone for "Project xCloud," with E3 2019 attendees being among the first in the world to play Xbox One games like "Halo 5: Guardians" and "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice" streaming on smartphones and tablets. With Project xCloud, Xbox is investing to ensure players have the choice and freedom to play the games they want, with the friends they want, how and where they want.

THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED CONTROLLER

In addition, Xbox unveiled the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Inspired by fan feedback, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is the world's most advanced controller, designed with the most passionate gamers in mind.

The Elite Series 2 is the second iteration of the fan-favorite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller and is re-engineered for ultimate performance, customization, and durability, and includes 30 new and improved features such as adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wraparound rubberized grip, shorter hair-trigger locks, and up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life.

• The Elite Series 2 will launch in 24 markets on Nov. 4 for $179.99 USD/£159.99 GPB/€179.99 EUR and is available for preorder now.

THE SINGLE LARGEST SHOWCASE OF GAMES ON STAGE THIS YEAR

Xbox includes every player in its vision for gaming, which starts with unmissable content made for players wherever they are. With thousands of Xbox games in development, Xbox offered glimpses at 60 different games from all over the globe, including blockbusters like "Cyberpunk 2077," "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order," and "Elden Ring." 

Xbox fans were also invited to venture into the action-fueled world of "CrossfireX," coming first to console on Xbox One in 2020 with special content for Xbox Game Pass members, and into the blocky depths of "Minecraft Dungeons," coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.

The Xbox E3 Briefing also marked a celebration of 37 PC games, including "Microsoft Flight Simulator" and "Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition," both of which will premiere in Xbox Game Pass for PC. 

Cyberpunk 2077

Fans also took their first steps into the next worlds being created by Xbox Game Studios, such as "Gears 5" and "Wasteland 3," and discovered the unexpected with 25 new and wild ID@Xbox titles.

• All forthcoming titles from Xbox Game Studios will premiere in Xbox Game Pass.

Games shown during the Xbox E3 Briefing include:

• "AGE OF EMPIRES: DEFINITIVE EDITION" (WINDOWS 10 PC). "Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition" celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular strategy games ever with stunning 4K Ultra HD graphics, a new and fully remastered soundtrack, and brand-new content, "The Last Khans," with three new campaigns and four new civilizations. Head online to challenge other players with 35 different civilizations in your quest for world domination throughout the ages. Choose your path to greatness with this definitive remaster to one of the most beloved strategy games of all time. "Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition" will be released this fall on Windows 10 PC, available on the Microsoft Store, Steam and Xbox Game Pass for PC.

• "BATTLETOADS" (XBOX ONE). "Battletoads" is back! Rare and Dlala Studios are bringing the beloved brawler to Xbox with a unique animation style, wild side-scrolling action and team-focused gameplay that's perfect for couch co-op. Players take control of Rash, Zitz and Pimple as they smash, stomp and slam their way through hordes of enemies and unleash choreographed chaos to defeat their greatest enemy yet. Fans can look forward to an all-new adventure packed with wild locations, unforgettable characters and surprising gameplay challenges, all with a huge emphasis on co-operative play.

• "BLAIR WITCH" (BLOOBER TEAM, XBOX GAME PASS). From the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed Layers of Fear, experience firsthand the toll that fear can take on the mind in an original story based on the legend of Blair Witch. The upcoming title is a first-person psychological horror game that studies your reactions to danger and stress. Your darkest fears will awaken on Aug. 30, 2019.

• "BLEEDING EDGE" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). As an all-new game from Ninja Theory, "Bleeding Edge" offers a one-of-a-kind experience that fuses third-person action combat with competitive online team gaming. The 4x4 team-fighter game provides a fast-paced yet strategic combat system that rewards technique, timing and teamwork in vibrant cyberpunk arenas. In "Bleeding Edge," each fighter can be modded to suit individual playstyles and exploit team synergies. The game is in development for Xbox One, Windows 10 PC and Xbox Game Pass as an Xbox Play Anywhere title.

• "BORDERLANDS 2: COMMANDER LILITH & THE FIGHT FOR SANCTUARY" (2K). Return to the award-winning shooter-looter "Borderlands 2" for an all-new campaign DLC that sets the stage for the upcoming "Borderlands 3." Battle new bosses, explore new areas, collect new loot, and join up with Lilith and the Crimson Raiders to take on a deranged villain hell-bent on ruling the planet. Instantly boost your level to jump right in or pursue a level cap increase to 80! Free to download until July 8 for all owners of "Borderlands: The Handsome Collection," which is now available with Xbox Game Pass.

• "BORDERLANDS 3" (2K). The original shooter-looter returns, packing bazillions of guns and an all-new mayhem-fueled adventure! Blast through new worlds and enemies as one of four brand new Vault Hunters — the ultimate treasure-seeking badasses of the Borderlands, each with deep skill trees, abilities and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, collect loads of loot, and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.

• "CROSSFIREX" (FIRST TO CONSOLE ON XBOX ONE, XBOX GAME PASS). Crossfire, a free-to-play first-person shooter and one of the most-played PC games in the world with 650M players LTD, announced that it will come to console for the first time on Xbox One in 2020 as "CrossfireX," with all-new content for console players. Developed by the team at Smilegate Entertainment in Seoul, South Korea, Xbox players can look forward to a platform of rich experiences, including a single player campaign developed in partnership with Remedy Entertainment, battle royale, competitive multiplayer and unique content for Xbox Game Pass members.

• "CYBERPUNK 2077" (CD PROJEKT RED). An open-world, action-adventure story set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification. You play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality. You can customize your character's cyberware, skillset and playstyle, and explore a vast city where the choices you make shape the story and the world around you.

• "DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT" (BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.). Relive the story of Goku in "DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT!" Beyond the epic battles, experience life in the DRAGON BALL Z world as you fight, fish, eat and train with Goku. Explore the new areas and adventures as you advance through the story and form powerful bonds with other heroes from the DRAGON BALL Z universe.

• "DYING LIGHT 2" (TECHLAND). The last great human settlement exists within an unforgiving, zombie-infested world, plunged into the dark ages. During the day bandits, factions and starving survivors roam the streets scavenging for scraps — or someone to take them from. At night the infected roam free, evacuating their hideouts to prey on the living. Exceptional agility and brutal combat skills make you a powerful ally and a valuable commodity. You can achieve things no one else can. Enter places no one else dares. With your unique abilities you have the power to be an agent of change within this decaying metropolis.

• "ELDEN RING" (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.). Developed by FromSoftware Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., "ELDEN RING" is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki — creator of the influential "DARK SOULS" video game series; and George R.R. Martin — author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire." Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware's largest game to-date.

• "FORZA HORIZON 4" LEGO SPEED CHAMPIONS EXPANSION (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). "Forza Horizon 4" LEGO Speed Champions, the newest expansion for the award-winning "Forza Horizon 4," invites you to experience the ultimate LEGO Speed Champions fantasy brought to life at the Horizon Festival. Explore a LEGO-themed world, discover LEGO Brick Challenges such as building a Master Builder's house as your Brick Collection grows, and collect and race amazing new LEGO Speed Champions cars, including the McLaren Senna, Ferrari F40 Competizione and the 1967 Mini Cooper S Rally. "Forza Horizon 4" LEGO Speed Champions will launch worldwide on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC on June 13, 2019, as an Xbox Play Anywhere expansion and be available at a 10% discount for Xbox Game Pass members.

• "GEARS 5" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC, STEAM). "Gears 5" features five thrilling modes, including Escape, an aggressive, high-stakes, three-player co-op mode featuring a suicide squad that must work together to take out enemy hives from within. "Gears 5" will be released on Sept. 10, 2019, and will be available in early access for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Plan members and "Gears 5 Ultimate Edition" owners on Sept. 6. Preorder or play with Xbox Game Pass by Sept. 16, 2019, to get The Terminator Dark Fate Character Pack, which adds the Terminator T-800 Endoskeleton and Sarah Connor from the upcoming film "Terminator Dark Fate" as playable multiplayer characters.

• "GEARS POP!" (iOS, ANDROID). "Gears POP!" brings together iconic Gears characters in a cute Funko Pop! style. The game is being developed in partnership with Funko (Nasdaq "FNKO") and inspired by the Gears of War vinyl collectible figures. It's the perfect slice of mobile mayhem. Fans can look for more information about "Gears POP!" on @gearspop and can preorder on iOS and Android ahead of launch later this summer.

• "HALO INFINITE" (PROJECT SCARLETT, XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). The Master Chief returns in 2020 when "Halo Infinite" releases globally with Project Scarlett. This next chapter in 343 Industries' legendary Halo franchise invites players to join the venerable Master Chief on an all-new adventure as he uncovers the mysteries surrounding the appearance of "The Pilot" and the desolate remains of a Halo ring. "Halo Infinite" is powered by the studio's next-generation Slipspace Engine.

• "LEGO STAR WARS: THE SKYWALKER SAGA" (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT). Play through all nine Star Wars™ saga films in a brand-new LEGO video game unlike any other. Players will experience fun-filled adventures, whimsical humor, and the freedom to fully immerse themselves in the LEGO Star Wars universe like never before. With hundreds of characters and vehicles from across the galaxy, players can dive into their favorite Star Wars moments in an all new way, complete with the hilarious LEGO brand of fun that's sure to delight players of all ages.

• "MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). The next generation of our longest-running franchise, "Microsoft Flight Simulator," is coming to Windows 10 with Xbox Game Pass in 2020, and coming to Xbox One at a later date. "Microsoft Flight Simulator" is specifically designed to celebrate flight simulation fans through a focus on the authenticity of flying and visually stunning environments. By revamping our tech, working in close collaboration with the community and pursuing the best partnerships across the industry, we intend to deliver the best-in-class flight simulation experience.

• "MINECRAFT DUNGEONS" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC, NINTENDO SWITCH, PLAYSTATION 4). An all-new action-adventure game set in the Minecraft universe coming to Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4! Created in the classic dungeon crawler style, "Minecraft Dungeons" takes players on an epic quest full of new characters and environments to discover with single player or in co-op multiplayer for up to four players — including couch co-op on Xbox One. "Minecraft Dungeons" will also be available with Xbox Game Pass the same day of its global release in spring 2020.

• "ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC, STEAM). "Ori and the Will of the Wisps" is the highly anticipated sequel to "Ori and the Blind Forest," the acclaimed action platformer with more than 50 awards and nominations, and will be released Feb. 11, 2020. Brought to you by Xbox Game Studios and Moon Studios, the game will be available to buy on Xbox One, Windows 10 PC and Steam, and premiere in Xbox Game Pass for PC and Console. At E3 we showed off new, never-before-seen gameplay and provided a deeper look at the game's intense all-new combat system with Ori fighting the different towering bosses in the game's vast and exotic world.

• "PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2" (SEGA). Japan's greatest F2P online RPG comes to North America for the first time for Xbox One! "Phantasy Star Online 2" strives for bringing a "never-ending quest." Randomized fields, Interrupt Events, and Multiparty Areas where up to 12 players can play together never make your quest stale and keep it always fresh and surprising. While keeping the easy character control system of the series, more stylish and customizable combat actions are enabled for ideal heroes of players that are given life for the quest through the revolutionized character creation system that brings ultimate designability.

• "RPG TIME: THE LEGEND OF WRIGHT" (DESKWORKS). School's out! Meet us in an empty classroom for a grand adventure with a young aspiring game developer and his very own RPG. You're sure to be dazzled by his hand-drawn creations as you journey into the surprising and magical world of imagination! 

• "SEA OF THIEVES" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). "Sea of Thieves" continues to grow and evolve with the on-demand competition of The Arena and story-driven quests of Tall Tales, all included as a part of the free Anniversary Update, the game's biggest content update to date. As teased at E3, players on Xbox One, Windows 10 PC and Xbox Game Pass can expect more ways to play and new shared world storytelling coming to the game in the future.

• "SPIRITFARER" (THUNDER LOTUS, XBOX GAME PASS). Creators of hand-drawn indie experiences Thunder Lotus return with their unique third production: "Spiritfarer," a cozy management game about dying. You play Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Build a boat to explore the world, care for your spirit friends, and finally release them into the afterlife. Farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook and craft your way across mystical seas, as you learn how to say goodbye to your cherished friends.

• "STAR WARS JEDI: FALLEN ORDER" (ELECTRONIC ARTS). Order 66 has been executed. As a young Padawan on the run, you've long kept your abilities hidden to stay alive. Now, you must embrace them. In a brand-new gameplay trailer debuted at the Xbox E3 briefing, see how you will use the Force to explore your environment, master lightsaber combat, and remain one step ahead of the Empire.

• "STATE OF DECAY 2: HEARTLAND" (XBOX ONE AND WINDOWS 10 PC). "State of Decay 2: Heartland" features a return to Trumbull Valley in a new story-based adventure. Once the iconic site of the original "State of Decay" game, the towns of Spencer's Mill and Marshall are now overrun with an advanced form of blood plague: a more aggressive and far deadlier version than exists anywhere else. Though it may be familiar territory to those who homesteaded here years ago, Trumbull Valley is packed with new dangers — and unspeakable horrors. Heartland launches for all "State of Decay 2" players on June 9, 2019, for $9.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, and is included with Xbox Game Pass.

• "TALES OF ARISE" (BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT INC.). The Tales of series returns with "Tales of Arise," a story driven RPG following the journey of two people, born on opposing sister planets, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a new cast of characters, intense action based combat and classic Tales of gameplay mechanics, experience a tale of duality, justice and the fight for freedom.

• "THE OUTER WORLDS" (OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT AND PRIVATE DIVISION, XBOX GAME PASS). Lost in transit while on a colonist ship bound for the furthest edge of the galaxy, you awake decades later than you expected only to find yourself in the midst of a deep conspiracy threatening to destroy the Halcyon colony. As you explore the furthest reaches of space and encounter a host of factions all vying for power, who you decide to become will determine the fate of everyone in Halcyon. In the corporate equation for the colony, you are the unplanned variable.

• "TWELVE MINUTES" (ANNAPURNA INTERACTIVE). A romantic evening takes a wrong turn when a police detective breaks into your home, accuses your wife of murder, and knocks you unconscious. In a heartbeat, you are immediately returned to the start of the evening, before it all happens again and again. A real-time, interactive thriller, where you will need to use the knowledge of what's about to happen, to change the outcome and break the twelve-minutes loop.

• "WASTELAND 3" (DEEP SILVER, XBOX GAME PASS). "Wasteland 3" is a post-apocalyptic RPG from inXile entertainment, set in the perpetual nuclear winter of the Colorado Nation. Players will face challenging tactical combat, explore an interactive world, and engage in a deep story full of brutal ethical decisions. Create and customize a squad in single player or co-op, and whether you go in guns blazing or try to smooth over a situation through peaceful negotiation, your choices will mean life or death for those trying to survive in this harsh and unforgiving world.

• "WAY TO THE WOODS" (ONE PIXEL DOG). A Deer and Fawn must embark on a journey through an abandoned world of the unknown to get home. A third person adventure game solo developed by Anthony Tan, featuring music from Aivi&Surasshu, composers for the show Steven Universe. Unravel the mystery of Cat Town, evade a hounding pack of wolves, and find your light to explore a world filled with the relics of the old gods: humanity.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.

UNICEF Ramps Up Its Humanitarian Assistance To Children In Venezuela

A boy begs on the streets of Caracas. UNICEF is concerned that the current situation in Venezuela has reduced children’s access to essential services and increased their vulnerability, rolling back decades of progress. (© UNICEF/UN0318609/Velasquez)

Fifty-five tons of UNICEF health supplies have reached Venezuela since the beginning of the year, the United Nations children's organization said today. The items were distributed in 25 hospitals in the most affected states of Caracas, Miranda, Zulia, Bolivar and Táchira. They include midwifery kits, antibiotics and malaria treatment.

"One third of children in Venezuela need help accessing basic nutrition, health and education services, according to preliminary UN estimates," said Paloma Escudero, UNICEF Director of Communication, who has just finished a three-day trip to the country. "UNICEF has been working in Venezuela for almost 30 years. As the country grapples with the impact of a devastating economic and political crisis, we will continue to provide its most vulnerable children, wherever they are, with the humanitarian support they need. Children's needs must always remain above politics."

UNICEF is concerned that the current situation in Venezuela has reduced children's access to essential services and increased their vulnerability, rolling back decades of progress. 

According to United Nations estimates based on official and other sources:

• Some 3.2 million children – or 1 in 3 – need humanitarian assistance;
• Under-five child mortality increased by more than half between 2014 and 2017;
• 190 suspected cases of diphtheria and 558 suspected cases of measles have been recorded since the beginning of the year.

At a health care center in the outskirts of Caracas, Escudero met with health workers and mothers who spoke of the daily challenges of giving, and receiving, medical care.

"People I spoke to painted a very grim picture of the health situation in the country," Escudero said. "Many doctors and nurses have left the country. Medical centers are functioning at minimum capacity due to the shortage of medicine. Lack of spare parts has grounded mobile health units and ambulances. Pregnant women, many of them too young and anemic, are struggling to get the care they need. With worsening fuel shortages, they are sometimes not even able to get to the health centers. Women in labour need to bring their own midwifery supplies when they check into the hospital. For a country that made remarkable progress for decades on the quality of its health care, this is quite dramatic."

The recent shipments of heath supplies raise to nearly 200 tons UNICEF's humanitarian assistance in the country in the past year. Working with partners on both sides of the political spectrum, UNICEF has, so far this year, provided:

• Over 400,000 people with access to safe drinking water and an additional 25,300 people with water, sanitation and hygiene services in health centers, schools and other learning and child-friendly spaces.
• Nearly 75,000 children under 5 with micronutrient supplementation and an extra 3,500 with outpatient treatment for acute malnutrition.
• Deworming tablets for 4.3 million children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Nearly 9 million doses of the diphtheria vaccine, 176,000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and 260,000 doses of the yellow fever vaccine for a national immunization campaign.
• More than 260 education kits for 150,000 children in public schools.
• Psychosocial support for nearly 10,000 children and young people.

"We are barely scratching the surface," Escudero said. "Millions of children need to be immunized, go to school, drink safe water and feel protected. We have plans in place to further scale up our response, but we need increased flexible funding that would allow us to reach the children in need with the services they need."

UNICEF has strengthened its presence on the ground, with offices close to the borders with Colombia and Brazil, making it one of the agencies with the biggest operational footprint in the country.

UNICEF's funding requirements have increased, with plans to provide more vaccines, rehabilitate the water and sanitation system, provide malnutrition treatment and medical supplies, and make sure that children have the education and protection support that are essential to their future and well-being.

"We are committed to making sure that we reach children in need with quality support in a timely manner and we rely on our donors' support while we continue to increase our response and strengthen our monitoring mechanisms on the ground," Escudero said.

A health center in las Minas de Baruta, a neighborhood in the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela. (© UNICEF/UN0318587/Velasquez)

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

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World Oceans Day is a Reason to Celebrate and Reflect

Ghost gear is killing our marine life and contributing greatly to the ocean's plastic problem, with more than 70% of microplastics by weight being fishing related. Pictured: a sea lion tangled in a gill net off the coast of California. (CNW Group/World Animal Protection)

The oceans. They link us together, provide most of the oxygen that we breathe and regulate our climate. They are also home to many marine animals like seals, whales, turtles and fish. But their home and survival are increasingly under assault from ocean acidification, over-fishing and marine debris.

It is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum. Consumer and single-use plastics are often identified as the culprit but lost and abandoned fishing gear ('ghost gear') is also a major contributor to the plastic pollution engulfing our oceans. Like consumer plastic waste, ghost gear can also degrade into microplastics that end up being consumed by fish and other marine life, making its way into the food chain and onto our plate.

In fact, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), estimates that 640,000 tons of ghost gear ends up in our oceans each year. Marine animals can suffer a slow and painful death when caught in lines and nets, sometimes drowning, other times succumbing to painful injuries.

This is why World Oceans Day, acknowledged every year on June 8th, is so important. It's an opportunity to remind people about the critical role of our oceans and encourage everyone worldwide to take action to protect them.

And there is hope. In 2014, World Animal Protection founded the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), an international platform to address the causes of ghost gear and develop solutions. To date, the GGGI has over 100 participants including NGOs, private sector and governments. Last fall, Canada became a signatory to the GGGI, committing to the GGGI's aims of protecting marine animals from harm and safeguarding human health and livelihoods. Canada is acting on its promise.

"Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to show leadership in managing lost, abandoned or otherwise discarded fishing gear. We are expanding mandatory reporting requirements for lost gear to additional commercial fisheries and added a new requirement to report any found gear that was previously reported lost. Compiling and mapping this information will allow for targeted efforts to retrieve gear and more robust analysis of ghost gear in Canada," says Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Lynn Kavanagh, Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, says, "World Oceans Day is a time to acknowledge how vital our oceans are to our survival and the life of countless animals. We can all play our part in protecting this essential lifeforce, whether it's curbing our own personal plastic consumption, or the fishing industry adopting best practices for fishing gear management."

• World Oceans Day was first proposed by the Canadian government in 1992 and has since been proclaimed by the United Nations.

SOURCE: World Animal Protection

Holy 80th Anniversary, Batman! YuMe to Celebrate the Dark Knight's Birthday with Launch of Exclusive Batman DZNR Series

Batman (DZNR) chibi plush (Image via Batman News)

YuMe Toys is thrilled to announce the launch of their new Batman DZNR Series (pronounced 'Designer'), an exclusive line of specialty Batman chibi plush. 

As the 80th anniversary of the famed Caped Crusader draws near, the new Batman DZNR Series features artwork meant to highlight and celebrate the rich history of this world-renowned hero.

Batman has taken on many variations over time that have kept fans in suspense. YuMe has selected some of Batman's most iconic iterations to design and curate a collection worthy of the hero's devoted fandom. 

• The seven designs that make up the core of the Batman DZNR Series will be released weekly on Walmart.com beginning July 1, 2019.

Offering a fresh take on traditional plush, the Batman DZNR Series provides core Batman fans a high-quality, collectible line that pays tribute to the iconic Batman comic legacy, while also showcasing and celebrating more modern Batman designs that both classic and new fans will appreciate. 

• The line also includes a special Walmart.com exclusive inspired by the Batman Golden Age comics.

"Batman is one of the most beloved and recognizable superheroes of all time and we took great care to meticulously design and create the Batman DZNR Series to ensure that the line truly honors Batman's legacy," says Michael Kwan, CEO, Maxx Marketing. "We believe that the unique designs and quality of the chibis capture the essence of Batman and will make excellent additions to any collection. We look forward to launching more high-end, licensed chibi plush lines for fans around the world to enjoy."

• The Batman DZNR Series will be available in 7" chibi plush gift boxes starting at $14.99 at Walmart.com/Batmans80th.

The Wheels of Gotham (Image via Batman News)

About YuMe

YuMe Toys, is an award-winning global toy brand that dreams of bringing people together through imagination, fun, and entertainment. YuMe, inspired by the word meaning "to dream" in Japanese, is recognized for its highly stylized plush and toy lines which have gained strong momentum in North America, Europe and Asia since 2018. 

• The YuMe brand designates the highest quality soft toys featuring Warner Bros. Consumer Products' most popular entertainment brands including JK Rowling's Wizarding World/Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts franchise, DC Universe, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry and the studio's most iconic horror movie titles.

SOURCE: YuMe Toys

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Quick & Easy Ways To Minimize Paper Use In Your Office

Paper work in office... (via pixnio)

Paper use is more important than you might initially assume. What’s wrong with using a lot of paper in your office? Well, there are a few primary concerns: 

• Too much paper use is terrible for the environment
• You end up creating a messy office space that becomes harder to work in
• It’s harder to keep track of important documents

These three things can lead to a damaged business reputation, lack of productivity, and a loss of vital information.

Thankfully, there are some quick and easy solutions to this; here’s how you can minimize paper use in your office:

Invest in a virtual mailbox

A lot of paper in your office comes from your mail. Clients may send documents to you, contractors may do the same, and so on. Eventually, it all piles up and you have lots of letters everywhere, creating loads of mess.

A virtual mailbox solves this issue by ensuring your mail is sent elsewhere. Companies like Physical Address offer virtual business addresses that come with a virtual mailbox. As such, your mail gets sent to a different location where it can be sorted and scanned into a digital folder. From here, you can access it whenever you want, and it’s all digital. So, your office doesn’t have to deal with all this paper anymore. 

Digitalize your documents

Whenever possible, you should avoid printing things out. To do this, you should consider digitalizing as many documents as possible. Instead of sending out contracts to clients, then having them sign them and post them back, you can send out digital contracts. These days, some services let you send contracts that can be signed online, completely obliterating a large portion of paper use in your office.

The same goes for things like payslips and any other documents you usually print. Of course, there may be instances where you have no choice but to print something out. For example, a client that doesn’t know how to sign digital contracts or requests a physical copy. 

Don’t worry, there’s another easy idea to combat this.

A printer (via pxhere)

Print on both sides of the paper

In instances where printing isn’t avoidable, you should print using both sides of the paper. This idea is one of the simplest ones out there, yet it cuts your paper use in half. Instead of printing out four sheets of paper, you can print out two. So, if clients demand physical documents or there’s no way of digitalizing something, then use this idea instead.
Make mail your last resort

Think about all the different ways you can contact clients or leads these days. Instead of sending them postal mail, you can email them, send a message on social media, text them - or give them a call. None of these options involves the use of paper! So, make mail the absolute last resort when contacting people; try all the other means first.

If you reduce paper use in your office, then you help decrease the carbon footprint of your business. Consumers see the efforts your making, and it helps build a positive reputation. Not only that, but a lack of paper in your office makes it a tidier place to work, and you can improve your organization too. So, try these quick & easy ideas to cut down the amount of paper your business uses.

Could You Take Your Interests To The Next Level With A Blog?

A laptop (image via Unsplash)

In life, we all have interests, that much is true. However, we don’t always get to take them that seriously or indulge in them as much as we perhaps might like. And that’s easily done. Because life is busy and we all have commitments that tend to take priority over some of the things that we love. When you love sports or books or baking or art, you may find that you don’t tend to have much time for it compared to when you were younger. Now that you have a job, a social life, a family, and financial commitments too – it can be hard for you to work out exactly how you’re going to enjoy your interests and get everything done that you need to. So you don’t. And you stop. Yet, this can then go on to affect your happiness in life.

So what can you do? Well, the first thing to think about is for you to actually make more time for your interests. Yet, with an already busy calendar, this can seem a little crazy. So the next thing for you to contemplate, is perhaps pursuing your interests as more of a career move. Now, moving into a new career field can seem a little impossible – so this is where blogging comes in. Years ago, people just started blogs for their own interests only – so you also get to tick two boxes off here. But you can also look to make it a full-time money-making job for you too. Let’s take a look at how.

Identify Your Passion

To start with, you need to make sure that you know what your passion is! This sounds a little silly, but it’s easy to think that you’re passionate about something that maybe you just like. Instead, you need to want to take this interest to the next level and really look to make something creative with it.

Find One Hour A Day

Now if you’re worried about finding the time to do this, just commit an hour for yourself. You should be able to get up earlier in the morning to secure that precious hour, or stay up one hour later if you’re a night owl. If you are serious about making this work, then you need to dedicate this time for yourself, so you can actually make it happen!

Choose Your Niche

Now, you need to decide on your niche for your blog. The first exercise should help you here. So decide what of your interests you want to turn into a career, or at least enjoy blogging about. Maybe it’s health and fitness? Maybe it’s a career choice? Maybe it’s a hobby? Pick your niche or general niche, and get ready to begin.

Invest In It

This won’t always be the case, but when it comes to making this work out, you need to make sure that you’re in the best possible position. So, ask yourself – do you need to invest a bit more in your niche to feel ready to write about it? Should you take a writing course or train to become a personal trainer or get your master’s in finance? If you feel like you need to brush up on your skills or knowledge in order to showcase yourself as an expert on the matter.

Get Hosting

Now it’s time for you to get everything set up. The start of that is always with hosting. Because in order for you to build a blog, it’s needs to be hosted somewhere. Take a look at the platforms available and choose a provider and plan that suits you.

Choose Your Domain

And now, you need a domain to go along with it. For this, you’re going to want to think strategically about the right name. And it’s hard for you to choose the best domain name – but not impossible. Think of catchy names to go along with your branding or your niche. Maybe even your own name? See what’s available and register the domain.

Get Writing

Then you just need to write. Even if you’re waiting for a design to be made for you, or you’re still making tweaks to a template, you need to make sure that you have some posts ready to go. And not only that – it’s good to get into the habit of writing regularly, so that you can get a content schedule up.

Build Your List

At the same time, you should also be thinking about how you can grow your marketing list. Because when it comes to engaging your audience and being able to grow your presence online, you really do need to have an email database. This is a great way to directly market to your audience. And the sooner you can start the better. So aim to build your list right off the bat, as your first subscribers are often the most loyal.

Market More

The next thing that you need to do is continue to push your marketing. And while you’ll definitely want to be strategic here, you don’t overly need to put too much time and attention into the what and why. Yes, align your tactics with your goals and audience, but then, just make sure that you are pushing on with content and actually getting it out into the world – as this will help you to grow.

Grow As You Go

Finally, you’re then going to want to make sure that you’re able to grow as you’re going along. Don’t overthink it or look too far ahead, just aim to put the work in everyday, to consistently grow what you’ve got, and then aim to monetize are you’re doing so. If you start to use affiliate marketing from the start, or even advertising if that’s what you want, you know that this will work out for you. Because when it’s there from the beginning, you can start to earn a little money, and it will all become easy for you to take your interest to a full-time paying gig!