I don’t know if you noticed but the first Star Wars anthology movie is coming out this week. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is hitting theatres on Thursday (or Friday depending on your location) and it’s a new telling of how the Rebels obtained the Death Star’s plans. But there’s more to the Death Star than a superlaser capable of exploding a planet nearly instantly. To find out more about the Death Star, we have this handy infographic for you.
Fails of the Week
Every so often, we take a look at the most epic fails from the week that was in the Fails of the Week. This week, we have five pictures, GIFs and videos that we think are the most epic fails of the week.
Formula One: Champion Nico Rosberg Retires; Who Will Replace Him?
In one of the biggest surprises of a very topsy-turvy 2016 Formula One World Championship, the biggest twist hit us after the season concluded. World Drivers’ Champion Nico Rosberg announced his retirement from motorsport less than a week after clinching his championship. While Mercedes had a couple of days notice, it caught the F1 fraternity off guard.
So what happens next at Mercedes and how will that impact the grid going forward?
Hotdogs of the World
I think we’ve gone over this before but I love to cook in my spare time. Despite that one misadventure on The Lowdown radio show, I’m actually okay at cooking. One of the things that I like doing during summer is barbecuing hot dogs. Now, a hot dog is simple enough but I like to kick it up a notch with some unique toppings so I’m always on the look out for new recipes and combinations to try.
Today, I have a collection of various popular hot dog toppings from around the world. I know I’ll be giving these a try next summer. Granted, I should keep them in mind for something to eat near Christmas.
Wednesday Link-Off: Running the Country with Twitter
I know the title is only a quote from China’s equivalent to Twitter but that comment does feel a little on the nose. I mean, Team Trump took away his Twitter in the dying days of the Presidential campaign fearing what he would write on it. In the midst of his transition, I’m sure there are diplomats and folks at the State Department hoping that they’d take Trump’s phone away again.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for the links. Let’s kick things off with Jennifer Lawrence.
The Canadian Supreme Court is weighing a BC Court decision that could have international internet implications. A BC Court ruled that an injunction preventing a website from appearing on Google search results extended beyond google.ca and should apply worldwide. The Supreme Court has to determine the reach of the Canadian legal system on the internet. (Toronto Star)
Edward Snowden isn’t missing the irony of President-Elect Trump considering David Petraeus for Secretary of State. Snowden says that Petraeus leaked more highly classified info than he did. (Yahoo News)
A German nuclear fusion reactor actually works which could change the future of clean energy. (Science Alert)
The History of the Land Speed Record (Infographic)
If you’re a car guy, you’ve probably heard the name Bloodhound SSC. It may have just been in passing but it’s almost certainly one you might have heard because the Bloodhound is a rocket car that is targeting the land speed record and the 1000 MPH barrier.
However, we’ve come a long way in fast cars. Did you know that the first land speed record for a car was 30 MPH? I suppose every record has to start somewhere. For this and more about the history (and future) of the land speed record, we have a handy infographic for you.
Sunday Link-Off: Tweet Me a River
Remember when we all had a laugh about Donald Trump’s campaign taking away his Twitter? Now that he has Twitter back, his White House team should be looking to do the same before long. I’m sure they’ll control the @POTUS Twitter account but they really need to take away his cellphone before he causes some trouble.
Anyway, it’s Sunday which means that you’re here looking for the links. Let’s kick things off with Morena Baccarin which reminds me that I’m well behind on Gotham.
Donald Trump had a doctor’s note saying he’d be the healthiest President ever but was he tested for irony deficiency. Less than an hour after an SNL skit about Trump tweeting too much, Trump was tweeting a complaint about it. (Vox)
China isn’t too happy that President-elect Trump is taking calls from Taiwan. They passive-aggressively let the world know about it. (The Guardian)
Also in questionable Asian diplomatic relations, apparently Trump is a backer if Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte who launched a drug war in his country leading to 38 deaths per day. (Think Progress)
Batman – Episode 4 Review: Maybe I Am Insane
There are a long list of people who belong in Arkham Asylum. For example, Lady Arkham and the Penguin are good candidates to be locked up for being criminally insane. Perhaps the criminally insane are the folks over at Telltale who have been lacking in technical and creative drive when it comes to putting out a quality Batman game. Or maybe I’m the insane one for expecting The Walking Dead quality releases from Telltale every time.
While Batman: Episode 4 – Guardian of Gotham isn’t the worst episode that Telltale has released but it’s also not their best either. At the very least, it’s a promising setup for the concluding episode of the series.
Wednesday Link-Off: Distraction
It looks like the easiest way to help the American people cope with fraud lawsuit settlements, conflicts of interest and filling the swamp? Just distract them with things like Broadway casts, alleged voter fraud and going after the First Amendment. When you look past the distractions, that’s were the real scary story lies.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that we’re here to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Nina Dobrev.
Donald Trump questioned the legitimacy of the Presidential election in the run up to it and is now questioning its legitimacy now that he’s won. (Vox)
Of course, accusations of voter fraud could all be distraction from ongoing voter suppression. (Huffington Post)
Today in irony, Donald Trump, who wanted to jail Hilary Clinton over deleted emails, is considering appointing a man who leaked secret government files as his Secretary of State. (Politico)
Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Not Bad for a #2 Driver
Like it or not, the Formula One World Drivers’ Champion is the driver who scores the most points over the course of the season. Sure, older championship formulae saw some low results eliminated so only the best finishes counted but that’s not the system we have now. You have to be consistently fast to be the WDC today.
While Lewis Hamilton may be the fastest driver in F1, he wasn’t always at or near the front of the field. Love him or hate him, that’s why he isn’t the champion for the third-straight year. The consistency, speed and luck of Nico Rosberg won him a well-earned first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship.
The Lowdown 