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Unlocking Insidious: Out Of The Further’s Mystifying Ending

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Unlocking Insidious: Out Of The Further’s Mystifying Ending

Gemma looking scared trapped in the couch in

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Contains spoilers for “Insidious: Out of the Further”

The conclusion of “Insidious: The Red Door,” released in 2023, signaled what many believed to be the end of the Lambert family’s saga with the supernatural, dating back to the first “Insidious” film. This seemed like the ultimate finale; producer Jason Blum even hinted as much in an interview with Discussing Film. He remarked, “[‘Insidious: The Red Door’] is going to be the last we’re going to see of ‘Insidious’ for a while. It may not be a forever rest, but it’s certainly going to be a very long rest … if someone comes up with some idea in 10 years, who knows?”

Surprisingly, Blumhouse didn’t need a decade to reignite the franchise, as “Insidious: Out of the Further” emerged just three years later. Horror franchises rarely remain dormant for long, and fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to venture once more into the eerie realm of the Further, infamous for housing malevolent demons and spirits.

In a shift from their past haunting escapades, the Lambert family takes a backseat in “Out of the Further.” This installment centers on Gemma (played by Amelia Eve), a single mother who has supernatural abilities attracting sinister forces eager to exploit them. Although the film’s conclusion appears to tie up loose ends, there are subtle hints and details that viewers might overlook.

What you need to remember about the plot of Insidious: Out of the Further

Gemma wearing a flashlight while hands grab her in

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The story flashes back to 1999 when a young Gemma, portrayed by Charli Penton, witnesses her mother Ingrid (Laura Gordon) exhibiting bizarre behavior before tragically taking her own life. Two decades later, Gemma has her own daughter, Maya (Island Austin), while residing in the house inherited from her mother. Despite her determination to be different from Ingrid, Gemma begins encountering unsettling occurrences, such as the inexplicable reappearance of a flashlight she believed lost 20 years ago.

Gemma enters the Further, where she spots all sorts of demonic figures. During one excursion, she meets demonologist Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), who rescues her and tells her to meet up with her in reality. This sends Gemma to tattoo artist Clare (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), who works with Elise and allows her to enter her body from the Further, seeing as how Elise died at the end of the first “Insidious” movie. 

Elise informs Gemma that she’s a courier, meaning she can bring items from the Further into the mortal plane as well as items from her reality into the Further. Acolytes working on behalf of the evil Further inhabitant Cyrus Lam (Sam Spruell) have been wearing Gemma down in order to make her susceptible to Cyrus’ powers. Once Cyrus knows that Gemma can transport full-blown demons, he’ll use her to bring forth all sorts of untold horrors into the real world and unleash chaos.

The acolytes are hiding in a house across the street, so Gemma breaks in while her boyfriend Nick (Brandon Perea) distracts them. She learns more about Cyrus, and how he learned the ways of the Further while still mortal. Now, seemingly after years of waiting, he’s ready to make a move.

What happened at the end of Insidious: Out of the Further?

Gemma and Elise in a hallway in the Further in

Sony Pictures Releasing

Elise concocts a plan to stop Cyrus. Nick will strip the acolytes across the street of the gas that allows them to enter the Further, so that they can’t guard Gemma’s red door. Meanwhile, Elise will guide and protect Gemma while she’s in the Further. However, once there, Elise and Gemma find themselves within Ingrid’s memories. They discover that Ingrid was a courier like Gemma and that Cyrus was manipulating her to try to get her to move demons to the real world years prior. Ingrid died to protect her daughter, recontextualizing everything Gemma had previously thought about her.

However, this also means the courier gift is hereditary, so Maya is one too. Cyrus turns his attention to Maya, who’s staying with a neighbor, and successfully uses her to enter the mortal plane. Back at Gemma’s house, Cyrus manipulates Maya repeatedly to bring over more and more demons. The house is soon filled with malevolent entities, so Elise tells Gemma to return to her plane of existence, where Gemma is held back by hordes of demons as she tries to get to Maya.

Elise manages to take hold of one of the acolytes’ bodies to carry Maya out of the house to safety, where Nick and Clare are also hiding out for the time being. Gemma holds the door shut to prevent Cyrus or anyone else from escaping, and she uses her courier powers to transport the entire house (and all the demons inside) back to the Further. 

Seeing as Cyrus broke his promise, the demons attack him. Meanwhile, Gemma returns to her realm and embraces her daughter over the missing home’s foundation.

What the end of Insidious: Out of the Further means

Gemma next to the ghost of Ingrid in

Sony Pictures Releasing

The “Insidious” franchise has always had families front and center. Even going back to the first one, Josh (Patrick Wilson) had a connection to the Further that he passed down to his son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins). The idea is that parents, willingly or not, often pass along their own baggage to their children. Since Josh didn’t deal with this trauma, his son now pays the consequences. 

A similar theme can be found in “Insidious: Out of the Further.” However, Gemma is very aware of her own messed-up baggage and desperately doesn’t want to bring Maya into it. When we first meet Gemma in 1999, her relationship with her mother looks like a child dealing with a parent suffering from addiction. When Gemma becomes a mother herself, she doesn’t talk to Maya about Ingrid at all or reveal the things that were wrong with her. Gemma doesn’t want to become her mother, but that’s not how it works: Gemma has the same powers as her mom, so the demons are now after her. 

That idea was a guiding light for director Jacob Chase. As he said in an interview with Variety India, “When I was writing ‘Insidious: Out of the Further,’ my wife was pregnant, and I had a deep fear about becoming a dad.” Tapping into that fear gives “Out of the Further” a more universal idea that’s bound to be relatable to any parent in the audience.

Who is Cyrus Lam? And could he return?

Cyrus Lam holding bandage to his eyes in

Sony Pictures Releasing

“Insidious: Out of the Further” introduces a very different kind of supernatural threat. In the past, we’ve had creatures like Lipstick-Face Demon and the Bride in Black (Tom Fitzpatrick), who looked scary but didn’t say much. “Out of the Further” introduces Cyrus Lam, who instantly differentiates himself by actually talking a good deal. He has no issues letting Gemma know about his grand machinations, which is something Jacob Chase wanted to explore in the film. 

Chase told AFP (via ABS-CBN), “I wanted someone that was a bit more human and someone that had a real goal in the film. To me, a charming villain is so much scarier because I could see myself wanting to follow them.” Cyrus certainly has a cult leader aesthetic to him. When Gemma breaks into the house across the street, she sees a TV playing footage from one of Cyrus’ seminars when he was still alive. We also see much younger versions of his acolytes, as he promises them some greater purpose. 

Cyrus is eventually killed, which explains why he’s now in the Further: His soul is trapped in this realm, and he wants to use Gemma’s power as a courier to free himself and others. It’s a much more grandiose goal than we’ve seen before in the series.

Whether Cyrus Lam will become a recurring presence in future “Insidious” movies remains to be seen. The demons quickly turn on him when his plan fails, and there’s also a quick mid-credits scene of Cyrus being tortured by a dentist demon. It seems unlikely they’ll let him loose anytime soon. 

What the end of Insidious: Out of the Further could mean for the franchise

The acolytes stand on the street in

Sony Pictures Releasing

“Insidious: Out of the Further” includes many things that happen in every “Insidious” movie, like ample jump scares and family trauma. But it also introduces a new idea, namely that there exists people who can bring items into the Further and vice versa. This is something that could be explored in sequels, even if the franchise decides not to bring Gemma and her daughter back into the fold. 

Up until this point, we’ve only known about travelers, who can astral project themselves into the Further, various memories, and even other people’s dreams. Couriers add an extra layer to the mythos. Even if a future “Insidious” movie follows other characters, it’s possible we could see Gemma return and lend her assistance, much like how Elise operates in this movie. Maybe Gemma and Elise could form some kind of benevolent Further team and help individuals trapped in this realm.

As it stands, “Out of the Further” might merely exist as a standalone entry. You don’t need to know all of the lore to know what’s going on, while certain elements, like Elise’s inclusion, function as neat fan service rather than essential knowledge. This could be the path forward for “Insidious,” where each new installment brings in a different set of characters and twists. It would be a good way to keep each new movie fresh — and ensure that newcomers don’t feel like they’re getting lost in the Further. 

Heartbreak in Lake Bluff: Beloved Pet Snatched by Coyote in Tangley Oaks, Presumed Lost

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Heartbreak in Lake Bluff: Beloved Pet Snatched by Coyote in Tangley Oaks, Presumed Lost
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team

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Friday, August 21, 2026 3:34AM
A small pet dog that was taken by a coyote in the Tangley Oaks community in Lake Bluff, Illinois is presumed dead, village officials said.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. (WLS) — Tragedy struck a family when their beloved canine friend was snatched by a coyote right from their yard, later disappearing into nearby woods in the northern suburbs.

According to village officials, this distressing event took place on Thursday afternoon within the Tangley Oaks neighborhood in Lake Bluff.

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Officials stated that a coyote took the family’s small dog from their yard, fleeing into the wooded area that borders the community.

The dog, affectionately called Stan, remains missing and is presumed to have succumbed following the harrowing incident.

The heartbroken owners shared with ABC7 that they were supervising Stan closely and were within just 10 feet when the sudden coyote encounter unfolded.

Lake Bluff police and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are investigating the incident.

Village officials said they believe this is the first incident of its kind in Lake Bluff.

Officials shared the following tips for pet owners:

  • Keep small pets close and supervised when outdoors, including in fenced yards.


  • If you encounter a coyote, do not run. Stand tall, make yourself appear larger, yell, clap your hands, wave your arms, or use a whistle or other noise-making device.


  • If the coyote moves away but stops and looks back, continue making noise and appearing large until it leaves the area.


  • Never intentionally feed coyotes, and remove outdoor food sources that may attract coyotes or their prey.


Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Taxpayers Cover Trudeau’s Security Costs for Travel with Katy Perry: Report

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Taxpayers Cover Trudeau’s Security Costs for Travel with Katy Perry: Report

Reports suggest Canadian taxpayers might be footing the bill for Justin Trudeau’s security detail as he travels internationally with pop sensation Katy Perry.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau is reportedly accompanied by officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on his recent adventures with Perry, according to the Journal de Montréal.

A source claims that Trudeau, now 54, continues to utilize the RCMP for both personal and political journeys, treating them as a personal security team.

Although Trudeau stepped down from his role last March, his high-profile romance with Perry has kept him in the public eye this year.

Trudeau and Perry have been spotted enjoying themselves at Coachella and on multiple excursions across Europe, including stops in Greece, Italy, and Switzerland.

He would have been accompanied by the RCMP while spending time with the famous musician, according to the report.

The RCMP has not disclosed Trudeau’s security provisions, including the cost or their nature.

The agency stated that this was because of ‘the evolving threat environment and operational and security considerations related to police protection services,’ as information could ‘reveal or facilitate inferences about the protective measures taken for an individual,’ according to Le Journal.

Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, 54, is still using the RCMP as a 'private security agency' as he travels the world with new girlfriend Katy Perry, per a new report

Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, 54, is still using the RCMP as a ‘private security agency’ as he travels the world with new girlfriend Katy Perry, per a new report

Perry and Trudeau went public with their relationship on Instagram in December following months of speculation

Perry and Trudeau went public with their relationship on Instagram in December following months of speculation

Since then, the couple has been seen traveling the world, sometimes sharing snapshots of their time together

Since then, the couple has been seen traveling the world, sometimes sharing snapshots of their time together

Trudeau requires three or four federal officers at once, according to the outlet.

Taxpayers would cover their travel, lodging, meals, salaries and overtime pay as they ensure the former prime minister’s safety.

Former RCMP deputy commissioner Pierre-Yves Bourduas told the outlet that Trudeau’s ‘hectic love life’ could cause ‘headaches’ for the officers.

Bourduas added that the RCMP has ‘limited personnel,’ which meant that Trudeau’s needs could be putting a strain on the police force.

Perry has her own team of bodyguards, who have previously stepped in during potentially concerning situations at concerts.

However, Trudeau cannot be expected to rely on his girlfriend’s detail, according to Bourduas.

He explained that this was because Perry’s bodyguards had ‘a different mandate than that of the former prime minister’ and were not fully responsible for him.

Trudeau reportedly needs three or four federal officers at once, even as he travels with Perry

Trudeau reportedly needs three or four federal officers at once, even as he travels with Perry

Trudeau's 'hectic love life' and his relationship with Perry could cause 'headaches' for the RCMP, according to a former deputy commissioner of the agency

Trudeau’s ‘hectic love life’ and his relationship with Perry could cause ‘headaches’ for the RCMP, according to a former deputy commissioner of the agency

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has not commented on Trudeau's security detail after leaving office

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has not commented on Trudeau’s security detail after leaving office

Trudeau and Perry went public with their relationship on Instagram in December after the Daily Mail published exclusive photos of the couple embracing on a yacht two months before.

The former Canadian prime minister was married to Sophie Grégoire before they separated in August 2023 and he later started dating Perry.

Since then, the pair have been spotted on ritzy trips all over the world, sometimes sharing snaps of their time together.

Trudeau’s security cost Canadian taxpayers more than $30 million while he was prime minister, CBC previously reported.

That marked the highest of any leader in the country’s history, according to the outlet.

Trudeau’s father, former Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was the first former leader of his country to be offered protective services after his time in office.

The elder Trudeau was offered security because his track record as prime minister could invite future threats against him, according to The Globe and Mail.

However, he did not face any ongoing threats at the time he left office, per the outlet.

Other Canadian PMs, such as Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper, have also accepted RCMP protection after departing their position.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the RCMP and representatives for Perry and Trudeau for comment.

5 Morning Moves to Shed Belly Fat Faster Than Pilates

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5 Morning Moves to Shed Belly Fat Faster Than Pilates

Forget the Pilates class! Tackle that stubborn belly pooch with these 5 effective exercises—done before your morning coffee brews.

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While Pilates undoubtedly offers an excellent core workout, sometimes mornings require a simpler approach. Whether it’s before the caffeine kicks in, prior to running errands, or before the day’s clamor deters you from exercise, a straightforward routine can work wonders.

For those over 60, reducing belly pooch is more about maintaining consistent habits rather than chasing a one-time miracle workout. Engaging the core strengthens your midsection, fostering improved posture and mobility. Complement these exercises with regular walking, strength training, and balanced nutrition, and watch these small daily efforts compound over time.

This no-fuss routine eliminates the need for reformers, lengthy classes, or complex sequences. By working your abs from various positions—lying down, on hands and knees, and standing—you’ll add the necessary variety to challenge your core without complicating your morning.

Incorporate these five exercises into your mornings three to five times a week. Focus on moving slowly, controlling each rep, and breathing deeply, prioritizing precision over speed.

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Dead Bug

The dead bug is one of the most useful core exercises after 60 because it teaches your abs to brace while your arms and legs move. That’s the job your core has during everyday life. It helps keep your lower back steady while your body shifts around it.

Keep this one slow. If you rush it, you’ll miss most of the benefit. A good dead bug should feel controlled, almost like you’re trying to make the movement quiet.

Muscles Trained: Abs, deep core, hip flexors.

How to Do It

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet lifted.
  2. Reach both arms toward the ceiling.
  3. Brace your core and gently press your lower back toward the floor.
  4. Lower one arm behind you as you extend the opposite leg.
  5. Return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps per side.

Best Variations: Bent-knee dead bugs, heel-tap dead bugs, single-leg dead bugs.

Form Tip: Shorten the range if your lower back starts to arch.

5 Kitchen-Counter Exercises That Rebuild Knee Strength Faster Than Leg Presses After 60

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Heel Taps

Heel taps are simple, but they work well when you do them with patience. Your abs have to control your pelvis as each foot lowers toward the floor. That makes the exercise a strong choice for rebuilding core strength without getting into a long plank or twisting drill.

This one also fits a morning routine because it doesn’t take much space or energy to get started. Lie down, brace, and let the reps build.

Muscles Trained: Abs, deep core, hip flexors.

How to Do It

  1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.
  2. Lift your feet so your knees stack over your hips.
  3. Brace your core and keep your lower back steady.
  4. Lower one heel toward the floor.
  5. Lightly tap the floor and bring the leg back up.
  6. Switch sides and continue alternating.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps per side.

Best Variations: Single-leg heel taps, slower heel taps, smaller-range heel taps.

Form Tip: Move from your hips while your lower back stays still.

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Bird Dog

Bird dogs train your core without making you lie on your back the whole time. You’re on your hands and knees, reaching one arm and the opposite leg while your midsection keeps you from shifting side to side. It’s simple, but it can expose sloppy control fast.

The goal isn’t to reach as far as possible. Reach only as far as you can while staying steady. That’s where the core work happens.

Muscles Trained: Abs, deep core, glutes, lower back, shoulders.

How to Do It

  1. Start on your hands and knees.
  2. Place your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.
  3. Brace your core.
  4. Reach one arm forward and the opposite leg back.
  5. Pause for one second.
  6. Return to the starting position and switch sides.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps per side.

Best Variations: Leg-only bird dogs, arm-only bird dogs, slower bird dogs.

Form Tip: Keep your hips level and avoid rocking as you switch sides.

5 Daily Moves That Make Getting Off the Floor Easier After 65

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Standing Cross-Body Knee Drive

Standing cross-body knee drives bring your core work upright. That’s useful because your abs need to help you control movement while you stand, walk, turn, and reach. This exercise adds a little rhythm to the routine without turning it into a high-impact workout.

Move with control at first. Once the pattern feels smooth, pick up the pace slightly and let your breathing come up.

Muscles Trained: Abs, obliques, hip flexors, glutes.

How to Do It

  1. Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Place your hands behind your head or hold them in front of your chest.
  3. Brace your core.
  4. Drive your right knee up toward your left side.
  5. Lower your foot with control.
  6. Repeat on the other side and continue alternating.

Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 2 to 3 sets of 20 to 30 seconds.

Best Variations: Slower knee drives, standing marches, seated cross-body knee lifts.

Form Tip: Lift your knee with your abs engaged, rather than yanking your torso down.

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China’s Most Ambitious Lunar Mission Yet: A Bold Leap After 20 Years

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How do you unveil mysteries in a realm where sunlight never pierces the void? China’s bold leap into lunar exploration is about to redefine our understanding of the moon’s hidden corners.

For nearly twenty years, scientists have glimpsed the presence of water on the moon. Yet, crucial questions linger: How much accessible ice is locked within its perpetually shadowed craters? How buried is it? What form does it take?

One thing is certain: reaching this lunar ice is fraught with challenges. Tucked away at the base of treacherous, shadowed craters where sunlight has never set foot, these ice deposits are trapped at bone-chilling temperatures below –200C—elements untouched for billions of years. These sites, among the moon’s most prized, are also notoriously difficult for exploration.

The journey to uncover lunar mysteries has evolved dramatically since the Soviet Union’s Luna-1 brushed by the moon in early 1959. While Apollo missions broke new ground, the current challenge is not merely reaching the moon’s surface. Instead, it’s about probing those areas that present insurmountable hurdles to both humans and traditional rovers, and ultimately assessing the moon’s potential as a reservoir of resources for future spacefarers.

With an ambitious vision over the past two decades, China has been sculpting its lunar exploration program, drawing inspiration from Chang’e, the mythical Chinese moon goddess. The upcoming Chang’e-7 mission, poised to journey to the moon later this month, is the latest chapter in this saga. Nevertheless, uncertainties loom following a recent setback with a different Chinese rocket, casting a shadow over the precise launch timeline. Here’s why this mission is capturing global intrigue.

What is Chang’e-7 set to achieve?

The mission will test several novel approaches to lunar exploration. It will consist of an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a hopper.

In addition, the Queqiao-2 lunar relay satellite is already in place. Launched separately in March 2024, it subsequently supported the Chang’e-6 mission and will facilitate communication between Earth and the lunar surface during the Chang’e-7 mission.

We don’t know precisely where the mission will land, but a site on or near an illuminated ridge close to the Shackleton crater in the Lunar South Pole’s Aitken region is a prime candidate.

The hopper will be the mission’s real star. Unlike a wheeled rover, it’s designed to leap over broken terrain and descend into craters where sunlight never reaches, places conventional vehicles may simply be unable to enter.

Adding it to the mission makes sense, given the steep crater walls, broken terrain, permanent shadow and the need for autonomous navigation and communications.

Chinese scientists won’t be looking for signs of water; we already have compelling evidence for lunar polar water. The question at the mission’s core is where exactly that water is located, in what form and concentration, and whether it could realistically be accessed.

This marks a transition from simply exploring the moon to determining whether its resources can actually be used.

How NASA is taking a different tack

Other nations are similarly interested in addressing that same question. The United States is pursuing the same longer-term objective of making sustained lunar operations possible. Although NASA will be confronted by the same physical problems, the American space agency has opted for a different solution.

Chang’e-7 is a coordinated state mission whose elements have been designed around a single, specific objective and which can use the already operational Queqiao-2 infrastructure.

NASA, by contrast, is deliberately trying something different: building a lunar marketplace through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme. The agency buys lunar delivery, mobility and technology services from companies that own and operate their own spacecraft.

NASA currently has 17 contracted deliveries carrying more than 60 instruments.

And the American effort has already yielded useful experience: Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, Athena, attempted strikingly similar undertakings to Chang’e-7. It carried a drill and mass spectrometer looking for volatiles, a small hopping vehicle intended to explore difficult terrain and an experimental mobile communications network. However, the lander fell over at the landing site and was powered down just one day after arriving.

In essence, the destination dictates the problems; different space programmes are experimenting with different ways to resolve them.

Learning how to live on the moon

Finding lunar resources is only the first step. Chang’e-7 will attempt to determine where useful lunar resources are found near the moon’s South Pole and characterise their nature.

Chang’e-8, slated for potential launch in 2028, will move towards demonstrating how they might actually be used.

Crewed exploration will likely follow, culminating in the construction of the International Lunar Research Station, jointly led by the China National Space Administration and Russia’s Roscosmos space agency.

On the other side of the Pacific, the CLPS will feed technology and science into the broader NASA-led Artemis program, which the agency explicitly describes as laying the foundation for sustained lunar exploration.

Ultimately, the lunar South Pole doesn’t care which flag is on a spacecraft. Any explorer entering its permanently shadowed craters faces the same darkness, severe cold, broken terrain and communications problems.

Getting to the moon was one of the great technological challenges of the 20th century. Learning how to live and work there may be one of the great challenges of the 21st.

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Darth Vader Stirs Controversy by Mocking Surveillance Cameras: “Emperor’s Favorite Gadget?

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Darth Vader Stirs Controversy by Mocking Surveillance Cameras: “Emperor’s Favorite Gadget?

In a comic twist at a San Diego City Council meeting, a man in a Darth Vader costume took the podium to humorously champion the use of Flock police surveillance cameras, stating, “this is what the emperor needs.”

The unusual spectacle unfolded on Wednesday during the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee gathering, where the man’s notorious Darth Vader breathing resonated throughout the council chamber via the microphone.

The committee humorously addressed him as ‘Darth Vader’ while he sarcastically endorsed the Flock surveillance system, insinuating that such technology would be favored by the dark side.

“This is what the emperor needs. This technology will help us find the rebel scum and the hidden base on Hoth,” he quipped, alluding to the famous icy planet from “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Man dressed as Darth Vader

The City of San Diego witnessed a man dressed as “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, who attended a city council meeting to humorously advocate for Flock police surveillance cameras. (The City of San Diego)

He said the technology “will help us find Luke Skywalker as he traverses the universe in his X-Wing. This technology is a necessary, necessary force.”

“The Emperor is a fan of Flock, and we must continue utilizing Flock technologies so that we can follow and surveil the rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium, because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children,” he said.

He added that he needs the cameras “so I can stalk my ex-girlfriend.”

A man dressed as the iconic

The council even addressed the man as “Darth Vader.” (The City of San Diego)

Addressing City Council member Jennifer Campbell, the man said she needs to work on her Jedi mind tricks.

“And how will the people trust this City Council when this City Council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them? Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks,” he said before waving his hand to the audience.

In December 2025, the San Diego Police Department signed a one-year pilot agreement for Flock Nova, a separate investigative platform designed to integrate data from various sources. The department later said it was not using the platform and did not plan to integrate its license plate reader data into it. SDPD later told Axios it was not using the platform and did not plan to integrate its license plate reader data into it.

Flock Safety camera mounted to a light pole in Burbank, Calif., on Aug. 3, 2026.

SDPD uses Flock cameras at approximately 500 locations citywide, according to the department. (Getty Images)

Local activists and some city officials have called for alternatives as public criticism of the cameras continues to mount in communities across the country, Axios reported.

SDPD uses Flock automated license plate recognition cameras at approximately 500 locations citywide, according to the department’s 2025 annual surveillance report. A crowdsourced map maintained by the anti-surveillance project DeFlock lists additional cameras in the area, though its entries are not an official city inventory.

San Diego police say the technology is used for official law enforcement purposes, including locating vehicles connected to investigations. The department says its ALPR database can only be accessed by authorized SDPD personnel and that data is retained for up to 30 days and automatically deleted unless it is preserved as evidence in an active investigation.

Flock offers automated license plate readers, video cameras and audio-detection products. Its license plate readers capture plate numbers along with vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color, and some Flock systems can identify distinguishing features such as bumper stickers or aftermarket modifications.

Chinese Animated Film ‘Niu Lai’ Defies Critics, Turns Mockery into Box-Office Triumph

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A quirky animated film has captured the attention of Chinese moviegoers. Despite its simplistic 3D animation style, which many describe as “ugly” and “eerie,” the movie has generated significant buzz.

The animated feature, titled “Niu Lai,” chronicles the journey of a calf dreaming of growing up with the support of its family. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the plot alone driving its sudden popularity, but a wave of scathing online reviews that piqued public curiosity.

Initially, the film struggled to gain traction, pulling in a mere 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,480) during its first 10 days at the box office following its August 5 release.

There were days when the earnings plummeted to just 200 yuan ($30), as reported by the movie-tracking platform Maoyan. This was particularly dismal considering the typically lucrative summer movie season.

Remarkably, the film experienced a dramatic turnaround, with box office earnings soaring to 8.2 million yuan ($1.2 million) by last Monday, attracting nearly 300,000 viewers. As per Maoyan’s data, the movie’s total revenue has now reached an impressive 17.1 million yuan ($2.5 million).

Red Star News, a local news website in Chengdu, reported that the film was made over five years by just two people — director Xin Yumeng and his mother, Sun Lifan. The Associated Press was unable to reach Xin and could not independently verify this.

Posters seen at movie theaters featured a calf, hand-drawn in pen without color, alongside handwritten slogans: “Come on over if you’re into the bizarre” and “No refunds.”

A ‘terrible’ movie viewers recommend as a prank

On Douban, a popular Chinese movie-review platform, viewers piled on with mocking and bewildered comments.

Among the most popular: “unbelievably terrible and eye-opening,” “a symbol of the new internet troll culture,” and “a must-watch for Chinese stock market investors.” The last is a play on the film’s name, “Niu Lai,” which literally means “the bull is coming” in Chinese — a wish for a bull market.

Comments such as “over nine out of ten,” and “awesome and highly recommended” are also among the sarcastic reactions.

“My initial intention has always been to play pranks on my friends,” said Du Mingxi, a 19-year-old college student in Shanghai.

“If a friend asks me what I think about the movie, I’d say good and recommend them to watch,” he said, adding that he successfully tricked two friends to watch the movie with him. Both found it fun, but one fell asleep during the viewing.

Du compared young people going to the movies to see this kind of film to the mysterious “six-seven” craze in the US, saying that some are just drawn to things they find weird or funny, with many jumping on a trend whether they get it or not.

“They are just the same, it is funny but hard to describe what’s funny about it, and young people just love spreading these memes virally,” said Du.

Despite the flood of criticism and memes, some viewers didn’t mind the rudimentary production.

Zhong Jiaming, a vocational schoolteacher in Guangzhou, called it a rare find in an era when movies are often “visually exquisite and polished, but their stories can fail to engage.”

“This is a movie for the young at heart,” said Zhong. “It is simple and honest, like a bedtime story for children.”

Prince Harry Steals the Spotlight: Why It’s Fueling Prince William’s Frustration

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Prince Harry Steals the Spotlight: Why It’s Fueling Prince William’s Frustration

One must admit, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a knack for commandeering the headlines. The latest seismic shift in their saga involves their decision to exchange the sunny climes of California for the notoriously drizzly skies of the UK, a revelation that has certainly made waves.

This move comes as quite the surprise, especially considering Prince Harry’s emphatic declaration to the BBC last May. At that time, he expressed doubt about ever bringing his family back to Britain, making this reversal particularly eyebrow-raising.

In the realm of backtracking, this one is quite a spectacle. But then, it’s no shocker given the pattern of unpredictability we’ve seen from both Harry and Meghan.

There is, after all, a laundry list of previous controversial statements. Consider the so-called ‘secret’ nuptials purportedly blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in their backyard, which turned out to be fictitious. Or Harry’s claims that they never labeled the Royal Family as racist, despite viral footage of their candid Oprah interview hints otherwise, referring instead to what might be termed ‘unconscious bias’.

Moreover, Meghan’s assertion during that same Oprah interview about the royal decision to withhold a prince title from young Archie sparked further debate. Contrary to her claims, it was a matter of established protocol—children did not receive such titles as great-grandchildren of the sovereign until the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, not due to any familial dispute.

And let’s not forget Harry claiming in his memoir, Spare, that he was at Eton when he received a phone call from a courtier informing him of the Queen Mother’s death – when in reality he was skiing in Klosters with his father.

Just a few examples. So I suppose that, really, none of us should be too surprised that he has now changed his mind.

It’s official: Britain is no longer a prison from which Harry and his family felt compelled to escape – with maximum drama and fanfare – for the sake of their sanity. It is now the place they once again plan to call home.

It’s no secret that there is no love lost between Harry and his brother William, or their respective wives, Catherine and Meghan (pictured together in 2022 at Elizabeth II's funeral)

It’s no secret that there is no love lost between Harry and his brother William, or their respective wives, Catherine and Meghan (pictured together in 2022 at Elizabeth II’s funeral)

As the tectonic plates of the monarchy shift and a new royal topography emerges, Harry risks being left high and dry, writes Sarah Vine

As the tectonic plates of the monarchy shift and a new royal topography emerges, Harry risks being left high and dry, writes Sarah Vine

No matter that they’ve shredded the Royal Family’s reputation; no matter that they’ve characterised the British Press and public as ‘toxic’. They’re coming home, whether we like it or not. And woe betide anyone who complains.

Or dares to question their motives. Ostensibly, they are doing this so the children can benefit from a British education and get to know their extended family. But we all know there is more, much more to it than that.

It’s not just that all those lucrative contracts have melted away, leaving little but jam and flower sprinkles in their wake. It’s also that the couple’s status as royals – so important since without it he is really just a balding middle-aged man with very little experience of real work or life and she is just a retired soap actress – is a fast-depreciating asset.

They need to re-establish their royal credentials, and how better to do it than to plug straight back into the source: Britain, and the great British public. In the US they were small fish in a big pond; here, they will be big fish with plenty of opportunities to ingratiate themselves. Mark my words, there will be a charm offensive. Who knows, we might even get to see the children’s faces.

Cynical? Perhaps. But to my mind there’s an even more self-serving reason they’re coming home: FOMO. Fear of missing out.

When the Sussexes left, they were arguably the Royal Family’s most popular asset. A lot of people thought their departure would damage the institution in the eyes of the public.

But the opposite happened. As one by one the embittered pair lobbed their truth bombs across the Atlantic, people began to sympathise with the beleaguered royals back home. Many felt that, while Harry had some grounds for complaint, he went too far in pursuing satisfaction.

Everything now depends on King Charles’s response. He is in an impossible (and heartbreaking) position, says our columnist

Everything now depends on King Charles’s response. He is in an impossible (and heartbreaking) position, says our columnist

They badly miscalculated – and instead of being diminished by their absence, the remaining royals have actually flourished. The whole saga seems to have brought them closer together, created a more tight-knit unit. They’ve faced the Andrew crisis together; they’ve weathered ill health together.

There has been a real sense of a family united, and it has served them well. Harry and Meghan, meanwhile, have seemed increasingly embittered.

But the sad truth remains: King Charles is not a well man. That older generation of royals is fading and new faces are emerging. And as the tectonic plates of the monarchy shift and a new royal topography emerges, Harry risks being left high and dry. Had he and the duchess made a roaring success of their American escapade, this might not matter. But they did not. They’ve run out of road, and they need to turn back.

We all hope and pray that the King will lead a long life like his parents but, sadly, that may not come to pass. If, when that moment is upon us, Harry and his family were still in self-imposed exile across the pond, they might have found the way back into the royal fold was barred for good, or at the very least made much harder.

It’s no secret that there is no love lost between Harry and his brother William, future king, or their respective wives. Theirs is a deep, complex rift that has developed over the course of the past decade, starting when Prince William first sounded a note of caution about his brother’s romance with the then Ms Markle.

The pair even came to blows when, later on, bullying allegations arose against the duchess (which she vehemently denies), and William confronted his brother.

According to Harry’s own account, the Prince of Wales called the duchess ‘difficult’, ‘rude’ and ‘abrasive’, which he (Harry) took to be a ‘parrot[ing of] the press narrative’. He then writes that William ‘grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and . . . knocked me to the floor’.

That was just the start of it. Bit by bit, the brothers have drifted in opposite directions to the point where Prince William is now reportedly ‘apoplectic’ about this latest turn of events, with insiders claiming the Waleses were completely ‘blindsided’ by the announcement.

In other words, if Harry wants to get his snout back into the royal trough, he has to do it while his father is on the throne. Otherwise, there is no guarantee.

From William’s point of view, this is an obvious land grab, made all the more frustrating since the Prince and Princess of Wales have always behaved impeccably in fulfilling their royal duties, whereas Harry and Meghan have not. The idea that his little brother is just going to swan back in and steal his thunder – which, given the nature of the personalities involved, is inevitable – must be enraging. It really is Cain and Abel.

What’s worse, there is every chance that, with the help of old allies and Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, the duke and duchess will swiftly establish some sort of rival court in the Cotswolds, where they reportedly plan to settle.

With the children at school, they will find new charities and causes to occupy their time and it won’t take long before a pseudo-royal ecosystem begins to form around them – one unencumbered by protocol and precedence.

Everything now depends on King Charles’s response. He is in an impossible (and heartbreaking) position, as any parent who has ever had to arbitrate between warring siblings will understand. Plus, of course, he is still receiving treatment for cancer. I can’t even begin to imagine how exhausted he must be by it all.

Once again, Harry proves that nothing and no one will stand in his way.
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