Following a massive launch back in 2024, Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender will return for a second season next month.
The new take on the cult Nickelodeon animated series from the 00s went straight to the number one spot in multiple countries over two years ago, with 21.2 million views in its first four days and 153.4 million hours viewed in its first full week. The series, while not as widely praised as the universally acclaimed original, was viewed by fans and critics as a welcome improvement over the completely panned 2010 live-action film, directed by famed filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan.
The Last Airbender Season 2 will land on the streaming service on June 25, after a two-season renewal deal by Netflix led the series to produce Seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back — meaning the third chapter should (hopefully) be on the near horizon, without the two-year wait this time. No release date has been confirmed for Season 3 as of yet, but it shouldn't be too far behind after Season 3 drops at the end of June.
According to What's on Netflix, "Season 2 will see Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) heading to the Earth Kingdom to find Aang an Earthbending teacher (hello, Toph [Miya Cech]!) and convince the Earth King (Justin Chien) to help them fight Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim). Expect bigger battles, deeper lore, and a whole lot of cabbages."
In another change in production, Christine Boylan (Poker Face, Once Upon a Time, Castle) and Jabbar Raisani (Lost in Space, Game of Thrones, Iron Man) will step up as showrunners for Season 2, taking over from Albert Kim. Hopefully, this should be a positive change for the show as it continues to adapt The Last Airbender, and move past the baggage from previous live-action attempts of the beloved animated series that previously disappointed fans.
On May 8, 1970, The Beatles released their final album together, fittingly titled Let It Be.
The album contained some of the group's biggest hits, including "Across the Universe," "Get Back," and of course the title track, "Let It Be." It was also the group's first and only collaboration with legendary producer Phil Spector, who spent the last decade of his life in prison for murdering actress Lana Clarkson.
Spector was famous for his "Wall of Sound" present on tracks like "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes and "River Deep — Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner. Spector would layer orchestral arrangements and multiple instruments to create a thick soundscape that was unmistakably his. When Spector did this on the track "The Long and Winding Road," it infuriated Paul McCartney. So much so that McCartney wrote a letter to Spector demanding that he remove the excess orchestra, ending it with an assertive command: "Don't ever do it again."
Let It Be wasn't just an album. It was also a simultaneously released documentary, capturing the making of the Fab Four's final collaboration and the tensions between them that ultimately led to their breakup. After its theatrical release, the doc wasn't widely available on home video, making it a rare artifact from The Beatles' archive. In 2021, a restored version became available to stream on Disney+.
The album's release was all the more complicated by the fact that the group had publicly broken up just a month earlier. While many fans like to blame the breakup on John Lennon's relationship with Yoko Ono, it was actually far more complicated than that.
The larger impetus for The Beatles disbanding, as Historynotes, was the death of their manager, Brian Epstein. This left a power vacuum on the business side of things and forced the artists to dip their toes into the world of management, which led to interpersonal squabbles. Separately, Lennon and McCartney's personal relationship also began to fall apart.
Lennon left the band first, followed by McCartney. The four never publicly reunited again.
What was once considered a barren wasteland is now bubbling over the top with summer fun! The Switch 2 library is about to grow much larger in the months of May, June, and July with the recent announcements and release dates of several new exclusive titles you can't play anywhere else. These are the best Switch 2 exclusive games coming to your handheld this summer!
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book - May 21
This one is tantalizingly close now. Yoshi's newest adventure looks like something out of a dream; the graphics are objectively some of the most gorgous on any Nintendo console ever. The issues that have cropped up with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are centered on the difficulty in the game.
Early reviewers have said that the relaxing vibes are paired with gameplay that consists of low-stakes platforming and puzzle-solving. If you want to feel a rush of adrenaline while playing games, this one is not going to do it for you. At the same time, when has Yoshi's worlds ever been for excitement? They are for immersion into something so vast and novel from our own mundane lives.
Star Fox - June 25
Star Fox is one of Nintendo's cult franchises that seems to appear every now and then and fade into the background. Hopefully, the newest release on the Switch 2 will do a barrel role right through the uneven history of the franchise and allow Nintendo to make Fox and his friends more relevant in future years.
As for gameplay, this one looks to be another reboot of Star Fox 64 from 1997. The new graphics and voice acting will make it the most cinematic game in the franchise's history.
Rhythm Heaven Groove - July 2
After a hiatus that seemed like it would never end, the Rhythm Heaven franchise is finally back this July. The simple gameplay that combines random activities with the beat of a tune demonstrates that no company can make casual, relatable game experiences better than Nintendo can.
Splatoon Raiders - July 23
Splatoon is finally getting a single-player focused game with Splatoon Raiders in July. Atmosphere and adventure are the name of the game this time instead of competition as gamers will explore a region known as the Spirhalite Islands. There will still be some multiplayer options for those who enjoy that aspect of the franchise better.
Giant liquor conglomerate Diageo holds one of the largest Scotch whisky reserves on earth—more than 10 million barrels, which was produced by dozens of different distilleries across Scotland. According to the company, that’s about half of all the barrels currently aging in Scotland.
Many of these whiskies will go into its well-known blended Scotch brands, including Johnnie Walker, J&B and Buchanan's. Others are destined to be bottled as single malts for a range of different brands, including Dalwhinnie, Oban, Talisker and Lagavulin. And a tiny fraction of those casks will be deemed exceptional and put aside for additional aging and reserved for unique projects.
In the future, some of these special barrels that are aging now, will become part of Diageo’s new Rare Series. The collection draws from some of the precious whiskies in Diageo’s warehouses, including a 55‑year‑old Glenury Royal — the oldest single malt ever released by Diageo.
A New Luxury Tier
The Rare Series sits in a space Diageo hasn’t formally occupied before. Many drinkers know Diageo’s Special Releases — the annual fall set of experimental casks and distillery one‑offs that usually top out around 30 years old. Its Prima & Ultima line of whisky, by contrast, is Diageo’s archival single‑cask series built around historically significant “firsts” and “lasts” and certain marquee distilleries within the company. The Rare Series is neither. It’s not single‑cask, not necessarily tied to historical milestones, and not sold as a set. Instead, it’s a curated, ongoing luxury platform built from ultra‑aged parcels.
The Rise of Diageo’s Private Client Experiences
Rare Series also reflects how aggressively Diageo has expanded its Private Client business. For high roller collectors, who think nothing of spending tens of thousands to build their home bar, the company now offers bespoke travel in Scotland, behind‑the‑scenes distillery access, and intimate dinners built around rare casks. If you’re interested in purchasing one of the whiskies from the Rare Series, you can contact the company at the Diageo Rare & Exceptional site.
I recently sat down with Ewan Morgan, Diageo’s luxury ambassador, for a tasting of these incredible drams to celebrate the launch of this collection.
Read on for more about the whiskies currently in the Rare Series.
Clynelish 1983 Single Malt Scotch
Age: 42 Years Old Price: $4,000
There are only a handful of bottles of this incredibly rare Clynelish Single Malt Scotch produced in 1983.
Courtesy Diageo
There are only 16 bottles of this rare single malt available in the U.S. The whisky was matured entirely in oversized barrels made from American oak. The expression really shows off Clynelish’s signature waxy mouthfeel. The nose moves from lavender and rose to candle wax; the palate is creamy, floral, and peppery.
Blair Athol 1991 Single Malt Scotch
Age: 34 Years Old Price: $900
If you enjoy drinking Scotch aged in a sherry cask you need to taste this Blair Athol from 1991.
Courtesy Diageo
This is the first Blair Athol Single Malt ever to be aged in barrels that previously held two different types of sherry. Morgan compared its flavor to sticky toffee pudding — dark chocolate, raisin, caramelized sugar. There are only 25 bottles of this whisky available for purchase in the U.S. Blair Athol is a treasured component in a number of Johnnie Walker expressions but is hard to find bottled as a single malt.
Talisker 1992 Single Malt Scotch
Age: 33 Years Old Price: $1,300
This Talisker Single Malt Scotch has an enticing mix of maritime and chocolate flavors.
Courtesy Diageo
Talisker is one of the most famous Scotch distilleries and is located on the remote Isle of Skye. This expression has all of the brand’s signature flavor notes — sea salt, seaweed, pepper — as well as unexpected chocolate and nutty sweetness. This enticing combination was a result of aging the single malt a second time in amoroso‑seasoned barrels. (Amoroso is sweetened Oloroso sherry.) This is the only whisky in the Rare Series that is drawn from an experimental batch.
Caol Ila 1983 Single Malt Scotch
Age: 42 Years Old Price: $3,000
This is the oldest Caol Ila Single Malt Scotch ever to be released.
Courtesy Diageo
If you’re a fan of Islay distillery Caol Ila, you’ll want to get this whisky. It’s the oldest expression ever released by the brand. It was aged in both American oak and also European oak barrels. It delivers the distillery’s signature lemon‑meringue‑meets‑barbecue‑smoke profile with added depth and softness. Morgan called it “spectacular,” and it was his personal favorite of the current lineup.
Glenury Royal 1970 Single Malt Scotch
Age: 55 Years Old Price: $6,350
This Glenury Royal 1970 Single Malt Scotch is the oldest whisky that Diageo has ever bottled.
Courtesy Diageo
This special whisky is the headliner of the Rare Series. It was produced at Glenury Royal, which shut down in 1985. Since there are a few barrels of its whisky still around, it’s now called a ghost distillery. This is the oldest single malt Diageo has ever released. Full stop. Despite its age and a staggering 124.8 proof (62.4% ABV), it’s surprisingly elegant—orange, anise, clove, gentle smoke. There only 21 bottles of it available in the U.S.
Hoka is best known for its running shoes, but right now, the brand’s walking and hiking shoes are grabbing attention as they continue to drop in price. Today, another one went on sale: It's a popular suede-topped walking shoe, and it's nearly 40% off at Zappos.
Hoka’s Clifton L Suede sneaker is on sale for $109, a 36% discount from its normal price of $170. It’s rare to find Hoka sneakers in stock with discounts of over 20% off; this is a standout deal for the brand. At 36% off, this deal beats the last time we spotted the Clifton L Suede on sale at Foot Locker (back in July 2025), and Zappos currently has the best deal on this shoe online—it even beats Hoka’s sale price.
The Clifton L Suede is a more casual, daily wear-friendly version of Hoka’s Clifton running shoe.
The biggest change from the “normal” Clifton is on the upper. As the name implies, this Clifton has large swooping suede overlays draped over a synthetic base material, which gives it a really classy retro look. It rides on a full-length compression-molded EVA foam midsole for good shock absorption and a comfortable ride, though it isn’t as pillowy soft as Hoka’s Bondi max-cushion trainer. Even so, it has plenty of cushion for everyday walking, and the gently rockered sole ensures a smooth transition in each step.
The sole is also relatively wide, which makes the shoe naturally stable. Finally, rubber outsole patches from heel to toe create good grip on pavement, sidewalks, and indoor surfaces.
Shoppers at Zappos called the Clifton L Suede “a great walking and all-around shoe” and appreciated its cushioned, supportive design. Reviewers have worn this model to work, for walking, and as a general casual shoe, and loved the way it feels and looks. One reviewer called it “all-day-on-my-feet comfortable,” and another, after wearing the shoe at work, said, “my feet have been very happy.”
“Hoka shoe” and “almost 40% off” aren’t words you see together often, and if the Clifton L Suede inventory level at Hoka is any indication (almost completely sold out), this sneaker is going to sell extremely quickly. If you want a pair, you'd better grab ‘em ASAP.
For decades, the self-serve beverage fountain has been a staple at McDonald's restaurants across the country, allowing guests to fill their own drinks and have unlimited free refills. However, it sounds like things will be changing in the near future.
Over the next several years, McDonald's will be quietly removing these self-service drink stations at all restaurants across the country.
McDonald's Eliminating Drink Stations
Over the past several years, McDonald’s has made moves to modernize its restaurants while adapting to a new era of fast food where consumers are increasingly favoring takeout, delivery, and drive-thru service over dining in.
As a result, Fox News Business reports that McDonald's plans to eliminate self-serve beverage stations in dining rooms throughout the country by 2032, with the changes expected to roll out gradually over the next several years as restaurants are remodeled or updated.
Fox News Business reports that the move gives McDonald's "greater control over beverage portions, cleanliness and inventory, while cutting maintenance costs for the self-serve machines."
While the self-service drink stations may be phasing out, customers can rest easy knowing that free refills will not be a thing of the past.
“Free refills are a big draw for people,” Kim Derringer, who operates three McDonald’s franchises in Springfield, Ill., told The State-Journal Register. “I don’t see anything taking that away.”
Customers should expect to continue receiving free refills; they will just have to bring their cup to the counter instead of filling it up themselves.
Dirty Sodas
This move comes as McDonald's adds "Dirty Sodas" to the menu, allowing expanded beverage offerings that are created behind the counter rather than at the self-serve beverage station.
"Our fans’ love for McDonald’s beverages runs deep," McDonald's said in a statement last month. "Next month, we’re building on that passion with a new era of beverages, featuring a variety of Refreshers and crafted sodas rolling out nationwide."
Needless to say, it's clear where McDonald's is heading.
In November 2002, 70-year-old Johnny Cash released the final album of his career, American IV: The Man Comes Around. Included on the project was the music legend's rendition of what is widely-regarded as one of the saddest songs of all time.
"Hurt," which Cash released as a single in March 2003, routinely finds its way onto lists of the most depressing songs in music history. The song's accompanying music video also left a powerful mark on viewers.
"His trembling voice, aged with the weight of a lifetime, made it sound less like a song and more like a final confession," writes Eric Alper, who ranked "Hurt" as the saddest song of all time in 2025. "Neuroscientists point to its slow, steady pulse and minor chords—which mirror the heartbreaking acceptance of mortality."
But several years before Cash debuted his take on "Hurt," the original version by Nine Inch Nails had its own day in the sun.
'Hurt' may be a sad song, but both versions were a smashing success
Nine Inch Nails included "Hurt" on its 1994 album The Downward Spiral, and then released the song as a promotional single, straight to radio, in April 1995.
The song reached No. 8 on the Canada Rock/Alternative and U.S. Alternative Airplay charts and also received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song in 1996.
Like Cash's version, Nine Inch Nails' original is also a frequent flier on saddest songs lists on the internet.
A classic done two ways
Twenty-three years after Cash's death, Nine Inch Nails remains forever linked with the country icon because of "Hurt."
"Cash was a year away from dying when he cut the song, and he turned the tale of heroin abuse into a look back on his life while barely changing any of the lyrics," Rolling Stone wrote in 2013 when it named Nine Inch Nails' version the second-saddest song ever. "June Carter Cash appeared in the video just three months before she died. Without any dispute, it was Cash's final masterpiece and the perfect epitaph. When you hear Trent Reznor singing it today, it's nearly impossible to not think about Johnny Cash."
Reznor, Nine Inch Nails' lead singer, told Geoff Rickly of the Alternative Press in 2004 that it was "incredibly flattering as a writer" to have Cash, "a great writer and a great artist," choose to cover his song.
