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Just don't expect an upgrade pathway.

The sci-fi series Star Ocean is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, and as part of this, Square Enix has today released a Switch 2 version of the action RPG remake Star Ocean: The Second Story R .

It's available on the eShop for $49.99 ( or your regional equivalent ). Like Octopath Traveler 1 & 2 earlier this week, there's no upgrade pathway for the existing Switch version, and save data won't carry over. Here's the official fine print about this from Nintendo's store page:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

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Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority

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A new Bloomberg report claims OPPO is also scaling back realme while preparing to wind down OnePlus outside China.

The report says realme will exit China, but its future in markets like India remains unclear.

OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not commented, so the reported plans remain unconfirmed.

Rumors of OnePlus shutting down in the US and Europe have been making the rounds this week. Now, a new Bloomberg report once again claims that the company is preparing to wind down operations outside China. But buried in the report is another interesting claim. OPPO is also reportedly scaling back realme, another of its smartphone brands.

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Peter Navarro is the White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing.

WASHINGTON — The Chinese auto company BYD is plundering global car markets. In response, Europe is dithering, Canada is opening America’s northern gate, and Mexico is becoming the southern staging ground for China’s assault on the U.S. auto market.

This is how industrial wars are lost: not by surrender but by letting the predator encircle markets while its would-be victims temporize.

BYD is a microcosm of China’s pirate business model: copy, absorb, subsidize, scale, dump and dominate. It began life in 1995 as a battery maker. Today, it has blown past Tesla to become the world’s largest producer of electric vehicles, selling 4.6 million in 2025 , including about 2.26 million pure battery-electric cars . Tesla, by comparison, delivered about 1.6 million .

This wasn’t always the case. BYD’s early cars were notorious for being copies of Toyota and Honda designs. Its breakout F3 model was a Toyota Corolla clone with Honda characteristics. But BYD copied fast, modified just enough and scaled at Chinese factory speed.

Then came the supplier play. BYD placed orders for parts, then dropped suppliers as it reverse-engineered components and built them itself. Today, it boasts batteries, motors, electronics, power trains, semiconductors and components all under one roof. This is the dark side of its vertical integration: Suppliers thought they had customers, only to discover they had become unpaid tutors.

China then further developed its pirate model, offering foreign automakers access to its vast consumer market through joint ventures and the devil’s bargain of forced technology transfer. Through this, it extracted engineering methods, factory discipline, supplier networks, quality systems and research capacity.

The likes of Volkswagen, GM, Ford, BMW, Mercedes and Toyota spent decades teaching China how to build world-class cars in exchange for market access. And BYD sat at the very center of this knowledge extraction: Daimler formed an EV joint venture with it. Toyota formed an EV research venture with it.

While Western CEOs thought they were selling cars, Beijing was buying time, know-how and dependency. Then BYD turned it all into a weapon.

Today, Europe’s car market is buckling as BYD’s European sales are surging, and other Chinese carmakers Chery and Leapmotor are moving in the same direction. These are not normal market-share gains. They are breach points.

VW, once the king of China, is now being ingested by the very system it helped build. The company’s China earnings have fallen more than 80 percent over the past decade. It will cut 35,000 German jobs by 2030. It is also considering four factory closures in Germany and as many as 100,000 total job cuts worldwide — a restructuring once unthinkable.

Mercedes, BMW and Porsche are all facing the same pressure. The German premium model of engineering in-country, selling high-margin cars to China, then banking the profits is breaking. The apprentice has become the executioner.

A pedestrians’ traffic light is seen next to the headquarters of Volkswagen in Wolfsburg, Germany on July 9, 2026. | Tobias Schwartz/AFP via Getty Images

The EU thinks it is fighting back with a 17 percent countervailing duty on BYD. But that is not industrial defense. It is a cover charge.

The EU is not fighting BYD with the necessary force because it is not acting like a union. It is malfunctioning as a loose confederacy of vulnerable nations, each with its own China pressure points. In fact, when the EU voted on final countervailing duties on Chinese EVs, only 10 member countries backed the measure. Five voted no. Twelve abstained.

As the home of Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche, Germany should have been a supporter. But Germany sells China far more than just cars: machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, precision tools and industrial components. So, Berlin voted against the tariffs because Beijing could retaliate across its whole export-dependent economy.

Other capitals had their own reasons to flinch. Spain and France want Chinese EV plants. Hungary has become a landing zone for Chinese battery and EV investment. Poland and the Czech Republic want to protect their auto jobs but remain tied to German supply chains.

Then there is Beijing’s debt-and-infrastructure diplomacy. Serbia has become the Balkan node in China’s European corridor. Greece handed China control of its strategic Mediterranean port Piraeus. And Portugal has drawn Chinese money into utilities and energy assets.

A BYD electric car dealership in Berlin is pictured on April 5, 2024. | Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Even the countries with a tougher stance have weak points. The Netherlands wants hard trade rules but must think about Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam. Belgium wants to defend industry but sits atop Antwerp, another gateway for Chinese goods.

Beijing acts. Brussels deliberates. And BYD drives through the gap.

The U.S. is the one major auto market that has kept BYD out. Yet the company is now massing on U.S. borders.

Canada opened the north. Geely’s Lotus brand was first through the door , and BYD and Chery are seeking approval under a low-tariff quota for Chinese EVs.

Meanwhile, Mexico has become the southern beachhead, importing more than 539,000 vehicles from China in 2025, making it Beijing’s largest motor-vehicle export destination.

The strategy is obvious: Build dealer networks in Canada and brand recognition in Mexico; learn about North American consumers; woo regulators; roll out service capacity; ratchet up political pressure; then wait for Washington to relax its restrictions. And once the gate opens, BYD and its Chinese peers will flood the U.S. market with subsidized vehicles priced to kill Detroit.

This will not end well unless the West unites. BYD is not just another automaker — it is a pirate ship with a balance sheet, weakening both Europe’s and America’s industrial bases, one cheap EV at a time.

The U.S. has shown the gate can be held. Whether the EU holds its own — with real tariffs, real screening of Chinese investment and a single voice instead of 27 disparate ones — is a choice only Europeans can make. But they should make it before BYD makes it for them.

POLITICO occasionally publishes opinion pieces from guest authors to offer our readers a range of perspectives on the intersection of power and politics. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of POLITICO.

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A Chase Sapphire Lounge has officially landed in the Lone Star State, as a new 18,000-square-foot location officially opens on June 16 at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — and TPG just got an early peek inside.

Once you start exploring the space, you can't miss that this is one of Chase's larger lounges , measuring just behind locations at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which clock in at 21,000 and 20,000 square feet, respectively. In fact, this makes it the largest of the multiple credit card lounge options at DFW.

And inside all that space, you'll find plenty of things to get excited about, starting with a first-of-its-kind dedicated whiskey lounge with guided tastings and a custom barrel selection exclusive to this lounge.

Chase Sapphire DFW Whiskey Lounge. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY But don't worry if whiskey isn't on the menu for your trip. There's plenty more to do at the new Sapphire Lounge at DFW, including booking a complimentary facial, letting the kids play in the family room, freshening up with a shower or rest pod, or, of course, filling up on some Texas-inspired dishes.

Chase Sapphire Lounge DFW basics

Here's what you need to know about the new Sapphire Lounge at DFW:

Located post-security near gate D25

Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, beginning July 16, 2026

18,000-square feet spread across a split-level design

Follows the same access rules as other Chase Sapphire Lounges

Inside the new DFW Chase Sapphire Lounge

You'll enter the new Chase Sapphire Lounge at DFW from the concourse level to check in and then take the elevators to the lounge's main level above the concourse. There you'll find plenty of the lounge network's traditional use of "sapphire" blue, along with greenery, brass and warm tones. There is some natural light, but no real runway views as you mostly just get a view of the entrance to the terminal below.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY While the lounge is somewhat narrow, it is quite long, with multiple unique spaces that make it feel like a series of connected rooms in an otherwise open space.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Face Haus 'spa'

If you have time on your side, you can book a complimentary 30-minute facial treatment at Face Haus that includes an AI-powered skin analysis to help the estheticians determine the best treatment for your skin.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY If you need to freshen up before your next flight, there is also a full shower available in the lounge's spa-like area.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Bar and whiskey lounge

In the heart of the lounge, you'll find the fully stocked signature Sapphire bar, complete with a curated wine list from Parcelle, signature and regionally inspired cocktails, and selections from breweries throughout Texas.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY But let's jump to one of the things that makes this Sapphire Lounge unique: the first-of-its-kind whiskey lounge, a spot that truly feels like a tucked-away, lounge-within-a-lounge.

Here, you can peruse the selection of Texas whiskeys and partake in guided pairings, including a featured cocktail I adored — the honey pecan old-fashioned, with local toasted honey pecan syrup. This was a real hit, even if you aren't normally that into traditional whiskey drinks.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Family room and nursing room

Many Sapphire Lounges feature a family room, which is a real win-win for travelers. Families with little ones have a dedicated place to play, and guests traveling sans kids can enjoy a quieter environment. This family room seems particularly well-stocked for the toddler and preschool age group, with a kid-sized table, chairs and classic toys.

Next to the family room is a private nursing room that is thoughtfully stocked with complimentary baby and toddler necessities, such as diapers, lotion, yogurt pouches and more. There are even settings to mute the overhead music or alert the main desk area if you need anything brought to the nursing room.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Food and drinks at the new DFW Chase Sapphire Lounge

Come hungry to the new Chase Sapphire Lounge DFW, because the food is legitimately good.

As is common with Sapphire Lounge locations, you'll have your pick of ordering old standbys like the Sapphire Burger from a QR code at your table, or you can visit the buffet to enjoy options such as jalapeno lime cauliflower, chicken gumbo and a cheddar bacon melt.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Also on the made-to-order menu are the cheddar grits with a full slab of bacon on top, which was fantastic.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY To wash down your meal, you can also enjoy locally roasted coffee from Cherry Coffee, a woman-owned coffee shop located in Fort Worth. There's also a stocked fridge and seasonal tea, spa water and more on tap in the dining portion of the lounge.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY And of course, there is the previously mentioned bar and whiskey lounge, which is worth a visit if you have the time.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Related: First look inside the Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW

Chase testing grab-and-go at this Sapphire Lounge

Last but not least, unique to this DFW location, Chase is testing a grab-and-go option near the entrance. There I spotted a small selection of fruit, wraps, sandwiches and similar to-go items. Chase told TPG that they are always testing and learning, though right now only have plans to test this feature at this one location.

We've seen grab-and-go become a growing trend across both bank and airline lounges, so my fingers are crossed that this test goes well and the offering expands in both variety of items and Sapphire Lounge locations.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Chase Sapphire Lounge DFW access

Compared to some other lounge networks, Chase has kept things pretty simple — and generous — when it comes to getting into the Sapphire Lounges.

Primary cardholders and and authorized users of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees ), J.P. Morgan Reserve card and Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants) can access the Sapphire Lounge for free, as can primary Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees ) cardmembers. However, authorized employee cardholders on the Sapphire Reserve for Business don't have included access.

CHASE Eligible cardholders can also bring up to two guests free of charge, while additional guests cost $27 per person (excluding children under 2, who get in for free).

However, there is a way to enjoy a Sapphire Lounge even without these cards: Priority Pass members can visit one Chase Sapphire Lounge per calendar year, regardless of which credit card conferred the membership. Additional entries cost $75 per person.

The information for the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and the J.P. Morgan Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Bottom line

The DFW location will be the ninth Chase Sapphire Lounge open in the United States, and this wave of growth is far from over.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY Chase has confirmed that the Sapphire Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will open within the next year. The Phoenix location is currently expanding, while a Sapphire Lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA) looks likely to follow in the coming years .

The expanding footprint played a large role in Sapphire Lounges taking home the 2026 TPG Award for best credit card lounge network — and makes it even easier for premium cardholders to get even more value when they travel.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

Related reading:

The best credit cards for airport lounge access

The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge

9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for

The best Chase credit cards

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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ZeniMax Online head Joseph Burba is among over 200 staff laid off at the Elder Scrolls Online studio last week as part of Xbox's recent round of mass layoffs . Burba has been with the studio for 14 years, and has worked on The Elder Scrolls Online since its 2014 launch. He was promoted to studio lead in July last year.

The news comes via Game File , who obtained a list of roles impacted by Microsoft's recent purge from the state of Maryland, where both ZeniMax Online Studios and its parent company, ZeniMax Media Inc, are based. In addition to Burba, ESO executive producer Susan Kath, game director Rich Lambert, and production director Ala Diaz have all lost their roles.

According to documents seen by Game File, all four will remain at the studio for "the next few months" to help transition a new leadership team, which will consist of ESO game lead Nick Giacomini, and business operations lead Josh Henderson.

"We have tremendous confidence in Josh and Nick, the future of this studio, and the continued growth of ESO," an internal memo penned by the outgoing leadership read. "With exciting experiences still ahead for our players as we wrap up work for Update 51 and beyond, we believe that your passion, creativity, and commitment to each other and the community will continue serving as the heartbeat of ESO."

ZeniMax Online has shrunk considerably since late 2024, when its headcount was roughly 461 if union membership is any indication. After layoffs in 2025 and 2026 the studio has lost at least 40% of its workforce. Lopping off executive staff is probably a quick and easy way to save money, but it also means destroying—especially in the case of Burba—decades worth of institutional knowledge.

It's unclear how "growth" will be achieved for ESO in light of how severely the studio's head count has contracted, but according to ESO community manager Kevin Gbolie, writing after news of the layoffs, "the plan is still to deliver great content, and we will hopefully have an update soon."

Last week's seismic Microsoft layoffs also impacted ZeniMax Media: of the 379 in total, 213 were from ZeniMax Online Studios, and 166 from ZeniMax Media, the latter including Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda's publishing concerns.