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HOUSTON — Houston leads the nation for the most road rage incidents and shootings, according to a report by "The Trace," a newsroom that investigates U.S. gun violence. The report found 215 incidents between 2014 and 2023, which is twice as many as the next city on the list. But multiple road rage cases remain unsolved and one Texas father said more is needed to curb Texas' road rage problem. Louise Wilson was shot to death on the Pierce Street elevated one year ago. Now, her father is pushing for legislation changes and technology upgrades to take aim at road rage suspects and not let his daughter's death be in vain. The Galveston sunrise is one Lousie's family had to see for her. One year ago, while making the trip from her home near Waco, tragedy struck on Houston's Pierce elevated. “It’s been really kind of a blur, very difficult,” said her father, Daniel Wilson. Police said while making the early morning drive to watch the sunrise, the 17-year-old accidentally swerved in front of another car to avoid getting into an accident. That’s when police said someone opened fire on her car, killing her. “I think that’s what she would’ve wanted just for all of us to be there together," Wilson said. But the work is not finished. During the investigation, her father said he started researching Houston highway camera systems and found some gaps. “Something has to happen here Texas cannot keep leading the nation in these types of killings," he said. From there he learned about the Illinois Tamera Clayton Expressway Camera Act -- a program to increase cameras along expressways in Cook County. He's now taking steps to get similar Automated License Plate Recognition like it around Texas. He hopes grant funding gets it done. “Trying to bring some kind of a meaning to what happened," Wilson said. Similar technology exists he said, but it's constantly improving. He said with Texas leading the nation in road rage incidents it's prime ground to pilot it. While now it's simply a holiday wish to consider, he urges drivers to just be considerate. “Take a breath and realize the person in the car has a mother has a father has a brother or sister. And there’s a real person in there," Wilson said. Wilson said he's connected with a couple of state legislators and so far, one is having their policy review team review the proposal.Amber Heard criticises social media in response to Blake Lively complaint
TOR Minerals International, Inc. (OTCMKTS:TORM) Short Interest Update
Everton striker Neal Maupay has sparked outrage among Toffees fans by taking a swipe at his parent club in a post on social media. Maupay also had a dig at Everton when he departed on loan to Marseille in the summer and his latest taunt has further angered the Premier League club’s supporters. The 28-year-old said on X after Sean Dyche’s side had lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday: “Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile.” Whenever I’m having a bad day I just check the Everton score and smile 🙂 — Neal Maupay (@nealmaupay_) December 29, 2024 Former boxer Tony Bellew was among the Toffees’ supporters who responded to Maupay, with the ex-world cruiserweight champion replying on X with: “P****!” Maupay endured a miserable spell at Everton, scoring just one league goal in 29 appearances after being signed by the Merseysiders for an undisclosed fee in 2022. He departed on a season-long loan to his former club Brentford for the 2023-24 season and left Goodison for a second time in August when Marseille signed him on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent. After leaving Everton in the summer, Maupay outraged their fans by posting on social media a scene from the film Shawshank Redemption, famous for depicting the main character’s long fight for freedom. We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.President-elect Donald Trump's repeated support for TikTok has sparked speculation about potential solutions to prevent the app's impending ban in the United States, though the path forward remains unclear. "We got to keep this sucker around for a little while," Trump told supporters on Sunday, just days after meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Florida. Trump, who credits the wildly popular platform with delivering him a large young user base, opposes banning TikTok partly because he believes it would primarily benefit Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company behind Instagram and Facebook. The situation is complex, according to University of Richmond School of Law professor Carl Tobias, given the various potential solutions and Trump's unpredictable nature. Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation, signed by President Joe Biden in April, that would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless Beijing-based ByteDance sells its stake by January 19. US officials and lawmakers grew wary of the potential for the Chinese government to influence ByteDance or access the data of TikTok's American users. Even with Trump's decisive election victory and incoming Republican-led Congress, acquiescing to the president-elect's desire and preventing the ban faces significant hurdles. The law enjoyed rare bipartisan support in a divided Washington, making its outright repeal through a vote in Congress politically unlikely even with Trump's influence over Republicans. The Supreme Court may offer the clearest path forward. TikTok has appealed to the nation's highest court, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The court, which is dominated by Trump-aligned conservatives, will hear the case on January 10, just nine days before the ban takes effect. This follows a lower appeals court's unanimous decision to uphold the law in December. Another possibility, according to Tobias, is that a Trump-led Department of Justice could determine ByteDance has addressed the law's national security concerns. However, such a move would likely be seen as caving to China by Congress and others. The final option is ByteDance selling to a non-Chinese buyer, though the company has consistently refused this possibility. With 170 million monthly active users, acquiring TikTok's US operations would require substantial resources. As president, Trump could extend the ban deadline by 90 days to facilitate a transaction. - 'Deal of the Century' - Few potential buyers have emerged, with major tech companies likely deterred by antitrust concerns. Former Trump Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin, who runs a private equity fund backed by Japan's SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, has expressed interest. During a recent event with Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son pledged to invest $100 billion in the US economy, though specific investments weren't detailed. Other contenders include US real estate billionaire Frank McCourt, who aims to make social media safer through his Project Liberty organization. Elon Musk, given his proximity to Trump and ownership of X, could also have a role to play, as he has expressed plans to transform the text-focused platform into something more like TikTok. A senior Republican lawmaker recently suggested Trump might orchestrate a "deal of the century" satisfying both US concerns and ByteDance's interests. The chairman of the US House committee on China, John Moolenaar, told Fox News Digital that once ByteDance accepts it must comply with US law, the situation could progress rapidly. Any agreement would need Beijing's approval, with US-China relations expected to remain tense during Trump's upcoming term. This isn't the first attempt to resolve TikTok's US status. In 2020, Trump also threatened a ban unless ByteDance sold its US operations. While Oracle and Walmart reached a preliminary agreement with ByteDance for ownership stakes, legal challenges and the transition to the Biden administration prevented the deal's completion. arp/mlm
D.R. Horton director Barbara Allen sells $921,515 in stockCNN polling guru reveals what Americans really think of Trump's transition and why he has 'exhausted' DemocratsMathieu Olivier is having a great season. He’s in his prime , at 27, and has collected nine points (six goals) in 20 games since the start of the campaign. For a support player and a guy who’s known as a tough guy, that’s more than excellent. That’s why his name has been circulating in Montreal over the past month. He’d be a perfect fit for the Canadiens, in the sense that he’s got qualities that can help the club right now. After all, we’re talking about a guy who works his butt off on the ice time after time, and in Montreal, we know that such players are rare these days. That said, the Québécois is aware of the rumours about him. He doesn’t want to worry about it because he’s concentrating on his game , but it’s playing on his mind all the same: It’s hard not to hear them unless you live under a rock [...] I have family and friends in Quebec, so it comes back to my ears a bit. – Mathieu Olivier The quote above comes from a TVA Sports article : Mathieu Olivier is well aware of what’s being said about him in Montreal: https://t.co/x5mslGPMGJ – TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 27, 2024 It must be special. It’s easy to get distracted, after all: he’s from Quebec... And his name has been mentioned in some Montreal rumors. But if it’s not in Montreal (many would like it to be), we can still expect to see Mathieu Olivier change addresses between now and the next NHL trade deadline. He’s in the final year of his contract ($1.1 million per season), and there are bound to be several clubs interested in his services in the coming months. That said, if Kent Hughes can’t get him in the next few months, he should at least try to bring him to town in the off-season. Because it seems to me that players with heart like him would be a welcome addition to the Montreal line-up. No? Overtime – Too bad. Jonathan Drouin has been particularly unlucky so far this season: https://t.co/7cL2kqYER8 – TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 27, 2024 – He’s going to be good. Lukas Dostal this season: – 5-7-2 record – .922 save percentage – 13.2 goals saved above expected (1st in NHL) – 35 shots against/game (most in NHL) Anaheim arguably has the best goalie in the league and they’re still 13th in the West. pic.twitter.com/tU25GAdkI8 – Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) November 27, 2024 – An issue to keep an eye on. There’s a lot of interest in the NHL. https://t.co/FDicPPTFcl – TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 27, 2024 – News in MLB: Wonder where he’ll sign. https://t.co/9qEx0j9Z4K – Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 27, 2024 This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.
NEW DELHI: The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical mineral blocks in the fourth round due to poor response. While no bids were received for four blocks, the remaining seven mines got less than three technically qualified bidders, according to the annulment notice. The four blocks which include tungsten and glauconite, are located in the states of Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh. "Since there were nil bids received....the auction process for four mineral blocks stands annulled," the notice said. Critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earths, play crucial roles in the production of clean energy technologies, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles. "Since there were less than three technically qualified bidders...the auction process of these seven mineral blocks stands annulled," the notice said. The government had earlier cancelled the auction of three critical mineral blocks in the third round, 14 blocks in the second round, and 14 in the first tranche of critical minerals as the response was lukewarm. The government had earlier said that 24 critical and strategic mineral blocks have been sold in four rounds of auction. "Out of 48 blocks put to e-auction, 24 have been successfully auctioned, including four mining lease (ML) and 20 composite licenses (CL) blocks," the mines ministry had said. India is all set to launch a Critical Mineral Mission in the upcoming year to secure vital resources for green energy and technology. The initiative involves government, industry, and research collaboration, focusing on acquiring overseas assets like lithium and cobalt, particularly in Australia, and boosting domestic mining through auctions and roadshows. With a series of high-profile roadshows abroad along with plans to acquire critical mineral assets in Australia, India is set to woo international investors and make its mark on the global mining map. The countries are now racing in a bid to secure these vital resources, which include lithium and cobalt, through a complex web of policies and alliances, realising that critical minerals are the new lifeblood of the 21st-century economy. According to an estimate by the World Bank, by 2050, the production of minerals, including lithium and cobalt, will need to increase by nearly 500 per cent in a bid to meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies. At the same time, the International Energy Agency foresees that the rise in electric vehicles and battery storage will speed up the demand for these minerals at least 30 times by 2040. Critical minerals are also the backbone of the semiconductor industry. As the country pushes to become a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing -- a sector that is likely to reach one trillion dollars globally by 2030 -- the need for a stable supply of critical minerals becomes even more urgent. Semiconductors, tiny chips that power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, depend heavily on materials like silicon, cobalt, and rare earth elements, in addition to access to technology.( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2024) - The Money Factory , a leading innovator in social casino gaming, is set to captivate players with the launch of its first-ever online Slot Tournament, an electrifying event designed to bring the community together for friendly competition and unforgettable fun. Open to all registered users, this tournament invites players to participate in a leaderboard challenge while enjoying the platform's slot games. 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Internet Advertising Market is set for a Potential Growth Worldwide: Excellent Technology Trends with Business Analysis 12-19-2024 08:11 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Internet Advertising Market Insights, to 2030" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Internet Advertising market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world. Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Some of the key players profiled in the study are: Alphabet Inc. (United States), Facebook, Inc. (United States), Baidu, Inc. (China), Yahoo! Inc (United States), Microsoft (United States), Alibaba (China), Aol(Verizon Communications), eBay, Inc. (United States), Linkedin (United States), Amazon (United States), IAC (United States). Scope of the Report of Internet Advertising Internet Advertising refers to a form of marketing and advertising which use the Internet and delivers promotional marketing messages to consumers. The Internet Adverting market has emerged as a strong marketing and by use of different strategy. The latest development and innovation are gaining the ground with which usage of social media for advertisement has increased. Internet Advertising is expected to rise owing to the increase in Internet users and high adoption rate of smartphones and other portable devices. The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: by Type (Search Ads, Mobile Ads, Banner Ads, Classified Ads, Digital Video Ads, Others), Industry Verticals (Retail, Automotive, Entertainment, Financial Services, Telecom, Consumer Goods, Others), Type of Device (Desktop, Mobile devices, Market by mode of advertisement, Publisher web site, Email, Social media web site, Application sponsoring) Market Trends: Development and Innovation in the Internet Advertisement Opportunities: Advertising Through Mobile Application and Social Media Video Advertising and Live Video Streaming Market Drivers: Rise in Demand For Internet Advertisement Owing to Growing Adoption of Mobile Phones Evolution of Communication Technology Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. Have Any Questions Regarding Global Internet Advertising Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Internet Advertising Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Internet Advertising market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Internet Advertising Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges & Opportunities of the Internet Advertising Chapter 4: Presenting the Internet Advertising Market Factor Analysis, Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region/Country 2015-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Internet Advertising market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by Manufacturers/Company with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions (2024-2030) Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source finally, Internet Advertising Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Middle East, Africa, Europe or LATAM, Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA - 08837 Phone: +1(201) 7937323, +1(201) 7937193 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com About Author: AMA Research & Media is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. This release was published on openPR.Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smile
The last 12 months have been pretty good for tech enthusiasts with a wide variety of impressive devices arriving. These range from gaming systems, flagship smartphones, brilliant headphones, and incredible laptops. We've reviewed a collection of the coolest tech gadgets of 2024 that wowed our staff, and this shows no signs of abating over the coming year. In fact, there have already been a lot of announcements about what is to come in the near future, and if rumors are to be believed, there will be even more to look forward to. Tech companies seem eager to innovate, pushing the boundaries of what gadgets can do. Here, we are going to break down all of the most anticipated gadgets and pieces of tech that you can expect to see launch in 2025 — although you should keep in mind that not all of these products have set release dates, and some haven't even been officially revealed yet. As you'd expect, given that the console hadn't been unveiled yet, we don't actually know that much about the Nintendo Switch 2 . But there have been plenty of rumors to suggest that the new system will arrive at some point in 2025. Suggestions are that the console will also be something of an evolution of the Switch concept, keeping the hybrid concept and similar controllers. However, this time around, it may have an 8-inch screen and magnetic Joy-Cons, as well as a sleeker, less colorful design. We do have some details about the Nintendo Switch thanks to a recent Investor call from Nintendo. The company confirmed that it planned to announce the successor to its highly successful hybrid console at some point before March 2025, although it didn't give an indication of when it might be released. In the same presentation, Nintendo also revealed that Nintendo Switch games would work on the new console, although there weren't any specific details about whether this would include both physical and digital copies. Finally, the gaming giant made it known that Nintendo Switch Online would continue going forward. Sony has already launched a handheld PlayStation system in the form of the PlayStation Portal. However, this isn't a proper handheld console in the traditional sense but rather a way to remotely stream games directly from a PlayStation 5. A lot of people want a true portable PlayStation console in the same style as the PSP or PS Vita, and they may be in luck if rumors are to be believed. Sony is reportedly monitoring the market, especially given the success of the PlayStation Portal, so it would make some sense if a handheld system launched next year. There are many features a new PlayStation handheld could include , and it is certainly possible for smaller portable consoles to be just as capable as a standard home console. Just look at the likes of the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, so a PlayStation handheld could potentially play the same games available on the PS5 without much compromise in terms of visuals and performance. This would allow players to enjoy PlayStation games on the go, wherever they are. As virtual reality and other similar technologies continue to grow, more and more companies are getting in on the act. In fact, quite a few tech brands are now working on AR headsets in one form or another — with the notable exception of Google following the death of Google Glass . A number of big firms such as Apple and Samsung are rumored to be developing AR devices and it is Samsung's effort that may well come out in 2025. After all, Samsung has seemingly been hinting at some form of AR hardware for a few years now, including in leaked concept videos for AR glasses . This has led many industry insiders to predict that 2025 will be the year that Samsung finally unleashes its augmented reality device. While there was some speculation that this could be a headset, the crowded market and recent unsuccessful launches of products like the Apple Vision Pro have led to Samsung allegedly opting for the smaller and less intrusive AR glasses. These could offer users a way to blend virtual elements with reality and serve as companions to current smart tech like smartphones and tablets. Samsung has established itself as one of the best Android brands with its range of smartphones. The flagship models often compete directly with the likes of Apple's iPhone series, releasing with impressive features and hardware. A good example of this is the highly praised Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra , which is available on Amazon for around $1,200. This device boasts a great display, brilliant cameras, and a processor that gives top-of-the-line performance. It's no wonder, then, that people are excited about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25. Following Samsung's usual release schedule, there's a good chance that the company's latest flagship will release in January, possibly making it one of the first major gadgets of 2025. As you'd expect, there have already been plenty of leaks about the smartphone, including rumors that it may feature seamless updates, significantly speeding up how long it takes to update a device. Other Samsung Galaxy S25 rumors include the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, a major upgrade to the Bixby AI system, and some camera improvements. There are a lot of tablets on the market, ranging from those that run Android to those that use proprietary operating systems. However, the undisputed leader, and one that has even become a common name for tablets, is Apple's iPad. First launched in 2010, the iPad lineup has since seen well over a dozen devices, ranging from the standard iPad to the highly regarded 2024 iPad Mini . Although there have been some recent additions, the mainline iPad model was last revised in 2022 with the 10th generation iPad , so it certainly seems like it is time for a new entry. According to the grapevine, 2025 could be the year of the 11th generation Apple iPad. According to Bloomberg's tech journalist Mark Gurman, the new device will have "roughly the same design as the current version from 2022, while getting a speed boost" and is expected to launch around the same period as the iPhone SE4 and the previously announced iPad Air. There's also speculation that it will either use the A16 chip currently powering the iPhone 15 or perhaps get an upgrade to the A17 or A18. While there are plenty of choices when it comes to headphones for a wide range of purposes, whether for gaming or just listening to music, there are some brands that are more respected than others. Among the most trusted is Sony, which offers the well-regarded WH-1000XM5 as part of its lineup. Costing in the region of $320, the Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers great battery life, excellent audio quality, and some of the best active noise cancellation available in any headphones. It shouldn't be a big surprise that audiophiles are looking forward to the unimaginatively named WH-1000XM6 headphones, especially since the previous model came out in 2022. Sony has previously released a new version of its flagship headphones every two years, but 2024 is almost over with no sign of a new model. That has led to speculation that Sony will instead launch the WH-1000XM6 in 2025. There are several areas where Sony could improve on this range, including boosting the battery life and adding support for more advanced spatial audio. Sony also has the opportunity to further enhance the active noise cancellation, upgrade the carry case, and increase the water resistance. Over the last few years, Google has been expanding its smart hardware lineup to include a whole collection of integrated devices. These include the Pixel smartphones, Pixel Buds earphones, and the Pixel Watch series. After some early growing pains, the company has impressed with its recent Pixel Watch releases, including the highly praised Pixel Watch 2 and the recently launched Pixel Watch 3, which performed well in SlashGear's hands-on test . Given Google's previous launch schedule, it is likely we'll see the Pixel Watch 4 arrive in 2025, which should excite smartwatch fans. The Pixel Watch 4 certainly has a solid base to build upon. Both the Pixel Watch 2 and 3 have shown what the brand is capable of, though there is still room for improvement. More size options for the hardware as well as improved battery life are just two upgrades that would likely entice more customers. Plus, Google's acquisition of FitBit has given the company access to an array of health and fitness features that continue to be upgraded. These could even include potential blood pressure monitoring systems. When it comes to gaming laptops, there are a lot of names to choose from. One of the most respected in recent times is Asus with its ROG Zephyrus G14 . This is a powerful gaming laptop that does just about everything well, including offering a decent keyboard and impressive speakers. It also does away with some of the more outlandish design features common in gaming laptops, going for a sleeker and more refined look. The good news is that Asus will likely release a new version of the hardware in 2025, keeping it up to date with the latest technology. Considering that Asus refreshed the design of the ROG Zephyrus G14 in 2024 to include an OLED screen alongside a thinner and lighter body, the 2025 model likely won't be a revolution but more of an evolution. The biggest upgrades could come with the graphics card used in the laptops. With the RTX 5000 expected to hit store shelves early in 2025, the latest edition of the ROG Zephyrus G14 could include it or the Ryzen 9000 GPU to significantly boost performance. It has been a few years since Amazon refreshed its versatile Echo smart speakers. In fact, the new Echo Spot , which launched in 2024, is the only new product or upgrade for some time. So there's a good chance that 2025 could bring some new hardware to the Echo range. A 2025 launch for Echo devices would also make sense given that Amazon has delayed the release of its updated Alexa AI until next year, giving the company an opportunity to release software and hardware upgrades at the same time. According to reports, Amazon had initially intended to launch the more intelligent version of Alexa in 2024. This would have integrated generative AI in the same style as ChatGPT. However, tests showed that this new Alexa model, while able to improve some functions, was not as stable as the previous version and tended to mess up simpler tasks. This led Amazon to push back the launch of the Alexa AI revamp to address these issues, making a 2025 release highly likely. Apple tends to iterate on its hardware regularly, and some devices, such as the MacBook Pro, get yearly releases. That means that, along with a new iPhone and possibly an updated iPad, fans of the tech company will also see a new version of the high-end laptop. Over the last few years, Apple has already made great strides in improving the MacBook Pro, so there's certainly a good foundation to start with. Reviewers found plenty to like about the 2023 MacBook Pro , and the most recent version, the MacBook Pro M4 , has received high praise for its super-fast performance and long battery life. The question, then, is where Apple goes from here to make the MacBook Pro M5 enticing enough to force people to upgrade. Current rumors suggest that the new laptop won't be a major overhaul, with a fresh compact design and OLED screen seemingly not due to arrive until 2026. Instead, improvements will focus on the new M5 chip as well as the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants. These should bring performance benefits along with extended battery life and other notable upgrades. For several years now, Microsoft has been involved in an initiative that aims to make its products as accessible as possible to disabled users. This effort began with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a special device that can be programmed and customized for uses that a standard controller could never support. More recently, the company launched a series of adaptive accessories for PC that aim to emulate the design philosophy behind the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Now, Microsoft is going one step further with the launch of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick . This joystick is designed to work as a companion to other Xbox controllers, adding even more accessibility options. It can be plugged directly into any Xbox console or PC, allowing users to map the buttons to perform a variety of actions. Its compact size makes it easy to manipulate with different body parts, and Microsoft will even provide relevant files so that users can print and share their own custom thumbsticks to use with the Xbox Adaptive Joystick.
President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend suggested the US should retake the Panama Canal, an idea that was immediately rejected by the government of Panama, which has controlled the passage for decades. In social media posts and remarks to supporters, Trump accused Panama of charging the US “exorbitant rates” to use the canal and hinted at growing Chinese influence over the crucial waterway. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S.,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. The US-built canal was opened in 1914 and controlled by the United States until a 1977 agreement provided for its eventual handover to Panama. The canal was jointly operated by both countries until the Panamanian government retained full control after 1999. Speaking to a crowd of young conservatives in Phoenix on Sunday, Trump said if the spirit of that agreement is not followed, “then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States. So, to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.” It’s not clear how seriously Trump is taking his threat to reclaim control over the canal, though the weekend was not the first time he has said the US is getting a raw deal. The president-elect has not clarified how he would force a sovereign, friendly country to cede its own territory. And the Panamanian government wants nothing to do with Trump’s suggestion. “As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be,” President José Raúl Mulino said in a statement Sunday. “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable,” he added. A fraught and deadly history Before the canal’s completion, ships traveling between the east and west coasts of the Americas would have to sail around Cape Horn, on the southern tip of South America, adding thousands of miles and several months to their journeys. Creating a passageway that would shorten that trip had been an elusive goal of several empires that had colonies in the Americas. In the early 20th century, President Theodore Roosevelt made the completion of a passageway a priority. The territory was at the time controlled by the Republic of Colombia, but a US-supported revolt led to the separation of Panama and Colombia and the formation of the Republic of Panama in 1903. The US and the newly formed republic signed a treaty that year that gave the US control over a 10-mile strip of land to build the canal in exchange for financial reimbursement. The canal was completed in 1914, cementing the US’ status as an engineering and technological superpower, but it came at an enormous human cost. About 5,600 people were estimated to have died during US construction of the canal. The canal’s practicality was demonstrated during World War II, when it was used as a critical passageway for the Allied war effort between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But the relationship between the US and Panama slowly disintegrated over disagreements about control over the canal, treatment of Panamanian workers, and questions about whether the US and Panamanian flags should be flown jointly over the Canal Zone. Those tensions reached a peak on January 9, 1964, when anti-American riots led to several deaths in the Canal Zone and the brief severing of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Years of negotiations for a more equitable agreement led to two treaties during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. The agreements declared the canal neutral and open to all vessels and provided for joint US-Panamanian control of the territory until the end of 1999, when Panama would be given full control. “Because we have controlled a 10-mile-wide strip of land across the heart of their country and because they considered the original terms of the agreement to be unfair, the people of Panama have been dissatisfied with the treaty,” Carter said in remarks to Americans after the treaties were signed. “It was drafted here in our country and was not signed by any Panamanian.” The then-president added: “Of course, this does not give the United States any right to intervene in the internal affairs of Panama, nor would our military action ever be directed against the territorial integrity or the political independence of Panama.” Not everybody supported Carter’s plan. In a 1976 speech, then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan said that “the people of the United States” are “the rightful owners of the Canal Zone.” Tensions over the canal deteriorated again in the late 1980s under the rule of Manuel Noriega, who was removed from power after the US invaded Panama as part of the “war on drugs.” Modern troubles Shortly after the Panamanians retained full control of the canal in 2000, shipping volume quickly exceeded the waterway’s capacity. A massive expansion project began in 2007 and was completed nearly a decade later. But the area around the canal has been experiencing severe droughts , leading to lower water levels that hindered its ability to function properly. Canal authorities have set restrictions on traffic and imposed higher fees to traverse the canal. Those fees appear to form one part of Trump’s issue with the canal. The president-elect on Sunday described them as “ridiculous” and “highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama, I say, very foolishly, by the United States.” Trump’s other claim, that China is seeking to exert more control over Panama and the Canal Zone, is not without merit. In 2017, Panama signed a joint communique that stressed it would not maintain any official ties with Taiwan, the self-governing democracy that China’s ruling Communist Party claims as its own territory. Since then, China’s influence in the area around the canal has grown . Responding to Trump’s remarks over the weekend, Mulino, the Panamanian president, said, “Rates are not a whim.” He also dismissed the idea that China exercised overt control over the canal. “The Canal has no control, direct or indirect, neither from China, nor from the European Community, nor from the United States or any other power,” Mulino said in his statement. Trump’s remarks are the latest example of the president-elect expressing his desire to obtain, or threatening to take or encroach on, territory belonging to a friendly foreign power. Since his election in November, Trump has taunted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by suggesting his country should be made the 51st US state. During his first term, Trump repeatedly floated the idea of the US buying Greenland from Denmark. The island’s government said it is “not for sale.” But Trump does not seem to be dissuaded. Over the weekend, the president-elect resurrected the idea while announcing his pick for ambassador to Denmark. “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said while announcing the pick.None
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LONDON (AP) — Barely a month after quitting international rugby, former England prop Joe Marler has brought forward his retirement plans and will end his time in the sport completely this week. Marler’s last match will be for Harlequins, his team since 2009, at home to Bristol in the English league on Friday. The 34-year-old Marler had indicated he would continue playing club rugby until the end of the season. He has made 285 appearances for Harlequins since arriving in 2009 and retires with two English league winners medals. “The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game,” he said Wednesday. The charismatic Marler announced on Nov. 3 that his 95-cap test career was over, days after he left England’s camp ahead of the November internationals because of personal reasons. He had baited New Zealand in the build-up to England’s first autumn test match by criticizing the Haka, stating on social media that it is “ridiculous” and “needs binning.” He later apologized for the comments. ___ AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugbyJaland Lowe, Pitt charge past LSU in second half to move to 6-0
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