31Dec
RBI Shares Observations Around Tokenisation, Crypto in Financial Stability Report 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Financial Stability Report for 2024 on December 30. In the report, the apex bank shared its observations around the emerging practice of tokenising assets on blockchains. While acknowledging that this practice is still in its early stages, the RBI flagged potential concerns, noting that asset tokenisation is expected to accelerate in 2025 as more countries implement regulations around crypto and blockchain technologies. In addition, the report highlighted RBI’s outlook on cryptocurrencies.

As per the RBI, asset tokenisation is a rapidly growing financial innovation. In its report, India’s central bank said the tokenisation of financial assets like bank deposits, shares, and government securities is garnering interest among investors.

“It (asset tokenisation) has the potential to deepen the interconnectedness between the traditional financial system and the decentralised financial (DeFi) system, including the crypto-assets ecosystem,” the Financial Stability Report said.

Tokenising an asset involves digitising physical assets on the blockchain into divisible units, each representing a fraction of the underlying entity. Experts believe asset tokenisation can enhance liquidity for physical assets like land or property, enabling owners to sell fractions of their assets without losing the inherent utility value.

However, the RBI report expressed concerns about asset tokenisation, highlighting the potential vulnerabilities it could introduce to existing financial systems.

“Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)-based tokenisation can expose several several financial stability vulnerabilities, including liquidity, maturity mismatches, and operational fragilities. Given that it is still in its infancy, financial stability concerns of tokenisation of assets are currently limited,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, the RBI’s concerns regarding the integration of cryptocurrencies into financial systems remain unchanged. The bank noted it has closely monitored the volatile price fluctuations of crypto assets throughout the year. Referencing the IMF-FSB synthesis paper, the RBI reiterated that the widespread adoption of crypto assets could pose risks to macroeconomic and financial stability.

“It (crypto assets) could reduce the effectiveness of monetary policy, worsen fiscal risks, circumvent capital flow management measures, divert resources available for financing the real economy and threaten global financial stability,” the RBI report mentioned.

That said, the RBI acknowledged the continued growth of the crypto sector, noting an increasing trend of traditional financial systems experimenting with and engaging with crypto assets.

Currently, the Indian government has not set a definitive timeline for finalising comprehensive regulations to govern the crypto sector. In contrast, the US is expected to see several pro-crypto changes in 2025 under President-elect Donald Trump’s leadership.
31Dec
Top 10 SEO expert columns of 2024 on Search Engine Land

Since Search Engine Land launched, we have given SEO experts a platform to share their in-depth knowledge and timely insights – with the goal of helping you solve problems, manage challenges and understand the constantly shifting SEO landscape.

What follows are links to the 10 most-read, must-read Search Engine Land SEO columns of 2024 that were contributed by our fantastic group of Subject Matter Experts.

Dive into Google Search Console’s features and reports, plus how to navigate the tool like a pro, from basic setup to advanced SEO analysis. (By Anna Crowe. Published July 8.)

Get more done in less time with these must-have AI tools to automate tasks, optimize content and improve your search engine rankings. (By Ludwig Makhyan. Published Sept. 27.)

Steps for using GSC to review your traffic, analyze the search landscape and make impactful optimizations for quick results. (By Marcus Miller. Published Aug. 22.)

Leverage AI like ChatGPT to generate more human-sounding long-form content. Refine prompts with details to produce engaging articles. (By James Allen. Published Feb. 26.)

Google now highlights content creators as trusted sources in search results. Here’s why this matters for E-E-A-T and how SEOs can benefit. (By Jason Barnard. Published Sept. 25.)

Addressing common questions, critiques and concerns following the massive Google Search leak and how your approach to SEO should change. (By Michael King. Published May 30.)

Understand what GEO is, how it’s revolutionizing digital marketing and key strategies to optimize for AI-driven search. (By Christina Adame. Published July 29.)

This breakdown unveils potential Google Search ranking factors, including details on PageRank variations, site authority metrics and more. (By Andrew Ansley. Published May 30.)

An in-depth analysis of how Google’s complex ranking system works and components like Twiddlers and NavBoost that influence search results. (By Mario Fischer. Published Aug. 13.)

Here’s a comparison of genAI tools ChatGPT, Bard, Bing Chat Balanced, Bing Chat Creative, and Claude based on four metrics. (By Eric Enge. Published Jan. 26.)
31Dec
Ichiban Is Number One: Why Like A Dragon’s Protagonist Stands Out From Other Heroes

These days, it seems like every protagonist is edgy and serious–with maybe the exception of cartoon mascots–across movies, games, TV, and wherever else you can imagine. Leave it to the Like a Dragon game series, which is essentially a playable Japanese-crime soap opera when you get down to it, to rethink that idea. Ichiban Kasuga is a refreshing, powerful antithesis to that, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth put his optimistic, unironic outlook on the world to the test–one he passes with flying colors.

Warning: We’ll be discussing some spoilers from very early and very late in the game. This picture of Ichiban is your chance to back out now.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza introduced us to Ichiban for the first time. As a longtime fan of the series, I was initially suspicious. I wondered, who’s this guy? Who’s this goofy-looking dork with hair like he bit down too hard on a live wire?

He quickly won me and many other Yakuza fans over quickly with his enthusiasm and seemingly bottomless well of optimism that he can pull from whenever he or someone he cares about seems to be cornered.

It was Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, though, that really cemented him as the new protagonist of this series. Sure, Like a Dragon: Yakuza had its share of drama, but Infinite Wealth put him through the wringer. He meets his first party member, Tomizawa, when Tomizawa takes him to a back alley of Honolulu to scam him. Then he meets his second, Chitose, when she drugs him and leaves him naked on a public beach (with only the most rudimentary command of English, too). After those early-game betrayals, he goes through bunches more, including the discovery that one of his warmest recent friendships was a ruse by the person who engineered Ichiban being fired from his job in disgrace.

No Caption Provided

In the final moments of the game, though, Ichiban tracks that man down and convinces him to turn himself in to the cops. Ichiban carries the guy through Kamurocho to the police station, even as people huck trash at them the whole way.

The game opens on Ichiban trying to help ex-yakuza find legitimate jobs, and ends with him trying to rehabilitate someone who literally tried to destroy every bit of his life, and even those of his friends.

Kiryu will always be my favorite protagonist, but the way Ichiban plays reflects the difference in their approaches. Kiryu is kind of a time traveler, acting like the yakuza depicted in old crime movies. His missions are often about helping people, but they’re often framed more like life lessons. For Ichiban, though, every chance to help someone is like a chance to cannonball off a diving board; he rushes into it against his own best interests and is immediately all-in. He trusts first and forgives quickly. It makes him seem naive at times, as we see in the opening hours of the game. But what it becomes is a rallying point for everyone around him. He’s naive, yes, but he’s also confident, brave, and reliable, and it’s a virus that begins to infect all of the people around him who had been pushed out of society in different way.

No Caption Provided

Throughout Infinite Wealth, you build relationships with each of your party members, and when you stop by the watering hole they all chill at after a hard day of questing, you have the chance to take that relationship to the next level (no, not like that) by listening to them vent about their own rough histories, and then helping them overcome them.

Kiryu spends games trying to honorably isolate himself from everyone he knows and loves, seeing his presence as a curse on their lives–that the drama coming around them is entirely his fault. Ichiban is the opposite, though, as he works overtime to unite everyone around him.

So many games put you in the shoes of grimdark or tortured people–Alan Wake, Spider-Man 2’s version of Peter Parker, Space Marine 2’s Captain Titus, FFVII’s Cloud, James Sunderland of Silent Hill 2, to name a few recent examples. Some of my favorite game characters are among that list, but even so, Ichiban continues to stand out as special in modern gaming: a video game hero who’s excited to be there, ready to get a team together, and take on all challengers without ever coming across as trite, false, or annoying.

More Best Of 2024:
31Dec
Brain structure differences are associated with early use of substances among adolescents

A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not. Many of these structural brain differences appeared to exist in childhood before any substance use, suggesting they may play a role in the risk of substance use initiation later in life, in tandem with genetic, environmental, and other neurological factors.

“This adds to some emerging evidence that an individual’s brain structure, alongside their unique genetics, environmental exposures, and interactions among these factors, may impact their level of risk and resilience for substance use and addiction,” said Nora Volkow M.D., director of NIDA. “Understanding the complex interplay between the factors that contribute and that protect against drug use is crucial for informing effective prevention interventions and providing support for those who may be most vulnerable.”

Among the 3,460 adolescents who initiated substances before age 15, most (90.2%) reported trying alcohol, with considerable overlap with nicotine and/or cannabis use; 61.5% and 52.4% of kids initiating nicotine and cannabis, respectively, also reported initiating alcohol. Substance initiation was associated with a variety of brain-wide (global) as well as more regional structural differences primarily involving the cortex, some of which were substance-specific. While these data could someday help inform clinical prevention strategies, the researchers emphasize that brain structure alone cannot predict substance use during adolescence, and that these data should not be used as a diagnostic tool.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study,(ABCD Study), the largest longitudinal study of brain development and health in children and adolescents in the United States, which is supported by the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and nine other institutes, centers, and offices.

Using data from the ABCD Study, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis assessed MRI scans taken of 9,804 children across the U.S. when they were ages 9 to 11 — at “baseline” — and followed the participants over three years to determine whether certain aspects of brain structure captured in the baseline MRIs were associated with early substance initiation. They monitored for alcohol, nicotine, and/or cannabis use, the most common substances used in early adolescence, as well as use of other illicit substances. The researchers compared MRIs of 3,460 participants who reported substance initiation before age 15 from 2016 to 2021 to those who did not (6,344).

They assessed both global and regional differences in brain structure, looking at measures like volume, thickness, depth of brain folds, and surface area, primarily in the brain cortex. The cortex is the outermost layer of the brain, tightly packed with neurons and responsible for many higher-level processes, including learning, sensation, memory, language, emotion, and decision-making. Specific characteristics and differences in these structures — measured by thickness, surface area, and volume — have been linked to variability in cognitive abilities and neurological conditions.

The researchers identified five brain structural differences at the global level between those who reported substance initiation before the age of 15 and those who did not. These included greater total brain volume and greater subcortical volume in those who indicated substance initiation. An additional 39 brain structure differences were found at the regional level, with approximately 56% of the regional variation involving cortical thickness. Some brain structural differences also appeared unique to the type of substance used.

In a post-hoc analysis, the researchers found that many of these brain differences still held even after removing those participants who reported substance initiation prior to collection of their baseline MRIs. The resulting comparison was between those who did not report any substance use initiation and a subgroup of 1,203 participants in the substance use initiation group who did not have any substance use experience when their MRIs were first captured. The results of this secondary analysis suggest that some of these brain structural differences may exist prior to any substance use, challenging the interpretation that such differences are only driven by substance exposure and pointing to an area for further investigation.

While some of the brain regions where differences were identified have been linked to sensation-seeking and impulsivity, the researchers note that more work is needed to delineate how these structural differences may translate to differences in brain function or behaviors. They also emphasize that the interplay between genetics, environment, brain structure, the prenatal environment, and behavior influence affect behaviors.

Another recent analysis of data from the ABCD study conducted by the University of Michigan demonstrates this interplay, showing that patterns of functional brain connectivity in early adolescence could predict substance use initiation in youth, and that these trajectories were likely influenced by exposure to pollution.

Future studies will be crucial to determine how initial brain structure differences may change as children age and with continued substance use or development of substance use disorder.

“Through the ABCD study, we have a robust and large database of longitudinal data to go beyond previous neuroimaging research to understand the bidirectional relationship between brain structure and substance use,” said Alex Miller, Ph.D., the study’s corresponding author and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Indiana University. “The hope is that these types of studies, in conjunction with other data on environmental exposures and genetic risk, could help change how we think about the development of substance use disorders and inform more accurate models of addiction moving forward.”
31Dec
Landmark Case on Offer, Acceptance, and Knowledge of Offer

The Lalman Shukla v. Gauri Dutt case is a foundational case in Indian contract law, especially regarding the requirements of acceptance and communication in forming a legally binding contract. The case highlights the importance of awareness of an offer to constitute a valid acceptance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Facts of the Case
Issues Raised
Arguments Advanced
Laws Applicable
Judgement of the Case
Analysis of the Case

Facts of the Case

In the case of Lalman Shukla v. Gauri Dutt, the dispute centered on whether Lalman Shukla, who was employed by Gauri Dutt, was entitled to a reward for finding Dutt’s missing nephew.

The court found that no valid contract existed between them for the reward. Although Shukla did find the nephew, he was unaware of the reward offer before undertaking the search, thus he couldn’t have accepted the offer beforehand.

The court emphasized that Shukla’s actions were part of his duties as a servant and not a result of a pre-agreed contractual obligation for the reward. Therefore, the court ruled against Shukla’s claim for the reward of Rs. 501, highlighting the necessity for knowledge and consent for a contract to be valid.

Issues Raised 

  • Nature and clarity of the offer made by the defendant regarding the reward.
  • Whether the actions of the plaintiff constituted a valid acceptance of the defendant’s offer.
  • Determination of whether a valid contract existed between the parties.
  • Entitlement of the plaintiff to receive the claimed reward of Rs. 499 from the defendant.

Arguments Advanced 

In Lalman Shukla v. Gauri Dutt, the Plaintiff contended that by diligently fulfilling the task of locating the defendant’s missing nephew, he had implicitly accepted the general offer made by Gauri Dutt.

The Plaintiff argued that specific knowledge of the offer’s terms was unnecessary for acceptance, pointing to legal precedents such as Gibbons v. Proctor and Wiliams v. Crawardine.

These cases illustrated that an offer can be accepted even if the offeree learns about the reward after performing the required task. Additionally, invoking Section 8 of the Indian Contract Act, the Plaintiff asserted that his actions constituted valid acceptance by fulfilling the conditions mentioned in the offer.

Contrarily, the Defendant in Lalman Shukla v. Gauri Dutt contended that for a contract to form, the acceptance of an offer requires knowledge of the offer itself. Citing the case of Fitch v. Snedeker, where a reward was offered for information leading to the capture of a criminal, the Defendant emphasized that Fitch, who provided the crucial information, was unaware of the reward at the time of his actions.

The court in that case ruled against Fitch, establishing the principle that knowledge of the offer at the time of performing the task is essential for acceptance. Similarly, in this instance, the Defendant argued that since the Plaintiff had no prior knowledge of the reward before finding the nephew, there was no valid acceptance of the offer. This distinction formed the crux of the dispute over whether the Plaintiff was entitled to claim the reward of Rs. 499.

Laws Applicable 

  • Offer and Proposal: The case revolves around the concept of an offer made by Gauri Dutt, promising a reward of Rs. 501 to anyone who finds his missing nephew. An offer, according to the Indian Contract Act, must be communicated clearly and include all essential terms.
  • Knowledge of Offer: According to Section 4 of the Indian Contract Act, for a contract to be valid, the offeree (Lalman Shukla) must have complete knowledge of the offer before accepting it. Lalman Shukla was unaware of the reward offer at the time he found and returned Gauri Dutt’s nephew.
  • Acceptance: Acceptance of an offer requires the offeree to agree to the terms laid out in the offer and communicate this acceptance to the offeror. In this case, Lalman Shukla did not communicate his acceptance of the reward offer to Gauri Dutt, as he was unaware of the offer’s existence.
  • Implied Acceptance under Section 8: Section 8 of the Indian Contract Act allows for implied acceptance when the offeree performs the conditions laid out in an offer. However, for implied acceptance to apply, the offeree must have had prior knowledge of the offer. Lalman Shukla’s actions in finding the nephew were considered part of his duties as a servant, not voluntary acceptance of the reward offer.
  • Agreement and Valid Contract: An agreement requires both parties to agree to the terms laid out in the offer and acceptance. Since Lalman Shukla did not have knowledge of the offer and did not communicate acceptance, no valid contract existed between him and Gauri Dutt. Therefore, Lalman Shukla was not entitled to claim the reward of Rs. 501 under the principles of contract law.

Judgement of the Case

In this judgment, the Allahabad High Court deliberated on the fundamental principles of contract law, emphasizing that for a contract to be legally binding, there must be mutual knowledge and acceptance of the offer.

The court found that Lalman Shukla, while fulfilling his duties as a servant, had no prior awareness of the reward offered by Gauri Dutt for finding his nephew. Since Shukla did not know about the reward before performing the task, he could not have accepted the offer at the time of performing the action.

Therefore, the court ruled that no valid contract existed between Shukla and Dutt, dismissing Shukla’s claim for the reward. The decision underscores the importance of mutual understanding and explicit acceptance in forming contractual obligations under Indian law.

Analysis of the Case

This case serves as a significant precedent in Indian contract law, highlighting essential principles governing the formation of valid contracts. The Allahabad High Court’s judgment focused on the fundamental requirement that for a contract to be enforceable, there must be both knowledge and acceptance of the offer by the offeree.

In this instance, Lalman Shukla, despite successfully finding Gauri Dutt’s missing nephew, was unaware of the reward offer beforehand. This lack of prior knowledge meant that Shukla could not have accepted the offer at the time he performed the task, as per the principles outlined in Section 4 of the Indian Contract Act.

The court’s decision emphasized that Shukla’s actions were merely fulfilling his duties as a servant and not a voluntary acceptance of the reward offer, thereby negating the existence of a valid contract between the parties.

Furthermore, the case underscores the importance of clarity in communication and mutual agreement in contractual relationships. It reaffirms the principle that for an offer to be accepted, the offeree must be aware of its terms and explicitly communicate acceptance to the offeror.

The court’s reliance on legal precedents and statutory provisions such as Section 8 of the Indian Contract Act elucidates the stringent requirements for implied acceptance and the necessity of prior knowledge of the offer for such acceptance to hold.

Overall, the judgment reinforces the foundational aspects of contract law in India, ensuring that contractual obligations are based on informed consent and mutual agreement.
31Dec
Year Ender 2024 | Exotic pets on the rise: Unusual companions that gained popularity in 2024

Mainstream pets are traditionally furry cats and dogs. But 2024 showed all animals, even the exotic, surprising ones can be household pets and worthy of all the love. Unconventional pets surged in popularity, from reptiles to amphibians, pets owners chose pets that are not regular, traditional household companions. Let’s see what are these exotic pets.

Exotic pets are on the rise. (Pexels)

Starting the list off with an adorable reptile, a Gecko is small and fascinating with their unique patterns. They are kept in warm, well-maintained terrariums that mimic their natural habitats, complete with hiding spots and climbing structures. Gecko is perfect for first-time reptile owners.

Axolotl is an amphibian and one of the most unique pets you can own. Known as the ‘Mexican walking fish,’ it stays in its larval stage throughout its life, giving it a goofy smile.

Spiders may be the worst nightmare for people with arachnophobia, but these eight-legged creatures are fascinating and surreal to many exotic pet enthusiasts. With a wide variety of species available, including tarantulas, which are the most popular, spiders can be a low-maintenance pet option for those looking for something unique. All spider pets are not huge like tarantulas, there are small, miniature ones as well.

Chinchillas will make you explode with cute aggression with their soft, fluffy coats and playful nature. These adorable rodents need regular dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy. They are playful and adorable with their cartoon-like gaze.

Hedgehogs have spiky scales but it does little to damper their overwhelming cuteness. They are small yet curious, winning the hearts of their pet parents with their playful nature.

31Dec
Dog Supplements | How to Choose

Dog supplements abound in the marketplace, so how do you know which ones to choose? Russell Phillips weighed in on the subject on the recent “Happy, Healthy Pets” radio podcast.

Why Give Dog Supplements?

Always consult with your veterinarian before providing supplements for your dog to make sure there are no counter-indications to supplementation based on the dog’s history and physical needs. Furthermore, giving your pet a dog food with high-quality ingredients will likely provide your dog with the right balance of vitamins and minerals needed.

Russell, of Wholistic Pet Organics, suggests that if you provide your dog with a homemade diet, supplementation may be necessary to fill any dietary gaps in vitamins or minerals. Of course, there are specific medical conditions that may benefit from supplementation. Again, consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are giving your dog what best meets his/her needs.

Trust Your Source

First, it is important that you have trust in your source of dog supplements. Russell’s family has operated The Wholistic Pet and Equine Center in Bedford, N.H., for decades. As such, they have built a loyal customer base.

Wholistic Pet Organics is the manufacturing arm of The Wholistic Pet and Equine Center. They pride themselves on the use of USDA certified organic and human grade ingredients.

Joint Supplements

canine joint supplement

The Canine Complete product for joint mobility is the latest product offered by Wholistic Pet Organics. It contains MSM, glucosamine, and chondroitin — ingredients that are essential in joint health.

Not only can a supplement like this alleviate some joint pain, but it may also help to prevent the progression of potential degeneration due to arthritis or other disease. Once again, consult with your veterinarian!

Radio Podcast on Dog Supplements

To hear more conversation about the value of supplements for dogs, cats, and other pets, listen to the “Supplements for your pet” episode of “Happy, Healthy Pets with Mark C. Robinson.”

← Back to the Blog

31Dec
The 4 Levels Of True Financial Independence in Australia

Key takeaways

Most people equate wealth to money, but that’s not how wealth works. You need a lot more than money to be truly wealthy.

Financial independence is different to wealth. It means you never have to work again to live your life.

My financial model — the Wealth Pyramid — shows what level you are at on your way to financial independence and what the key focus areas and leverage points are along the way to speed you on your journey.


Most people say wealth means a big salary with a lifestyle to match.

Most people equate wealth to money, but that’s not how wealth works.

Wealth

You need a lot more than money to be truly wealthy.

You need your health, your friends and family to share it with, you need personal growth, spirituality (this means different things to different people) and contribution.

As you can see, to me wealth is a product of the mind and no amount of money will make you wealthy.

To be truly wealthy you have to be grateful for what you have in life and you have to be living a life where you know you are contributing or giving back.

Financial independence is different to wealth

It means you never have to work again to live your life.

That’s what you’re really investing for, isn’t it?

My suggestion is that you should be committed to being wealthy as well as financially independent.

Just to make things clear… income by itself does not make you financially free.

In fact, income is one of the worst predictors of financial freedom.

You spend some, maybe you save some, and taxation takes away a portion of it.

Most people in Australia never become wealthy; they never develop real financial independence.

For most people, the bills keep mounting up and despite working more and more hours they can’t make ends meet.

So it’s not really income you are after

To secure your financial future you need to acquire assets that grow in value and bring in passive recurring income.

Having dealt with Australians from all walks of life I’ve developed a number of models to explain the progression most investors take in their path to developing financial freedom.

These models allow you to know exactly where you are heading financially, what stage you are at along the way, and what the key focus areas and leverage points are that you can use to fast-track your journey.

Let’s look at what I call…

The Wealth Pyramid

A1

My financial model — the Wealth Pyramid — shows what level you are at on your way to financial independence and what the key focus areas and leverage points are along the way to speed you on your journey.

Like all pyramids it has a wide base and tapers towards the top, in other words, most people are at the lower levels of the wealth spectrum and fewer reach the top.

Hopefully, the knowledge and skills you’ll learn from blogs like this, my books and my podcasts will help you work your way up the pyramid, but the solutions you’ll need to move from one level to the next will vary depending on where you are.

Unfortunately, most people don’t really have any wealth and therefore are at…

Wealth Level 0 — Financial Instability

Since most people live from pay cheque to pay cheque, they are what I call Financially Unstable.

If they lose their job, or if they have an emergency (you know how these keep cropping up — an illness, the car breaks down, the refrigerator packs up), they have no financial reserves to cope.

Since they have no spare financial capacity, the only way to cope with these burdens is for people at Level 0 to borrow more (and get further into debt) and this only creates more financial hardship.

They live their lives with their heads buried in the sand, not really conscious about money and their spending habits.

Tax Budget Finance Money

If they have money they’ll spend it, if they don’t they’ll borrow it because their favourite pastime is shopping and buying “stuff” they don’t really need.

This means much of what they own has debt attached to it.

They keep doing this and fooling themselves that they’ll just work harder and pay off their debt someday.

If you ask them what their problem is, they’ll tell you they don’t make enough money.

They think more money will solve their problems. But that’s not right.

Their biggest problem is their money habits, which have nothing to do with how much they earn.

It’s what they do with the money they earn.

As they move on in their lives and earn more, they just spend more.

Today, they can’t survive on the type of income they would have only dreamed they could achieve five years ago.

There are many high-income earners who fall into this category because they spend as much or more than they make.

Sure some people at Level 0 Wealth can look rich — they may even have big homes or fancy cars, but they also have huge loans that they struggle to repay.

Unfortunately, they often argue with their spouses about money, being in financial denial and justifying why they bought this or that.

Wealth level 0 can really be divided into two subgroups

  1. Casualties — I call those at the lowest level this because they’re casualties of the money game. Each month they seem to find themselves in a worse place than they were the month before — getting themselves deeper and deeper in debt, usually through credit card debt.

They’re paying high-interest rates today to use tomorrow’s money now.

Of course, they blame others for their problems — it’s never their “fault”.

They’ve often read books about budgeting or been told the trick of cutting up credit cards, but that just doesn’t work.

They don’t know how to “do” money. Then half a level up the pyramid are the…

  1. Survivors — these are employees, self-employed or even business people who seem to make just enough money each month to have nothing.

And if by accident they end up with some money in the bank they spend it or take a holiday. They are just surviving.

While the fact is that at Level 0 people simply live beyond their means, the real cause of their problems is in denial of this.

Unless they are prepared to change, their financial future is bleak.

The fundamental key to getting out of this level is mindset, education and taking financial responsibility.

So first be honest with your personal cash flow position.

Then stop the bleeding by changing your financial habits and at the same time get a financial mentor.

Financial Advice

The fact is when you’re at Level 0 you can’t get out of your problems on your own.

You need someone to mentor you and you need to be part of a group — just like getting fit or losing weight — it’s just too hard to do on your own.

How many people sit on the couch watching diet videos while eating ice cream?
The next rung up is…

Wealth Level 1 — Financial Stability

This is the most basic level of wealth and gives you some level of financial security.

You have achieved Financial Stability when:

  1. You have accumulated sufficient liquid assets (such as money in an offset account, line of credit or savings) to cover your current living expenses for a minimum of 6 months.
  2. You have private medical insurance and some life insurance to protect you and your family’s lifestyle should you become permanently ill, disabled, unable to work or, if worse comes to worst, you suddenly die.

I know that’s an unpleasant thought, but in the last year, two of our acquaintances died leaving their families in financial trouble.

At this level, you will have the peace of mind that should any unexpected challenges come your way, such as retrenchment, a business failure, illness or disability, you and your family’s lifestyle will not be unduly compromised.

You will have adequate time to look for new sources of income to put you back on track.

The problem at this level is that your cash flow is being controlled by others — your boss who pays your salary or your clients who pay for your services.

This means you’re still on a treadmill and you don’t have the ability to increase your cash flow without working more, and that has its limits.

Sure you’ve got a bit of a financial buffer, but if you stop working for a while you slip back to Level 0.

Living Expenses

If you’re at Level 1 your goal should be to move more of your cash flow into assets and build that Cash Machine so your income does not depend on you putting in more effort.

At this level, your biggest leverage comes from investing in yourself and becoming financially savvy building a solid base of financial and investment skills upon which you can grow your financial future, as well as beginning to build a network of peers you can make your journey with.

You’ll also have to choose the first wealth vehicle you are committed to master and become a devoted student learning all you can about this niche wealth vehicle.

In my opinion, the best place for most people to start is residential real estate investing.

In making the decision on which wealth vehicle to go after, you must cultivate the discipline to say no to the pull of other “great opportunities” and vehicles.

I’ve made more money by saying no to second-rate investment opportunities than I’ve made by saying yes to them.

Then carefully choose who you’ll study with.

Contrary to popular belief, the most expensive education isn’t “graduate school” like an MBA.

The most expensive education is one based on a flawed model and incorrect information.

The hardest form of learning is UN-learning all the wrong, mistaken, and flawed things you “learned” from unqualified teachers.

So choose to learn from the best.

It will save you years of frustration following defective models.
Your aim should be to move up to…

Wealth Level 2 — Financial Security

You achieve Financial Security when you have accumulated sufficient assets to generate enough passive income to cover your most basic expenses.

These would include not more than the following;

  • Your home mortgage and all home-related expenses such as your utilities, rates and taxes.
  • All your tax payments plus the interest payments on your loans and debts.
  • Your car expenses.
  • Your grocery bills and minimal living expenses.
  • Any insurance premiums including medical, life, disability and your house.

When you reach the level of Financial Security you will be able to stop working and still be able to maintain a simple, basic lifestyle.

Of course, you’ll want more than that.

At Level 2 you will be an investor focused on building your net worth by owning assets that appreciate in value and ideally, you’ll accelerate the process by “manufacturing” capital growth through renovating or developing residential real estate (I’ll get into this in Section 4 of this book.)

At the advanced stage of Level 2, you are beginning to make the transition from capital gains investing to investing for passive, residual cash flow.

Paper Cut Of Family With House And Car

This means you’ve got to master a whole new skill set.

You’ll also have to radically upgrade your advisor network and peer group.

Being the big fish in a small pond no longer serves you.
You need to begin playing with people better than yourself because you want to move up to…

Wealth Level 3 — Financial Freedom

You know you have achieved Financial Freedom when you have accumulated sufficient assets to generate enough passive income to pay for the lifestyle you desire (not necessarily your current lifestyle) and all of your expenses, without ever having to go to work again.

Having first built a substantial asset base (of properties, shares or businesses), now you are using your assets to create cash flow, which doesn’t mean you won’t go to work again, but you will now be able to make the choices you want because you have time freedom.

At Level 3 your focus should be on stabilising your passive income streams and fine-tuning your estate planning and asset protection.

Now is also a great time to grow your service to the world by finding ways to expand your contribution.
Level 3 is NOT about “retirement”, it’s about regeneration and contribution.

Wealth Level 4 — Financial Abundance

A small group of people around the world achieves Financial Abundance when their Cash Machine works overtime.
Not only are they free of financial pressures, but they have so much surplus income after paying for their lifestyle, all of their expenses and their contributions to the community (often through charity work or donations) that their asset base just keeps growing and growing.

A couple of thoughts about the Wealth Pyramid

There is nothing new about this hierarchy of wealth; it’s always been there and we’re all part of it.

Complaining about where you are won’t help, however, your level of wealth is your choice.

Despite that, most people get stuck at a particular level.

The good news is that everyone can move up the Wealth Pyramid.

Understanding where you are empowers you to ensure you do what you need to do to get to the next level.

But this never happens by accident, you have to earn your way up through personal development and upgrading your mindset.

I discussed this in detail in my book — Michael Yardney’s Guide to Investing.

Why not get your own copy here:

The 4-step formula for financial independence

Here are four timeless rules for achieving financial freedom.

Please don’t dismiss them because they sound so simple:

  1. Spend less than you earn. This maxim may seem obvious, but many people have difficulty following it. If you’re spending more than you earn, you will never become financially independent. You will be paying money to others for the rest of your life. The earlier you start living by this rule, the better. It is never too late to start.
  2. Invest the difference wisely. It may surprise you but the average Australian, earning between $60,000 and $70,000 a year for 40 years will earn somewhere between $2.5 and $3 million during their working life. Yet most of them will retire poor. Clearly, the level of your income has no bearing on the level of wealth you achieve, what is critical is the amount you save and invest wisely.
  3. Reinvest your investment income so you get compounding growth.

As you are beginning to understand, you will never become financially independent on your earnings alone.

You need to keep reinvesting.

In fact, by the time you become financially free almost all your assets will have come from compounding capital growth, not from your income, your savings or your rent.

  1. Keep doing steps 1 and 2 until your asset base reaches a critical mass so that you have the Cash Machine that gives you the income you desire.

If it’s as simple as that why don’t more people develop financial independence?

Because it requires discipline and delayed gratification — sacrificing today in return for more choices later in life.
31Dec
Facebook Will Introduce AI-Generated “People” With Their Own Profiles to Comment on Your Posts

AI chatbots have become very humanlike in the space of a year, but Facebook wants to take them even further. If things go as planned, you may eventually see AI “people,” complete with a generated profile picture and biography, commenting on posts and interacting with you.

Your Next Facebook Friend May Be an AI Chatbot

As reported by The Financial Times, Facebook wants to make its apps more interactive and entertaining in 2025. To achieve this, the company is looking into using generative AI to make unique experiences. Connor Hayes, the vice president of product for generative AI at Meta (Facebook’s owner), has a pretty unique idea on how to do this:

“We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do. They’ll have bios and profile pictures and be able to generate and share content powered by AI on the platform…that’s where we see all of this going.”

The vice president didn’t go into detail as to how these accounts will work. It’s likely that they will, at least, use AI to generate posts and talk with people over Facebook’s direct messaging system. But how about sending a friend request to an AI or perhaps having them comment on your posts?

This development does track with Meta’s previous track record with AI. The media has been going all-in on using generative models to create content for people, which we discovered when we tested Meta AI and found that it beat its competitors in several areas. However, all of that forward momentum comes at a price: the company is likely using all of your Facebook content to train its AI without you knowing.

31Dec
Convenient services for foreigners in China in 2024

Explore the array of convenient services available to foreigners in China in 2024, from digital payment platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay to visa-free travel options. Rachel provides an overview of the key innovations and support systems that have made traveling in China even smoother in 2024.
31Dec
Notorious kidnapper charged in new home invasions, attempted rapes

A notorious kidnapper whose 2015 crimes — and the subsequent flawed police investigation — were turned into a Netflix documentary has been charged in two new cases committed years ago in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Matthew Muller, 47, appeared in a Santa Clara County courtroom Monday to face charges in a pair of home invasions and attempted rapes that allegedly occurred in 2009. Superior Court Judge Hector Ramon ordered Muller to return to court Jan. 17 to enter a plea.

The first incident allegedly took place on Sept. 29, 2009, when a Mountain View woman in her 30s told police she awoke to find a man on top of her. According to a description of the case from the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office, the man, who authorities allege was Muller, demanded she drink a medicated beverage, then tied her up and said he was going to rape her.

The woman was able to persuade him to stop his assault, according to the district attorney’s office. Before leaving, Muller allegedly told her that she should get a dog for protection.

About three weeks later, on Oct. 18, 2009, a woman in nearby Palo Alto awoke to find a man on top of her, according to the district attorney’s office. The woman was tied up and forced to drink Nyquil by her assailant, alleged by authorities to be Muller.

Again, the woman was able to persuade him to stop, according to prosecutors. And again, before leaving, he gave the woman “crime prevention advice,” according to the district attorney’s office.

“The details of this person’s violent crime spree seem scripted for Hollywood, but they are tragically real,” Santa Clara County Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen said in a statement. “Our goal is to make sure this defendant is held accountable and will never hurt or terrorize anyone ever again.”

Muller was previously charged and convicted in an infamous case that is the subject of a new Netflix documentary, “American Nightmare.”

In that case, Muller broke into a Vallejo home in March 2015 and drugged and bound a couple, Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins. Muller blindfolded them with swim goggles and gave them medicine to make them sleepy. He put headphones on Quinn and played recordings designed to make Quinn think he was dealing with more than one kidnapper.

Muller then put Huskins into Quinn’s car and drove off with her, eventually taking her to his family’s cabin in South Lake Tahoe. He held her there for two days and sexually assaulted her, before driving her across California and releasing her in Huntington Beach.

Initially, Vallejo police dismissed Quinn’s account of his girlfriend being spirited away by a kidnapper — or kidnappers — who put headphones on him and made him drink a substance that made him sleepy. Officers interrogated Quinn for hours, brushing aside his story and theorizing he was behind her disappearance.

When Huskins turned up, police grew more suspicious, questioning how a kidnapping victim could reappear hundreds of miles away wearing sunglasses and carrying an overnight bag.

Huskins “did not act like a kidnapping victim,” retired Vallejo Police Capt. James O’Connell later said in a sworn statement.

Police tried to get Huskins and Quinn to turn on each other and admit there had been no crime, offering immunity to whoever flipped first, according to statements from their family members.

Then, police went public with that sentiment. “There is no evidence to support the claims that this was a stranger abduction or an abduction at all,” Police Lt. Kenny Park said in a statement at the time. “Given the facts that have been presented thus far, this event appears to be an orchestrated event and not a crime.”

However, less than three months later, evidence gathered from a June 5, 2015, home invasion robbery in the Bay Area community of Dublin helped authorities link Muller to the kidnapping. That case led authorities, including Alameda County Det. Misty Caruso, back to the Muller family’s South Lake Tahoe cabin, where they found, among other things, Quinn’s computer, goggles and tape with a strand of long blond hair.

Huskins and Quinn, who later married, sued the Vallejo Police Department for defamation and reached a $2.5-million settlement in 2018.

Muller, a Harvard-educated lawyer and former Marine, pleaded guilty in 2016 to kidnapping Huskins. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to additional charges of sexually assaulting her. Until he was transported to Santa Clara County to face the new charges, he was serving his 40-year sentence at a federal prison in Tucson.

Many involved in the Vallejo case had long feared there were additional victims.

Among them was El Dorado County Dist. Atty. Vern Pierson, who had tracked the case because Huskins initially was held in South Lake Tahoe. Pierson has become a vocal critic of police interrogation methods in which detectives form a theory of the case and aggressively pursue a confession from their primary suspect. He said he was dismayed that Quinn said he had been treated as a suspect rather than a victim when Huskins was kidnapped.

Pierson invited Quinn and Huskins to speak at a symposium he held this year to teach a science-based interviewing technique that focuses on gathering information rather than breaking suspects. He said he was contacted by a friend of the couple who urged him to look into additional crimes Muller may have committed.

Pierson agreed to get involved and said he worked with a number of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. He added that the investigation is “still ongoing” and he expected additional revelations in the next few weeks.

Santa Clara County prosecutors said they began investigating the 2009 cold cases after “following a new lead,” and coordinated with police departments in Palo Alto and Mountain View to have all evidence in the two cases sent to the county crime lab for further testing. Muller’s DNA was found on straps that were used to bind one of the victims, according to county authorities.

31Dec
Car Launches in 2025: From Maruti Suzuki e Vitara to Tata Harrier EV and Xiaomi YU7, Check List of SUVs, EVs Coming Next Year

Mumbai, December 31: Car manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, and more are preparing to launch new car models to make 2025 an exciting year for the automobile industry in India. From electric vehicles (EVs) to facelift versions, the upcoming lineup from these automobile manufacturers is expected to be promising. Maruti Suzuki might be planning to launch a 7-seater SUV and its first electric SUV, the e Vitara. Tata Motors will likely introduce a facelift version of Tata Punch and the highly anticipated Harrier EV.

Mahindra will also join the EV trend with the XUV 700 EV, which might be known as the XEV 7e, while Hyundai is expected to introduce the Creta EV to meet the growing demand for electric mobility in India. In 2025, car lovers can look forward to a lineup of new models and updates. Among them are the MG Cyberster, the Xiaomi YU7, and Toyota might unveil its next-gen Toyota Fortuner 2025 with the latest enhancements. Flying Taxi: Commercial-Level Air Taxis Arriving Soon in South Korea, Demonstration of Air Taxi Model This Week.

Car Launches in 2025

Get ready for an exciting year with the launch of some highly anticipated cars in 2025. From EVs to ICE, here is a list of upcoming cars in 2025.

  • Maruti Suzuki e Vitara and Maruti Suzuki 7 Seater SUV

Maruti Suzuki unveiled its first all-electric production-ready model, the e Vitara, at the EICMA event in Milan, which will likely launch in the first half of 2025. The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara is expected to offer two battery pack options, a 49kWh unit and a 61kWh unit, which might offer a range between 400-450 KM. The design highlights include Y-shaped LED DRLs integrated into the headlamp clusters with front parking sensors, and a camera. The rear will feature a floating roofline effect. The e Vitara is likely to come equipped with vertical AC vents, a 360-degree camera, and an advanced ADAS suite. The expected price range for the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara is between INR 20 lakh and INR 28 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki is expected to introduce a new three-row 7-seater SUV, codenamed Y17. The upcoming Maruti Suzuki 7-seater SUV is likely to be built on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara platform and may be powered by a 1.5L petrol mild hybrid powertrain. The SUV is anticipated to offer features like a 360-degree camera, ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and more. The price of the SUV is speculated to range between INR 20 lakh and INR 25 lakh (ex-showroom). The SUV is expected to launch in the second half of 2025.

  • Tata Harrier EV, Tata Punch Facelift and Tata Sierra EV

The Tata Harrier EV is an all-wheel-drive electric SUV based on the OMEGA Architecture, which is expected to launch in India by March 2025. The 5-seater SUV may feature a 70-75kWh battery, offering a range of 400-450 km. Modern light setup, including sleek headlamps and distinctive LED taillamps, will enhance its look. Tata Harrier EV price is expected to come between INR 24 lakh and INR 28 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Tata Punch Facelift is expected to launch in June 2025. It will likely feature an updated front fascia with split LED headlamps, sleek DRLs, a new grille design, and an aggressive bumper. It may retain the 1.2-litre petrol engine while it is anticipated to introduce a 10.25-inch infotainment system and a fully digital driver’s display. Tata Punch Facelift price will likely start from INR 6 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Tata Sierra EV is expected to launch by August 2025. It will likely feature a dual digital display, a panoramic sunroof,  level 2 ADAS, an electric tailgate, 18-inch wheels, and six airbags as standard. The Tata Sierra EV may come with a price of around INR 25 lakh (ex-showroom) and it may also be offered as an ICE model. The Tata Sierra Petrol model is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine. It may offer a 6-speed manual and 7-speed DCA transmission.

  • Mahindra BE.05, Mahindra XEV 7e (XUV 700 EV) and Mahindra Bolero 2025

The Mahindra BE.05 is anticipated to feature rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations with multiple powertrain options. It may include C-shaped lights, a flat dashboard, and a twin-screen setup. The EV is expected to offer two battery options, which may be 60kWh and 79kWh, with the 79kWh battery pack could offer a range of around 450 KM. The electric vehicle may launch in early 2025, the BE.05 is projected to be priced at around INR 25 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Mahindra XEV 7e is expected to share its platform with the Mahindra XUV 700 and is anticipated to launch in April 2025. The electric SUV is likely to feature new front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels, and an updated grille design. It could offer battery options of 59kWh and 79kWh, and it may deliver a range of up to 650 KM. The interior is expected to come with a dual-tone theme, while the Mahindra XEV 7e might be priced between INR 21 and INR 30 lakh (ex-showroom). The Mahindra Bolero 2025 is expected to launch in late 2025. There are rumours that Bolero 2025 is expected to come in petrol and diesel options. It is speculated to feature advanced safety features and modern design elements to enhance its appeal.

  • Hyundai Creta EV and Hyundai Venue 2025

The Hyundai Creta EV is expected to be powered by a 60kWh battery pack, which could deliver a range of 400-450 KM. It will likely feature a Level 2 ADAS suite, dual 10.25-inch screens, drive modes, electronic parking brake, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, paddle shifters, and a 360-degree camera. Hyundai Creta EV launch is expected in January 2025, and its price is anticipated to range between INR 23  and INR 28 lakh. Additionally, rumours suggest Hyundai Motors might introduce its premium car brand Genesis in India in 2025.

The Hyundai Venue 2025 is expected to feature an all-new design with key highlights like a taller front bumper, split headlamps, horizontal two-piece taillights with LED, new roof rails, and a new grille. The new Hyundai Venue could offer 1.0-litre Turbo Petrol, 1.2-litre Non-Turbo Petrol, and 1.5-litre Diesel engine options. The 2025 Hyundai Venue is expected to launch in late 2025 and could come with a price range of around INR 8 lakh and 15 lakh (ex-showroom).

The MG Cyberster, an electric two-seater roadster, might debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January 2025 and may launch in March 2025. It features scissor doors that is said to open and close in five seconds. The MG Cyberster is expected to be powered by a 77 kWh battery, which will likely offer up to 570 km range. It may deliver a power of 528 bhp and 725 Nm of torque and is said to cover 0-100 KM in 3.2 seconds. Additionally, the car is anticipated to include automatic climate control, ADAS, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, and an electronic parking brake.

The next-gen Toyota Fortuner is expected to launch on December 2025 in India, following a debut in Thailand in mid-2025. It may offer diesel and hybrid powertrain options. The new Toyota Fortuner could be powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The new Fortuner is also anticipated to come with significant upgrades in specifications and features with enhanced performance and technology. Tesla Cars Coming To India Soon? Elon Musk-Run Company Reportedly Resumes Search for Showroom in Delhi.

Xiaomi has unveiled its second electric car, the Xiaomi YU7. The YU7 is expected to launch in China in July 2025. The YU7 EV is said to feature a dual motor to deliver a combined output of 691 hp with a combination of 299 hp at the front and 392 hp at the rear. The Xiaomi YU7 features LED headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs) and has a sloping roofline. The rear part of the EV comes with connected LED tail lamps. The YU7 measures 4,999mm in length, 1,996mm in width, and 1,600mm in height.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2024 12:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
31Dec
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Trades at $92,000, Most Altcoins See Losses on Last Day of 2024

The overall crypto price chart indicated a slowed market momentum on Tuesday, December 31. After marking a stellar December with a new all-time high of over $108,000 (roughly Rs. 92.4 lakh), Bitcoin’s trading value on Tuesday was at $92,458 (roughly Rs. 79.13 lakh) on international exchanges. Data by CoinMarketCap showed that Bitcoin registered a loss of 0.98 percent on foreign exchanges in the last 24 hours. On Indian exchanges, meanwhile, the asset incurred a dip of around 1.88 percent. Bitcoin is trading at around $100,308 (roughly Rs. 85.8 lakh) on platforms like CoinSwitch and CoinDCX.

“Bitcoin briefly rallied near the $95,000 (roughly Rs. 81.3 lakh) mark before long-term holders booked profits bringing the price back to $92,400 (roughly Rs. 79 lakh). Over $259 million (roughly Rs. 2,216 crore) in liquidations in the past 24 hours have also added to the pressure. While retail investors are selling, institutions like MicroStrategy are taking advantage of this correction. The investor sentiment towards the market remains strong,” Mudrex CEO Edul Patel told Gadgets 360.

Ether tailed Bitcoin on the loss-making side of the crypto chart on Tuesday. The asset clocked a loss of 1.76 percent over the last day on foreign exchanges. At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $3,332 (roughly Rs. 2.85 lakh) on global platforms, showed CoinMarketCap. On Indian exchanges, the value of ETH dropped by 1.95 percent, bringing its value to $3,505 (roughly Rs. 3 lakh).

“Ethereum is showing bearish signals because of market-wide weakness but looks to be pulling away from it. The renewed upturn in funding rates signals the confidence of investors on ETH amid its possible recovery. Such increased trading volume indicates that the market sentiment may indeed be shifting towards bullishness in the midst of bearish action,” Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42 told Gadgets 360.

The crypto price tracker by Gadgets 360 showed that majority cryptocurrencies are trading in losses alongside Bitcoin and Ether on Tuesday.

These include Ripple, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, Tron, Avalanche, and Chainlink.

Shiba Inu, Polkadot, Stellar, Uniswap, Liteoin, and Near Protocol also saw losses on the price chart after a market-wide period of price correction.

The overall crypto market cap tumbled by 1. 58 percent in the last 24 hours, showed CoinMarketCap. Presently, the crypto market cap stands at $3.23 trillion (roughly Rs. 2,76,46,377 crore).

Meanwhile Tether, Binance Coin, USD Coin, Leo, Polygon, and Iota managed to hold onto gains on the price chart.

“Despite this ongoing slump, 2024 has been a remarkable year for crypto, boasting a total trading volume of $18.4 trillion (roughly Rs. 15,74,96,272 crore). Investors remain optimistic about the future, citing ongoing regulatory clarity and institutional adoption as pivotal factors that could sustain momentum into 2025,” Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin told Gadgets 360.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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31Dec
Neva’s Voice Acting Is Incredible, And It Only Ever Says One Word

From the first trailer, I knew Neva would be an emotional experience. Nomada Studio’s previous game, Gris, was a poignant exploration of grief and the effects it can have on a person, told through the lens of a young girl who’d just lost her mother. Neva explores familial bonds through a different but just as emotional lens: parenthood.

The relationship between Alba and Neva mirrors a mother/child relationship through most of the game. The wolf starts as a small cub, curious about the world and ready to explore, and eventually he becomes a strong protector, equaling his mother’s capabilities. From there, the two fight against the blight that’s affecting the world, with Neva learning new abilities in every season.

The journey encompassing this coming of age includes some of the strongest voice acting you’ll find in a video game this year. However, unlike games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Metaphor: ReFantazio, which are bursting with dialogue, Neva accomplishes this feat with a much smaller script; throughout the entire five-hour adventure, only one word is ever spoken.

One of many gorgeous scenes throughout Neva.

Neva’s control scheme is standard fare for an action-platformer: one button to attack, one button to jump, one button to dodge, etc. Included in the control scheme, though, is a button specifically designated for calling Neva. No matter what you’re doing, or where you are, a simple press will make Alba say “Neva” and call out for the good wolfie girl.

While the mechanic has its uses–you can call Neva to your side if she’s far away, or instruct her to jump up a ledge–it’s mostly just there for the player’s enjoyment. Calling Neva usually results in Alba giving her companion a little scratch behind the ears–which means yes, in Neva, you can pet the dog.

Its biggest contribution to the story, and what sends Neva into the upper echelon of 2024 voice acting, is the emotion Alba conveys whenever the button is pressed. When there’s little danger around, and Neva is sniffing around or standing still, Alba’s voice is calm, loving, and light. The character’s love for her companion comes through, especially when it’s followed by sounds of delight from both characters following a loving head scratch.

Press that button in a more urgent moment, however, and Alba’s voice becomes much heavier. There’s urgency in her calls, permeated by a sense of panic. Her anxiety and fear come to the surface, and all it takes is a change in inflection. It’s powerful stuff, and it makes using the call button more than worth it even in hectic situations.

Neva is trapped, and Alba fights to free her companion.
Neva is trapped, and Alba fights to free her companion.

There’s one moment in particular that really highlights how effective this voice acting can be. Alba and Neva are separated, and the player as Alba must traverse a perilous maze in order to reunite with the wolf. Throughout this endeavor, pressing the call button makes Alba utter a cry of pure terror, helplessly shouting into the void in search of her lost companion. The fear of the unknown is palpable, and I start to feel Alba’s anxiety with her as I hear her call the wolf’s name.

Now, putting Alba’s ability to call out for Neva on a button is not without its pitfalls. By doing this, Nomada ran the risk of some players not being able to hear the exceptional voice work at hand, simply because they were so focused on the action on screen that they were too busy attacking and dodging to press the call button.

However, Nomada brilliantly trained us to keep it in the back of our minds through the mechanic I mentioned earlier: the one where Alba uses her call to summon Neva to her side. The player now knows that calling Neva can summon her, so once the two are separated, it’s natural to press the button and see if it works–and when it doesn’t, to keep trying it in the hopes that maybe it will work eventually.

Anyone who’s ever been in care of a child and lost sight of them–be it in a store, a theme park, or even in their own homes–can relate to this feeling of paralyzing fear, uncertainty, and doubt… as well as the feeling of sheer relief when Alba finds Neva happily sitting on a platform, not a care in the world, as if nothing happened. Kids these days!

Neva is a profound analysis of parenthood, and all of the highs and lows that come with it. The raw emotion is best conveyed through its voice acting, credited to Cristina Peña, and putting Alba’s voice under the player’s control makes it that much more effective. Nomada Studio deserves a ton of credit for finding a way to convey the intricate complexities of being a caregiver–and even more credit for doing it with a single word.

More Best Of 2024:
31Dec
Preclinical study finds surges in estrogen promote binge drinking in females

The hormone estrogen regulates binge drinking in females, causing them to “pregame” — consume large quantities of alcohol in the first 30 minutes after it’s offered, according to a preclinical study led by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine. The study establishes-for what is thought to be the first time-that circulating estrogen increases binge alcohol consumption in females and contributes to known sex differences in this behavior.

The findings, published Dec. 30 in the journal Nature Communications, could lead to novel approaches for treating alcohol use disorder.

“We know a lot less about what drives alcohol drinking behavior in females because most studies of alcohol use have been done in males,” said senior author Dr. Kristen Pleil, an associate professor of pharmacology. Yet females, too, overindulge and are more susceptible to the negative health effects of alcohol than males.

Recent studies indicate that, during the pandemic lockdown, women increased their heavy alcohol consumption more than men. That behavior has important consequences for women’s health, said Dr. Pleil, “because many studies show this pattern of drinking enhances alcohol’s harmful effects.” Indeed, women had many more alcohol-related hospital visits and complications than men during and since the pandemic.

Peak Levels of Estrogen Associated with Increased Alcohol Consumption

In a 2021 study, Dr. Pleil and her team showed that a specific subpopulation of neurons in a brain region called the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) were more excitable in female mice than in males. This enhanced activity correlated with their binge drinking behavior.

But what makes this neural circuit more excitable in females? “Estrogen has such powerful effects on so many behaviors, particularly in females,” Dr. Pleil said. “So, it makes sense that it would also modulate drinking.”

To assess estrogen’s potential involvement, the researchers, including first author Dr. Lia Zallar, who was a graduate student in the Pleil lab at the time of the research, began by monitoring the hormone levels throughout estrous cycle of female mice. Then, they served up the alcohol. They found that when a female has a high level of circulating estrogen, she drinks much more than on days when her estrogen is low.

That enhanced bingeing behavior was reflected in heightened activity in those same neurons in the BNST. “When a female takes her first sip from the bottle containing alcohol, those neurons go crazy,” Dr. Pleil said. “And if she’s in a high-estrogen state, they go even crazier.” That extra boost of neural activity means the mice hit the bottle even harder, particularly within the first 30 minutes after the alcohol was made available, a behavior Dr. Pleil refers to as “front-loading.”

Surprising Discovery: Cell-surface Receptors Allow Estrogen to Act Fast

Although the researchers suspected estrogen would have an effect on drinking, they were surprised by its mechanism of action. This steroid hormone typically regulates behaviors by binding to receptors that then travel to the nucleus, where they alter the activity of specific genes — a process that could take hours. However, Dr. Pleil and her team realized that something else must be happening when estrogen infused directly into the BNST excited the neurons and triggered binge drinking within minutes.

So, the researchers tested estrogen that had been doctored so it could not enter cells and bind to nuclear receptors — a feat of chemical engineering performed by Dr. Jacob Geri, assistant professor of pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine. They determined that when estrogen promotes bingeing, the hormone is binding to receptors on the neurons’ surface, where it directly modulates cell-cell communication.

“We believe this is the first time that anybody has shown that during a normal estrous cycle, endogenous estrogen made by the ovaries can use such a rapid mechanism to control behavior,” Dr. Pleil said. That rapid action drives the front-loading of alcohol when estrogen is high.

The team identified the estrogen receptor that mediates this effect and determined that it is expressed in the excited BNST neurons and in neurons from other brain regions that excite them. The researchers are now investigating the signaling mechanisms for this effect, and they will also examine whether the same system regulates drinking in males.

“All of the infrastructure is there in males, too: the estrogen receptors and the basic circuit organization,” Dr. Pleil said. The only difference will be the source of the estrogen, which in males without an ovarian source relies on local conversion of testosterone to estrogen in the brain.

Inhibiting the enzyme that synthesizes estrogens could offer a novel treatment for selectively reducing alcohol consumption when hormone levels surge. An FDA-approved version of such an inhibitor is currently used to treat women with estrogen-sensitive cancers.

“Combining this drug with compounds that modulate the downstream effects of the chemicals produced by the BNST neurons could potentially provide a new, targeted approach for treating alcohol use disorder,” Dr. Pleil said.
31Dec
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 31, 2024 | Astrology

All zodiac signs have their own characteristics and traits which define someone’s personality. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you started your day by already knowing about what’s going to come your way? Read on to find out whether the odds will be in your favour today.

Check out what your zodiac sign says about your day ahead. (Pixabay)

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Businesses might need extra effort to stabilize finances. Your family is a prime example of harmony and support. Those struggling with concentration should revisit their objectives. Property news could be favorable for some. Students may benefit from organizing their studies. A disciplined diet and exercise can uplift your health. A trip with someone may be inevitable.

Love Focus: More time and communication can deepen bonds.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Magenta

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)

Analyzing daily expenses could aid in reworking the budget. Be mindful of your commitments at work. Harmony at home will be restored through your efforts after recent conflicts. Medications should be completed as prescribed. Students might consider extracurriculars for mental refreshment. Travel results may be average. Take time to relax and rejuvenate.

Love Focus: Control thoughts and words for better relationships.

Lucky Number: 5

Lucky Colour: Cream

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)

Financial gains could strengthen your monetary situation. Family joy and excitement mark today. Be meticulous in assignments and double-check everything. Travel plans may yield excellent results. Include long-term goal planning in your priorities today. Focus on mental wellness. Property-related actions may receive commendation.

Love Focus: Strengthening relationships could bring great benefits.

Lucky Number: 18

Lucky Colour: Red

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)

Some may consider investments that promise good returns. Positive news about ancestral property could arrive. You might offer guidance in property issues. Ensure all travel arrangements are complete, and carry necessary cash and documents. A young family member might test your patience. Businesspeople may need extra effort to achieve expected outcomes.

Love Focus: Singles might meet someone intriguing.

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Maroon

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)

Passive income sources could boost your earnings. Household income may unexpectedly increase. Travel may offer lasting memories. Students should take academics seriously. Regular physical activity benefits heart and muscle health. Many thoughts are keeping you mentally occupied. Spiritual pursuits are likely to attract you and keep you mentally at peace.

Love Focus: Couples may experience a very romantic day.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Light Yellow

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sept 23)

Rental property returns may increase your wealth. Spend time with family to strengthen bonds. Seek support from a senior at work if needed. Travel may not meet expectations. New property deals might present attractive offers. Starting a fitness routine could benefit your health. Think carefully before making hasty decisions.

Love Focus: Singles might encounter someone special.

Lucky Number: 3

Lucky Colour: Pink

LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23)

Avoid impulse purchases. A family member may want more understanding from you. Supervisors are likely to appreciate your work performance. Encourage kids to adopt regular exercise. Constant changes may hinder enjoyment on family trips. Delay property investments until clarity is achieved. Little to worry about in work or studies.

Love Focus: Nurturing what you have may strengthen bonds.

Lucky Number:22

Lucky Colour: Grey

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Saving money could benefit your future. Finding middle ground might be essential for peace. Achieving professional success requires hard work and networking. A sensitive issue at home will likely be resolved satisfactorily. Travel, especially abroad, could be enjoyable. Scholarship aspirants may succeed.

Love Focus: A visit may reinforce relationship ties.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Green

Consider implementing a new idea professionally. School supplies for children may strain your budget. A peaceful home environment brings comfort. Travel could be satisfactory for some. Elderly family members may need support. Positive property developments are possible. A function can find you under the limelight on the social front.

Love Focus: Long-distance relationships may face challenges today.

Lucky Number:1

Lucky Colour: Golden

Unexpected expenses may disrupt your budget. Dividing tasks evenly may restore order and peace. Property deals might require extra effort. Seek help promptly with workplace challenges. Home projects you’ve planned may begin now. Align travel plans with health and financial conditions.

Love Focus: A surprise visit may strengthen relationships.

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Colour: Purple

Financial growth is expected with smart choices. Certain work-related issues may need attention. Some may plan a family outing or gathering. Travel could open doors for new opportunities. You might inherit a property asset. Mending fences with someone you don’t like will be on your agenda today. Your reputation on the social front is set to enhance.

Love Focus: Someone can express his or her love for you on the romantic front.

Lucky Number:17

Lucky Colour: Brown

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Double-check financial decisions for security. Family misunderstandings may cause minor tension. Traveling might be more enjoyable than expected. Competition may increase with a new colleague. Maintain a cheerful attitude to ease situations. Focus on mental health to stay positive. Exam preparations should go smoothly.

Love Focus: Lover will honour a commitment made earlier.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: Silver
31Dec
Best Morgan Housel quotes for better finances this new year


We have reached a New Year again!

And what better way to start than to have financial lessons from Morgan Housel author of the Psychology of Money and whose blogs regularly appear on the Collaborative Fund.

So, here are 13 of his best quotes to set your financial success this year:

1. Everyone is making a bet on an unknown future. It’s only called speculation when you disagree with someone else’s bet.

2. There are two types of information: stuff you’ll still care about in the future, and stuff that matters less and less over time.

Long-term vs. expiring knowledge. It’s critical to identify which is which when you come across something new.

3. Most financial mistakes come when you try to force things to happen faster than is required.

Compounding doesn’t like when you try to use a cheat code.

4. Risk is what you can’t see, think only happens to other people, aren’t paying attention to, are wilfully ignoring, and isn’t in the news.

A little surprise usually does more damage than something big that’s been in the news for months.

5. Risk management is less about how you respond to risk and more about recognizing how many things can go wrong before they actually do.
31Dec
9 Tricks to Make Google Photos Search Work Smarter for You

In the old days, finding a photo meant having to scroll through your gallery endlessly. Fortunately, that’s not the case anymore. Google Photos gives you tons of options to search for and find photos.

1

Find Photos Using Facial Recognition

Google Photos includes a powerful facial recognition feature that can help you locate photos of specific people effortlessly. To use it, you need to go to Google Photos Settings > Privacy and enable the Face Groups toggle.

Searching photos by face in Google Photos app

Once enabled, Google Photos automatically identifies and groups faces across your library. You can go to Collections > People in the Google Photos app to view all the detected faces. Tapping on a face will display all the photos that include that person. This feature is highly accurate and you can even use it to find photos of pets.

2

Locate Photos With Names

If you don’t want to sift through a group of faces every time you’re looking for photos of a friend, you can also name the faces that Google Photos recognizes.

To do this, head to Collections > People, tap on a face, and select Add a name. Once you’ve assigned a name, you can easily find photos of that person by heading to the Search tab and typing their name.

Another benefit of naming faces is that it allows you to search for photos featuring multiple people. For example, if you want to find images that include both Nick and Ben, simply type “Nick, Ben” in the search bar, and Google Photos will display all photos featuring both individuals. This makes it much easier to locate photos of friends and family without endless scrolling or guessing.

Want to relive memories from a trip? Google Photos makes it simple to locate images by location. Simply go to the Search tab and type the name of the city or place you’re looking for. Google Photos will then use metadata embedded in your images to display all photos and videos taken at that location.

You’ll also see an interactive heat map highlighting locations where the photos were taken. You can tap on a location to view photos and videos captured there.

The best part about this feature is that it works even with photos that don’t contain location data. Google Photos intelligently analyzes landmarks, landscapes, and surroundings in your images, matching them with known locations to provide accurate results.

4

Search Photos by Date

You don’t need to scroll endlessly just to find photos from a specific date or month as Google Photos also lets you search by specific date or during a particular time frame. To get started, go to the Search tab and type in the desired date, such as May 6, 2022, or a broader range like May 2022.

Google Photos app showing photos of May 2022

Searching photos by date in Google Photos app

Google Photos will instantly display all the images and videos from that period. This feature is perfect for finding photos from birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or other memorable events.

5

Search Photos by Color

Just like faces, Google Photos can identify colors in your photos. Simply type a color into the search bar, and Google Photos will pull up photos and videos where that color stands out prominently.

Google Photos showing photos of black smartphones

Google Photos showing photos and videos of white cars

For example, if you type green, you might see images of lush landscapes, leafy plants, or any photos in your library with green color in them. What makes this even more useful is that you can combine colors with other objects or themes. For instance, you can search for terms like black smartphone, white car or similar.

6

Search for Specific File Types

You can search for terms like JPG, PNG, or GIF to filter your images by file type. This feature is especially useful if you have photos or videos stored in less common formats like WEBP, MOV, or AVI.

7

Search for Text in Images

Google Photos leverages Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to scan and identify text in your photos. This means you can effortlessly locate photos by searching for specific text or phrases that appear within them. If you have a photo of a restaurant menu, for example, typing the restaurant’s name in the search bar will allow Google Photos to locate that image.

Google Photos search by text feature

Google Photos app showing a photo containing text vetra

This feature works impressively well with all types of text, whether it’s printed, handwritten, or even painted on a sign. It’s especially useful when you’re trying to find a photo of a receipt, document, or any image containing important text but can’t recall when it was taken.

8

Use Descriptive Phrases

The ability to find photos using detailed, descriptive phrases is by far my favorite Google Photos search trick. Instead of relying solely on dates, colors, or locations, you can type natural descriptions to find your photos. For example, typing “skyscrapers” will let you find images in your collection that match that description.

This feature works by analyzing the content within photos, including objects, scenery, and even the atmosphere of the image. So, while looking for a photo, you can be as detailed as you want and use terms like “skyscrapers and bridge” or “skyscrapers and a bridge at night.” Similarly, you can search for photos of landmarks, cakes, documents, or anything else you can imagine.

9

Combine Filters for Advanced Photo Searches

What truly enhances the power of Google Photos search is the ability to combine multiple filters. You can mix criteria such as dates, locations, colors, and objects to narrow down your search and find exactly what you’re looking for.

For example, if you’re searching for a photo of a friend at a specific event, you can type the person’s name along with the location and date. A search like “Nick, beach, July 2023” will show you all the photos featuring Nick at the beach during that time. Similarly, typing “wedding cake, Sarah, New York” could lead you directly to snapshots from a specific celebration.

The possibilities are endless. By combining different search parameters, you can quickly find the photos you need in seconds.

Google Photos search feature filter images based on object, year and location data

Google Photos search feature filter images based on object, year and location

Getting familiar with Google Photos’ powerful search features can save you a lot of time and effort when locating specific photos. The best part is that these search options are easy to use. So, give them a try—you’ll surely find them useful.
31Dec
Winter fishing festival brims with joy at Jilin's Chagan Lake

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-30/Winter-fishing-festival-brims-with-joy-at-Jilin-s-Chagan-Lake-1zKDRRTlxiU/img/01e5ca75dcdc4420a9e362fef6d3a7b9/01e5ca75dcdc4420a9e362fef6d3a7b9.jpeg'
An aerial view of a fishing scene is captured during the 23rd Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival in Jilin Province on December 29, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-30/Winter-fishing-festival-brims-with-joy-at-Jilin-s-Chagan-Lake-1zKDRRTlxiU/img/01e5ca75dcdc4420a9e362fef6d3a7b9/01e5ca75dcdc4420a9e362fef6d3a7b9.jpeg'
An aerial view of a fishing scene is captured during the 23rd Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival in Jilin Province on December 29, 2024. /CFP

In the depths of winter, the frozen surface of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, northeast China’s Jilin Province, comes alive with the bustling activity of the traditional winter fishing season. Fishermen haul in massive catches that fill the fishing grounds, while thousands of visitors from across the country gather to experience the 23rd Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival. Now at its peak, the festival highlights a dynamic fusion of culture, nature, and winter tourism.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-30/Winter-fishing-festival-brims-with-joy-at-Jilin-s-Chagan-Lake-1zKDRRTlxiU/img/b7b4390ebf084c789f8e773e3b7becce/b7b4390ebf084c789f8e773e3b7becce.jpeg'
A man holds up a freshly caught fish during the 23rd Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival in Jilin Province on December 29, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-30/Winter-fishing-festival-brims-with-joy-at-Jilin-s-Chagan-Lake-1zKDRRTlxiU/img/b7b4390ebf084c789f8e773e3b7becce/b7b4390ebf084c789f8e773e3b7becce.jpeg'
A man holds up a freshly caught fish during the 23rd Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival in Jilin Province on December 29, 2024. /CFP

In recent years, Songyuan has capitalized on its ice and snow resources to establish itself as a hub for winter tourism, integrating ice and snow with sports, entertainment, and culture. This approach highlights Chagan Lake’s cultural heritage, ecological beauty, and unique icy wonders, driving the growth of the ice and snow economy and promoting the harmonious fusion of tourism and ecological sustainability.
31Dec
Liam Payne’s manager, hotel workers charged in singer’s death

A representative for Liam Payne was charged with manslaughter in connection with the One Direction veteran’s death in October, Argentine officials confirmed Monday.

The National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office of Argentina announced in a Spanish-language statement that Judge Laura Graciela Bruniard on Friday prosecuted five people for alleged involvement in the pop singer’s death. Payne’s representative (identified as “R.L.N.”) and the manager and the head of reception of the Buenos Aires hotel where the British singer fell to his death were charged with manslaughter.

Another hotel employee and a waiter whom Payne met in a restaurant were charged with allegedly supplying the singer with narcotics.

Payne, an “X Factor” alum who was one-fifth of the global boy-band sensation One Direction, died Oct. 16 after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel. He was 31. Shortly after his death, officials determined the singer died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the fall.

Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he fell, officials announced in November. Prosecution at the time said it was considering ruling out the possibility of suicide.

In Monday’s announcement, the prosecutor’s office detailed the defendants’ alleged roles in Payne’s death. The hotel employee (identified as “E.D.P.”) and waiter (“B.N.P.”) both allegedly supplied Payne with cocaine multiple times during his stay in Buenos Aires. Payne died two weeks after arriving in Argentina, where he attended an Oct. 2 concert by his former bandmate Niall Horan.

According to Monday’s announcement, Payne’s representative “failed to comply with his duties of care, assistance and assistance that he had with respect to” the singer. Prosecutors alleged R.L.N. abandoned the singer despite knowing he was “unable to fend for himself” and having previous knowledge of Payne’s struggles with addiction.

The prosecutor’s office detailed an alleged incident where Payne was carried up to his third-floor room by a group of three people prior to his death. The hotel manager (identified as “G.A.M.”) and the hotel’s head of reception (“E.R.G.”), who allegedly led the group, should have kept Payne “in a safe area without sources of danger, in company and until he could be provided with medical care,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Bruniard, the judge, said Monday that the hotel managers “did not act maliciously” in connection with Payne’s death “but they have been reckless in enabling him to be taken to his room and driven there respectively.”

“They created a legally disapproved risk and Payne’s death is the realization of that risk,” Bruniard said.

R.L.N. is “responsible for the crime of manslaughter … given that he had assumed a position of guarantor toward” Payne’s family, Bruniard added.

Ultimately, Payne’s representative and the hotel managers “have contributed, although not in a planned manner, to creating a risk that resulted in Payne’s death, whether by action or omission,” Monday’s statement said.

The two people charged with supplying Payne drugs before his death were sentenced to pre-trial detention. R.L.N. and the two hotel managers were charged without pretrial detention, according to the prosecutor’s office.

More than a month after Payne’s death, his former bandmates, family and friends gathered for a funeral service in England. Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Horan attended the ceremony northwest of London. Also in attendance were “X Factor” judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole (who shares a young son with Payne), and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

Though Payne is best known for his work with One Direction, he also pursued a solo career after the boy band went on hiatus in 2016. As a soloist he released songs “Strip That Down,” “Bedroom Floor” and “Teardrops” and teamed with artists including Quavo, Ed Sheeran and Charlie Puth.

Payne was also open about his struggles with mental health and addiction. In a YouTube vlog shared in 2023, he revealed he was six months sober.

Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

31Dec
Hyundai Creta EV Launching in India at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in January; Here’s Everything To Know About Expected Range, Battery Features and Specifications

New Delhi, December 30: The Hyundai Creta EV is one of the most anticipated cars to launch in January 2025 at the Bharat Mobility Expo in India. Next year, many other automobile companies are planning to enter the rising electric vehicle market amid faster adoption in India. Hyundai Creta has been successful in the Indian market in the mid-SUV segment, and the upcoming EV is expected to fulfil the wishes of many interested customers.

Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 is set to be held on January 17 in India, and during this automobile event, Hyundai will unveil its Creta EV SUV. However, ahead of the event, the car has been spotted on Indian roads, revealing some of its design elements and style. Hyundai Creta EV will be the third electric car to launch in India. Upcoming Car and Bike Launches in January 2025: From Hyundai Creta EV to Maruti Suzuki E-Vitara and KTM 390 Adventure, Here’s List of Upcoming Vehicles To Launch.

Hyundai Creta EV; Everything To Know About Upcoming Electric Car From Hyundai Motor

The Hyundai Creta electric version is expected to have many competitive specifications and features in the segment. The car may be launched in India with two 45kWh battery packs and offer a longer range of 500 km on a single charge. The electric motor on the vehicle is expected to generate 138 hp maximum power and 255 Nm of peak torque. 

It will be a mid-sized SUV EV that will compete against models like Tata Curvv EV and upcoming cars like Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, Mahindra BE6, and BYD Atto 3. Inside, the Hyundai Creta EV may have a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and instrument cluster. It may include dual cup holders, dual-zone climate control, and differently positioned ventilated seat buttons. Cybertruck Climbs Small Hillock: Elon Musk Shares Video of Tesla’s EV Pickup Truck’s Capability on Uneven Terrains (Watch Video).

Hyundai Creta electric vehicle may be launched with Level 2 ADAS suite, 360-degree surround view camera, electric parking brake, auto-hold, and other features. The car will be based on the ICE version, so the design will remain similar; however, other features related to its interior and exterior will change. 

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 05:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
31Dec
To Fight AI Search Spam, Prioritize Real Human Voices

At some point in the future, AIs may create works of art, music, and writing that rival human-created ones. For now, what’s most impressive about most generative AIs is their capacity to produce lots of mediocre work very quickly. This ability is transforming many industries: In the world of higher education, where I work, we are discovering that it’s very hard to tell AI-produced mediocrity from something that indicates that a student is learning to produce good work. But no industry has been so transformed by AI than the shadowy world of search engine optimization.

Search engine optimization is the dark art of making a business more prominent in searches for a particular keyword. Because search engines rely on links, a popular form of search engine optimization involves creating thousands of pages of realistic-looking text with links to the page a client wants to promote. This search engine spam is a pervasive invasive species on the modern web, and generative AIs do a great job at creating it quickly. Indeed, search engine spam is so common that Google, Bing, and other search engines now offer AI-based assistants that promise to answer questions in humanlike fashion rather than pointing frustrated users to deceptive search engine spam. And thus, as internet scholars Judith Donath and Bruce Schneier document, we are beginning to see LLMO (large language model optimization) in an attempt to make new search engine AIs return specific data or recommendations to promote one site or product over another.

In other words, the web is increasingly becoming a cesspit of auto-generated content written by machines designed to be read by machines. As a result, authentic human voices are becoming a rare and desirable commodity. For years, those in the know have added “site:reddit.com” to searches in the hopes of getting an actual human opinion, but SEO has now come to Reddit, with AI-powered bots that promise to mention your product in comment threads in a “humanlike, authentic” way.

To find real human voices, in 2025 we will increasingly flock to the oldest corners of the web, where human moderation keeps the machines at bay. Consider MetaFilter, founded in 1999; it’s where 12,000 paying members, aided by a small team of moderators, feature the best websites and stories that they’ve found and answer one another’s questions in AskMeFi. Or Are.na, an ad-free social network where users curate collections of videoclips, images, and web links to document their interests and explore rabbit holes.

In 2025, we will also carve out our own human spaces using some of the newest social media tools available. Our research indicates that alongside the influencers and micro-celebrities that dominate your TikTok and YouTube feeds are millions of video makers who don’t want to go viral. Instead, they’re making short videos for family and friends, subverting the recommendation algorithms, and using social media not for celebrities but to maintain social ties.

Whether or not AI dominates our entertainment and knowledge futures, it is a safe bet that humans will still want to connect with one another. In 2025, as artificial voices keep drowning out human ones, the tools that help us find authentic voices may be as valuable as those that can convincingly pretend to be human.
30Dec
Crypto Scammers Are Reportedly Posing as Job Recruiters to Circulate Malware 

Malicious crypto scammers have been found to be fishing for their victims posing as job recruiters online. Popular cyber investigator Taylor Monahan, who goes by the username @tayvano_, has posted an update to his 85,000 followers on X. As per the update, scammers are using recruiting platforms like LinkedIn to reach out to job seekers, asking them to fix issues with video-call software and subsequently injecting malicious malware to get access to the victims’ computers. Monahan works in the security division of crypto wallet MetaMask.

The post, part of a thread on the threat, published by Monahan shared screenshots of the job listing circulated by the scammers. The post shows the fraudulent job opening of “Business Development Lead” at an entity named ‘Halliday’. To entice people to apply for this senior level position, the post boasts an annual salary bracket of $300,000 (roughly Rs. 2.56 lakh) to $350,000 (roughly Rs. 2.99 lakh)

Once job seekers end up answering questions, the scammers ask them to record a video answering the last question. On clicking the ‘Request Camera Access’ button, another prompt pops up asking the people to fix an issue with the camera or the microphone.

“Once you do it, Chrome will prompt you to update/restart to ‘fix the issue’. It’s not fixing the issue. There are SO many malicious actors who spend all day trying to trick you into copy/pasting/run code like this. It will always destroy you,” the Web3 investigator noted.

The screenshot posted by Monahan showed that the malicious ‘fix the issue’ message pops up with the title “Access to your camera or microphone is currently blocked”. The investigator also warned that the scammers could give varying instructions to potential victims for fixing the bug, depending on the system they use – Mac, Windows, or Linux.

This malware lets the scammers access the victims’ systems through backdoor entries, which can subsequently let them get into crypto wallets and drain funds.

The FBI, in its recent report, claimed that crypto scammers had become more sophisticated in terms of identifying and attacking their victims. In July, the Securities division of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) also said that scammers had spiked up activities posing as professors or academicians on platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram to find and communicate with potential victims.

Insiders from the crypto sector like Monahan have asked people to be vigilant and up to date with community alerts and warnings to prevent risking their funds. Earlier this year, Yi He, the co-founder of Binance, had flagged an impersonation scam that was circulating on X where scammers were misusing her identity to promote a fake crypto token on X.
30Dec
Top 10 PPC expert columns of 2024 on Search Engine Land

Search Engine Land gives PPC experts a platform to share their in-depth knowledge and timely insights – with the goal of helping you solve problems, manage challenges and understand the constantly shifting landscape of paid search, paid social, and display.

What follows are links to the 10 most-read, must-read Search Engine Land PPC columns of 2024 that were contributed by our fantastic group of subject matter experts.

Discover how this bid strategy can optimize your Google Ads campaigns for the most valuable actions and overall profitability. (By Sarah Stemen. Published Feb. 7.)

Learn to negate poor performers, track disapproved products and exclude spammy placements with Google Ads scripts. (By Nils Rooijmans. Published Sept. 20.)

Here’s how it affects your ad campaigns and what you can do to optimize performance despite limited visibility. (By Mark Meyerson. Published Sept. 10.)

Looking to elevate your Google Ads lead gen efforts? Here are nine levers that can boost your PPC campaigns toward significant growth. (By Menachem Ani. Published Jan. 10.)

Strategies for running Performance Max campaigns in 2024, covering campaign structure, creative, budgeting and conversion tracking. (By Navah Hopkins. Published April 11.)

Learn about Google Ads’ latest improvements to query matching and brand controls and what it indicates about how keywords will evolve. (By Menachem Ani. Published July 10.)

Leverage AI for PPC with improved prompts, data integration via plugins, custom GPTs, and API-enabled actions. (By Frederick Vallaeys. Published Feb. 1.)

Learn how to use ChatGPT to level up your paid search efforts without sacrificing strategy, authenticity and creativity. (By Amy Hebdon. Published Sept. 3.)

Two years of experiments reveal key findings on the best-performing bid strategies, keyword match types, campaign settings and more. (By Mark Meyerson. Published Aug. 29.)

Google Ads fixed the bug preventing Performance Max search query data from showing in scripts. Here’s how to analyze it PPC optimization. (By Frederick Vallaeys. Published March 13.)
30Dec
Adoption of ‘hospital-at-home’ programs remains concentrated among larger, urban, not-for-profit and academic hospitals

Hospitals that have adopted the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) “hospital-at-home” program, which serves as an alternative to admission to brick-and-mortar facilities, are concentrated in large, urban, not-for-profit, and academic hospitals, new research suggests.

The findings are among the first to portray the landscape of hospitals participating in this rapidly growing care model, said Dr. Hashem Zikry, a participant in the National Clinician Scholars Program at UCLA and lead author on the paper, which will be published in the peer-reviewed JAMA.

“If CMS’ goal is to continue to expand hospital-at-home, these findings suggest that different incentives or outreach may be needed for smaller, rural, and non-teaching hospitals,” Zikry said.

Established in November 2020, the CMS program allows hospitals to deliver care for acute medical illness to patients in their own homes in lieu of a traditional hospital admission.

“Imagine, for example, a 70-year-old who needs treatment for pneumonia,” Zikry said. “Instead of being admitted to the brick-and-mortar hospital, hospital-at-home allows this patient to get the same resources, such as antibiotics and vital sign monitoring, in her own home.” An initial motivation for promoting hospital-at-home was to lessen capacity strain on hospitals — a problem that was exposed and exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Many hospitals are operating at 100% capacity almost all the time,” said Zikry, “so anything that might free up beds and mitigate that capacity crisis is tremendously appealing to heath systems.”

Initially scheduled to expire in December 2022, Congress extended the hospital-at-home waiver program through the end of 2024 and recently introduced legislation to extend it for another five years. Early participants in the CMS program tended to be large, urban, not-for-profit, academic hospitals. In light of the current proposal to extend the waiver, Zikry and coauthors were curious to see whether participation continued to grow after the initial 2022 extension and whether the characteristics of participating hospitals had changed over time.

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of short-term acute care hospitals in the United States and used the 2022 American Hospital Association Annual Survey to obtain data on hospital characteristics. They compared hospitals that applied for the waiver between November 2020 and December 2022 (pre-extension hospitals) and those that applied afterward (post-extension). Of about 3,000 hospitals included in the study, 299 obtained the waiver, with 249 of them pre-extension and 50 post-extension.

The study found that adoption of the waiver remained concentrated among large, urban, not-for-profit, and academic hospitals. The characteristics of post-extension hospitals were similar to pre-extension hospitals, although the former were somewhat smaller and demonstrated regional differences.

Among their findings:

  • Geographically, 49 (98%) post-extension and 226 (91%) pre-extension hospitals were in metropolitan areas
  • Post-extension facilities were most often located in the northeastern (16 hospitals, for 31%) or western U.S (10, for 20%), compared with 30 (12%) and 26 (10%) pre-extension hospitals, respectively. In the south, 19 (38%) were post-extension and 143 (57%) pre-extension
  • Of the post-extension facilities, 24 (48%) had 100 to 299 beds and 20 (40%) had more than 300 beds, compared with 86 (35%) and 126 (51%) pre-extension, respectively
  • Non-profits comprised 46 (92%) post-extension and 201 (81%) pre-extension hospitals
  • Among academic hospitals, 27 (54%) were minor teaching hospitals and 11 (22%) were major teaching hospitals post-extension, compared with 137 (55%) and 64 (26%) pre-extension, respectively.

There are multiple implications of this research, according to Zikry. For one, if CMS wants to expand the reach of hospital-at-home, more work must be done to incorporate smaller, rural, and non-teaching hospitals. The data is clear that these types of hospitals are not seeking to create these programs on their own, potentially because of the resources involved in creating and sustaining their operation until they scale.

Moreover, additional research is needed to understand the practical implications and tradeoffs of hospital-at-home.

“Resources are being poured into these programs around the country,” Zikry said, “yet we still don’t have a comprehensive understanding of how the programs are functioning on the ground.”

Many questions remain, he said.: “Are family members of these patients acting as unpaid caregivers during these admissions? Could these patients do just as well in other care settings? Do patients actually prefer to be at home? And are health systems leveraging this program equitably?”

Study co-authors are Dr. David Schriger of UCLA and Dr. Austin Kilaru of the University of Pennsylvania.
30Dec
Are your running shoes responsible for injuries? Study sheds light | Health

Dec 30, 2024 06:01 PM IST

Switching to new running shoes can lead to running-related injuries, states the study.

When we run on a treadmill, the way we land our feet on the ground helps in enhancing the benefits. One wrong move can add to the risk of running-related injuries. According to a recent study led by Heather Vincent, University of Florida, people wearing thick-heeled shoes are more at risk of such injuries, especially when they are not aware about how their landing of feet on the ground can affect them. Also read | Tips on dealing with bone injuries, ways to prevent them during marathon training

Rearfoot strikers are more at risk of running-related repetitive injury than forefoot strikers. (Pexels)

Heather Vincent, Ph.D., director of the UF Health Sports Performance Center and lead author of the study, in a media release, said, “The shoe lies between the foot and the ground, and features like a large heel-to-toe drop make it more challenging for runners to identify how they’re striking the ground. That clouds how we retrain people or determine if someone is at risk for future injury.”

Findings of the study:

According to the study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, only 42.7% of the runners are aware of their foot strike pattern. 28.3% of the participants are rearfoot strikers, 47% are non-rearfoot strikers, and 24.6% of the participants are unaware of their patterns. The study further observed that rearfoot strikers are more at risk of running-related repetitive injury than forefoot strikers. Also read | The Art and Science of Fitness | How best to avoid injury, with or without shoes

Running shoes and running-related injuries: What's the link?(Pexels)
Running shoes and running-related injuries: What’s the link?(Pexels)

How is running shoes linked with running-related injuries?

The researchers observed that shoe heel-to-toe drop is a stable predictor of accurate strike detection and running-related injuries. It was seen that higher heel-to-toe drops were linked with a lower likelihood of accurate foot strike detection and increased injury risk. Also read | Common sports injuries, signs to watch out for, treatment and prevention tips

Switching to new running shoes:

The study observed that switching to new running shoes are also linked to more reports of running-related injuries. The study is a wake-up call to create awareness on the importance of mindful transition periods of switching shoes while running, to make it less likely to get injured. It was seen that runners who had changed their shoes in the last six months were three times more likely to report running-related injuries.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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30Dec
Australia’s Birth Rate Hits Record Low – Here’s Why It Matters to You

Key takeaways

Australia’s fertility rate has dropped to an all-time low of 1.5 children per woman, the lowest since 1935. This isn’t a short-term trend but a significant demographic shift that impacts the economy and society long-term.

The high cost of living, housing unaffordability, and economic instability are key reasons why many young Australians are delaying or deciding against starting families. Childcare costs, career pressures, and urban housing challenges make parenthood financially daunting for many.

Fewer births today mean a smaller workforce in the future, creating a strain on government budgets. As the population ages, healthcare, aged care, and education demand will rise, while a shrinking workforce will contribute less tax revenue, complicating budget allocations and support systems.

Australia has traditionally relied on population growth, via births and migration, to fuel economic expansion. With falling birth rates, Australia may need to increase skilled migration to maintain workforce numbers, support economic demand, and offset the retiring baby boomer generation.

A shift in birth rates could influence housing demand, with fewer large family homes needed and a possible rise in demand for smaller apartments or multi-generational housing. Urban planning will need to adapt to these changing housing needs.

Addressing housing affordability, accessible childcare, and flexible work arrangements could encourage young Australians to start families. With housing costs being a key factor, policies to ease affordability could resonate with voters, especially during election cycles.

The “baby drought” signals a deeper societal shift, affecting everything from public resource allocation to economic growth models. Addressing housing and affordability challenges early could better equip Australia to handle its demographic evolution and sustain balanced growth for future generations.


Australia’s birth rate has plunged to an all-time low, marking a new chapter in the country’s demographic and economic story.

With a current fertility rate of just 1.5 children per woman, we’re witnessing the lowest birth rate since records began in 1935.

This isn’t just a blip on the radar – it’s a trend that carries big implications for the future of our society and economy.

So, what’s driving this “baby drought”?

High costs of living, unaffordable housing, and financial instability are the main culprits.

Many young Australians are finding it increasingly tough to buy a home, cover everyday expenses, and plan for a stable future. As a result, they’re postponing – or in some cases, forgoing – starting or expanding their families.

Total Fertility Rate

Why are birth rates falling?

We’ve seen a dramatic shift from the large families that were common just a few generations ago.

Today, high childcare costs, career pressures, housing affordability, and a skyrocketing cost of living mean that having multiple children has become a significant financial commitment.

Many young couples, particularly in urban centres where property prices are steepest, simply feel priced out of parenthood.

For a long time, Australia has leaned on population growth to fuel economic expansion.

Unlike other developed countries facing similar birth rate declines, our economic model has always banked on an increasing population – whether through births or migration – to keep demand high, fill jobs, and drive growth.

But as birth rates drop, we face a potential shift away from that model.

Births Registered

Fewer births today means fewer workers tomorrow

A lower birth rate today inevitably means a smaller workforce in the future.

This has direct consequences for our economy and public services.

With fewer young Australians entering the workforce, we’ll eventually have fewer taxpayers to support crucial services like healthcare, aged care, and education.

This shrinking tax base could put pressure on government budgets, leading to difficult decisions about where to allocate resources.

As the population ages, the need for support in healthcare and aged care will increase – just as the number of working-age Australians able to contribute tax revenue declines.

Countries such as Japan and Italy have been grappling with this reality for years, and their experience highlights the challenges that come with an ageing population.

We’ll need to prepare to balance supporting an ageing demographic with ensuring a robust workforce for the future.
30Dec
Pace, swerve, angle – the art of the ‘olimpico’, football’s (usually) rare phenomenon

Oscar Wilde once famously wrote that “to concede one goal direct from a corner is a misfortune, to concede two in eight days looks like carelessness.”

The thoughts of Oscar, noted corner-kick scholar, may have been rushing through the heads of anyone associated with Manchester United recently after they allowed not one but two ‘olimpicos’ — which, if you’re not familiar with the term, means scoring directly from a corner — in just over a week, in two different competitions.

The first came from Son Heung-min in that madcap Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham, his corner sailing over second-choice keeper Altay Bayindir and into the net. The second saw Matheus Cunha flummox Andre Onana, with the help of some judiciously positioned Wolves defenders, in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

The olimpico is a relatively rare phenomenon. You tend not to get more than one a season, if that, so United managing to let two in over such a short period of time is fairly extraordinary. Although given their problems with defending set pieces and their general existential crisis, if you were going to predict which team this would happen to, it would probably be them.

The instinct is to write these goals off as flukes, misdirected crosses that rely on goalkeeping errors to go in, not genuine attempts to score by the corner taker. How can the attacker possibly mean it when they can’t see the goal?

That’s certainly true of some. However, many of them exist in a sort of grey area, where there’s intent from the corner taker and the attacking team, and the aim is ultimately reached, if perhaps not through entirely conventional means.

Former Blackburn Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, still playing aged 43 back in his native Norway, has made scoring olimpicos something of a signature move in the latter days of his career. He scored three of them in one season a few years ago, and claims he once scored five in one game, in his youth.


Pedersen celebrates a Premier League goal for Blackburn in 2005 (Paul Mcfegan/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

His contention is that even if the taker isn’t always ‘shooting’ per se, a goal is the ultimate conclusion of a well-struck corner anyway.

“If the ball can go straight in, it’s like a perfect free kick,” he tells The Athletic. “You’re aiming for the far corner, and loads of things can happen, the goalkeeper can get distracted. If it would go in anyway with nobody there, it’s a good corner.

“You see with what Arsenal have been doing this season: loads of the corners they’ve been scoring from, if nobody touched it, the ball would have gone straight in anyway.

“It’s about creating those situations as close to the goal line as possible. Anything can happen.”

This is a sentiment echoed by another olimpico specialist, the former Wycombe Wanderers full-back Joe Jacobson. He scored two in one game (as part of a hat-trick of set pieces) against Lincoln in 2019, and a number of others over his career.

“I don’t think I ever set out thinking, ‘I’m gonna hit it in the top corner’,” Jacobson says, “but there’d be plenty of times when the coach would tell me, ‘Get it on target, as if it’s a shot’, so that if someone gets a nick or anything it can go in.

“I think inswinging corners went out of fashion for a while — there were a lot of studies showing that if you do outswingers, then defensive headers don’t go as far. Now all of a sudden Arsenal have kind of made inswingers popular again.”

On some occasions though, the taker is definitely trying to shoot.

Megan Rapinoe famously scored directly from a corner at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, having done so nine years earlier in London. The first instance might not have been entirely intentional, but the second was. According to her, at least.

“I meant this one,” she told the media after that game against Australia in Tokyo. “I actually said it to Vlatko (Andonovski) and our assistant coach Laura Harvey yesterday. They were saying ‘Put it here, this is where we want to go, this is kind of the game plan,’ and I was like ‘Well, I might just shoot it.’”

Pedersen’s became so frequent and clear that his colleagues adjusted their movements accordingly.

“At one stage one my team-mate, who played centre-half, asked me before I took the corner, ‘Morten, are you going to shoot?’ I said yes, so he just stayed back on the halfway line.”

Pedersen would practise corners as if he was trying to score, even if most of the time someone would intervene before it got to the net. “When I played for Tromso at the beginning of my career, I would put a basketball hoop and board in front of the goal, and aim for that,” he says.

From a layman’s perspective, it seems that the secret to a dangerous inswinging corner is to get as much swerve on the ball as possible, so the taker must adjust the way they strike the ball accordingly. But Jacobson suggests that, while swerve is a factor, pace and delivery angle is much more important.

“You see loads of times where it’s a nice curly ball into the box and the keeper just plucks it out of the air. But when there’s pace on the ball and it doesn’t get too high, it doesn’t go too far above his eyeline, then I think it’s really difficult for the keeper to come and claim anything.”

Jacobson instead relied on the angle of his run-up to create just the right amount of curl, thus allowing him to concentrate on striking the ball as cleanly and as powerfully as possible.

“As with free kicks, I’d always stand at a right angle to where I wanted to hit the ball and where I wanted it to end up. I tried to hit over the top of the ball, a bit like topspin in tennis, and so it wouldn’t curl miles out and then curl back in.

“I’d over hit a lot and I’d under hit a lot, but when I got them right, the angle meant that I wouldn’t worry about where the ball would end up directionally. I knew that if I ran up at that right angle, the ball would end up in an area where I’d want it to end up.”

From a goalkeeper’s perspective, it’s pretty embarrassing for one of these to go in. But sometimes, when the penalty area is crowded and the taker gets the kick just right, there isn’t a huge amount you can do.

“They’re tricky because you have a lot of guys around you,” says Matt Pyzdrowski, the former goalkeeper and The Athletic’s resident expert. “The tendency for goalkeepers is to first go forward — your instinct tells you that you want to go forward to attack the ball, and get it at its highest point, so you get it before any of the attackers.


Bayindir initially moves forward… (Sky Sports)


… before trying to retreat and getting caught under the ball (Sky Sports)

“As a goalkeeper you want to resist that tendency to be a little bit more patient and I think the goal that Tottenham scored (against United), it’s very clear that the keeper bites very early. There’s a player who runs in front of him and he’s almost more concerned about the player in front of him. He takes a couple of steps forward and then realises the ball’s going over his head.

“Any time the ball goes over your head as a goalkeeper, it’s quite tough to retreat. I think it takes his attention away from the ball enough that he just misses it entirely.”

In Onana’s case, for the goal Cunha scored, the United keeper had attackers in front and behind him, making it extremely difficult for him to move anywhere. In that case, the finger of blame arguably points more at his defenders.

“Each goalkeeper is different,” says Pzydrowski, “but when I played I wanted the defender to be on the outside of the attacker so they can push the player into the goal, so it takes away that space. In this case, the defender (Manuel Ugarte) just doesn’t do a good enough job and he basically pushes the attacker into Onana.”


Onana, surrounded by Wolves players, is also beaten from a corner (Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

Teams train for these scenarios, but like anything, it’s difficult to recreate the unpredictability and intensity. Might these goals partly be the result of when teams practise corners? Pyzdrowski thinks it could be a factor.

“It was always the day before a game (that we would practise corners) where the intensity is lower. And any time that the intensity is lower in training, there’s just a natural tendency for the player to relax a little bit too much.”

When you watch any olimpico, the instinct is to assume that the ones that go in at the far post are intentional, and the ones that sneak in at the near post are lucky. But the truth might be exactly the opposite.

A perfect example is the game when Jacobson scored directly from two corners. The first snuck in at the near post, the second curled higher into the far.

“The second one obviously looks a lot nicer, but it was probably a bit too high for the near post, and it flew in,” he says.

“Wycombe’s assistant manager Richard Dobson, who was in charge of set pieces, always said try and whip it in the near post head high, because an attacker will get there, and if he doesn’t he’ll cause some chaos behind. It’s really difficult for a keeper to read it if there are players running across the ball.”

Pyzdrowski confirms that. “Where I always felt insecure was when I knew teams were trying to whip the ball in towards the near post,” he says. “Because you want to go forward and attack it, other players might get in the way and that’s where you’re a little bit more vulnerable.”

With more and more teams following Arsenal’s lead and whipping those vicious inswinging corners into the six-yard box, it may not be the last time this season that we see an olimpico.

And while they might look like flukes, there is often a little more to them than that.

(Photos: Getty Images; design: Will Tullos)
30Dec
The 7 Best Websites to Find Guitar Chords for Songs

Playing guitar is a fantastic way to relax and de-stress. One of the best things about the guitar is the sheer number of songs you can play with a few chords. All you need now is a good website or app with all the guitar chords and lyrics to your favorite songs.

Ultimate Guitar benefits from a huge community of guitarists who contribute chords and tabs to the website with over one million songs. You will also find several different versions of the songs to practice with, too.

Search for songs using the track name or artist, or click the chord button in the search bar to search for particular chords. That way, if you’re new to guitar, it’s super easy to find songs you can already play by searching for the chords you already know.

Users can rate the guitar chords and tabs out of five, making it clear which version is the best. Ultimate Guitar also offers a subscription for $39.99 per year, including access to guitar and music theory lessons, the ability to transpose songs to a different key, and the option to simplify more complex chords.

Ultimate Guitar also allows users to post short videos, called Shots, on the app. You can look at the most popular recent guitar chords and tabs or browse the top 100 tabs of all time to start learning some classics.

Opening a tab will show you the chords and their diagrams, as well as the song lyrics and where to play a chord in the song. When you’re ready to play, click the Auto-scroll button at the bottom of the screen to start your jam session.

Download: Ultimate Guitar: Chords and Tabs for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

AZChords chords for APT. by Rose and Bruno Mars

AZChords is a fantastic and free website that offers thousands of popular songs with guitar chords. You can sort artists alphabetically, check out trending artists on the home page, and see the latest updates to song tabs for recent songs like I Love You, I’m Sorry by Gracie Abrams.

When you click on a song, AZChords will display the lyrics and chords corresponding to a specific lyric or part of the song. You can click on the chord name highlighted in blue to look at where to place your fingers on the guitar, too.

Notes on AZChords for APT. by Rose and Bruno Mars explaining common mistakes

For example, the entry for APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars includes the list of chords used next to the lyrics. At the bottom, the entry also includes notes about the strumming pattern, general chord progressions, and common mistakes people may encounter when playing this song!

Chordify chords for I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

Sometimes, you want to learn a particular song even if you don’t know how it goes that well. Chordify is perfect for those situations. This website features a super clean interface with large chord diagrams that update as the song plays in real time.

Hit the play button and grab your guitar. Chordify loads a YouTube video in the corner and starts playing the actual recording. The display in the center of the screen shows a square box for each bar and tells you when to change to the next chord.

If anything, it’s all a little bit too simple. There’s no information about strumming patterns, and Chordify doesn’t offer alternate chord fingerings, even if the song needs them. There are no lyrics, either, but it’s a great place to get started.

Also, if you sign up for a yearly subscription for $27, you can unlock tools to change the tempo, volume, and pitch of the song as you play along with it.

Download: Chordify for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

Stairway to Heaven Tab on Songster

Songsterr provides an in-depth look at sheet music and chords for those proficient in reading music. With a premium subscription to Songsterr at $9.99 per month, you can unlock original audio that will play along with the sheet music, change the tempo, and even play back individual sections on a loop to keep practicing.

This website syncs with a YouTube version of the song, so you can listen while you play along. You can even transpose the song to different keys for free. Clicking on a specific part of the song will also sync up with the YouTube video. This is helpful if you’re stuck on a certain part of the song and want to practice.

Songsterr is much more advanced than just the lyrics and chords in the above options, so it may take some getting used to if you’re a music novice. If you want, find the best audio interface to record yourself with so you can review your performance afterward.

Download: Songsterr for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

Chordie homepage featuring absolute beginner songs and campfire songs

At Chordie, you can search for the song name, artist, lyrics, or chords you want to play. It doesn’t have as big a catalog of free guitar chords as Ultimate Guitar, but Chordie presents chords and lyrics in a super clean interface.

Chordie is built from another community of guitarists who contribute their time to uploading guitar chords and lyrics to different songs. What’s nice about Chordie is there’s only one version of each song, so you don’t need to work through five bad versions first.

When you open a song on Chordie, the chords you need are displayed in the top-right corner. You don’t need to flip through a guitar book every time you forget how to play an F chord when you can just scroll back to the top of the page.

Chordie also gives you simple tools to change the font size, transpose to a different key, adjust the chords based on your capo placement, and auto-scroll while you play along. The clean interface includes a tab section for important riffs, as well.

E-Chords tabs page featuring songs like Last Christmas and Die With A Smile

The E-Chords home page features video lessons, new tabs, tutorials, and highlighted blogs. Search for songs, artists, or lyrics to find the free guitar chords you’re looking for. You can then open them up onto a clean page with lots of useful tools running down the left side. There are video lessons available for free, too.

You can customize how the songs look by choosing simplified chords, changing the color of links, and even clicking and dragging chords to where you want them beside the lyrics. Hover your mouse over a chord name above the lyrics to see how to play it.

The verses and choruses are separated, making it easy to learn the structure of a song with just a quick glance. All the chords you need are listed at the bottom of the page as well, so spend a moment there to learn the song before you get started.

There are great customization options, as well. You can use the tools on the left of the screen to set your scroll speed, change the font size, change the color, or simplify the chords to your liking.

YouTube guitar chord results for Without Me by Halsey

YouTube is a classic for all great DIY, how-to, and other video-based learning endeavors. There are a multitude of video tutorials for popular songs. A quick YouTube search for a song will pull up a variety of different video tutorials. Some videos have accompanying chord charts, while others just have a person playing the guitar and showing you how to place your fingers on the guitar.

YouTube is a great alternative resource to written guides because creators can demonstrate proper strum patterns, tempo, and other twists to make any given song sound more like the original.

There are some great websites if you’re looking to learn the basics of playing guitar through lessons, too.

Download: YouTube for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

You’ve got an entire world of popular songs to learn the guitar chords and lyrics for, and you can do it all for free. Whether you learn best by reading or watching, all of these websites and apps are great tools to have in your musical toolbox.

30Dec
Winter fishing-themed festival kicks off at Chagan Lake

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Winter-fishing-themed-festival-kicks-off-at-Chagan-Lake-1zJ6n8CoD4c/img/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c.jpeg'
A ceremony is held to pay tribute to nature’s bounty and wish for a fruitful harvest at the beginning of the winter fishing season on the ice-covered surface of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province on December 28, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Winter-fishing-themed-festival-kicks-off-at-Chagan-Lake-1zJ6n8CoD4c/img/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c.jpeg'
A ceremony is held to pay tribute to nature’s bounty and wish for a fruitful harvest at the beginning of the winter fishing season on the ice-covered surface of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province on December 28, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Winter-fishing-themed-festival-kicks-off-at-Chagan-Lake-1zJ6n8CoD4c/img/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c.jpeg'
A ceremony is held to pay tribute to nature’s bounty and wish for a fruitful harvest at the beginning of the winter fishing season on the ice-covered surface of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province on December 28, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Winter-fishing-themed-festival-kicks-off-at-Chagan-Lake-1zJ6n8CoD4c/img/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c/de92349feb05473f9ea72d83b31c167c.jpeg'
A ceremony is held to pay tribute to nature’s bounty and wish for a fruitful harvest at the beginning of the winter fishing season on the ice-covered surface of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province on December 28, 2024. /CFP

The ice-covered Chagan Lake in Jilin Province has once again come alive with the excitement of its annual winter fishing festival.

Located in Songyuan City, Chagan Lake is one of China’s largest freshwater lakes, renowned for its abundant fishery resources and centuries-old winter fishing traditions that date back to the Liao and Jin dynasties.

The festival begins with a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to nature’s abundance and wish for a bountiful catch. This ancient ritual offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Chagan Lake.

The ceremony and practices of manually drilling ice holes, setting nets, and using horse-drawn winches to haul in the fish-laden nets create spectacular scenes that draw both domestic and international tourists every year.

One of the highlights of the event is the auction of the season’s “First Fish,” a symbol of good fortune. This year’s auction achieved a remarkable final bid of 1,199,999 yuan (around $164,000).

This winter, the lake’s fishing catch is expected to reach 1,500 tons. Beyond fishing, the festival includes a variety of cultural and tourism activities, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and unique charm of Chagan Lake’s fishing culture.

The winter fishing at Chagan Lake was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.
30Dec
Justin Baldoni plans countersuit against Blake Lively in latest ‘It Ends With Us’ drama

The legal drama surrounding “It Ends With Us” continued to mount over the weekend.

On Dec. 20, Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director on the film “It Ends With Us,” accusing him of sexual harassment on the set of the Netflix drama and waging a retaliatory smear campaign against her with the assistance of a crisis PR team.

On Saturday, the Daily Mail reported that Baldoni’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, planned to file a countersuit as soon as courts reopened on Jan. 2. The suit would be filed by Baldoni, his business partner and Wayfarer Studios Chief Executive Jamey Heath, as well as Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nathan, the publicists named in Lively’s complaint. It would accuse Lively’s team, led by publicist Leslie Sloane, of waging a smear campaign against Baldoni by planting negative stories about him and the working conditions on “It Ends With Us” in the press.

Without specifying a timeline for filing the countersuit, Freedman confirmed the plans to Deadline on Saturday. “It is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative,” Freedman said.

On Saturday, Sloane preemptively denied the claims reportedly in the countersuit. In a statement to People magazine, she said that she had not planted any stories about HR complaints on the set of “It Ends With Us” and claimed that in fact she was informed of the complaints by someone with close family connections to Baldoni’s PR team.

“It’s clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false,” she said.

Sloane and Freedman did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday.

In the 80-page complaint, filed in California, Lively accused Baldoni of creating a “hostile work environment” on the set of “It Ends With Us,” a drama about domestic violence, by allegedly doing things like improvising physical intimacy in scenes with Lively and pressuring the actor into performing more nudity than originally agreed upon. Lively claims that when she raised concerns about the conditions on set, Baldoni’s team orchestrated a smear campaign on social media. The complaint included dozens of damaging text messages that seemingly showed Baldoni coordinating with his publicity team to undermine Lively’s credibility and bolster his own.

Adapted from a novel by Colleen Hoover, the film follows Lively’s character, a young woman who is physically and emotionally abused by her husband, played by Baldoni. Its release in August was largely overshadowed by rumors of a feud between Baldoni and Lively, and by negative chatter about Lively on social media.

Since filing the complaint, the “Gossip Girl” star has received an outpouring of support from friends and collaborators in the industry, including her “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” co-stars and director Paul Feig.

Meanwhile, Baldoni has been dropped by his agency, WME. And others are trying to distance themselves from the “It Ends With Us” controversy. On Tuesday, Baldoni’s former publicist Stephanie Jones filed a complaint in New York Supreme Court accusing his PR team of undermining her in a coordinated effort to deflect blame for the alleged smear campaign against Lively.

30Dec
The Art of Dying: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth And The Power of Letting Go

Spoilers for Final Fantasy VII [1997], Remake, and Rebirth.

Even with far more barriers in the way, the desperation began almost as soon as the original game was on shelves and the first person saw Aerith die in Final Fantasy VII. The singular question haunted AOL chat rooms, usenet, and game magazine mailboxes for years: Can we bring her back?

Games have such a strange relationship with the idea of death, so it makes sense that players in 1997–starved of narratives with any real permanent stakes beyond how many quarters you can pump in or whether you really wanted to fight all the way back to the place you died–would have a reaction to Aerith being permanently dead. It’s baked right into the narrative in fact, with Cloud, even with all of his emotional damage, grasping the enormity. “Aerith will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry, or get angry….” Cloud wrestles, in the moment she dies in his arms, with grief for the first time. And Sephiroth does not give a shit. Sephiroth is beyond human concerns. He knows what Cloud is, and flies away with his gentle amusement. Cloud is a puppet. To him, emotions for someone ultimately meaningless in the larger context of time and space are no different than a toddler weeping because it accidentally stepped on a dandelion. But this is the internal struggle that would define the next stretch of FF7. Cloud discovers what he is, and has to come to grips with what it actually means to be human, because just copying Zack Fair’s homework will only get him so far.

As a singular work, Final Fantasy VII’s ensemble of rebels comes to the end with proud, full hearts, accepting what must be done to save Gaia. But it doesn’t take long for fans and Square Enix to find ways to cheat death, from GameShark codes allowing players to keep Aerith in the party after she’s dead, to Square Enix futzing with their own rules to utilize Aerith in Advent Children and Kingdom Hearts. In a medium where death is always an easily solvable problem—hell, in a game series where resurrection is usually one Phoenix Down away—Aerith being dead should be a temporary inconvenience at best. She’s only mostly dead, right?

Aerith strikes her iconic pose in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

The greatest gift, and the greatest power of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, is that there is no such respite to be had in it. From the second the game starts, Aerith’s days are numbered, with the inevitable moment when players would have to grapple with the potential of her martyr’s death acting as an oppressive weight on the entire game. The dread of Shinra, Sephiroth, and the lifestream itself, all of which could put an end to our party’s quest, adds to the pressure, forcing our party and every playable character to contend with the peril in their own way. The only one who never buckles is Aerith.

Aerith, from the very start of Remake, knows more than anyone about where the path leads for her and her friends. It’s never said outright, but the implication is seeded fairly often that she knows how she dies. It becomes clear how many forces conspire against them, threatening to tear the entire party of heroes asunder. And yet, in that moment, standing outside Midgar, all Aerith can do is look at the possibilities of the green, verdant world stretching in front of her, and be grateful for the company she gets to share it with. There’s something to be said for just how much of Rebirth is sidequests,new mechanics you get to use once and never again, and strange flights of fancy. And yet, unlike most open world games, that friction between the importance of the greater quest and the frivolity of the optional stuff isn’t so much a dissonant note, but the entire point.

As the game comes to a close, Aerith takes an unconscious Cloud through her memories of the Midgar Slums. Shinra is flying to the Temple of the Ancients, and Aerith wants you to try candy.

Sephiroth is waiting for his chance to murder everyone. Aerith wants you to pick out jewelry.The multiverse that is Final Fantasy VII is threatening to collapse. Aerith wants nothing more than for Cloud to look at her and hold her hand.

There was a Eurogamer article not long ago where Robert Purchase asked a reasonable if misguided question: “Why is it that in a role-playing game where the stakes are usually ‘the end of the world’, the end of the world always has to wait for us to finish our sprawling to-do list first?” A reasonable question approached from the wrong angle. The question, more often than not, is why the end of the world always feels inconsequential? There’s a reason why 0% speedruns of Breath of the Wild where players rocket over to fight Calamity Ganon the second they put a shirt on never feel out of pocket: that’s a game that holds the consequences of saving the world cheap, in order for the player to create that treasured immersion developers love so much. Nintendo’s far from alone on that; this is how most open experiences are meant to operate to give players power.

Final Fantasy VII was never designed in a way where the threat of Sephiroth, Meteor, Shinra et al were meant to fade into the background. Once Sephiroth makes the fateful call, the beautiful overworld music vanishes, replaced by one of the most ominous pieces of music Nobuo Uematsu would ever compose. You literally cannot step outside without remembering what must be done, and part of why it’s effective is because we’ve seen the game willing to take someone precious away from the player to get there– something irretrievable and irreplaceable. It’s only after the fact that players and Square tried to fill the hole of Aerith’s absence without retconning the whole thing. Rebirth, on the other hand, knows where it’s headed from minute one.Right from the beginning, it’s begging players to look at what they have, the world they inhabit, and the people who make their home here; the humanity that Sephiroth holds so cheap and the friends so dedicated to preserving it all that they’re willing to look the silver-haired, one-winged angel of death in his smug fucking face and tell him that “yes, we’re going to fight you for all this.” And by then, players will have a deep, beautiful basis of experiences in life and love to back that up.

That brings us to the moment.The moment in which it almost looks like Square might spare us the pain of watching Aerith–now a character so much more genuinely and beautifully written and executed than her 1997 counterpart–die in Cloud’s arms again. But no. Despite some deft swordplay, Aerith is stabbed. The materia falls down the stairs. The theme plays. And again, many will weep. As it turns out, this is, to borrow another multiverse’s parlance, a canon event. Even given how much Remake and Rebirth stray from the path we all know, some things are inevitable. Aerith dies in the Temple of Ancients every time.

But something’s different about Rebirth. Through Cloud’s temporary surrender to outright madness and nihilism, we’ve seen just how much of this universe is inevitable. But the magic of it is this: you are encouraged to fight it anyway. Humanity–being a thinking, feeling, emotional being–demands it. And the real difference between Rebirth and the vast majority of experiences is that everything you’ve done prior informs it.

This seems to be a running motif in Square’s work in the FF series of late, with XV and XVI both playing with the idea that, while ruin is inevitable every tiny interaction creates a vast tapestry of reasons to save the world anyway. Despite being faced with death time and again, Square has asked us to revel in these peoples’ lives, in all their messy glory, because it all actually matters. When death comes–and it comes heavy in all these games–it has a face. Life, on the other hand, has many. And the sacrifice of confronting the end of all things means absolutely nothing without seeing those faces first. In a truly meaningful RPG narrative, that is why the end of the world must be allowed to wait.

For Final Fantasy VII, we have spent literally real-world decades waiting for the opportunity to stop Aerith from going away, never truly accepting that our time with her is short. Rebirth’s great power is that it gives us more of that. We have all the time in the world to fall in love with the very act of being alive and breathing the way she does, so that when the end comes, there aren’t regrets.

When Aerith died in 1997, all Cloud could focus on was the loss–the things we can never get back, the things she will never do again.

When Aerith dies in 2024, Cloud swallows the sorrow, holds her hand, and tells her, “I got this.” And he lets her go to fight for the world she loved.

When that fight is over, Cloud’s perspective undergoes a shift; straddling timelines, able to see the void left by Aerith’s death, but carrying her with him, or at least, a multiverse echo of her. But still. Cloud knows it’s not her. He can’t suddenly give Aerith back to his world, and he will be uniquely equipped to share what he knows of her to get his friends through it. Our heroes mourn. But it is so much more important that Rebirth shows they are not doing it alone, and that all of them are better for having known her.

And thus, Rebirth imparts its lesson. One of the hardest but most crucial lessons of the year. We have had to let Aerith go for so long, many of us forgot why it hurt to begin with. But Rebirth lets us remember, and revel in it, and finally accept. We let her go, gladly, having fought, played, and sung with her in ways we never imagined back on PS1. There is an art to accepting the end is coming. The Remake project altogether has been, above all else, an invitation to look out at the horizon and, even knowing it has an end, to revel in what’s ahead regardless.

More Best Of 2024:
30Dec
New research identifies key cellular mechanism driving Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers with the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) have unveiled a critical mechanism that links cellular stress in the brain to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study, published in the journal Neuron, highlights microglia, the brain’s primary immune cells, as central players in both the protective and harmful responses associated with the disease.

Microglia, often dubbed the brain’s first responders, are now recognized as a significant causal cell type in Alzheimer’s pathology. However, these cells play a double-edged role: some protect brain health, while others worsen neurodegeneration. Understanding the functional differences between these microglial populations has been a research focus for Pinar Ayata, the study’s principal investigator and a professor with the CUNY ASRC Neuroscience Initiative and the CUNY Graduate Center’s Biology and Biochemistry programs.

“We set out to answer what are the harmful microglia in Alzheimer’s disease and how can we therapeutically target them,” said Ayata. “We pinpointed a novel neurodegenerative microglia phenotype in Alzheimer’s disease characterized by a stress-related signaling pathway.”

The research team discovered that activation of this stress pathway, known as the integrated stress response (ISR), prompts microglia to produce and release toxic lipids. These lipids damage neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells — two cell types essential for brain function and most impacted in Alzheimer’s disease. Blocking this stress response or the lipid synthesis pathway reversed symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in preclinical models.

Key Findings

  • Dark Microglia and Alzheimer‘s Disease: Using electron microscopy, the researchers identified an accumulation of “dark microglia,” a subset of microglia associated with cellular stress and neurodegeneration, in postmortem brain tissues from Alzheimer’s patients. These cells were present at twice the levels seen in healthy-aged individuals.
  • Toxic Lipid Secretion: The ISR pathway in microglia was shown to drive the synthesis and release of harmful lipids that contribute to synapse loss, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Therapeutic Potential: In mouse models, inhibiting ISR activation or lipid synthesis prevented synapse loss and accumulation of neurodegenerative tau proteins, offering a promising pathway for therapeutic intervention.

“These findings reveal a critical link between cellular stress and the neurotoxic effects of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease,” said the study’s co-lead author Anna Flury, a member of Ayata’s lab and a Ph.D. student with the CUNY Graduate Center’s Biology Program. “Targeting this pathway may open up new avenues for treatment by either halting the toxic lipid production or preventing the activation of harmful microglial phenotypes.”

Implications for Alzheimer’s Patients This research underscores the potential of developing drugs that target specific microglial populations or their stress-induced mechanisms. “Such treatments could significantly slow or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope to millions of patients and their families,” explained co-lead author Leen Aljayousi, a member of Ayata’s lab and a Ph.D. student with the CUNY Graduate Center’s Biology Program.

The study represents a major leap forward in understanding the cellular underpinnings of Alzheimer’s and emphasizes the importance of microglial health in maintaining overall brain function.
30Dec
6th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum [Feb 15 – 16; 3 Events; Hybrid]: Register by Jan 10!

Registrations are invited for the 6th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum. The forum consists of 3 events. Register by Jan 10! About the 6th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum We are delighted to announce that the 6th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum (GALSF) will be held on 15th and 16th February 2025. As a premier […]

The post 6th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum [Feb 15 – 16; 3 Events; Hybrid]: Register by Jan 10! appeared first on Lawctopus.
30Dec
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 30, 2024 | Astrology

All zodiac signs have their own characteristics and traits which define someone’s personality. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you started your day by already knowing about what’s going to come your way? Read on to find out whether the odds will be in your favour today.

Check out what your zodiac sign says about your day ahead.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Avoid spending excessively or making major investments today. You and your family are likely to experience a peaceful day without any disagreements. Stay motivated and keep working hard. Your mental and physical well-being looks to be stable. A travel opportunity to a desired location may arise. Academically, something you submitted is expected to pass review.

Love Focus: In new relationships, be ready to adjust to meet your partner’s needs.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Golden

Taurus (Apr 21-May 20)

Your efforts and persistence appear to bring financial rewards. A young family member may need your advice to improve their behavior. Some may travel to visit a close one. You may start resolving a property dispute. A competitive academic environment will suit you well. Avoid arguments with significant people to maintain harmony.

Love Focus: Someone you have feelings for may show interest in you.

Lucky Number: 3

Lucky Colour: Brown

Gemini (May 21-Jun 21)

Today is promising for property investments. You may successfully adopt lifestyle changes for better health. Expect to perform well in a task assigned by your superiors. Travelling with a family member is possible. There’s room to improve your academic scores, so give it your best. Social obligations might require your attention.

Love Focus: You will feel closer to the one you love.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Peach

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22)

Avoid exploring new financial or property opportunities today. A supervisor or colleague may feel somewhat dissatisfied with your work. A short, spontaneous trip with friends or family might be planned. Preparing in advance academically will help you stand out. Those aiming for fitness may find time to restart workouts.

Love Focus: Open communication on a certain issue may be necessary in your relationship.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Magenta

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 23)

Positive news in your career may await you. Family and friends might want you to spend time with them. A favorable property deal could come your way, promising home ownership soon. Students pursuing higher education are likely to excel and may receive good placement offers. Increased earnings are on the horizon, so celebrate!

Love Focus: An unplanned trip with your partner may be possible.

Lucky Number:9

Lucky Colour: Red

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)

Be cautious about new acquaintances and investments. You are likely to increase physical activity to get back in shape. Innovative ideas could help businesspersons gain an advantage. Traveling with loved ones to an exotic location is possible. Success on the academic front is anticipated for those in competitions.

Love Focus: A new romantic interest could make life more exciting.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: Green

LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23)

Success on the academic front seems likely. Money lent to someone may be returned. Some may consider broadening their career skills. Visits from family or friends can brighten the day. Being with someone enjoyable could make a journey feel shorter. The academic atmosphere may feel more pleasant

Love Focus: Misunderstandings may have caused distance in your relationship.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Royal Blue

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Financial prospects look promising. Harmony prevails with family. No promotions or surprises at work are expected for now. Focus on exercise and a healthy diet. Some may finalize property deals. Academic progress will satisfy your parents. You may feel uncertain about a particular decision.

Love Focus: Your relationship is likely in a positive place.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Colour: Off White

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)

Effective money management can help you save more. Assisting a colleague by sharing workload might be appreciated. Lifestyle changes may make it easy to stay fit. A separated family member might return temporarily. You could be invited on an exciting trip. Students may have a busy but manageable schedule.

Love Focus: The day could end blissfully for those in love.

Lucky Number:5

Lucky Colour: Saffron

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)

Staying active will help you maintain fitness. There’s a possibility of winning a lottery or inheritance. Exceptional progress is possible in your career or studies. A peaceful home environment will help you relax. If you are considering a journey, today might be favourable for travel plans.

Love Focus: You may be drawn to someone and develop a budding romance.

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Pink

AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)

Earning money may come easier, leading to prosperity. You may feel more focused and composed at work. Socializing could help find a match for a family member. Resisting junk food might help maintain health. Preparing for exams may feel manageable. You prefer not to inconvenience others but may need to.

Love Focus: Taking initiative is necessary to find love.

Lucky Number:17

Lucky Colour: Orange

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Today is favourable for exploring real estate opportunities. You may feel closer to loved ones than before. Effort is needed professionally to attract the right clients. Academic success depends on dedication, and you are likely to achieve it. Contentment with life means you may not seek big changes.

Love Focus: Lover can have a special surprise in store for you on the romantic front.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Maroon
30Dec
What’s Fueling the Investor Boom?

Key takeaways

Queensland now accounts for 23% of all investor loans over the past year, closely trailing Victoria, which holds a slim lead at 23.3%.

With Queensland’s continued momentum, it’s expected that the state will surpass Victoria very soon, becoming Australia’s second-largest property investor market.


Australia’s property market landscape is evolving, and Queensland is rising fast as a key player.

Traditionally, New South Wales has held the top spot for property investors, with Victoria coming in second.

However, recent data suggests a shift is happening, and Queensland is now on the verge of overtaking Victoria to claim the number two position.

According to data from Money.com.au, Queensland now accounts for 23% of all investor loans over the past year, closely trailing Victoria, which holds a slim lead at 23.3%.

With Queensland’s continued momentum, it’s expected that the state will surpass Victoria very soon, becoming Australia’s second-largest property investor market.

Queensland

What’s driving Queensland’s surge?

Several factors are contributing to Queensland’s growing appeal to property investors:

1.   Investor exodus from Victoria

One key reason for this shift is the changing tax landscape in Victoria.

The introduction of a flat-rate levy for property investors, combined with additional taxes on landholdings, has made Victoria a less attractive market for investors.

Many have begun to look elsewhere, with Queensland becoming the new destination of choice.

2. Affordability and strong rental yields

Queensland offers significantly lower entry costs for property investors compared to Victoria and New South Wales.

Investors can still find properties in regional areas like Townsville, Bundaberg, and Gladstone for around $500,000, with rental yields ranging from 5% to 10% or more.

This is a massive draw for investors looking to maximise returns, particularly as housing affordability becomes more strained in the southern states.

3. Infrastructure boom

Queensland is undergoing major infrastructure development, including projects like Brisbane’s preparation for the 2032 Olympics, the Cross River Rail, and significant new housing developments.

These projects are driving both property values and long-term growth potential for investors.

4. Interstate migration

Queensland’s population is booming, with over 107,000 people migrating to the state from other parts of Australia in the year to March 2024.

As more people move to Queensland, driven by the more affordable cost of living and lifestyle benefits, the demand for housing continues to increase.
30Dec
Luka Dončić ‘doing fine’ after Mavericks star’s home burglarized, coach Jason Kidd says

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Luka Dončić is “doing fine” after the 25-year-old star’s home was burglarized Friday in what was the latest occurrence in a string of break-ins into professional athletes’ homes in the past few months.

“I reached out, texted him,” Kidd said Saturday. “He’s doing fine (after) going through that incident. Glad no one got hurt. I talked to him today.”

No one was home at the time of the break-in and an investigation into the incident is ongoing, Dončić business manager, Lara Beth Seager, told multiple outlets. Jewelry valued at around $30,000 was taken from the home, according to The Dallas Morning News, which obtained an internal police report.

It’s unclear who burglarized Dončić’s home.

Since September, the homes of at least six professional athletes have been burglarized, including Dončić’s. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley’s home was broken into on Sept. 15. Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home burglarized on Nov. 2.

On Oct. 6, there was a break-in at Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ residence in Missouri; Mahomes called the incident “frustrating” and “disappointing.” Travis Kelce, Mahomes’ teammate, also had his home broken into in October. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home in Ohio was broken into on Dec. 9.

The NFL and NBA issued memos in November about the threat of burglary groups targeting the homes of professional athletes.

The NBA’s memo indicated that the FBI had identified “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”

Dončić sustained a left calf strain in the Mavericks’ Dec. 25 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is expected to be sidelined for at least one month.

The Mavericks began a four-game road trip Friday with a win against the Phoenix Suns.

Required reading

(Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
30Dec
Why I Finally Switched to an iPad After Using an Android Tablet for Years

Summary

  • Seamless integration with MacBook and iPhone simplifies multitasking.
  • The Large screen of the iPad Air provides valuable desktop real-estate.
  • The iPad Air offers necessary apps and accessories for efficient light work.

I switched to an iPad Air after having been an Android fan for years and using an Android tablet. I’ve never been a fan of Apple’s walled-garden approach. However, after using my iPad Air, I don’t think I could go back to an Android tablet.

Integrates Seamlessly With my MacBook and iPhone

I don’t like how Apple keeps you stuck in its ecosystem, but it does make using all its products together so much easier. I keep an iPhone as my work phone and bought a MacBook Air for working when I travel (although I still use my Windows laptop as my main device), so buying an iPad to replace my aging Android tablet just made sense.

Another feature that I like about using the iPad with my iPhone and MacBook is that it syncs the Do Not Disturb status across all devices. Plus, AirDrop makes it a breeze to transfer huge files between devices. Aside from that, since I prefer working with three screens and my MacBook Air only supports one external screen, I use Sidecar to turn my 13-inch M2 iPad Air into a third display.

Availability of a Massive Screen for the iPad Air

The large screen of the 13-inch iPad Air versus the iPhone 14 Pro Max
Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf

I’ve always loved the desktop real-estate provided by larger displays. That’s why I loved Samsung’s Note smartphones, and all laptops I’ve ever owned had a 15-inch screen. That’s why I was delighted when Apple launched the 13-inch iPad Air for just $799, as I didn’t need to spend the extra $500 to get the 13-inch iPad Pro.

Samsung has the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra with its larger 14.6-inch, but this one is priced at $1,200. There’s also the Galaxy Tab S10+, which has a screen size similar to the 13-inch iPad Air, but it was more expensive at $999 when it launched. Although the price on the Samsung website now says $849.99, that’s still $50 more than what Apple offers.

I still feel that the 13-inch screen is cramped, especially if I’m working on it all day. However, it provides the perfect balance between screen size and portability, especially as I carry it with me every time I leave the house. It’s also a better screen for enjoying movies whenever I fly.

Works Great as a Laptop Alternative for Light Work

Working on the iPad Air while away from my workstation
Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf

Another reason I bought an iPad was that it is great for light work. I have a more optimized workflow on my Windows PC, and there are some things I can do on my MacBook Air that I cannot on my iPad, but they’re both not as portable as my Apple tablet. So, whenever I go out, I bring my iPad with me, just to ensure that I can get things done in case of an emergency.

For example, we once needed to go to the hospital because my wife got scratched by a rusty nail. While we were in the emergency department waiting for some labs and X-rays, I was able to sneak in some work and finish an article on my iPad.

Aside from writing, the iPad is also useful for professional photographers. I use it for editing photos on the go, and when I have to set up a studio, I use it as a wireless monitor. This allows me and my clients to see the images I take on a larger screen instead of relying on the tiny display of my camera.

Has All the Apps I Need

The apps I use on my iPad Air
Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf

One of the reasons why iPads are ahead of Android tablets is the number of well-thought-out apps you can find on the App Store, as well as the typically longer software support that Apple gives its products. For example, Adobe Lightroom, which I use for editing photos, arrived earlier on the iPad than on Android devices. All the apps I use for work are also readily available on the App Store and usually work better on iPadOS, even though they’re not Apple software.

So, even though the apps I mainly use—Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Google Drive, Asana, Trello, and Slack—aren’t developed by Apple, they still play nice with the iPad. This means I can seamlessly switch between my iPad, MacBook Air, Windows PC, iPhone, and even Samsung phone without having to worry about manually transferring things.

Accessories Make Productivity Easier

Using my iPad Air with an external monitor and mouse connected via a hub
Jowi Morales / MakeUseOf

Aside from its large screen, the other thing that I love about the iPad Air is its USB-C port. This means I don’t have to get a proprietary cable to connect accessories and charge the device, unlike my iPhone 14. Furthermore, my iPad has a USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 port, meaning I can transfer data at up to 10 Gbps.

Because of this, I can easily attach a USB Hub to the tablet, like this Baseus Metal Gleam Series II I reviewed, and add several accessories to it to make working easier. That means I can easily attach an external drive, especially when I’m working with large files, and even use a wired mechanical keyboard if I’m in the mood for writing.

I even bought an iPad keyboard case that’s right for me. It lets me pull out my tablet from my bag and start writing or editing photos ergonomically anytime. If you don’t want to pay a premium for Apple accessories, there are also many cheaper alternatives to the Magic Keyboard that are just as good.

These are some reasons why I finally switched to the iPad Air after several years of owning an Android tablet and sticking to Android devices. While Samsung’s giant Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a tempting offer, I ultimately found better value in the 13-inch M2 iPad Air, and I’m perfectly satisfied with this device.
30Dec
Ancient relics look like they're from a fantasy movie

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-29/Ancient-relics-look-like-they-re-from-a-fantasy-movie-1zG2a4OYnzG/img/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d/7d22e983173f4671843a6a15b0dc722d.jpeg'
An ancient item of bronze ware is seen on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Central China. /CGTN

The Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan houses a staggering collection of ancient artifacts. As one of China’s most popular museums, its exhibits include the 2,000-year-old and still very sharp Sword of Goujian, along with the largest set of giant bronze bells in China and an extensive collection of intricately carved ritual vessels.
30Dec
Box office was down in 2024. Why Hollywood still sounds relieved

It wasn’t good, but it could’ve been a lot worse. Given the lingering effects of last year’s Hollywood labor strikes, the relative lack of big movies and a dismal first half of the year at the box office, the film industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief as 2024 comes to a close.

This year’s box office revenue could total $8.75 billion in the U.S. and Canada, according to estimates from data firm Comscore. That figure would put the box office about 3% lower than in 2023. More dispiriting for theaters, it’s down about 23% compared with 2019.

But the numbers also represent a remarkable turnaround considering revenue was down 27.5% just six months ago after a weak slate and a string of high-profile flops, before Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” hit theaters in June.

“It was not your typical year because there was no traditional road map to follow through the entire calendar,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. “The fact that we’re even here shows that audiences really love going to the movies, but they need a path to follow to get there.”

While 2024 presented unique challenges for the film business, moviegoing still faces a slew of hurdles that were accelerated by the pandemic.

Once-regular movie watchers aren’t seeing films in theaters at the same rate as before, waiting until their preferred movies show up as premium digital rentals or on streaming platforms. Films are also in theaters for shorter periods, meaning they’re often gone by the time casual moviegoers decide to check out a flick.

Last year’s strikes by Hollywood writers and actors also resulted in many movie releases being pushed out of 2024 due to production delays or a need for more marketing time. That meant there weren’t as many wide releases for moviegoers to get excited about.

As of Dec. 18, there were 95 domestic releases in 2,000 theaters this year, according to data from the National Assn. of Theater Owners trade group. That paled in comparison with 2023 (101 films). Next year is expected to be stronger, with 110 wide release movies on the schedule.

“As we were coming into the year, as a result of the strikes last year, I think there was clearly just some concern about what impact that would have,” said Sean Gamble, chief executive of Plano, Texas-based movie theater chain Cinemark. “The big thing that we’re just continuing to keep an eye on is what is the timing for volume, and where is volume going to fully fill out over the next couple of years.”

A lighter release schedule, combined with bombs early in the year, such as Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Furiosa: A Mad Max Story” and Universal Pictures’ “The Fall Guy,” had industry players feeling apocalyptic about the movies. But a strong string of hits throughout the summer and holidays has put some wind back in the sails.

“We’re ending the year in a better place than we were at the beginning of the year,” Tony Chambers, head of theatrical distribution at the Walt Disney Studios, said of the industry’s progress. “Part of it was how well these summer titles worked.”

Animation was a major win for the year, grossing more than $2 billion — a quarter of annual domestic box office revenue — and the biggest percentage ever for the genre. Summer films like Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 4” and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” the latter of which became the highest-grossing film of the year with nearly $1.7 billion in global sales, brought families to theaters in droves. Months later, Disney’s “Moana 2” helped anchor a massive Thanksgiving weekend box office haul.

Worldwide, animated films brought in more than $5 billion this year, according to Comscore. Analysts have credited family films — and more broadly, PG-rated titles, such as Universal’s “Wicked” — with boosting this year’s box office. The films not only resonated with their target audience of families, but also featured well-known and beloved characters, which can ease trepidation among families wrestling with whether a trip to the theaters is worth it.

While animated movies were a clear winner this summer, some superheroes also did their jobs. Marvel Studios’ latest film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” grossed $1.3 billion worldwide, boosting the Disney-owned studio’s prospects after a string of lackluster films. The film also proved there is a niche for R-rated and irreverent storylines within the House of Mouse’s largely family-friendly and PG-13 superhero universe.

The summer may have been bolstered by blockbusters, but Osgood Perkins’ original indie “Longlegs” also contributed to the box office momentum. The breakout horror film, which stars Nicolas Cage, handed independent distributor Neon its biggest opening ever, with $22 million, and came after an extensive and cryptic marketing campaign.

As summer turned into fall, the string of hits continued with Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” and the heavily marketed “Wicked.” The continued momentum helped affirm that theatrical movies are still in demand, said Gamble of Cinemark.

In a recent meeting in Los Angeles with studio executives, he said a common topic of conversation was the meaning of this year’s box office for the health of theatrical exhibition.

“Everybody’s viewed the collective results of this year as a really positive thing,” Gamble said. “What we continue to see are examples that suggest the enthusiasm for moviegoing remains very robust.”

Disney had an especially good year, as the studio crossed the $2-billion mark in domestic box office with three of the top five films of 2024 — “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” each of which cracked $1 billion globally at the box office, and “Moana 2,” which has now grossed almost $821 million worldwide. That puts the Burbank media and entertainment giant at about 25% of this year’s box office.

“The successes we’ve had this year show that audiences are eager for that unbeatable experience of watching a great movie in a theater with a crowd of people who are enjoying it just as much as they are,” Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, said in a statement.

While blockbusters filled seats in theaters this year, there were also plenty of duds.

Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola’s massive, $120-million passion project “Megalopolis” hit a hard wall at the box office, grossing just $4 million in its opening weekend and less than $14 million total worldwide. The loosely Roman-themed fable about an architect in a futuristic New York was anathema to major studios, leaving Coppola to shoulder much of the financial risk himself.

Kevin Costner’s western epic “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1” met a similar fate, grossing just $38 million worldwide after the “Yellowstone” actor put up his own property to fund the film. The movie was the first in a planned four-part saga. After the first movie’s reception, the sequel was pulled from its scheduled August theatrical release.

Despite the success of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” other superhero-related films didn’t fare as well theatrically, including Sony Pictures’ “Madame Web” and “Kraven the Hunter,” along with Warner Bros.’ comic book sequel-turned-musical “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Eli Roth’s video game adaptation “Borderlands” also failed to connect with audiences, as did Lionsgate’s reboot of horror film “The Crow.”

Still, film industry executives and analysts say they feel hopeful about 2025 — a year in which the effects of the strikes and the pandemic are further in the rearview mirror, and the cadence of movies gets closer to normal.

Industry leaders said 2025 should be a return to the trajectory the business was on before the pandemic and the strikes. Next year’s slate is stocked with superhero fare (“Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts” and a new DC reboot of “Superman”), action films (“Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” and “Jurassic World Rebirth”) as well as sequels to popular films (“Now You See Me 3,” “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good”).

The success of — and reliance on — sequels and reboots is also going to force a future reckoning for new stories.

Though original films like A24’s “Civil War,” Amazon MGM Studios’ “Challengers” and “Longlegs” cashed in at the box office, the entirety of the top 10 highest-grossing films domestic or worldwide this year were sequels or films based on existing stories (“Wicked,” as an adaptation of the 21-year-old Broadway play and a revision of the classic “Wizard of Oz,” is included in this).

“What studios and exhibition and the industry needs to focus on is possibly how to cut through with original content,” said Chambers of Disney. “Being able to have original titles cut through, that’s going to be the challenge.”
30Dec
Upcoming Car and Bike Launches in January 2025: From Hyundai Creta EV to Maruti Suzuki E-Vitara and KTM 390 Adventure, Here’s List of Upcoming Vehicles To Launch

New Delhi, December 29: In 2024, several new motorcycles and cars were launched that offered fresh designs, specifications, and features. This year marked several revolutionary vehicles, such as the world’s first CNG bike, the Bajaj Freedom 125 lineup, the new Kia Syros SUV, the 4×4 Thar Roxx, the BMW CE 02 electric scooters, Activa Electric, and many other EV and ICE models in India.

In November and December 2024, many automobile and two-wheeler makers introduced their new models in India, making the end of the year worth the wait for new technology. Just like this year, 2025 is also expected to be a major year of launches for new motorcycles and cars. Some of the launches have been announced, while others are yet to be announced. Hyundai’s Mid-Sized SUV Santa Fe, Kia’s EV3 Among Safest Cars in South Korea, Says Country’s Transport Ministry.

Upcoming Car Launches in January 2025

January will mark the beginning of 2025 and introduce several new car models in India and the global market. The year may start with new models from companies like Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, BYD Auto, Hyundai, Tata, Skoda, and Kia, among others. Some models are expected to be launched, while others are expected to debut in the Indian automobile market.

Hyundai may announce an electric version of its popular Creta mid-sized SUV model next month during the Bharat Mobility Show on January 17, 2025. Ahead of the launch, the car was spied on the road. It may include a 45kWh battery pack, electric motor churning around 138hp power, and 255Nm peak torque.

  • Mahindra BE 6, Mahindra SEV 9

Mahindra & Mahindra is expected to launch its BE 6 car with three and two 79kWh batteries above INR 20 lakh in India. It will be an electric car offering a claimed range of over 500 kilometres on a single charge, depending on the variant. On the other hand, the Mahindra XEV 9e may be launched next month with new-generation features.

Maruti Suzuki may launch its new electric car, e-Vitara, in India around January 2025. It may include two battery packs—49kWh and 61kWh —offering around 550 kilometres range on a single charge.

Chinese EV giant BYD Auto may introduce its new model, Atto 2, in India around January 2025. It is expected to offer better specifications and features than the previous models.

Other models, including the Skoda Enyaq IV and Tata Harrier EV, may be launched in India next month.

Upcoming Bike Launches in January 2025

Starting in 2025, several companies, such as KTM, Hero, Honda, Royal Enfield, and others, are expected to launch new motorcycles for the Indian market, offering customers advanced modern features, comfort, and fuel efficiency. These include the Hero Xoom 125, KTM 390 Adventure and Adventure R, Honda QC1, Honda Activa e, Hero XPulse 210, Hero Destiny 125, Hero Royal Enfield Classic 650, and others.

  • Honda QC1, Honda Activa e

Honda is expected to launch its QC1 and Activa e in India in January, offering better design, mileage, comfort, and riding experience in the city. The Honda QC1 may be launched with a top speed of 50 kmph and an 80 km riding range. The Honda Activa e may be launched in India with an 80 mph top speed and a 102 km riding range. Both are expected to be priced around INR 1 lakh and above.

  • KTM 390 Adventure, KTM 390 Adventure R

KTM may launch its two new models, Adventure and Adventure R, in 2025, offering better specifications and features while retaining the same touring design. KTM 390 Adventure price may start from INR 4.60 lakh, and KTM 390 Adventure R price may begin from INR 4.30 lakh.

  • Hero Destiny, Hero Xoom 160, Hero XPulse 210

Hero is expected to start the year by launching its new electric scooters, including Hero Xoom 160, Hero XPulse 210 and Hero Destiny (expected to launch in December 2024).

  • Royal Enfield Classic 650

RE Classic 650 is expected to be launched next month. It may have a 647.95cc engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, a fuel tank capacity of 14.8 litres, and a kerb weight of 243 kg. Xiaomi SU7 Surpasses Annual Delivery Target of 1,00,000 Units and Company Sells Around Total 1,30,000 Electric Sedans: CEO Lei June.

In addition to these models, other models, such as the Hero Xtreme 125R and KTM 390 Adventure X, may be launched in January 2025.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2024 03:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
29Dec
Google’s CEO warns ChatGPT may become synonymous to AI the way Google is to Search

Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, and its executive team held a strategy meeting with employees last week on its 2025 outlook and what Google needs to focus on to get there. As you can imagine, much of it was around AI and shipping AI products that are better, faster and more consumer focused.

This was covered in CNBC’s write up named Google CEO Pichai tells employees to gear up for big 2025: ‘The stakes are high’.

Consumer focused Gemini. “Scaling Gemini on the consumer side will be our biggest focus next year,” Pichai was quoted as saying. The issue is, ChatGPT from OpenAI is quickly becoming the brand for AI, like Google is for Search. The CNBC article reads:

One comment read aloud by Pichai suggested that ChatGPT “is becoming synonymous to AI the same way Google is to search,” with the questioner asking, “What’s our plan to combat this in the upcoming year? Or are we not focusing as much on consumer facing LLM?”

Pichai wants Google to be that, not OpenAI. Will that be baked into Google Search or a new AI mode in Search or something else, it is not clear.

Comparing OpenAI to Google. Pichai also showed a chart of large language models, with Gemini 1.5 leading OpenAI’s GPT and other competitors. But that lead might not stay and that Google may have to play catchup, he suggested. “I expect some back and forth” in 2025, Pichai said. “I think we’ll be state of the art.”

“In history, you don’t always need to be first but you have to execute well and really be the best in class as a product,” he said. “I think that’s what 2025 is all about.”

Build and ship faster. Pichai also stressed that the company needs to go back to its early roots and build and ship faster, while also being more scrappy. Throughout the meeting, Pichai kept reminding employees of the need to “stay scrappy.”

“In early Google days, you look at how the founders built our data centers, they were really really scrappy in every decision they made,” Pichai said. “Often, constraints lead to creativity. Not all problems are always solved by headcount.”

This will help Google compete in this area.

“I think 2025 will be critical,” Pichai said. “I think it’s really important we internalize the urgency of this moment, and need to move faster as a company. The stakes are high. These are disruptive moments. In 2025, we need to be relentlessly focused on unlocking the benefits of this technology and solve real user problems.”

Why we care. 2025 will be a big year for AI, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google and other AI startups. This is an important year for these companies to gain market share and brand recognition in this space.

It will also be an exciting year, as these AI technologies should lead to fundamental changes in consumer behavior.
29Dec
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Is The Kind Of Game Big Publishers Don’t Make Anymore

Capcom released an absolute gem of a game this year. No, I’m not talking about Dragon’s Dogma 2, Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, or Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection–all of which hit shelves in 2024. And you didn’t miss a stealth release in the Resident Evil, Street Fighter, or Monster Hunter series. Alongside three major well-received releases, Capcom released an off-beat game filled with ghosts, Japanese tradition, and strategic job assignment: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. This game was released in 2024, but it feels like it was sent forward from 2004–in all the best ways.

No one is going to blame you for having missed it. To say it flew under the radar is an understatement, and Capcom said in a recent financial briefing that the game did not meet sales targets. But Kunitsu-Gami should be treated as almost a historical document, both in the way the game is designed and in its actual content.

As the warrior Soh, you have to protect the divine maiden Yoshiro so that she can purify the defiled mountain, freeing villagers to help you in a sort of worker-management real-time-strategy game that takes you in a zig-zag path down the mountain and through all manner of monsters and ghosts plucked from Japanese folklore.

The rhythm of the game is simple: By day, you’ll rescue villagers, restore tower defense-style obstacles, and try to get Yoshiro as close to the gate as possible without bringing her so close that she becomes endangered. You’ll also assign the villagers roles like Woodsman, Archer, Ascetic, Sumo, or one of many other classes. At night, you’ll defend Yoshiro with the help of those villagers, managing the villagers to make them effective and keep them safe. Once you’ve stopped the monsters, everybody does a dance to purify the gate.

Classic Design

No Caption Provided

Many games these days are designed to appeal to as many people as possible and provide dozens or even hundreds of hours of gameplay, often advertising piles of DLC and in-game currency that costs real-world money. Kunitsu-Gami feels silent by comparison. There’s one piece of DLC, and it’s free even for the Game Pass players–some simple Okami-themed cosmetics, such as a charm that causes grass to grow behind you when you walk, that both looks like something straight out of the 2006 Capcom classic and that feels of a piece with the look of Kunitsu-Gami. There’s nothing extra to buy, unless you count the soundtrack, which is available on Steam.

The game itself is linear, giving you an increasingly difficult playlist of stages and a growing stable of character classes to assign. You can go back and replay levels for additional rewards, but they’re optional. The game is challenging, but it never asks you to fiddle around with collecting knick-knacks, clearing towers, or whatever else. It’s just a strategy game, and that alone makes it somewhat harder to approach. It isn’t a variation on a well-trodden set of gameplay mechanics and themes. Kunitsu-Gami asks the player to learn a new set of systems as they manage their villagers and resources, and to do that in a world of folklore that will be entirely new to many Western players.

The whole game feels like it was somehow delayed by 20 years and only just came out now, but that’s not a dig on it–the opposite, in fact. Publishers similar in size to Capcom just don’t make games like this anymore.

Traditional Art

No Caption Provided

Beyond feeling like a welcome trip to the gaming of days past, Kunitsu-Gami aesthetic looks backward as well, but into Japanese folklore and tradition. Many games reflect the place in which it was made, but Kunitsu-Gami takes this to another level. Kunitsu-Gami is steeped in Japanese art.

The movements of Soh, Yoshiro, and the villagers are pulled from Kagura ritual dance, including Soh’s sword combat moves. You can find woodblock prints telling you about the different monsters you fight. The designs of the monsters themselves mimic traditional art of yokai (ghosts) and bakemono (monsters) in Japanese woodblock art. Where games like Nioh and Ghost of Tsushima are interested in immersing you in their worlds and making you feel like you’re the guy having the adventure (a totally valid approach!), Kunitsu-Gami presents a world that feels like a diorama of a fairytale. Photorealism is the last thing on its mind.

The music, too, finds inspiration in traditional children’s songs and rhymes, and uses a combination of traditional Japanese instruments and modern Western instruments to create a fusion of sounds that feels historical without being limiting. You can present Yoshiro with traditional Japanese confections made by real confectioners. The team behind the game took those confections and scanned them into the game in extreme detail to capture the look and feel of the food. Much of the architecture and clothing also comes from physically crafted objects, all created with an eye toward authenticity to the art itself. The game may be a digital creation, but the things that inspired it are historical and physical, and so the art in the game is, too.

Just making sense of Kunitsu-Gami from an artistic perspective is a tall order, and you could spend dozens of hours studying each element and still come back with questions. It’s steeped in historical Japanese culture, with such attention to detail that it might as well qualify as a piece of Japanese historical preservation.

No Caption Provided

Even the marketing for Kunitsu-Gami reaches back into Japanese history, as Capcom partnered with a Bunraku troupe for part of the game’s advertising. Bunraku (puppet) theater is one of the oldest forms of performing art in Japan.

When I think about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess as a physical game, I don’t imagine a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X label on the box. In their place is a PlayStation 2 or 3 label, or maybe even a GameCube one, and I’m in my first apartment, playing it at midnight when I have class the next morning. Despite being a new game, Kunitsu-Gami is an artifact from another time in the best way.

More Best Of 2024:
29Dec
Researchers develop tool to fast-track measurement of protein interactions for drug discovery

A team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has created a platform, called SIMPL2, that revolutionizes the study of protein-protein interactions by simplifying detection while improving measurement accuracy.

Interactions between proteins play a significant role in biological processes, including those involved in disease. The team behind the SIMPL2 platform designed it to optimize researchers’ ability to measure protein-protein interactions for targeted drug therapies. While protein-protein interactions have previously been considered ‘undruggable’ using small molecules, the platform addresses this challenge by facilitating the measurement of these interactions — improving our understanding of the types of molecules needed to control them.

“Many methods have been developed to measure interactions between proteins, especially more recently as the significance of protein interactions in disease has become more apparent,” said Zhong Yao, first author on the study and senior research associate of U of T’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. “However, all of these methods have shortcomings, including high costs and complicated procedures that delay results. The biggest advantages of our SIMPL2 platform are that it produces more reliable measurements and is comparatively cheaper to use.”

The study was published recently in the journal Molecular Systems Biology.

Yao started working on the protein interaction measurement problem while developing the original SIMPL (Split-Intein Medicated Protein Ligation) system. SIMPL2 is an update of SIMPL that involves the use of the split luciferase enzyme for detection of protein interactions through luminescence. In addition to improving identification of interactions, the entire measurement process occurs through one medium: liquid. This simplifies the process considerably by reducing the number of steps required to carry out measurements.

“One of the issues with SIMPL was that we had to use an additional process, called ELISA, to identify the proteins spliced by the SIMPL platform,” said Yao. “It was a painful process that made an otherwise effective technology more complicated and expensive to use than it needed to be. SIMPL2 only requires one step, which can be performed manually, or it can be automated for even more efficiency in high-throughput studies.”

To test the new platform’s sensitivity and applicability, the research team used it to measure interactions between proteins affected by modulators. Protein modulators include molecules that inhibit interactions between proteins, those that facilitate protein interactions and those that facilitate the degradation of target proteins. SIMPL2 was found to perform well in identifying these interactions, even in cases where the interactions were weak.

While quantum computers and AI have made it easier to design small molecules for drug therapies, this has led to a need to develop much faster methods for validating the efficacy of new drugs. SIMPL2 can meet that need, as it can be used to test interactions between new molecules and their target proteins in cultured human cells. It is also capable of keeping apace with the rate at which new molecules are being designed.

“We designed SIMPL2 to be a universal method for studying protein interactions that is rapid and inexpensive, as well as highly sensitive,” said Igor Stagljar, principal investigator on the study and professor of biochemistry at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. “Now that we have optimized the platform, our next step is to use it to study interactions that play key roles in diseases, like cancer, to learn how to develop drug therapies. This work will involve the use of quantum computers and AI in collaboration with Alán Aspuru-Guzik’s lab at U of T and Insilico Medicine, a global leader in generative AI drug discovery.”

This research was supported by FACIT and Ontario Genomics.
29Dec
Call for Blogs: RGNUL Financial and Mercantile Law Review (RFMLR) [Open Theme]: Submissions on a Rolling Basis!

Submissions are invited for the RGNUL Financial and Mercantile Law Review (RFMLR). Submissions on a Rolling Basis! About Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law RGNUL Financial and Mercantile Law Review (RFMLR) is a bi-annual, student-run, double-blind peer-reviewed law journal published by the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab. The journal was first published in the year 2014 and provides […]

The post Call for Blogs: RGNUL Financial and Mercantile Law Review (RFMLR) [Open Theme]: Submissions on a Rolling Basis! appeared first on Lawctopus.
29Dec
Tan France shares his special gajar halwa recipe; here’s how to make the perfect winter delight

Gajar halwa, the quintessential winter comfort food for many Indians, is a warm, aromatic dessert made with tender grated carrots, rich milk and a blend of spices. This beloved Indian dessert is perfect for cosying up on chilly winter evenings.

Tan France recently shared his special recipe of gajar halwa.(Instagram/@tanfrance)

Tan France, the British-American fashion designer, is a true foodie by heart and often shares his culinary creations with his Insta family. Just a week ago, he treated his followers to his special gajar halwa recipe and it got us drooling. Here’s how you can make it. (Also read: Malaika Arora’s favourite paneer thecha recipe is ‘bomb’, spicy but absolutely delicious. Here’s how you can make it )

Tan France’s gajar halwa recipe

Ingredients:

4-5 large carrots, grated

1 tablespoon ghee

1 and 1/2 cans of evaporated milk

1/4 cup granulated sugar (regular white sugar) – add this at the start of the cooking process with the carrots and ghee

15 green cardamom pods, shelled and ground

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

1/4 cup coarse brown sugar

Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pistachios for garnish

Method:

1. Start by washing, peeling, and grating the large carrots. Set them aside.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee over medium heat. Add the grated carrots and sauté them for 5-7 minutes, allowing them to soften and absorb the ghee.

3. Stir in 1/4 cup of granulated sugar with the carrots. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the sugar to dissolve and coat the carrots.

4. Pour in 1 and 1/2 cans of evaporated milk. Stir the mixture and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the milk is absorbed and the mixture thickens.

5. Add the ground cardamom and 1/4 cup of raisins (if using). Stir well to combine. Let the halwa cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavours to blend.

6. Add 1/4 cup of coarse brown sugar for extra sweetness. Stir it in and cook the mixture for another 5-7 minutes, until the consistency is thick and pudding-like.

7. Once the halwa reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Optionally, garnish with chopped pistachios for a crunchy texture and extra flavour.
29Dec
how older Australians are thriving amidst the cost of living crisis.

Key takeaways

The economic landscape is deepening the financial divide between older and younger Australians.

However, with strategic financial planning and lessons from previous generations, younger Australians can navigate these challenges and build long-term wealth.

The dynamics between intergenerational wealth and housing affordability will continue shaping Australia’s property market.


In recent years, a cost-of-living crisis has dominated headlines, and inflation, rising interest rates, and economic uncertainty have tightened household budgets.

But not everyone has been affected equally.

While many younger Australians are facing mounting financial pressures, many older Australians are still spending freely, finally enjoying the fruits of years of diligent financial planning and a housing market that has worked in their favour.

Generations

Tale of two generations

On the one hand, there is a “perfect storm” of skyrocketing rents, rising grocery prices, and unaffordable property markets for many younger Australians.

Yet on the other hand many older Australians, who have significant equity in their homes are rightsizing, with many buying their new homes without the need for loans.

In fact, according to PEXA, in 2023-2024, more than 43% of homes were bought debt-free.

This really shows the financial muscles of older Australians who are not only mortgage-free but also benefit from an increased interest rate return on their savings.

But it is much more than just property.

CBA reports that those aged 18 to 29 have cut back spending by 2 per cent over the past year, while the 30 to 39 bracket slow down their spending by about 1 per cent.

In contrast, older cohorts are increasing spending well ahead of the inflation rate, with 60 to 69s up 3.9 per cent and over-70s spending 7.7 per cent more.

Spend Per Capita

Why are older Australians spending so freely?

1. Living mortgage-free:

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 80% of Australians aged 65 years and over fully own their homes.

This obviously removes one of the biggest cost-of-living pressures, a mortgage, and frees up money to be spent at their discretion.

2. Higher savings interest rates:

After years of paltry returns, retirees and savers are finally reaping the benefits of higher interest rates.

Term deposits and cash savings accounts offer returns as high as 4-5%, providing many older Australians with a reliable income stream.

3. Foundations for frugality:

The older generations grew up with a culture of saving rather than spending on credit.

In general, they had conservative financial habits; and did not rely too heavily on debt, and this has positioned them well in today’s economy.

4. Access to superannuation:

Over the last two decades, superannuation balances have increased substantially, with the current median super balance of Australians aged 65-74 being over $400,000.
29Dec
The top NFL media stories of 2024: Tom Brady debuts, Netflix steps in and more

If you want some long-term relationship advice, I offer you this: Find someone who loves you as much as news outlets love end-of-the-year content.

The New Yorker did a piece 11 years ago on why our brains love lists, and it holds up today. Among other reasons: It spatially organizes information and promises a story that’s finite.

The NFL story will, of course, continue in 2025 and beyond, but in the space below, we offer eight NFL media stories that captured our interest in 2024.

1. Tom Brady begins his NFL broadcasting journey

Fox has the broadcast rights to the Super Bowl this year, which means Brady will call the league’s most important game in his rookie season as a TV analyst. He is 15 games into a 10-year, $375 million deal with Fox, a journey that has prompted plenty of commentary on his performance, including multiple pieces from this author.

Brady’s broadcasting work has improved during the season — not to the point of being an elite TV analyst, but the progress is noticeable. Still, the long-term prediction here is that Brady’s juggling act as Las Vegas Raiders owner and TV analyst, and the restrictions that come with that, feels unsustainable for Fox and Brady.


Tom Brady has improved as a game broadcaster, but February’s Super Bowl looms as the ultimate test of his progress. (Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)

2. Netflix lands an NFL package of games

Netflix and the NFL announced in May a three-season deal for Christmas Day games through 2026. That deal becomes even more magnified given Netflix securing the exclusive broadcast rights in the United States for the 2027 and 2031 editions of the Women’s World Cup. These are significant signals to the marketplace (along with its WWE rights deal, given its live element) that Netflix has shifted from being interested in sports-adjacent properties to being a legitimate sports rights holder.

The streaming giant aired the Kansas City Chiefs–Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens–Houston Texans games on Christmas Day and largely succeeded in avoiding a glitch-filled rerun of its Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight event.

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GO DEEPER

‘Watch what Netflix does’: Unwrapping the NFL’s Christmas Day experiment

3. Peacock airs a regular-season game from São Paulo

The Philadelphia Eagles–Green Bay Packers game on Sept. 6 was the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in South America and aired exclusively on Peacock, the streaming network’s third exclusive NFL game following the Buffalo Bills–Los Angeles Chargers regular-season game in December 2023 and the Miami Dolphins-Chiefs AFC wild-card playoff game last January.

The result was a significant viewership win for the league and the streamer. Peacock delivered 14.2 million viewers for Eagles-Packers, well above the 7.3 million for Bills-Chargers and Peacock’s second-best NFL streaming audience ever only behind the Chiefs-Dolphins game (23 million viewers). The numbers include figures from the over-the-air markets in which the games ran.

The NFL will play eight international games in 2025, including in Madrid, as Spain will be the sixth country to host an NFL regular-season game. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt have talked openly about playing 16 games overseas annually in the near term, per this report from SBJ’s Ben Fischer. It’s clear we will soon see a Sunday morning window with a new international media-rights package.

4. Super Bowl LVIII sets TV ratings record

We live in an apples-to-pomegranates world when it comes to comparing the sports viewership of today versus yesteryear, due to factors including new out-of-home viewership data and cord-cutters and cord-nevers. Using today’s metrics, via Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February’s Super Bowl averaged 123.7 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. That makes it the most-viewed program in history, shattering the previous mark of 115.1 million for Kansas City’s last-minute win over Philadelphia in the previous Super Bowl.

Super Bowl LVIII


Fans watch Super Bowl LVIII outside Chase Center in San Francisco. The game was the highest-rated program in television history. (Loren Elliott / Getty Images)

5. The rise of alt-broadcasts

The alternate broadcasts of NFL games launched into a new stratosphere in 2024 with a “Simpsons” animated alt-cast of “Monday Night Football” airing on ESPN+ and Disney+, and NBC Sports making its NFL alternate broadcast debut on Peacock with last week’s Texans-Chiefs game. It follows alt-broadcasts on Nickelodeon and ESPN’s now long-standing Manning Brothers broadcasts and one using “Toy Story.”

6. The ‘New Heights’ podcast blows up

The popular podcast — hosted by brothers Jason Kelce, the Eagles’ center from 2011-2023, and Travis Kelce, the current Chiefs tight end — inked a deal with Amazon’s podcast network, Wondery, in 2024 to be the program’s new home.

The show has found itself on measurement lists of the biggest podcasts in the United States and has nearly 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube. One of the interesting notes in the deal is Wondery’s plans to translate the podcast to different languages to increase its global audience, including in NFL-strong markets such as the United Kingdom and Mexico. That’s a blank space for NFL fans.

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The Kelce brothers and the ‘Heights’ of podcast popularity

7. New broadcast rules for increased access

It was not an accident that you saw more in-game interviews during NFL games this season. Last May, the NFL broadcasting department outlined access changes for the NFL’s television partners after a review between the league and its media rights holders. The shared goal? To enhance the game content that we see as NFL viewers. The new rules included in-game coach interviews for all games, pregame player interviews for all games, network pregame locker room coverage, preseason player interviews, and coaches’ booth network cameras. Look for it to continue.

8. NFL ordered to pay $4.7 billion in “Sunday Ticket” antitrust trial … only to see it overturned

In August, the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles overturned a $4.7 billion verdict against the NFL for colluding to raise prices for its “NFL Sunday Ticket” television package. The judge disqualified expert testimony used by the jury to determine damages. (The jury’s verdict had threatened to upend the league’s strategy of selling exclusive television packages to broadcasters.) Next up: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Per Sportico’s legal writer and sports law professor, Michael McMann, a decision is likely many months, if not longer, away.

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Imagining NFL on TV in the year 2030: Tom Brady out, Travis Kelce in?

(Top photo of a Netflix “Christmas Gameday” banner at Wednesday’s Chiefs-Steelers game: Mark Alberti / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
29Dec
Why I Prefer Windows File Explorer Over macOS Finder

When it comes to file management, both Windows File Explorer and macOS Finder have their strengths. However, as someone who uses both systems, I keep coming back to File Explorer for its simplicity and more user-friendly features.

1

Easier Navigation From the Start

QubixStudio / Shutterstock

Windows File Explorer makes navigation more seamless from the moment you open it. Features like the path bar and toolbar are already built-in, so you don’t have to tweak settings to access them.

In Finder, these handy tools aren’t visible by default—you have to dig through the settings to enable them. As such, some users may not even realize they exist.

It’s a small detail, but one that makes File Explorer feel more intuitive right out of the box.

2

Default Access to Hard Drives for Fine-Tuned File Management

Google Drive in Windows 11 File Explorer

File Explorer gives you instant access to your hard drives and important system files directly in the Pinned Folders area. This makes it easy to jump into important system files as you need to.

With Finder, accessing your hard drive requires extra steps. You actually have to toggle on a setting to show your hard disks on Mac. It’s a small thing that Apple has done to help prevent people from tinkering with files they shouldn’t.

However, the fact that most people could probably use a Mac for years and never realize this setting exists is yet another reason I prefer File Explorer’s “show first and trust the user” approach.

3

File Explorer Organizes Everything Better

Windows 11 File Explorer Showing Tabs

One of File Explorer’s most well-known features is its hierarchical organization system. The left-hand tree view is a game-changer for quickly navigating through folders and subfolders.

Finder lacks this level of clarity for me, making it less straightforward to drill down into nested directories. For users juggling multiple folders, File Explorer’s structure is more streamlined and easier to navigate, saving time and reducing frustration.

4

Move More Types of Files Cut/Paste

While Finder requires a keyboard shortcut to cut and paste files, File Explorer provides this option directly in the context menu. Sure, shortcuts are convenient, but sometimes, using the menu is easier—especially if you’re explaining the process to someone unfamiliar with shortcuts, like an older relative.

Additionally, there’s the fact that Mac’s Finder doesn’t support the use of copy/paste to move anything beyond just text. Sure, you can make use of a little Mac workaround to move files more easily, but Windows’ File Explorer makes it easy right from the start. It’s a small touch, but it highlights one of the ways File Explorer is accessible for everyone.

Mac’s Finder has its perks, especially when working within Apple’s ecosystem. However, when it comes to ease of use, organization, and quick access to essential features, Windows File Explorer remains my go-to file manager.

Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a beginner, File Explorer strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and functionality, making it hard to beat.
29Dec
Huangshan: Fish lanterns unite international guests for New Year

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/Huangshan-Fish-lanterns-unite-international-guests-for-New-Year-1zHtTe0uupG/img/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a.jpeg'
Dutch visitors dance together with locals during a fish lantern parade in Xixinan Ancient Village on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/Huangshan-Fish-lanterns-unite-international-guests-for-New-Year-1zHtTe0uupG/img/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a.jpeg'
Dutch visitors dance together with locals during a fish lantern parade in Xixinan Ancient Village on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/Huangshan-Fish-lanterns-unite-international-guests-for-New-Year-1zHtTe0uupG/img/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a.jpeg'
Dutch visitors dance together with locals during a fish lantern parade in Xixinan Ancient Village on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/Huangshan-Fish-lanterns-unite-international-guests-for-New-Year-1zHtTe0uupG/img/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a.jpeg'
Dutch visitors dance together with locals during a fish lantern parade in Xixinan Ancient Village on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/Huangshan-Fish-lanterns-unite-international-guests-for-New-Year-1zHtTe0uupG/img/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a/0fda1646f28d4a4295e954d3e3b33b2a.jpeg'
Dutch visitors dance together with locals during a fish lantern parade in Xixinan Ancient Village on December 26, 2024. /CFP

A unique fish lantern parade illuminated Xixinan Ancient Village in the city of Huangshan, Anhui Province, with participants both from the area and further afield. In 2023, Xixinan township signed a cooperation memorandum with Giethoorn, a village in the Netherlands, aiming to boost exchanges in tourism, heritage protection and cultural communication. Dutch visitors and local tourists danced together at the fish lantern parade, enjoying the happy atmosphere against a backdrop of fireworks to welcome the new year.
29Dec
Emmy Russell of ‘Idol,’ Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, pregnant

A family of country music sweethearts is adding another idol to the list.

Emmy Russell, a 2024 “American Idol” finalist and granddaughter of country legend Loretta Lynn, announced she is expecting a baby girl with boyfriend and singer Tyler Ward.

Russell, 25, and her mother, actor and sometime singer Patsy Lynn, spoke about family, music and memories alongside host Jennifer Vickery Smith on the “Got It From My Momma” podcast.

Ward, 40, rushed to the stage to rub Russell’s belly and share a hug after she announced the news in front of a live audience.

“I’m so excited,” Russell said. “Right out of ‘American Idol,’ I didn’t know, so you know, that’s kind of the journey.”

Russell was eliminated after making the Top 5 Season 22 of “America Idol,” which premiered in February. She wowed judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie with her original song “Skinny” in the later weeks of the competition. The song focuses on Russell’s struggle with body image and weight as a young woman. Post-”Idol,” she released another single, “Redemption.”

Russell’s grandmother was a celebrated artist who defined the feminist country music woman in the 1960s by daring to sing about divorce, birth control and self-determination. Loretta Lynn died in 2022 at age 90 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Patsy Lynn said her mother, who had six children and 26 grandchildren, saw her fans as family. “What she was giving her family at home, she was giving her fans on stage because that was her family. That was her road family,” she said, “And those fans followed her for 60 years. So the front row of all the coliseums were friends.”

And while the rest of the world saw a country superstar, Russell saw only “Memaw.”
29Dec
Emio – The Smiling Man’s Final Chapters Are A Masterclass In Suspense

As surprising as it was to see Nintendo drop an uncharacteristically creepy teaser earlier this year about a masked man known as “Emio,” few could have expected it would be related to a brand-new entry in the company’s long-dormant Famicom Detective Club series. What’s less surprising is just how riveting the game turned out to be, an expertly paced thriller whose setting, music, and atmosphere masterfully crescendo into one of the most suspenseful denouements Nintendo has ever conjured.

Spoilers for Emio – The Smiling Man follow.

The lead-up to this climax, however, is anything but straightforward. Like the previous two games in the Famicom Detective Club series, Emio – The Smiling Man is a slow-burn detective story–a densely plotted mystery that unravels methodically over the course of roughly a dozen hours. Picking up a few years after the events of The Missing Heir, the Utsugi Detective Agency is enlisted to aid police detectives Junko Kuze and Daisuke Kamihara in investigating the death of a teenage boy, who was discovered wearing a paper bag unsettlingly scrawled with a smiley face.

What’s most shocking about this scene, however, is how it eerily parallels a series of unsolved murders that occurred in town 18 years ago, leading you and the police to suspect the same culprit is responsible. The only other lead to go off of is a disturbing urban legend of a serial killer known as Emio, the “Smiling Man”–a paper-bag wearing individual who approaches crying girls at night and strangles them, placing a smiley face paper bag over their heads afterward to leave them with an everlasting smile.

With this tenuous connection as your starting point, you embark on a winding investigation, navigating a deliberately laid breadcrumb trail of clues, misdirections, and dead ends. But for all the progress you make, the answer always seems just beyond reach. Every new lead you uncover only raises further questions, and it often feels as if you are no closer to discovering the connection between the cases, let alone the culprit’s identity and whereabouts.

That is, until you reach the penultimate chapter. Following a tense car ride with Detective Kamihara, you return to the city center to canvass the locals for any more potential leads you can discover. After a largely fruitless search around town, you eventually meet two unassuming construction workers, who suddenly turn your understanding of the case upside down.

During the ensuing conversation, you present to the workers two police sketches: one of a man named Minoru Tsuzuki, a person of interest from the serial murders who has been missing for 18 years; and one of Makoto Kuze, Detective Kuze’s missing brother who also disappeared around the time of the serial murders. The construction workers claim to have just recently worked with a man named Minoru Tsuzuki, but they don’t recognize the Minoru depicted in the police sketch. Rather, they both identify the sketch of Makoto as Minoru.

Even more curiously, the construction workers recall driving Minoru home on the last day of their project. The background music suddenly falls silent as the two recount dropping Minoru off in the middle of nowhere at the foot of the mountains, then watching the strange man as he wordlessly waded through the overgrowth and up the mountainside. It’s a confounding twist, made all the more chilling by the ominous track that accompanies their testimony, reinforcing the feeling that you’re on the precipice of some horrible revelation.

The tension is only amplified as you delve into the final chapter, which begins with your arrival at Yamanba Pass, the eerie stretch of road in the middle of the mountains where Minoru was last seen. The atmosphere is immediately unnerving. The overgrown brush and dilapidated pavement make it apparent no one has been through the area in quite some time, and the only audible sound is the faint, haunting murmur of the wind blowing through the trees. With sunset quickly approaching and no other path forward, you have little choice but to enter the woods and continue pursuing your new lead.

The ascent is unbearably foreboding. As dusk gradually creeps in and you steadily make your way up the mountainside, scanning the thick foliage for any clues that may lead you in the right direction, you come upon multiple forks in the trail, most of which either double back to a previous area or lead off to a dead end. It’s tense and disorienting, and the unsettling background music that plays as you negotiate this seemingly endless forest only accentuates the feeling of unease.

But what really lends this scene an overwhelming sense of dread is the way the game deftly manipulates player expectations. Though you as the audience are aware that several characters have had brushes with the Smiling Man at different points in the story, you as the protagonist have yet to meet him yourself–which must mean your inevitable face-to-face encounter with the elusive killer could happen at any given moment while you’re desperately navigating this dark, remote mountain.

It’s a palpably tense experience, and a testament to how masterfully executed the game’s closing chapters are. And that’s to say nothing of the wrenching epilogue that unlocks after the credits roll, which ties up every loose end and lingering question in gutting fashion. Though it may not have garnered as much mainstream attention as some other releases, these climactic moments solidify Emio – The Smiling Man as one of the year’s most poignant titles, a genuinely tender, funny, and heartrending tale that will stay with me for years to come.

More Best Of 2024:
29Dec
High-quality nanodiamonds for bioimaging and quantum sensing applications

Quantum sensing is a rapidly developing field that utilizes the quantum states of particles, such as superposition, entanglement, and spin states, to detect changes in physical, chemical, or biological systems. A promising type of quantum nanosensor is nanodiamonds (NDs) equipped with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. These centers are created by replacing a carbon atom with nitrogen near a lattice vacancy in a diamond structure. When excited by light, the NV centers emit photons that maintain stable spin information and are sensitive to external influences like magnetic fields, electric fields, and temperature.

Changes in these spin states can be detected using optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), which measures fluorescence changes under microwave radiation. NDs with NV centers are biocompatible and can be designed to interact with specific biological molecules, making them valuable tools for biological sensing. However, NDs used for bioimaging generally exhibit lower spin quality compared to bulk diamonds, resulting in reduced sensitivity and accuracy in measurements.

In a recent breakthrough, scientists from Okayama University in Japan developed nanodiamond sensors bright enough for bioimaging, with spin properties comparable to those of bulk diamonds. The study, published in ACS Nano, on 16 December 2024, was led by Research Professor Masazumi Fujiwara from Okayama University, in collaboration with Sumitomo Electric Company and the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology.

“This is the first demonstration of quantum-grade NDs with exceptionally high-quality spins, a long-awaited breakthrough in the field. These NDs possess properties that have been highly sought after for quantum biosensing and other advanced applications,” says Prof. Fujiwara.

Current ND sensors for bioimaging face two main limitations: high concentrations of spin impurities, which disrupt NV spin states, and surface spin noise, which destabilizes the spin states more rapidly. To overcome these challenges, the researchers focused on producing high-quality diamonds with very few impurities. They grew single-crystal diamonds enriched with 99.99% 12C carbon atoms and then introduced a controlled amount of nitrogen (30-60 parts per million) to create an NV center with about 1 part per million. The diamonds were crushed into NDs and suspended in water.

The resulting NDs had a mean size of 277 nanometers and contained 0.6-1.3 parts per million of negatively charged NV centers. They displayed strong fluorescence, achieving a photon count rate of 1500 kHz, making them suitable for bioimaging applications. These NDs also showed enhanced spin properties compared to commercially available larger NDs. They required 10-20 times less microwave power to achieve a 3% ODMR contrast, had reduced peak splitting, and demonstrated significantly longer spin relaxation times (T1 = 0.68 ms, T2 = 3.2 µs), which were 6 to 11 times longer than those of type-Ib NDs. These improvements indicate that the NDs possess stable quantum states, which can be accurately detected and measured with low microwave radiation, minimizing the risk of microwave-induced toxicity in cells.

To evaluate their potential for biological sensing, the researchers introduced NDs into HeLa cells and measured the spin properties using ODMR experiments. The NDs were bright enough for clear visibility and produced narrow, reliable spectra despite some impact from Brownian motion (random ND movement within cells). Furthermore, the NDs were capable of detecting small temperature changes. At temperatures around 300 K and 308 K, the NDs exhibited distinct oscillation frequencies, demonstrating a temperature sensitivity of 0.28 K/√Hz, superior to bare type-Ib NDs.

With these advanced sensing capabilities, the sensor has potential for diverse applications, from biological sensing of cells for early disease detection to monitoring battery health and enhancing thermal management and performance for energy-efficient electronic devices. “These advancements have the potential to transform healthcare, technology, and environmental management, improving quality of life and providing sustainable solutions for future challenges,” says Prof. Fujiwara.
29Dec
Hits and misses

The six-year-old brand that has successfully built a loyal following in Delhi-NCR, is not scared of charting a new course. Its recent outings in Gurugram and Khan Market, prove as much, as the restaurant scores points with new additions to its menu.

Food: This is a place for those small daytime cravings. While it remains open till past midnight, head here for a late breakfast—or, early if you want (one of the few places in Khan Market to open at 8.30 am)—or, an early-evening spot to grab a bite after a round of shopping. We tried the Burrata & Co. with parma ham. It hit the spot.

The creamy fresh burrata merging with the cured meat was a match made in heaven. However, the TGR Truffle Fries, was a disappointment. The flavour of the truffle was completely missing. The Chermoula Grilled Lamb was melt-in-the-mouth, perfectly seasoned. We tried the Lamb burger that the chef suggested, but it was a miss.

Too messy and too much of barbecue sauce making it almost sweet. The place also does some wine cocktails. We tried The Millennial Spritzer, a perfect accompaniment during lazy summer afternoons. For those with a taste for sour cocktails, this is a must-try. But the one we would really recommend is the TGR Dark & Stormy with spiced rum and house-brewed ginger beer. This place is not really a lunch-dinner spot, it’s more of grab-a-leisurely-bite place.

Rating : 3.5/5

Service: The staff is a happy, smiling lot and attentive. What more could a guest ask for?

Rating : 4.5/5

Décor: The Khan Market eatery is cozy and warm, perfect for the winters. Large potted plants propped across the restaurant add a touch of serenity to the space. Bright printed cushions across plush sofas and upcycled wooden chairs lend it an easy charm.

Rating 4/5

Price: Given Khan Market atmosphere, this place doesn’t really burn a a hole in your pocket. It’s easy on the wallet at Rs 2,500 for two minus alcohol.

4.5/5

Address: The Grammar Room, 73B, Middle Lane, Khan Market
29Dec
The Ultimate PCS-J Foundation Course by Into Legal World [12 Core Subjects Covered + 12 Complimentary Free Certifications]: Register by Dec 31 for an Early Bird Discount!

Registrations are invited for The Ultimate PCS-J Foundation Course by Into Legal World. Register by Dec 31 for an Early Bird Discount! About the PCS-J Exam The PCS-J exam is one of India’s most prestigious paths to becoming a civil judge in India. It demands a strong grasp of the law, language proficiency, and strategic […]

The post The Ultimate PCS-J Foundation Course by Into Legal World [12 Core Subjects Covered + 12 Complimentary Free Certifications]: Register by Dec 31 for an Early Bird Discount! appeared first on Lawctopus.
29Dec
Weekly Tarot Card Readings: Tarot prediction for December 29, 2024 to January 4, 2025 | Astrology

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Love: The Star

Read on to find out your Tarot reading for the coming week.(Unsplash)

Mood: Judgement

Career: The Magician

This week holds promising potential for business owners, as it could lead to significant financial gains. Over time, these opportunities might boost their wealth and pave the way for more profitable ventures. Exercising discipline and self-control could result in improved mental and physical well-being. On the home front, you may have the chance to share joyful news with loved ones, creating a positive atmosphere with family and friends. Romance appears to be on a smooth path, and spending quality time with your partner, perhaps through a romantic getaway, might strengthen your bond. However, professionally, you might face challenges that test your expertise. Students aspiring to study abroad may encounter some obstacles, making their journey more challenging than anticipated. While hurdles may arise, staying focused and determined can help you navigate these situations successfully, turning difficulties into opportunities for growth.

Lucky Number: 3

Lucky Colour: Yellow

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)

Love: The Hierophant

Mood: King of Wands

Career: Page of Cups

Happiness often comes from finding comfort in your surroundings. Spending quality time at home with family or friends helps you relax and gives you a chance to pursue your hobbies. This week at work will likely be productive, with manageable tasks, so there’s no need to stress about your workload. Financially, you’re in a stable position, which will ease any concerns about money. Some may effortlessly meet their romantic partner, while others may deepen existing relationships. Be mindful, however, of your diet, as consuming too many processed foods over time can lead to digestive issues. Adventurous travelers should plan carefully to ensure a fun and memorable experience. If you’re dealing with real estate matters, thoroughly reviewing property documents can help you avoid potential complications. For students, receiving negative feedback on a project might be disheartening, but it’s part of the learning process.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Dark Green

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)

Love: Two of Swords

Mood: The High Priestess

Career: Two of Coins

Geminis are likely to experience a stable period throughout the week. Thanks to a consistent income, you may swiftly achieve several financial objectives. Your strong immune system could protect you from allergies, allowing you to maintain good health. Creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere at home might bring a sense of tranquillity. However, be cautious of your partner’s affectionate actions, as they could cause tension or misunderstandings in your relationship. On the work front, meeting professional demands may prove challenging and could test your abilities. For some, an overseas trip might offer both financial gains and a stress-free escape. If you’re in search of a new home in a desirable area, you may soon find what you’re looking for. Meanwhile, students who stick to a well-planned study routine are likely to be more prepared for exams and academic challenges than their classmates. Maintaining focus and dedication will be key to their success.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Red

CANCER (Jun22-Jul 22)

Love: The Empress

Mood: The Moon

Career: Ace of Swords

Cancer can breathe easy this week, as the stars align for new opportunities. Whether you’re planning to build or buy a new home, now is an excellent time to begin taking steps toward these goals. When it comes to business, approach your strategies with care and precision. On the domestic front, challenges may arise that require tactful and sensitive handling to maintain peace. It’s important to resist the urge to procrastinate, as laziness could impact your chances for a promotion. Additionally, professional responsibilities may pull you away from your partner, so consider scheduling a getaway to reconnect and recharge. Prioritize learning new skills, whether you’re a student or starting in a new job, as these will serve you well in the future. A balanced approach to health, incorporating yoga, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise, will ensure your well-being and contentment.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Green

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)

Love: Two of Wands

Mood: Three of Coins

Career: Devil

This week, Leo must remain focused and continue working diligently to achieve success. Those entering new career paths should seize opportunities to advance and make their mark. Engaging in sports or physical activity will help you maintain both mental and physical well-being. Newlyweds may experience joy as they take steps toward growing their family. However, external interference in family matters can create discord, so it’s essential to keep such issues in check to preserve harmony at home. On the financial front, you might face tight situations that require expert advice for proper planning. A short trip with loved ones could offer a much-needed mental boost and bring a sense of relief. However, if you’re selling property, be prepared for the possibility that the return may fall short of expectations. For students seeking employment, there is a strong chance of landing a promising job offer if effort is put in.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Pink

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sept 23)

Love: Ace of Wands

Mood: The Hanged Man

Career: The Fool

Opportunities for success may arise in unexpected ways. Government employees, in particular, are likely to gain recognition for their efforts this week. The atmosphere at home could be energetic and eventful, as your family may have a surprise in store for you, especially your children. However, pay close attention to any physical discomfort you experience, as it may signal the need for better health management. Financially, it’s wise to monitor your expenses to ensure you have funds for unforeseen circumstances. In romantic relationships, be cautious of external interference, as it could lead to tension. Travel plans may need to be delayed if poor weather conditions are predicted. In the real estate market, seeking professional guidance from an experienced agent can help you maximize returns when buying or selling property. College students, with a commitment to their studies, may achieve significant accomplishments during this period.

Lucky Number: 22

Lucky Colour: Blue

LIBRA (Sept 24-Oct 23)

Love: The Hermit

Mood: Seven of Wands

Career: The Tower

This week brings promising prospects for Libra individuals. At work, your ability to handle additional tasks could result in a promotion or pay increase. Maintaining a positive mindset can benefit your overall well-being. For newlyweds, this is an ideal time to bond on a memorable vacation. However, it is wise to keep track of your finances to avoid overspending. Misunderstandings at home may cause some tensions, so clear communication is essential. Planning a family vacation to a distant location may prove to be financially taxing and stressful. Additionally, this is not an ideal time to engage in property transactions, as potential losses are indicated. For students, channeling their energy into their academic work can lead to impressive achievements.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: Grey

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Love: The Empress

Mood: King of Coins

Career: Page of Wands

This week can prove to be highly fruitful if you let go of any self-imposed limitations. Your romantic life has the potential to flourish beautifully. For those in committed relationships, investing quality time together can significantly enhance your connection. If you are seeking advancement in your career, receiving a promotion could greatly enhance your professional reputation. Engaging in spiritual or religious activities may be an excellent way to attain inner tranquility and maintain good health. Leaning on your family members, particularly siblings and parents, can provide a strong support system that will empower you to face challenges confidently. This week may herald the onset of fresh avenues for financial growth. However, be prepared for your upcoming holiday; it may not unfold as you envision. When it comes to real estate dealings, results may not meet your expectations, so approach these matters cautiously. With perseverance and dedication, you will make significant strides toward success.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Brown

Love: Two of Coins

Mood: The Fool

Career: The Magician

Sagittarius individuals can anticipate a bright future in their professional lives. The hard work you’ve invested may soon pay off with a well-deserved promotion. As various income streams begin to flow, financial worries may become a thing of the past. However, if you find it challenging to dedicate the necessary time and energy to your relationship, this could lead to undesirable consequences. Even minor health issues may escalate if not addressed promptly, so prioritize your well-being. In times of crisis, isolating yourself from family and friends can exacerbate difficulties. On a positive note, many of you might embark on that long-awaited vacation, and a retreat into nature could be especially rejuvenating. Knowledgeable individuals may discover lucrative opportunities in property transactions. For students, a proactive approach to their studies, paired with adequate preparation, could give them an edge in their academic endeavours.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Saffron

Love: Wheel of Fortune

Mood: The Sun

Career: Eight of Cups

This week, Capricorn’s home may become a vibrant centre of activity. Taking some time to relax at home with family can lead to beneficial outcomes such as increased energy and happiness. While you may experience a brief period of financial success, it’s your ongoing efforts that will ultimately pave the way for enduring prosperity. If you are looking to deepen your understanding with your partner, consider the possibility of starting anew. For those seeking employment, your dedication will likely yield results in a short timeframe. Should your employer provide the opportunity for business travel, you could find yourself networking with intriguing individuals. Additionally, you may have a chance to close a particularly challenging property deal. For students, it’s essential to incorporate fun into their daily routines, as this could significantly enhance their overall performance.

Lucky Number: 18

Lucky Colour: Peach

Love: Five of Swords

Mood: The Chariot

Career: Ten of Coins

You might discover financial rewards through establishing a family business. Building trust in your relationship can greatly enhance your bond with your partner. Domestic relationships are likely to flourish, leading to increased happiness and harmony within the household. Your children’s positive actions may further contribute to a peaceful environment. However, your current lifestyle choices could potentially lead to health issues, so be mindful of your well-being. A lack of enthusiasm for your work might cause you to fall behind, so reignite your passion. This could be an ideal moment to finally embark on that long-anticipated trip to an exotic destination with your loved ones. Any property disputes you are facing may finally find resolution. For students, it’s crucial to manage your time wisely, as the demands on your energy may be high this week.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: Grey

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Love: The Tower

Mood: Seven of Cups

Career: Devil

This week, it is crucial not to squander your energy worrying about others; instead, channel your efforts into self-improvement. Thanks to the savings you’ve accumulated, you can afford to shower your loved ones with thoughtful gifts. Regular physical activity, meditation, and maintaining a balanced diet can significantly enhance your sense of fulfillment. If you approach your romantic partner with patience and transparency, you are likely to receive a positive response. Planning enjoyable activities with family and friends can create cherished memories; consider a day trip or a cozy movie night together. Before committing your finances to real estate, seek expert advice to avoid future regrets. For students, the focus should remain on realizing your academic ambitions. Don’t hesitate to explore that innovative idea you’ve been contemplating, as it could lead to exciting opportunities.

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Peach

By: Manisha Koushik

(Astrologer, Tarot Card Reader, Numerologist, Vastu & Fengshui Consultant)

Contact: +919650015920
29Dec
Sydney Housing Market Trends & Predictions

Key takeaways

If you think Sydney is already full, it’s going to get more crowded in the next 10 years. NSW will have nearly 1 million more people by 2034, with more than 650,000 of them living in Sydney and this will only put more pressure on an undersupplied Sydney property market.

Sydney home prices lifted 3.3% and oh now 0.5% below the records which was in August 2024.

A surge in new listings throughout the spring selling season has seen price growth in Sydney levelling out.

Prices are now up 4.28% year-to-date and 4.55% higher than November 2023.

While the increase in properties hitting the market in Sydney this year has been met with strong demand, greater stock for sale has been a contributor to the sharp slowing of price growth, along with affordability constraints and the sustained higher interest rate environment.

With vacancy rates at near historic lows, rentals in Sydney grew strongly over the year, but now rental growth is slowing.


Are you wondering what’s ahead for the Sydney property market in 2025?

Sydney’s home values have continued to increase throughout 2024, as the increase in properties hitting the market for sale has been met with strong buyer demand.

However, greater stock for sale, affordability constraints, and the sustained higher interest rate environment have contributed to a sharp slowing of price growth in the last few months.

And if you think Sydney is already full, it’s going to get more crowded in the next 10 years.

NSW will have nearly 1 million more people by 2034, with more than 650,000 of them living in Sydney and this will only put more pressure on an undersupplied Sydney property market.

In 2025 the Sydney property market is likely to experience a year of two halves, with a slower first half and then a resurgence in both buyer and seller confidence when interest rates fall.

Here is the latest data on the median property prices for Sydney.

Source: CoreLogic, 2nd December 2024

According to CoreLogic, Sydney dwelling prices rose 25.4% from the onset of COVID-19 to their cyclical peak in January 2022 before suffering a 13.8% fall through to the January 2023 trough.

The latest data shows prices are only -1.4% below their previous peak… so a new records will be set soon.

Of course, there is not “one” Sydney housing market and some areas are strongly outperforming others.

It’s a bit like having one hand in a bucket of hot water and the other in a bucket of cold water and saying: On average I’m feeling comfortable.

Sydney

Sydney property market update

Despite more homes being listed for sale and rising prices making property less affordable, the Sydney property market is expected to keep steaming ahead in and well in 2025.

A slowdown in construction has hampered the supply of new housing, concentrating buyer demand on existing properties.

At Metropole Sydney we’re finding that strategic investors and homebuyers are back actively looking to upgrade, picking the eyes out of the market.

While the high end of the Sydney property market led this new phase of the property cycle in 2023, more recently cheaper properties are recording stronger price growth.

Sydney Price Growth By Segment

Buyer and seller confidence will increase as interest rates fall over the next year or two, and buyers will return to the Sydney property market.

However, affordability will still be an issue for many potential buyers, and buyers will only be able to pay up to the limit of what they can afford, so I would only invest in locations where wages are increasing faster than average and residents have multiple streams of income, not just wages.

This means investing in the more affluent inner-ring suburbs and the gentrifying middle-ring suburbs of Sydney which will outperform the cheaper suburbs, where residents will still find it difficult to afford to buy a home.

The best-performing residential investment properties in Sydney for 2025

It’s likely that certain types of properties will outperform others in Sydney in 2025 fuelled by demographic shifts, evolving lifestyle preferences, and economic factors.

Family Homes in Premium Suburbs

 The ongoing preference for space, especially among families, means demand for quality houses in established, affluent suburbs will remain high.

While Sydney’s median house prices are steep, well-positioned family homes in prestigious areas continue to offer solid long-term capital growth.

Investors should look for 3-4 bedroom houses on sizable blocks in well-established neighbourhoods with access to good schools, amenities, transport links, and green spaces.

Eastern suburbs like Randwick, Coogee, and Maroubr continue to be sought after by families due to their proximity to the CBD, beaches, quality schools, and lifestyle amenities. They offer strong long-term growth and steady rental demand.

In the Lower North Shore investors should consider Willoughby, Lane Cove, and Artarmon. These family-friendly suburbs with excellent schools, green spaces, and easy access to the city are  perennial favourites among renters and home buyers alike.

On Sydney’s Northern Beaches the suburbs of Dee Why, Mona Vale, and Freshwater attract families looking for a relaxed lifestyle close to the beach, good schools, and outdoor activities. They offer strong growth potential as more people prioritise lifestyle and work-from-home options.

Townhouses in Middle-Ring Suburbs

Townhouses represent an increasingly popular choice for both investors and owner-occupiers due to their affordability relative to standalone houses and the lifestyle advantages they offer.

With Sydney’s shift towards medium-density living, townhouses are expected to remain in demand, especially in middle-ring suburbs experiencing gentrification.

Investors should target 3-4 bedroom modern townhouses in low-density developments with a focus on functional living spaces, private courtyards, and proximity to amenities.

Sydney’s Inner West offers excellent opportunities for townhouse investments. The suburbs of Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, and Petersham offer a vibrant culture, proximity to the CBD, and ongoing gentrification.

These suburbs are popular with young professionals and families looking for a balance between urban living and suburban space.

In the St George area Hurstville, Kogarah, and Carlton have been experiencing significant growth due to infrastructure upgrades and its proximity to Sydney’s CBD and airport. The demand for townhouses in these suburbs is strong, particularly among families and professionals.

Sydney’s North-West growth corridor has become an attractive location for townhouse investments. Rouse Hill, Kellyville, and Castle Hill are areas worth considering, with expanding infrastructure, shopping centres, and schools, these suburbs offer a blend of affordability, accessibility, and lifestyle.

Boutique Apartments in Lifestyle Hubs

I would avoid high-density apartment developments, but boutique “family friendly” apartments in lifestyle hubs have proven resilient over the last few years and are likely to to continue to outperform in the future as currently investors can buy established apartments considerably below replacement cost.

The key is to target smaller, low-rise complexes in vibrant areas where demand from young professionals, students, and downsizers remains high.

Look for spacious, high-quality 1-2 bedroom apartments with balconies, modern finishes, and access to cafes, restaurants, and public transport.

Boutique apartments in Sydney’s eastern suburbs of Bondi, Bronte, and Coogee always attract high demand due to their proximity to the beach, CBD, and a plethora of dining and shopping options.

Quality apartments with ocean views or easy beach access will always outperform.

Investors should also consider apartments in the inner suburbs of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, and Redfern.

These lifestyle-focused suburbs are popular with young professionals and couples seeking a vibrant, urban lifestyle close to work, dining, and entertainment.

Apartments in well-designed, low-rise developments here continue to offer strong rental yields and capital growth.

What’s happening in the Sydney property market?

While Sydney property buyers are back in force, they are currently being cautious – their pockets are shallower and borrowing capacity significantly reduced.

But more investors are getting into the Sydney market now recognising that there is a current window of opportunity and that in 12 months’ time, the properties they purchased today will look like a bargain.

However, despite the overall caution, buyer demand is still strong which will continue to push Sydney’s property market through its revival.

Sellers are also coming back to the market with total property listings for Sydney marginally higher than in the same month last year, although the stock of older listings is slimmer so overall supply remains constrained.

Sydney Total Property Listings 16 December

Source: SQM Research

Sydney’s auction clearance rates are a good indicator of the depth of buyer and seller sentiment and auction clearance rates have been consistent throughout 2024, but as you can see from the following chart, they slowed down at the end of 2024 in line with falling buyer demand.

4.2 Sydney Auction Trends

 

While the data is insightful, as we know, Sydney’s market is not a one-size-fits-all property market.


There is a clear flight to quality with A-grade homes and investment-grade properties still in short supply for the prevailing strong demand, but B-grade properties are taking longer to sell and informed buyers are avoiding C-grade properties.

After all, some of the city’s suburbs are so tightly held that an available property for sale comes around once in a blue moon with homeowners holding onto their houses for as long as 20 years.

And areas in lifestyle or coastal suburbs are still in particularly strong demand as homebuyers wait to secure their dream property.

At Metropole Sydney, we’re finding that strategic investors are looking to take advantage of the window of opportunity currently available to them, while homebuyers are still actively looking to upgrade, picking the eyes out of the market.

While overall Sydney property values are likely to gain some more ground, like all our capital cities there is not one Sydney property market, and A-grade homes and investment-grade properties remain in strong demand and are likely to outperform, many holding their values well.

In other words, the various sectors of the Sydney property markets will be fragmented, which is a more “normal” property market.

Sydney’s rental markets remain exceptionally tight

Vacancy rates in Sydney’s rental market are traditionally very tight, usually hovering well below the national baseline.

But thanks to soaring demand and severe undersupply in the rental market, the national vacancy rate is exceptionally low today by historical standards.

SQM Research recorded Sydney’s vacancy rate has crept up a little to 1.7%.

By comparison, the vacancy rate which represents a balanced market is around 2.5%.

Sydney Residential Vacancy Rate 16 December

Source: SQM Research

This shows us that, like everywhere else in the country, Sydney’s rental market has plunged into crisis, with record-low vacancy rates, high rent prices, strong demand, and a rising population putting the city’s market into a pressure cooker environment.

And the data for vacancy rates and also weekly rent listings highlights that the distressing state of Sydney’s rental market leads to a bleak outlook for renters.

And at Metropole Property Management our vacancy rate is less than half the industry rate, in part because our clients have chosen investment-grade properties, but we’d like to think it also has a bit to do with our proactive property management policies.

Sydney Weekly Rent Listings 16 December

Source: SQM Research

Sydney has been facing a rental housing shortage for several years now.

This has led to increased competition for available homes, driving up rentals and making it increasingly difficult for many Australians to afford a place to live.

One of the aspects of the housing market boom during the pandemic was that it was driven by owner-occupier buyers.

And since Australia’s international borders in early 2022, Sydney has become a major recipient of new residents, both skilled immigrants and overseas students, putting extra pressure on the Sydney property market, particularly the rental markets.

The current metro area population of Sydney in 2024 is 5,185,000, a 1.25% increase from 2023. The metro area population of Sydney in 2023 was 5,121,000, a 1.27% increase from 2022.

If you think Sydney is already full, it’s going to get more crowded in the next 10 years.

NSW will have nearly 1 million more people by 2034, with more than 650,000 of them living in Sydney, according to the latest NSW population projections.

And this will only serve to put even more pressure on Sydney’s rental crisis.

Sydney2

We’re just not building enough dwellings in Sydney

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows NSW dwelling approvals declined in June by an appalling 19%.

The 1,597 private houses approved in June is the lowest recorded figure for NSW since January 2013, according to the ABS.

These figures highlight the dire, and worsening, housing crisis in NSW:

  • Through immigration, the NSW population is increasing by over 15,000 people each month (source: ABS);
  • The average growth in the number of properties rented since September 2023 is 218 per month (source: NSW Rental Bonds Board);
  • The total number of dwelling units approved in NSW fell by a disastrous 18.8% in June 2024, including a 19% fall in private houses.

REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin explained:

“The housing crisis continues to deteriorate on the back of a perfect storm of inhibitive taxation, approval delays and rental reforms which discourage investment.

Demand is rising fast and the supply gap is widening at an increasing rate.

These are perfect storm conditions which must be reversed now.

To do so, a new approach is needed. Government must stop driving investors out of the residential market through anti-landlord reforms. These reforms reduce rental supply and compound the dire situation for tenants.

Government must urgently consider property taxation reform. The cost of new property is inflated by 40% through taxes and charges imposed by various levels of Government. It’s preventing new supply at a time when we desperately need more homes.

Delays in development approvals must be eradicated. Councils which fail to meet their housing quotas should have their planning powers revoked by the NSW Government. We have run out of time for excuses.

Key trends that will shape Sydney’s housing market in 2025

Suburbs benefiting from major infrastructure projects, such as new transport links, hospitals, or shopping precincts, are likely to outperform. These investments often lead to increased demand and rising property values.

Areas undergoing gentrification, where older properties are being renovated and lifestyle amenities are improving, often provide excellent capital growth opportunities. Look for signs such as new cafes, restaurants, and young families moving in.

Target suburbs with strong population growth driven by immigration, young professionals, or families, as this is a clear indicator of rising demand for both rental and owner-occupied properties.

Investing in Sydney’s property market in 2025 offers significant opportunities, but it’s crucial to choose the right property type and location.


Sydney’s strong pace of growth has been remarkable in the face of the substantial deterioration in affordability that occurred with the sharp rise in interest rates.

It is also a testament to the strong demand aided by the pick-up in population growth, and limited supply that offset the effects of higher rates.

And, likely, the lack of supply of good properties at a time of increasing demand from homebuyers and investors and strong immigration will push Sydney property values higher throughout this year.

However, the Sydney property market will remain fragmented with the more affluent suburbs where people’s incomes are higher, and homeowners have substantial equity in their properties outperforming the cheaper suburbs which are being harder hit by the rising cost of living and interest rates.

Top 10 NSW suburbs where property has earned more than the average worker

Property prices in New South Wales grew 9.6% over the last year and the top performers are all located in Sydney’s most affluent areas, but western suburbs also made the very top of the list.

The eastern suburbs of Bellevue Hill and Vaucluse saw the highest year-on-year growth in property values, with an average increase of more than a million dollars.

Meanwhile, in the inner-west regions, houses in Strathfield and Abbotsford saw year-on-year price growth of $447,417 and $401,327, respectively.

Also out west of the CBD is Oatlands near Parramatta, which earned $312,909 for the year, and West Ryde and nearby Melrose Park which notched up $305,455 and $301,676 in price rises respectively.

Further down the affordability scale, houses in Condell Park and Wiley Park in Sydney’s southwest still outperformed the average Australian wage, growing by $99,953 and $98,507 respectively.

Top 10 property earners in Sydney

Suburb Region AVM 12 months ago Current AVM Change ($)
Bellevue Hill Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $7,917,472 $9,230,311 $1,312,840
Vaucluse Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $7,957,341 $8,980,058 $1,022,717
Dover Heights Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $6,137,873 $6,944,833 $806,960
Rose Bay Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $5,620,247 $6,125,406 $505,159
Strathfield Sydney – Inner West $3,114,452 $3,561,869 $447,417
North Bondi Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $4,083,836 $4,512,973 $429,137
South Coogee Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $3,375,920 $3,802,614 $426,695
Bronte Sydney – Eastern Suburbs $5,034,836 $5,448,932 $414,096
Abbotsford Sydney – Inner West $2,753,167 $3,154,494 $401,327
Clontarf Sydney – Northern Beaches $4,977,224 $5,378,500 $401,276

Source: PropTrack / realestate.com.au
29Dec
NHL trade matchmaker: Predicting where top targets go by the deadline, part 2

We are now exactly 10 weeks away from the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline.

That leaves enough runway for the needs of buyers and sellers to shift before the biggest decisions are made — or for buyers and sellers to switch places. But in a season where there’s already been plenty of trade action, it’s not too soon to try to find some fits between teams and players available on our latest NHL trade big board.

With that in mind, here’s part two of trade-board matchmaker.

GO DEEPER

NHL trade matchmaker: LeBrun and Johnston predict where top targets go by the deadline, part 1

Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract term: 2025 UFA
AAV: $5 million

LeBrun: Vegas Golden Knights

The 32-year-old Granlund leads the Sharks in scoring and is on pace for a career high in points. He’s meant a lot to San Jose off the ice, too, as far as his leadership and influence around the youngsters. He also likes it there. All of which is to say, it’s not a slam dunk he gets dealt before the deadline just because he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. The expectation is that Granlund’s agents, Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler, will have a discussion in the new year with Sharks general manager Mike Grier. But the team will need to balance any potential extension with the kind of offers it’ll get on the trade market, and there will certainly be some. Granlund’s versatility of being able to play all three forward positions with comfort will appeal to contenders. He may also augment his trade value depending on his performance under the spotlight playing for Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Looking into my matchmaker crystal ball, let’s make him a Vegas Golden Knight. The Sharks and Knights got together on a trade deadline deal a year ago involving Tomas Hertl. Keeping in mind Granlund’s versatility and the unfortunate reality of always being concerned about Mark Stone’s health, I like the idea for Vegas of adding this kind of depth.

Johnston: Minnesota Wild

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Granlund was a first-round pick by the Wild who spent seven seasons playing for the organization. Still, wouldn’t it be a nice homecoming story? Minnesota could really use a forward who can toggle between center and wing while chipping in with some offense. Granlund ticks all of those boxes and should come with an added level of comfort given his familiarity with the organization. The cap aspect will need to be worked out since San Jose doesn’t have any retention spots still open and Minnesota has some added challenges while operating in long-term injured reserve, but those aren’t big enough hurdles to keep this from happening.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: D
Shoots: R
Age: 30
Contract term: 2027 UFA
AAV: $5.1 million

LeBrun: Winnipeg Jets

It wasn’t too long ago that Ristolainen’s contract scared teams, but it’s funny what happens with a 20-minute-a-night, top-four defenseman finds his game more consistently, as he has this season. Suddenly, with the salary cap going up, a $5.1 million cap hit for the next two and a half years isn’t so bad at all. That’s why league sources say the Flyers have indeed received calls this season asking if they would be willing to move Ristolainen. The answer from the Flyers is yes — if there’s a certain price met. They would want a good prospect or young player in return or a combination of a prospect and a pick. And while trading for a player with term on his contract isn’t your typical deadline deal since most contenders prefer rentals, I can see it appealing to a few teams. For example, the Jets. I’d like to see the Jets add the kind of size on the right side of their defense that Ristolainen would bring. And after giving up a first-round pick last season for rental Sean Monahan only to see him leave July 1, and keeping in mind how difficult it is for the Jets to attract free agents to Winnipeg, I like the idea of acquiring a player under contract. So there you have it, I’ve got the Cup-contending Jets taking on Ristolainen.


Could Rasmus Ristolainen end up in the Central Division? (Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)

Johnston: Dallas Stars

The Stars made a big splash by acquiring Chris Tanev ahead of last year’s deadline but were unable to retain him in free agency over the summer. They haven’t yet filled that hole on the right side of their blue line. The term remaining on Ristolainen’s contract fits in with the Stars’ win-now window, and the improvements in his game should hold appeal given how few defensive stoppers are expected to be available in the marketplace. Depth is essential for any team gearing up for a long spring, and Dallas is all in on trying to win the Stanley Cup.

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: F
Shoots: L
Age: 33
Contract term: 2025 UFA
AAV: $6 million

LeBrun: Utah HC

The Blackhawks actually haven’t committed yet to trading Hall, although given where they are in the standings, one would imagine that’s the most logical course of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent. It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, but something tells me that a move to a Cup contender might ignite a little flash from the former Hart Trophy winner. He’s always been one of the smartest players in the league. The hockey IQ hasn’t dulled even if the skating has slowed down a little. If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall’s $6 million cap hit, there’s no question in my mind there will be a market for him. Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could have a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor. So hear me out here: Utah HC as a buyer! This is only realistic in a world in which Utah stays in the race in the second half. They could use a little more offense. Hall has some brand-name cache that would be fun to bring into the NHL’s newest market, and Utah has plenty of cap room, plus a strong desire to stay in the playoff chase.

Johnston: Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are one of the few top teams who could make room for Hall in their top six, which is likely where a player with his skill set needs to play in order to be most effective. The continued uncertainty around Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has gone more than two and a half years without playing while recovering from a cartilage transplant in his right knee, makes the need for another left winger more pronounced. Hall may not skate at the same level as earlier in his career, but he’s still faster than average and could hold his own alongside Nathan MacKinnon in top-line duty if needed. At minimum, he would give the Avalanche more lineup flexibility than they enjoy now. The acquisition cost also shouldn’t be too significant for a veteran player unlikely to be part of the long-term solution for the rebuilding Blackhawks.

Team: New York Rangers
Position: D
Shoots: R
Age: 28
Contract term: 2025 UFA
AAV: $2.7 million

LeBrun: Florida Panthers

The Rangers just acquired Borgen, but he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and unless New York can somehow stop the bleeding and turn around its season, the Blueshirts will be sellers and open to flipping him. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Borgen would fit nicely in South Florida. I think in many ways, pending unrestricted free agent David Savard is a more obvious fit for the Panthers given his past relationship in Columbus with Panthers general manager Bill Zito, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Florida tried for Savard if it’s looking for a rental, right-shot D with some physicality who won’t break the bank. But Borgen would be the more under-the-radar move if indeed the Rangers decide to make him available.


Will Borgen, right, has only played three games for the Rangers, but he could be on the move again. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Images)

Johnston: Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have struggled since losing Filip Hronek to a significant lower-body injury earlier this month, and they’re not expecting him to play again before February. That’s exposed a gaping need on the right side of the blue line that management has aggressively been trying to address. Enter Borgen, who excels in the less-celebrated parts of the game like penalty killing, which Vancouver can certainly use. The stay-at-home defender is a good skater who should be able to step into a second pairing on a team and brings the kind of size teams view as an added plus come playoff time. Borgen will have plenty of suitors ahead of the deadline, but there may not be anyone more motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.

Team: Seattle Kraken
Position: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract term: 2025 UFA
AAV: $3.5 million

LeBrun: New Jersey Devils

All signs point to the pending unrestricted free agent winger getting dealt ahead of the deadline if the Kraken aren’t in the playoff chase, which seems rather likely as of now. My understanding is there are several contenders waiting to see if/when Tanev is on the market because they want a crack at him. He brings the kind of grindy game most playoff teams are looking for. He’s an excellent penalty killer who leads Seattle in shorthanded ice time. He won’t back down from anyone. I like the Devils as a fit. They’re looking for a bottom-six boost, and I can picture Tanev finding a nice spot in that Cup-contending lineup that has no shortage of offensive talent but could use a little more sandpaper.

Johnston: Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas went into the NHL’s holiday break with the league’s best points percentage, and there’s a strong expectation it’ll be looking to beef up before the deadline yet again. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Golden Knights pursue two forwards – one with more offensive ability, and a bottom-sixer to round out other elements of the team. Tanev falls into the latter category and may end up being the strongest player with that skill set available. A high-end skater who plays the game hard, it’s not difficult to imagine him fitting in with a team accustomed to using all four lines to win.

(Photo of Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev: Eric Hartline / USA Today and Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
29Dec
4 Ways AI Is Making Smart TVs Better

Smart TVs are changing how we all enjoy entertainment, and AI is taking that to the next level. From better picture and sound quality to voice control and so much more, these AI-powered features are making smart TVs so much better!

Better Voice Control and Interaction

Thanks to AI-driven virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, smart TVs now offer a far better quality of voice control and interaction than even a few years ago. That means you can search for movies, adjust the volume, or even check the weather and other mundane tasks, all with simple voice commands.

AI-powered voice control allows hands-free operation and a more seamless TV experience. That means no more hunting down that lost remote or typing in long searches to get what you want. Instead, you can sit back, relax, and let your voice do all the work. TiVo’s voice search goes even further, allowing you to search using quotes, songs, names, and more.

If your smart TV’s voice control is underwhelming, it could be a sign you need to upgrade your smart TV.

Advanced Picture and Sound Optimization

Dolby

AI is pioneering the revolution of picture and sound quality on smart TVs. AI algorithms analyze room conditions, content type, and even viewer preferences to adjust brightness, contrast, and sound settings automatically for the best viewing experience possible.

For example, Dolby’s Vision IQ uses AI to dynamically adjust picture settings based on the ambient light in the room, meaning that the viewer enjoys the best image quality, no matter what the lighting conditions are in the room. In the same vein, AI-based sound calibration technologies optimize audio settings in a way that delivers immersive and high-quality sound unique to your personal preferences. All without you really having to do a thing!

Smart Home Integration

Nowadays, smart TVs aren’t just for watching your favorite shows; they’re increasingly becoming central hubs for controlling all your smart home devices. AI lets smart TVs seamlessly integrate with your web of smart home devices, meaning you can control lights, cameras, music, or thermostats right from your TV interface—nothing else is needed.

Imagine being able to dim the lights, adjust the temperature, or even check who is at the front door without leaving the comfort of your couch. Sounds nice, especially if you are in the middle of a movie marathon!

AI-Powered Accessibility Features

Drop shadow effect on Netflix subtitles
Anindra Siqueira/MakeUseOf

And finally, AI is playing a huge role in improving the accessibility features on smart TVs, making entertainment much more inclusive for just about everyone. As someone who pretty much always watches movies with subtitles on due to hearing loss, this is huge for me. Real-time captioning, audio descriptions, and gesture-based controls are just a few examples of how AI is making accessibility easier and more cost-effective for those running the show.

As just one example, AI-powered speech-to-text technology is making real-time captioning more available, which benefits individuals with hearing impairments. For another, voice commands and gestures are making it easier to provide alternative input methods, catering to those users with mobility challenges. Both of these AI-driven accessibility features, among others, are transforming the way users with diverse needs interact with their smart TVs and, really, the world around them, making entertainment more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

AI is quickly revolutionizing the capability and role of smart TVs in our lives, making them far more personalized, intuitive, and accessible. Our TVs are becoming ever more intelligent and adaptive to our needs, and we can only expect even more exciting advances in the future, further improving our entertainment experience!
29Dec
China: Daily inbound, outbound trips in New Year holiday to exceed 2m

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-28/China-Daily-inbound-outbound-trips-in-New-Year-holiday-to-exceed-2m-1zHHwvb3zWM/img/848ed49d23854bbeb33f98f270514b7e/848ed49d23854bbeb33f98f270514b7e.png' alt='Foreigners line up at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China, December 25, 2024. /CFP'

The upcoming New Year holiday will usher in a peak of inbound and outbound passenger flow in border ports across China, with the daily average of passenger trips reaching 2.05 million, an 18.8-percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a forecast issued by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Saturday.

The peak travel periods are expected to occur on the evening of December 31, 2024, and on January 1, 2025, said the NIA, adding that this has much to do with ongoing improvements in visa-free transit policies, multiple-entry permits for mainland residents traveling to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region, and other travel facilitation measures.

According to the NIA, large international airports in China are expected to experience a steady increase in passenger flows.

Specifically, Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport are projected to handle an average of 41,000, 94,000, 43,000 and 16,000 passenger trips, respectively, on a daily basis.

Additionally, land border ports near Hong Kong and Macao will see a significant rise in traffic. For instance, Gongbei port in south China’s Zhuhai City is expected to handle an average of 360,000 passenger trips per day, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is expected to handle an average of 96,000 passenger trips per day.

To ensure smooth operations during the holiday rush, the NIA has issued specific directives to strengthen border management. For example, border control agencies across the country are being asked to closely monitor passenger flows and port operations, releasing real-time information to help travelers plan their journeys more effectively.

The NIA also advises all domestic and international travelers to stay updated on border port traffic conditions and check that their travel documents are valid before setting off.

If travelers encounter difficulties at the border, they can call the 12367 immigration service hotline or approach on-site immigration officers for assistance, said the NIA.
29Dec
10 promising books to add to your reading list in January

Critic Bethanne Patrick recommends 10 promising titles — fiction and nonfiction — to consider for your January reading list.

Each of us approaches a new year with a combination of worry and hope. What lies ahead? Might this be when I actually start exercising or cooking or writing a screenplay?

If your own resolutions include reading more, we can help. This month’s titles range from a bittersweet comedy set in the Italian countryside to an expedition in bitterly cold temperatures, as well as from a sci-fi novel set inside a murder mystery to a memoir about the most motley collection of four-legged family members you’ll ever encounter. Happy reading!

Fiction

Homeseeking: A Novel
By Karissa Chen
Putnam: 512 pages, $30
(Jan. 7)

Fans of historical fiction will want to pick up this exceptional novel immediately, the story of Chinese history from the 1930s to the 21st century told through the lives of Suchi and Haiwen, two Shanghainese students who fall in love early on but whose paths diverge early on too. As national and global events affect them and their families, their “mingyun” connection — a concept of personal fate — keeps them psychically linked despite hardships.

The Heart of Winter: A Novel
By Jonathan Evison
Dutton: 368 pages, $28
(Jan. 7)

Cover of "The Heart of Winter"

A loose tooth leads to the history of a long marriage, as Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke look at their 70-year union. They live quietly on Bainbridge Island and have three grown children; Ruth’s dental troubles reveal cancer, and the family is thrown into uproar. As Abe attempts to care for his wife, their past surfaces and shows how the negotiations involved in partnership provide a foundation for its growth, as well as for facing its final stages.

Death of the Author: A Novel
By Nnedi Okorafor
William Morrow & Co.: 448 pages, $30
(Jan. 14)

Cover of "Death of the Author"

When adjunct professor Zelu, who is paraplegic, hits rock bottom personally and professionally, she unexpectedly writes a mega-bestselling work of Afro-futurism that also addresses the differently abled. Although her large Nigerian American family makes light of her achievement, Zelu falls in with an unusual scientist who fits her with wondrously advanced prosthetic legs — and then reveals his unusual purpose in providing them.

We Lived on the Horizon: A Novel
By Erika Swyler
Atria: 336 pages, $29
(Jan. 14)

Cover of "We Lived on the Horizon"

Combining AI, robotics and much more, Swyler’s latest world-building novel concerns the Bulwark, a walled desert city whose history, values and economy are based on the sacrifices made by its founders. Known as “the Sainted,” those humans now have descendants who make up an elite supported by Parallax, an AI system; there are also AI children and a murder mystery that threatens the entire community. It’s unusually elegant dystopian fiction.

Tartufo: A Novel
By Kira Jane Buxton
Grand Central Publishing: 352 pages, $29
(Jan. 28)

Cover of "Tartufo"

Lazzarini Boscarino, a rural Italian town, might be dying, its population diminishing faster than its budget. But when the grief-stricken Giovanni Scarpazza and his hunting dogs Aria and Fagiolo chance upon an unusual truffle, Mayor Delizia Micucci allows herself to hope that big-ticket players in the food world will bite at the chance to own it. Will it be a boon or a disappointment? Buxton (“Hollow Creatures”) plays for laughs, but never with cruelty.

Nonfiction

Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travels
By Caroline Eden
Bloomsbury Publishing: 256 pages, $28
(Jan. 14)

Cover of "Cold Kitchen"

Journalist Eden’s kitchen is cold because she spends most of her time traveling around Central Asia and Eastern Europe — but she rarely returns to her Edinburgh home without a souvenir to remind her of the foods of those places that she writes about here. Structured around a dozen recipes, including an Uzbekistani watermelon salad and Russian pirozhki, it’s a memoir, travelogue and cookbook in which those facets add up to a delicious whole.

Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth): A Memoir
By Markus Zusak
Harper: 240 pages, $28
(Jan. 21)

Cover of "Three Wild Dogs"

Zusak (“The Book Thief”) and his family have had three wild dogs, yes, but each of those dogs — Reuben, Archer and Frosty — has been so different that they come across as true family members rather than as the accessories that some domestic animals can seem to be. Dogs, the author notes, represent lifelong devotion, as well as our own deep human primal instincts. Anyone you know who has lived with a dog will relish this beautiful memoir.

The Harder I Fight the More I Love You: A Memoir
By Neko Case
Grand Central Publishing: 288 pages, $30
(Jan. 28)

Cover of "The Harder I Fight the More I Love You"

Alt-rock star Case describes a painful childhood and worse adolescence, then a tough trail to professional success that included suffering through harsh Chicago winters without enough money for heat or warm clothing. However, the Grammy-nominated musician leavens memories of hardship with great humor and terrific writing (the Chicago wind hits “like a bouquet of cold fists”) that should delight her fans and attract some new ones too.

Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History’s Greatest Arctic Rescue
By Buddy Levy
St. Martin’s Press: 384 pages, $32
(Jan. 28)

Cover of "Realm of Ice and Sky"

American Walter Wellman was the first to try to reach the North Pole by airship. After he failed, Roald Amundsen (the same man who was the first to reach the South Pole) tried, in 1926, and flew over the North Pole on May 21. Umberto Nobile, his Italian engineer, decided to win accolades for Mussolini in 1928 by attempting the feat but wound up facing disaster when his airship, Italia, crashed and prompted a high-profile international rescue mission.

Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People
By Imani Perry
Ecco: 256 pages, $29
(Jan. 28)

Cover of "Black in Blues"

Blue skies equal hope, but blue dyes — as Perry (“South to America”) shows here — can be a reminder of the era when indigo cloth was traded for human life, during the 16th-century slave trade. From the description of skin as “blue black” to the blues as a musical genre, the color blue and its many shades intertwine with African American heredity, history and heritage. A cultural compendium and also a meditation, “Black in Blues” will inspire other great minds.
28Dec
MicroStrategy Secures Nasdaq-100 Inclusion After Bitcoin-Fuelled Stock Surge

MicroStrategy will be added to the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 Index, the exchange operator said on Friday, following a meteoric surge in the shares of the bitcoin buyer.

The change comes into effect before the market opens on Dec. 23, Nasdaq said.

Inclusion in the index typically boosts the stock’s price, as exchange-traded funds looking to replicate the index’s performance buy shares of the newly included firm.

Data analytics firm Palantir Technologies and Taser maker Axon Enterprise were added to the Nasdaq-100 Index along with MicroStrategy. Gene-sequencing equipment maker Illumina, AI server maker Super Micro Computer and vaccine maker Moderna were removed, Nasdaq said.

MicroStrategy, an aggressive investor in the world’s largest crypto asset, has seen its shares soar more than six-fold this year, taking its market value to almost $94 billion (roughly Rs. 7,97,387 crore).

The company began buying and holding bitcoin in 2020 as revenue from its software business waned. It is now the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency.

Analysts have said MicroStrategy’s decision to purchase bitcoin to protect the value of its reserve assets has enhanced the appeal of its stock, which tends to align with the performance of the cryptocurrency.

Bernstein analysts expect the market will likely set its sights on S&P 500 inclusion for MicroStrategy in 2025 following the Nasdaq-100 inclusion.

The brokerage also sees the company’s prospects continuing to improve next year, adding it expects “more visibility and recognition beyond fresh ETF inflows,” as a result of the Nasdaq-100 inclusion.

Bitcoin has rallied in recent weeks as US President-elect Donald Trump’s victory heightened the crypto sector’s hopes for easing regulatory roadblocks. Earlier this month, the digital asset catapulted above $100,000 (roughly Rs.84.8 lakh) for the first time.

“Management has shown no signs of slowing this (bitcoin-buying) down and are comfortable buying bitcoin in the $95,000 (roughly Rs. 80.5 lakh) – $100,000 (roughly Rs. 84.8 lakh) range,” Bernstein analysts said.

The company held roughly 423,650 bitcoins bought for about $25.6 billion (roughly Rs. 2,17,148 crore) based on the average purchase price as of December 8. The investment is worth around $42.43 billion (roughly Rs. 3,59,905 crore), based on bitcoin’s previous close, according to Reuters calculations.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
28Dec
Google December 2024 spam update done rolling out

Google’s June 2024 spam update rollout is now complete. The spam update started on December 19, 2024, about seven days ago, finishing on December 26, 2024. This was the third spam update of the 2024 year and started a day after Google completed the December 2024 core update.

This update was a general and broad spam update, it was not a link spam update and did not automate the site reputation abuse policy, which is still only done via manual actions.

Google wrote, “The rollout was complete as of December 26, 2024.”

What we saw. While the update was announced the day after the December core update, it does seems that it hit very hard within a few days and was much more widespread than some previous spam updates. Although, it is still a bit too early to dig too much into the update. If you were hit by this update, you may notice the rankings drops in Search Console. Keep in mind, holiday traffic can be very volatile and low for many sites, so look at rankings and not traffic for this specific update.

Previous spam updates. The last spam update was on June 20, 2024 and was named June 2024 spam update, it completed on June 27.

Here’s our past coverage of confirmed Google spam updates:

Why we care. This Google update took a lot of us by surprise, since it happened only a day after the core update and just days before the holiday season. We were taken back by Google releasing an update that will end close to, or into the holiday season.

This is the 7th Google search algorithm update we had in 2024, including four core updates and now three spam updates. It is unclear exactly what type of spam this targets but if you noticed any ranking changes during this update, it might have been related to this spam update.

Spam updates. Google linked to its standard spam updates documentation that reads:

“While Google’s automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.

For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam.

Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies.

In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained.”
28Dec
VR Had A Great Year, But It Feels Like A Swansong

It’s been hard to keep up with VR games in 2024, and that’s a good thing. The Batman Arkham series got a great new entry, Batman: Arkham Shadow, exclusively on Meta Quest 3. Metro Awakening introduced itself as a VR rendition that acts as a prequel to the Metro series, while Skydance’s Behemoth is betting on dark fantasy, building upon the ideas of the underrated The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners games. The psychedelic Thumper got a spiritual successor with Thrasher, and there’s even been a quality remake of an old VR game, Arizona Sunshine, after a sequel in 2023.

From the outside, VR seems to be going through a pivotal period. If you look at 2023, the space was already gearing up for this momentum with Asgard’s Wrath 2, Assassin’s Creed Nexus, and the VR version of the Resident Evil 4 remake releasing in the latter half of the year. But these are all big bets considering that the space remains a niche market; motion sickness continues to be one of multiple issues. Though some games have been better at offering more accessibility options, the platform is far from suitable for disabled players.

While game releases have been a highlight, the same can’t be said for the companies behind them and the headsets themselves. Sony reportedly paused production for the PSVR 2 in March to clear a surplus backlog of units, and PlayStation London Studio (which was behind the likes of Blood & Truth and PlayStation VR Worlds) was shut down in May. Meanwhile, Meta laid off workers within the Reality Labs division; shut down multiple games since last year, as well as the studio behind Echo VR, which the company acquired four years ago; canceled plans for an Apple Vision Pro competitor; closed down the augmented reality studio Spark; and put the VR version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on hold indefinitely.

It’s unclear how long Meta will continue to fund VR game development, which could be a meaningful hit to the industry, given its publishing branch was responsible for games like Among Us VR, Rock Band VR, and Batman: Arkham Shadow. With Sony reportedly cutting back on investment in VR development, with only two first-party titles in the pipeline, it’s uncertain whether or not a release calendar like 2024’s will happen again, or if we’re witnessing a swansong in disguise.

Aces of Thunder, Hitman: World of Assassination, and Zombie Army VR are only a few games that were delayed to 2025. Throughout 2024, there have been numerous examples of not only delays but generally rough launches. Bulletstorm VR was deemed unplayable until a series of patches improved anything from physics to visuals and enemy AI. Two anticipated horror games, Madison VR and Phasmophobia, were delayed multiple times. For the latter, reviewers have advised avoiding it until the port quality improves–in a similar fashion to the likes of Hitman 3 VR Reloaded.

In an interview with Inverse, developers pointed out some of the issues VR developers face: engine-compatibility issues with games originally built in certain versions of Unity, the use of reprojection to artificially boost frame rates at the cost of image quality (leading to blurry visuals), and demanding VRC processes (a virtual reality checklist of technical requirements that each game must pass during certification). Even QA testing is more taxing than usual. In interviews with Game Informer, testers mentioned the process is physically demanding, while it can take a while to get used to testing in VR, especially for longer periods of time, with one former developer saying he’d often feel “detached from reality” for the first two weeks at the job.

Looking ahead, some studios continue to show active investment in the space. In an interview with Game Informer about the VR rendition of the Resident Evil 4 remake, producer Masato Kumazawa said that one of the reasons for releasing VR versions of Village and RE4R for free is to help expand the VR market.

“VR also matches with the Resident Evil franchise really well,” director Keisuke Yamakawa said. “I would like VR to get much more popular with the public. Since headsets can still be quite expensive and heavy, I would love for the kits to continue getting lighter and more affordable to make it more [approachable] to the general audience.”

Headsets are indeed getting lighter, but the cost of entry is still high. The Meta Quest 3 256 GB model costs $499, in contrast to the PSVR 2 at $549 and the Pico 4 Ultra at €600 (around $630). Out of the three, the PSVR 2 isn’t wireless, and it originally required a PlayStation 5. Sony launched a PC adapter back in August priced at $59. If you have a decent PC that can run VR games, the catalog is greatly increased, and so is the longevity of the headset as a result. Speaking of which, there are a number of PC-specific headsets out there, such as the Valve Index ($999) and the Vive series (starting at the $600 to $700 price range). But the aforementioned headsets are by far the ones driving the mainstream interest at the moment. (The Apple Vision Pro, starting at $3,499, is undoubtedly not targeted at the average consumer, so I’m not counting it here.)

There’s also market fluctuation to consider. Meta Quest 2 and Quest Pro are ceasing sales by the end of 2024. So is the Meta Quest 3 128 GB model, which has already been selling out online. The company hopes to replace these gaps with the Meta Quest 3S, released in October at the price of $299. However, this model has some hardware compromises, such as using the Quest 2’s per-eye single-display setup, as opposed to the Quest 3’s dual-display setup, resulting in a lower resolution and bulkier lenses.

In terms of games, the occasional oddities, such as Triangle Strategy presenting its campaign as floating dioramas in mixed reality, continue to surprise. Smaller studios deserve attention, too–The Exit 8, Sushi Ben, and Umurangi Generation VR all stood out in 2024. Genres like rhythm games continue to thrive, with more studios betting on adaptations, like Metal: Hellsinger VR and Spin Rhythm this year, and existing games receiving ongoing updates.

Beat Saber continues to get both free and paid songs, and Synth Riders has a mixed-reality mode on Quest 3. But it’s hard to look at the landscape to find that many of the games that fiddled with genre novelties couldn’t withstand the passage of time. Rock Band VR, Audica, and Dance Central, all Harmonix joints, haven’t had official support for years. Sure, Just Dance VR was released back in October, but new games feel more like fleeting replacements rather than new entries in emerging subgenres.

With 2025 around the corner, the future is uncertain. Meta seems more invested in the so-called metaverse aspect of the headset, pushing an ecosystem that’s more suitable for meetings and networking, with avatars for jumping on “got a minute?” calls or built-in calendar apps that can be synced with Google and Outlook, or using your headset during flights or train rides, rather than video-game experiences.

Community efforts like Flat2VR continue to innovate by adding VR support to a plethora of games. The modding team started with highlights like the Half-Life 2: VR mod, and has since formed a studio working on licensed adaptations in an official capacity, such as Trombone Champ: Unflattened. The modding scene, particularly on PC, continues to be a standout. You can now play Halo: Combat Evolved in VR with full motion controls, while other people have been working tirelessly to achieve the opposite, such as a flat version of Half-Life: Alyx.

VR might still have a niche audience, but the interest in its future isn’t fading. Games like Gorilla Tag have amassed over 12 million lifetime players and maintain a million daily active users, with the game’s interest being spearheaded by Gen Alpha kids. We can only hope that future development focuses more on video games, for both adult and younger demographics, rather than digitizing even more daily-life aspects, especially with work as the focus. As the PSVR 2 and Meta Quest 3 get closer to two years in their life cycles, I hope more studios can look back at 2024 as a bar to surpass instead of a ceiling that will forever be out of reach.

More Best Of 2024:
28Dec
New drug to prevent migraine may start working right away

A drug recently approved to prevent migraine may start working right away, according to a study published in the December 23, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at the drug atogepant, which is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist taken by mouth.

“With many current drugs to prevent migraine, it takes time to find the right dosage for the individual and it can take weeks or even months for it to be most effective,” said study author Richard B. Lipton, MD, of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “Some people give up and stop taking the drugs before they reach this point. Plus, many people experience side effects with current treatments. Developing a drug that works both effectively and quickly is critical.”

In the study, people taking the drug atogepant were less likely to have a migraine on the first day of taking the drug compared to those taking a placebo. They also had fewer migraines per week during each of the first four weeks of the study and fewer migraines during the study overall than those taking a placebo.

For this study, researchers looked at the data from three trials on the safety and effectiveness of atogepant over 12 weeks to focus on how rapidly improvements appeared. The ADVANCE trial, which enrolled people with episodic migraine, had 222 people taking the drug and 214 taking placebo. The ELEVATE trial, which enrolled people with episodic migraine who had previously not responded well to other oral preventive treatments, had 151 on the drug and 154 on placebo. The PROGRESS trial, which enrolled people with chronic migraine, had 256 on the drug and 246 on placebo.

People with episodic migraine experience up to 14 migraine days per month. People with chronic migraine experience at least 15 days with headache per month, with at least eight days being characteristic of migraine.

On the first day of the study, 12% of those taking the drug in the first trial, the ADVANCE trial had a migraine, compared to 25% of those taking placebo. In the second trial, the ELEVATE trial, the numbers were 15% and 26%. For the third trial, the PROGRESS trial, the numbers were 51% and 61%.

When researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect the rate of migraine, they found that people taking the drug were 61% less likely to have a migraine in the first trial, 47% less likely in the second trial, and 37% less likely in the third trial.

For the first two trials, the people taking atogepant had an average of one fewer day with migraine per week, compared to an average of less than one-half day fewer per week for those taking the placebo. For the third trial, average migraine days per week declined by about 1.5 days for those taking the drug compared to about one day for those taking the placebo.

The people taking atogepant also showed improvement on assessments of how much migraine impaired their activities and their overall quality of life compared to people taking the placebo.

“Migraine is the second-leading cause of disability in the overall population and the leading cause of disability in young women, with people reporting negative effects on their relationships, parenting, career and finances,” Lipton said. “Having a treatment that can act quickly and effectively addresses a key need.”

A limitation of the study is that it involved mostly female and white participants, so the results may not apply to the overall population.

The study was supported by AbbVie, the maker of atogepant.
28Dec
Webinar on ‘Careers in TMT Law’ by MNLU Mumbai [January 11; 11 am – 1 pm]: Register by Jan 9!

Registrations are invited for a Webinar on ‘Careers in TMT Law’ by MNLU Mumbai. Register by Jan 9! About the Webinar MNLU Mumbai in association with its IQAC, Centre for Information Communication Technology & Law (CICTL), and Centre for Advanced Legal Studies, Training, & Research (CALSTAR) is organizing an online career guidance session on ‘TMT […]

The post Webinar on ‘Careers in TMT Law’ by MNLU Mumbai [January 11; 11 am – 1 pm]: Register by Jan 9! appeared first on Lawctopus.
28Dec
Malaika Arora’s favourite paneer thecha recipe is ‘bomb’, spicy but absolutely delicious. Here’s how you can make it

Dec 28, 2024 05:58 PM IST

Malaika Arora’s paneer thecha recipe is spicy, flavourful and super easy to make. Ready to add a fiery twist to your meals? Here’s how you can make it!

Malaika Arora has recently ventured into the restaurant business with her first establishment, Scarlett House, in Mumbai. One of the star attractions on the menu is her favourite, paneer thecha, a dish inspired by the rich flavours of traditional Maharashtrian cuisine.

Discover Malaika Arora’s favourite paneer thecha recipe inspired by Maharashtrian cuisine.(Instagram)

In a conversation with Curly Tales, Malaika Arora shared her personal recipe for paneer thecha, a dish she considers a staple in her home. She described it as a comforting favourite that she loves making regularly. Let’s take a closer look at the recipe. (Also read: Bhumi Pednekar ‘whips up Christmas magic’ with her plum cake recipe! Here’s how you can make it )

Malaika Arora’s special paneer thecha recipe

Ingredients:

6 to 7 green chillies

10 to 15 cloves of garlic

Coarse salt (to taste)

1/4 cup peanuts

Fresh coriander & coriander stems (a generous amount)

Juice of 1/2 lime

200g paneer

A little oil (for cooking the paneer)

Method:

1. Heat a pan on medium flame and dry roast the green chillies, garlic cloves, and peanuts. Keep stirring to avoid burning, and roast them until slightly charred and fragrant.

2. While the chillies and garlic are roasting, roughly chop the fresh coriander and coriander stems. Set aside.

3. Once the chillies, garlic, and peanuts are roasted, let them cool slightly. Then, grind them together in a mortar pestle or food processor to a coarse paste. Add coarse salt to taste and lime juice for a tangy kick.

4. In another pan, heat a little oil and cook the paneer cubes until golden and crispy on the outside.

5. Add the prepared thecha (paste) to the cooked paneer. Toss them together gently to ensure the paneer is coated with the spicy, aromatic mix.

6. Sprinkle the freshly chopped coriander and coriander stems over the dish. Give it a final toss and serve hot.

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28Dec
Dispelling 20 Australian Real Estate Myths

Key takeaways

While many Australians are keen to invest in property to secure their financial future, the statistics clearly show that most investors fail to achieve their goals.

More than half of those who buy an investment property sell up in the first 5 years and only around 20,000 investors have joined the 1% club who own 6 or more properties.

Maybe that’s because the market is rife with myths and misconceptions that mislead not only beginning but also many seasoned investors.

Myths and misconceptions can easily lead us astray, so keeping our eyes on empirically supported facts and holistic strategies will always serve us well.

Remember, a well-informed investor is a successful investor.


While many Australians are keen to invest in property to secure their financial future, the statistics clearly show that most investors fail to achieve their goals.

More than half of those who buy an investment property sell up in the first 5 years and only around 20,000 investors have joined the 1% club who own 6 or more properties.

Maybe that’s because the market is rife with myths and misconceptions that mislead not only beginning but also many seasoned investors.

So let’s unpack some of these myths and get a clearer picture of what property investment really entails.

Property Investments

Myth 1: Property investment is simple

Reality: While property investment is simple, it’s not easy and that’s not a play on words.

Many people start investing in property thinking it’s straightforward, but the high attrition rates within the first five years, and the fact that 92% of investors never get past their first or second property, reveals the true picture.

Myth 2: You make money when you buy your property

Reality: That’s partially true, but not because you buy your property cheaply which is how most investors interpret this myth.

Buying a “bargain” is a one-off bonus.

On the other hand, the key to making money in the long term is purchasing an investment-grade property in a top location that will outperform the market in the long term with robust capital growth.

Myth 3: Properties increase in value every year

Reality: While over the long term, properties have historically risen in value, in some years might certain locations see flat growth or even a decrease in property values.

And different states and even suburbs can have vastly different property cycles.

That’s why it’s essential for investors to understand how the property cycle works and have financial buffers in place to buy themselves time (to ride out the cycle), not just a property.

Myth 4: Property values double every 7-10 years

Reality: This generalization may look good on paper, but it’s far from universally true.

While some properties might double in value within this timeframe, this is an average figure based on ABS stats over the last 40 years.

However many properties, in fact over half, don’t grow in value so fast – I guess that’s how averages work.

And over the long term, regional properties have not grown as strongly as most capital city properties.

This leads to the next myth…

Myth 5: All properties make a good investment

Reality: This is a big one. Many people enter the property market with the assumption that any property can become a golden goose, churning out financial rewards.

That’s far from the truth.

There are 11 million dwellings in Australia with a total value of around $10 trillion and yes, any of these can become an investment – just kick the landlord out and put a tenant in and you’ve got an investment – but that doesn’t make it “investment grade.”

An investment-grade property is one that’s likely to outperform averages in terms of capital growth because of its location, intrinsic value, or scarcity.

These are properties that are in high demand but low supply and appeal to a wide range of affluent owner-occupiers, are in the right location and are close to lifestyle amenities such as water, cafes, shops, restaurants and parks.

Investment Grade

This type of property also appeals to a wide range of tenants and is resilient during market downturns.

On the flip side, a non-investment-grade property – what some would call “investment stock” might have the opposite characteristics: located in an area with fewer growth drivers, less demand, or oversupply issues.

Many apartments in those Lego land high-rise towers fall into this category.

Investing in such properties can lead to stagnant capital growth and higher risks.

So, it’s not just about owning a property; it’s about owning the right property.

Don’t just grab a property because it’s within your budget; make sure it has the features and location that will make it a solid long-term investment.

Myth 6: Property investment is fun

Reality: The idea that property investment is an exciting venture can often lead to emotional decision-making.

In reality, property investment should be boring so that it can make your life exciting.

Your investment decisions should be evidence-based, numbers-driven and focused on the long-term gains.

Emotion has little place in a successful investment strategy.

Myth 7: Invest in your comfort zone

Reality: Emotional familiarity can lead to poor investment decisions.

Just because you live, holiday, or plan to retire in a particular area doesn’t mean it’s a good place to invest.

Myth 8: Property investment is a get-rich-quick scheme

Reality: Building a robust portfolio takes time and discipline.

It’s usually a journey of 25-30 years to reach financial independence through property investment. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Often the first 5- 10 years are when investors make mistakes and learn what not to do until they find a strategy that suits their goals, budget and risk profile.

The next stage is the asset-building phase of their investment journey, and this takes at least two full property cycles.

In this stage, you borrow and gear to build a large asset base of income-producing properties, and then eventually you slowly lower your Loan to Value Ratio so you can live off the Cash Flow from your property portfolio.

Myth 9: There’s one “Australian” property market

Reality: While the media frequently talks about “the Australian property market”, each state has its own cycle, and even within states, there are sub-markets based on property types, locations, and price points.

It’s a mosaic, not a monolith.

Myth 10: All properties increase in value over time

Reality: Unfortunately, some properties can stagnate or even depreciate.

Markets in regional Australia or mining towns can be highly volatile and risky for long-term investment.

And even some secondary capital city locations have stagnant growth for long periods of time.

Myth 11: Negative gearing is a surefire way to profit

Reality: When it comes to property investment, you’ll often hear two conflicting philosophies advocated.

Some suggest you should invest in property to achieve positive cash flow – that’s when rental returns are higher than your mortgage repayments and expenses leaving money in your pocket each month.

Others suggest you should invest for capital growth looking for an increase in the value of your property.

This second strategy usually leads to negative cash flow (negative gearing) in the early years because properties with higher capital growth usually come with lower rental returns.

But there is a third element to investment that many commentators forget to mention and that is a risk.

Considering cash flow, capital growth, and risk, when investing in residential property you can only typically have two out of the three.

If you want a property investment that is low-risk and has a high cash flow you will have to forgo high capital growth.

If you are looking for a low-risk investment that has strong capital growth (my preferred strategy), you will usually have to forgo high rental returns (cash flow).

Negative Gearing2

But let’s be clear…Negative gearing is not an investment strategy.
28Dec
Manchester City and a refused pass that laid bare their myriad problems

Manchester City attempted 683 passes in their 1-1 draw with Everton, but it was one that Nathan Ake refused that revealed the tensions that are gnawing at them. 

It came just as another flurry from Pep Guardiola’s side was beginning to settle down. A familiar sense of exasperation was already brewing in the stands — fans reflecting on Iliman Ndiaye’s sensational equaliser, that came from Everton’s first touch in the City box — but after a strong start to the second half, including a rare Erling Haaland penalty miss, adrenaline and indignation was beginning to take hold. 

There was a roar as City regained possession deep in their own half, fans urging the team on as Ake ambled forward while Josko Gvardiol careered down the left flank. But as the Dutchman turned back to find Bernardo Silva in midfield, to a collective groan from home fans, Guardiola burst to the edge of his technical area and appealed for calm.

Everton scrambled back into their shape — Guardiola still pleading with his supporters — as a slower attacking move through the middle eventually fizzled out down the opposite side

It could have become the kind of sweeping move that City have struggled to contain throughout their growing winless run — no team have conceded more than their 5.3 expected goals (xG) from fast breaks in the Premier League this season — but it only underlined their aversion to exploiting such situations themselves.

Gvardiol had rushed past Jack Harrison, and clearly had the forward momentum to skip by 36-year-old Seamus Coleman at full-back, but on this occasion, Guardiola’s insistence on controlled build-up prevailed over common sense. City had sufficient numbers back to deal with any loss of possession and a counter-attack the opposite way, and given their current issues controlling such situations even when they are in their desired defensive shape, surely they should have just taken the chance.

It was, of course, just one individual decision in a game of millions. But as City once again looked more threatening when they picked up the pace and were more aggressive in their movement, it poses the question as to whether Guardiola’s side should embrace the disorganisation of a direct forward run that little bit more.

Despite long periods of safe attacking play, City were not completely risk-averse in their approach. Particularly in the opening 15 minutes, they seemed desperate to score the first goal, aware that their opponents had ground out consecutive clean sheets against Arsenal and Chelsea, and were capable of turning this into a 90-minute slog.

City usually bring one of their full-backs into midfield to help with their build-up, but it was noticeable how they pushed both Rico Lewis and Gvardiol high and wide as they came flying out of the blocks, looking to overload Everton’s back four and stretch them across the pitch.

As we can see from the grab below, with Lewis cut from the shot in the bottom right, the approach was practically a 3-0-7 as City piled on the pressure in the early stages.

After Silva nicked the opening goal, however, Lewis was quickly restored to his more central role to offer more control in the build-up and make City more compact should they lose the ball.

Here he is three minutes after the goal, close to Mateo Kovacic in midfield.

It was a conscious decision by Guardiola to take the sting out of the game and revert to a more settled shape, and he may have been vindicated had Ndiaye not produced a moment of brilliance on the break. But with City so susceptible to sucker punches right now, it felt a missed opportunity to see them take their foot off the gas so soon.

One of the side effects of Lewis dropping back into midfield is that his winger — Savinho yesterday — loses support out on the flank. The Brazilian took 15 touches in the quarter of an hour leading up to City’s goal, but only 16 throughout the rest of the half.

Data from SkillCorner helps to paint the picture further: City are the team in Europe’s big five leagues who make fewest overlapping runs per 30 minutes in possession. They have also attempted the fewest passes to find a runner in-behind relative to their possession, taking up around 46 per cent of their opportunities to find those runs when they are made. Unsurprisingly, that’s the lowest such proportion in the Premier League this season.

There are several factors that influence those numbers — the fact that City tend to face teams who sit deep and deny them space in behind being one — but the lack of movement from forward players while the team inches forward has become increasingly apparent in recent weeks. It makes things predictable, as it did for Aston Villa, and only increases the difficulty of finding players in congested central areas, mostly static and with their back to goal.

There was an encouraging example of a positional rotation in their 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the start of the month, as Jack Grealish dragged a defender into midfield to allow Gvardiol to steam through for a shot on goal, but City seem reluctant to make such disruptive strides forward as often as they could.

A gloomy way of looking at things is that dropped points don’t matter so much now that City are so far away from the summit. The damage — from a title-chasing perspective, if not perhaps Champions League qualification — has already been done.

But starting a run of three winnable games with another setback feels like a missed opportunity for the team to rebuild confidence in front of goal. Had City been more ruthless in their approach, and gone for the kind of passes that Ake turned down, their firepower might have overridden some of the bad luck.

(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
28Dec
Samsung Gallery Beats Google Photos Every Time: Here’s Why

Having used Pixel devices in the past, Google Photos has always been my go-to choice for photo management. However, since switching to a Samsung device, Samsung Gallery has quietly become my preferred option, and it beats Google Photos in several key areas.

1

Superior Photo Organization and Management

One of the things that made me first admire the Samsung Gallery app was its intuitive, straightforward UI. It’s exactly the kind of user experience you’d expect from a gallery app.

For example, Samsung Gallery allows me to sort albums by name or by the number of media files within them. Additionally, there’s an option to hide albums I don’t want to see and to group albums together—both of which make browsing through my collection much more organized.

Then there’s Samsung Gallery’s suggestion feature, which I find incredibly useful. It quickly identifies and suggests duplicate and outdated photos, allowing me to delete them with just a few taps. This level of efficiency and photo management is something that Google Photos doesn’t offer.

2

OneDrive Integration

As someone who’s already paying for Microsoft 365, I find Samsung Gallery’s integration with OneDrive incredibly convenient. With the 1TB of OneDrive storage included in my subscription, I can effortlessly back up and store all my photos without having to worry about running out of space.

Gallery sync with OneDrive menu on Samsung phone

Backing up my photos to OneDrive also means I can easily access them on my Windows PC without needing to transfer or download them. This seamless integration saves me time and ensures all my photos are in one place, whether I’m using my phone or computer.

While I could achieve a similar experience by setting up Google Drive on my Windows PC, it would require paying for additional storage on Google Photos.

3

Seamless Search for Both Backed-Up and Local Photos

When it comes to finding specific photos, Google Photos undeniably offers a robust set of tools—such as face recognition, location tagging, and even searching by descriptive phrases like “sunset” or “birthday.” However, there’s a major caveat: these features only work on photos that are backed up to the cloud.

So, if I haven’t synced everything, or if I’m deliberately avoiding uploading certain images to save storage or protect my privacy, I can’t use Google Photos’ search tools to find those images.

Search tab in Samsung Gallery app

Search options in Samsung Gallery app

This is not a problem with Samsung Gallery, as its search functionality isn’t tied to whether a photo is stored locally on my device or backed up to the cloud. This means I can effortlessly find what I’m looking for—regardless of where the images are stored. This is a huge convenience for me that Google Photos simply doesn’t offer.

As someone who loves to fine-tune my media, I’ve tried both Samsung Gallery and Google Photos for editing photos and videos. While both apps offer solid editing tools, Samsung Gallery stands out for its powerful and versatile features.

Samsung Gallery easily removes shadows and reflections from any of my photos. It also offers handy tools for fixing red-eye and has “Face Effects” that let me adjust features like smoothness, tone, jawline, and more. Google Photos’ photo editor lacks these features.

Samsung Gallery’s video editor also offers a bunch of useful options. For instance, Samsung Gallery not only lets me remove sound from a video but also allows me to add new background music stored on my phone directly within the app. In comparison, Google Photos only lets me mute the video file.

Another feature missing from Google Photos but available in Samsung Gallery’s video editor is the option to reduce video file size. This is especially handy when I don’t want to delete a video completely but also don’t want it taking up too much storage space.

5

AI-Powered Photo Assist

In addition to regular photo editing features, Samsung Gallery also offers advanced AI capabilities that Google Photos lacks. One of my favorites is the Generative Edit, which allows me to seamlessly expand images. Whether I want to add more background or extend a landscape, it blends the new elements with the original photo effortlessly.

Another fun and creative tool is the sketch-to-image feature, which transforms my doodle into a realistic object and seamlessly integrates it into the photo.

The AI-powered Photo Assist feature also lets me resize, remove, and reposition objects within photos. While Google Photos’ Magic Editor offers this functionality, it frustratingly limits me to just 10 edits per month unless I subscribe to Google One. In contrast, Samsung Gallery offers unlimited edits at no extra cost, making it a much more flexible choice for creative photo and video editing.

6

Option to Copy and Paste Edits

Another useful Samsung Gallery feature is the ability to copy and paste edits across multiple images. It’s such a time-saver, especially when I’ve made a few adjustments to one image and want to apply the same changes to others.

Here’s how it works: If I’ve made some edits to a photo—whether it’s adjusting the brightness or adding filters—there’s an easy option to copy those edits. I just tap the three-dot menu in the top corner and select Copy Edits. Then, I can quickly choose other photos I’d like to apply those exact same adjustments to. Once I’ve selected the images, I tap the three-dot menu again and hit Paste Edits.

Copy edits option on Samsung Gallery app

Paste edits option on Samsung Gallery app

Again, this is a feature that Google Photos doesn’t offer. While it may not be a major issue for many, it’s one of those nice-to-have features that make Samsung Gallery stand out for me.

7

Copy Images to Clipboard for Easy Sharing

With Samsung Gallery, I can easily copy images to the clipboard for easy sharing. All I need to do is open the image, tap the three-dot menu, and select Copy to clipboard. Then, I can easily paste the image into any app—whether it’s a messaging app or email. What’s even better is that I can also pin that image to my phone’s clipboard, allowing me to access it later without having to dig through my gallery.

Copy to clipboard option in Samsung Gallery app

Notes app with keyboard open on Samsung phone

This is a feature that I use almost daily. Unfortunately, Google Photos doesn’t offer this level of integration, making Samsung Gallery a more practical choice for me on my Galaxy phone.

While Google Photos certainly has its strengths, I’ve found that Samsung Gallery’s user-focused approach and practical tools are a perfect fit for my everyday needs. From easy image sharing to seamless integration with my Galaxy phone, it offers greater convenience and flexibility. If you also own a Galaxy phone, give Samsung Gallery a try—you might just end up leaving Google Photos behind!
28Dec
Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower: A reopened attraction awaits in Beijing

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Zhengyangmen-Arrow-Tower-A-reopened-attraction-awaits-in-Beijing-1zFT0MdsKNW/img/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb.jpeg'
The Arrow Tower of Zhengyangmen on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Zhengyangmen-Arrow-Tower-A-reopened-attraction-awaits-in-Beijing-1zFT0MdsKNW/img/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb.jpeg'
The Arrow Tower of Zhengyangmen on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Zhengyangmen-Arrow-Tower-A-reopened-attraction-awaits-in-Beijing-1zFT0MdsKNW/img/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb.jpeg'
The Arrow Tower of Zhengyangmen on December 26, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Zhengyangmen-Arrow-Tower-A-reopened-attraction-awaits-in-Beijing-1zFT0MdsKNW/img/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb/e0d2850c43424fe3b2af4a7fd51231eb.jpeg'
The Arrow Tower of Zhengyangmen on December 26, 2024. /CFP

The Arrow Tower of Zhengyangmen reopened on December 26 for a trial operation, presenting itself to the public anew. This heritage site is a part of Beijing’s Central Axis, which has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Completed in 1439, the tower of Zhengyangmen is an emblem of Beijing’s old city architecture. Towering above the streets, it’s the highest scenic point in the Qianmen area.
28Dec
George Perez turned his painful life into laughs in new “Misunderstood” special

On a recent Saturday night on Sunset Boulevard, a pair of black 1940s low-riders guided the diverse, sold-out crowd into the Comedy Store. Cypress Hill hung out in the green room. Los Angeles photographer and director Estevan Oriol oversaw six cameras and the taping of George Perez’s debut hour special, “Misunderstood,” presented by Foos Gone Wild.

“There were no fights,” Perez enthuses. “And,” with the mark of a successful Perez show traditionally measured in beer sales, “they sold out of 805s, Coors Lights and Peronis!”

Originally from Orange County (“the Republican L.A.,” he calls it), Perez’s material combines deeply personal narrative with sociopolitical insight. Before releasing “Misunderstood” in 2025, he headlines New Year’s Eve at the two-year-old Stand Up Comedy Club. He’s already working on new material for the occasion.

“That club has my culture all around it,” he says of the Bellflower venue. “Mexicans walk there; they don’t even drive. It’s by houses, apartments, by downtown, and every time I go there, it sells out. And I don’t even do Friday and Saturday. I do Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and I love that club. I love the crowd. It’s dark and comics like to hang out.”

In Orange, Perez adored Cheech and Chong and was joking for his family by age 13. Later, he kept his construction co-workers cracking up. A girlfriend dragged him to an underground Wednesday comedy show at a Fullerton club called Rio. He recalls the warm-up comedians on the show being pretty corny. Toward the end when a headliner put his roasting skills against anyone in the crowd, Perez took the challenge.

“Prison was the best thing for me; it humbled me,” he says. “There’s no more fighting. There is only using your words,” Perez said.

(Estevan Oriol)

“I went up there, I beat him, and I got the itch that day,” he recalls. “Then the next day, I quit construction.”

The show was hosted by Edwin San Juan (“SlantEd Comedy”), who mistook Perez for a ringer. The two remain close to this day. Perez recently bought a swap meet bootleg DVD of the 2001 evening labeled, “George Perez’s first time doing comedy.” Within eight months, he made his television debut on “LATV Live,” the primetime flagship series of L.A.’s first bilingual station.

Early grinding involved “the craziest s—,” including shows for 30 people at tweaker houses where his cousin sold meth and a spot called the Wild Coyote, “the Mexican Apollo” where Felipe Esparza, Gabriel Iglesias and Ralphie May hung out. He started setting up chairs and doing bringer shows at Casa Latina in Rosemead. A year later, he was hosting to 300 people every Tuesday as well as doing spots at the Hollywood Improv. Whatever the venue, Perez knew tickets had sold well when venue managers laughed, “The Coronas are done! You did your job!”

Audiences and industry reacted with surprise. “You thought [I] was going to talk about drive-bys, tortillas and lowriders and [I’m] up there talking about Shakespeare,” Perez says. He subverted stereotypes about growing up in the streets, got deep about being a young dad and discussed politics as a lifelong local.

Perez appeared on MTV, Showtime and Comedy Central before a previous version of his life caught up to him. Before comedy, he had been a gang member since seventh grade. There was vandalism, carjacking, gun charges and a steadfast refusal to walk from fights. Perez was a felon at 18, the same year his son was born.

Nearly two years later, he recalls, “The guy that I beat up sees me on MTV’s ‘Yo Mama,’ and he’s like, ‘That’s the guy that beat me up!’ ” Then the gang unit raided the strip club he was DJing at. “I fight it, I lose, and I’m in prison. There’s no more freedom of speech. So the comedian is completely gone. I’m now in survival mode.” He did three years.

Guards remembered seeing him perform at the Ontario Improv. Everyone knew he was on TV. He did perform inside sometimes, including for the warden and 500 inmates.

Most tattoos he sports today, he got as an inmate . He hid tobacco up his ass in a latex glove so he could sell it. He also saw riots, an OD, murder and fights, during one of which he lost a tooth. He continues experiencing nightmares and PTSD. When he got out in 2009, he met iPhones and his new baby daughter.

“Prison was the best thing for me; it humbled me,” he says. “There’s no more fighting. There is only using your words. It showed me discipline and being sober in there, I got to look outside myself and realize all the people that I hurt, that love me. I learned in prison when you make a mistake, you confess to it, you fix it and you grow.”

Fifteen years later, Perez’s credits include Netflix, HBO and the film “Taco Shop” with Carlos Alazraqui, Esparza and Brian Huskey. He records his first-hand “George Perez Stories” podcast and YouTube videos in a studio wallpapered with every vinyl comedy album he can find. His own January 2024 vinyl album “This Cholo Is Crazy” even featured sketch and music.

George Perez

“I mean, you can’t cancel me. I went to prison for three years when my comedy was in its prime, came out and I’m doing better than I was before,” Perez said. “I’m not looking to be on a sitcom. I want to be an artistic comedian.”

(Estevan Oriol)

Something else had happened that he didn’t address for years. “I dig deep,” he says of the impetus for “Misunderstood.” “I had a son that passed away because the babysitter left him in the tub.” He wasn’t allowed to attend services. Following three years out on parole, he tangled with cocaine. “Drugs would numb me and I wouldn’t think about my son and the bad things that have happened to me in my life, friends that I’ve lost.”

Today he continues to be more honest about past tragedies and new growth than ever. At most, there’s a little tequila now and then to celebrate. His time in prison, journeys with addiction and struggles with mental health; all of it part of Perez’s artistic expression. “I just started writing. I’m no longer up there going, ‘Latinos make some noise!’ It’s, ‘This hurts, and I have to find a way out.’ It’s personal.”

“I mean, you can’t cancel me. I went to prison for three years when my comedy was in its prime, came out and I’m doing better than I was before. I’m not looking to be on a sitcom. I want to be an artistic comedian. When someone sees me onstage, like, ‘This guy looks like me. He’s gone through the same thing I’ve gone through.’ That’s what I want to accomplish.”
28Dec
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Sees Price Dip, Joins Most Cryptocurrencies in a Market-Wide Correction

The cryptocurrency market chart displayed widespread losses on Friday, December 27, with most major cryptocurrencies facing declines. Bitcoin, the most prominent cryptocurrency, saw its value dip by approximately 2 percent on both domestic and international exchanges. According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin was trading at $96,223 (roughly Rs. 82 lakh) on international platforms. Meanwhile, on Indian exchanges such as Giottus, Bitcoin traded slightly higher at $103,180 (roughly Rs. 88 lakh).

“After reaching $99,000 (roughly Rs. 84.4 lakh) on Christmas day, BTC has dropped to $96,000 (roughly Rs. 81.8 lakh) again as we are moving towards a new year. While BTC has grown by more than 120 percent in 2024, it is worth noting that BTC had pumped 25 percent and 15 percent in 2020’s last week and 2021’s first week respectively before topping off in April and then November that year. Given Bitcoin’s four-year cyclic behaviour — analysts predict a similar move this year as well,” said the markets desk at CoinSwitch, cautioning investors.

Ether registered a price drop of 2.30 percent over the last day. On global exchanges, ETH trades at $3,375 (roughly Rs. 2.87 lakh) whereas on Indian platforms the price of the asset stands at $3,658 (roughly Rs. 3.12 lakh).

According to CoinSwitch, “Ether is poised for another leg up with institutional interest brewing towards the only other crypto ETF that the US trades apart from BTC.”

The crypto price tracker by Gadgets 360 shows Ripple, Binance Coin, and Solana on the loss-making side of the crypto chart.

Dogecoin, USD Coin, Cardano, Tron, Avalanche, Chainlink, and Shiba Inu saw price dips alongside Stellar, Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.

The overall crypto market cap fell by two percent in the last 24 hours. Presently, the sector’s valuation has reached $3.34 trillion (roughly Rs. 2,85,33,960 crore), showed CoinMarketCap.

Explaining this market plunge, Mudrex CEO Edul Patel said, “With reduced institutional activity during the holiday season, retail investors take control, waiting for a positive catalyst to drive price action.”

Tether, Uniswap, Monero, and Iota managed to see minor gains.

“The next few days could be crucial in determining whether Bitcoin can regain traction or if we’re headed for a prolonged consolidation phase. As always, caution remains essential, but this market’s ability to bounce back has proven time and again to be formidable,” Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42 told Gadgets 360.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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28Dec
OpenAI works to restore access to ChatGPT and other services

OpenAI has confirmed it is working to restore access to a number of its services including its popular ChatGPT service, its APIs and Sora. OpenAI said it has found the cause for the issue and have started recovery. Some of the services are now being restored.

What happened. OpenAI said at 11 am PT on its status report, “We are currently experiencing an issue with high error rates on ChatGPT, the API, and Sora. We are currently investigating and will post an update as soon as we are able.”

Later the AI company confirmed, “This issue is caused by an upstream provider and we are currently monitoring.”

Fix coming. On X, ChatGPT added that it has restarted recovery of its systems:

Service returning. It seems some are now able to use ChatGPT, although some are still having issues. This is what I see:

Chatgpt Workijng

OpenAI should be able to restore access to these services shortly, so try back later.

Why we care. Outages like this can cause frustration to your day, especially if you rely on these services for your job. Many in the search industry use OpenAI’s tools for content, for workflow enhancements and productivity boosts.

It is a good thing it is a slow time right now with the holidays but still, for those working today, this may have caused some delays to your schedule.
28Dec
2024 Transformed Diablo 4 Into An ARPG Worthy Of The Name

Diablo 4 did huge numbers when it was released in June 2023, with positive reviews, impressive sales numbers, and over 12 million players. But for those who finished the game’s campaign and dove into its endgame content, the real meat of an ARPG like Diablo, it was clear something was amiss.

Item progression was frustrating and often felt like a chore. There were few endgame activities and little reason to do them. Seasonal updates added new mechanics and smaller fixes but didn’t solve the underlying structural issues players had with the latest entry in Blizzard’s legendary loot-chasing franchise. It carried echoes of Diablo 3’s 2012 launch, when players quickly became frustrated by its endgame loop (and its real-money auction house). Was Blizzard repeating the same mistake twice?

What a difference a year makes. Whereas it took around two years for Diablo 3 to become great with the addition of its Reaper of Souls expansion, Diablo 4 today is vastly improved to the one of last year or even just seven months ago. Whereas I quickly fell off Diablo 4’s endgame loot grind at launch, I’m now hooked thanks to free updates that overhauled itemization and revamped its difficulty. Diablo 4’s endgame loop is now extremely satisfying, and I’m continuing to chase those smaller upgrades and highly coveted Mythic Unique items that could take my character ever slightly further–something that felt like a fool’s errand a year ago.

Many of the biggest changes came alongside Diablo 4’s appropriately named Loot Reborn update in May. Items gained fewer affixes but ones that were more useful, making it easier to parse at a glance whether an item may be useful or not. Legendary Aspects, once a chore to find and replace, became an almost automated process, with salvaged Legendary items automatically having their Aspects added to the in-game codex for easy imprinting on future items.

Masterworking gives players a reason to grind out endgame activities.

The addition of two new itemization systems, Masterworking and Tempering, is what truly took Diablo 4’s items and its endgame into overdrive. Tempering allowed players to add certain affixes to items in order to hand-craft the perfect weapon or piece of armor. Masterworking, meanwhile, pushed players to upgrade a Tempered item into the ultimate version of itself.

Loot Reborn proved to be a game-changer, not only because of the agency it gave players when it came to gearing up, but also for giving reasons to continue deep into Diablo 4’s endgame. The addition of The Pit, a new timed endgame dungeon where materials needed to Masterwork items could be found, additionally gave players more goals to chase.

Just as these systems overhauled Diablo 4’s items and endgame, the game’s 2.0 update, released alongside its first expansion in October, pushed things even further. Blizzard dropped the game’s confusing World Tier difficulty system and instead replaced it with one more akin to Diablo 3. It reorganized the endgame to form a more satisfying endgame progression loop, with Masterworking materials shifting to be found in Nightmare dungeons, and Glyph XP moving to The Pit. A new roguelite endgame activity introduced in Diablo 4 Season 5, Infernal Hordes, became a permanent fixture in update 2.0, giving players more options when it came to choosing how to spend their endgame time.

All of those changes are without even mentioning the additions that came as part of the paid Vessel of Hatred expansion. It added a new region to explore, continued the game’s story, introduced an additional endgame activity in the Kurast Undercity, brought recruitable Mercenaries into the fray, tossed Runewords into the build-customizing equation, and added a brand-new (and very overpowered) class: the Spiritborn.

Infernal Hordes adds some roguelite flair to Diablo 4's endgame loop.
Infernal Hordes adds some roguelite flair to Diablo 4’s endgame loop.

Now, when it comes to the endgame, players have choices. Do I need to Masterwork my gear more? I can run Nightmare dungeons or Infernal Hordes. Maybe I need to upgrade my Glyphs, so I’ll hit up The Pit for a bit. If I’m looking for runes, a particular type of item, or materials, I can do an Undercity Tribute run with that specific goal in mind. Or if I’m looking for a certain Unique or Mythic Unique item, I can target-farm one of the endgame bosses for a higher chance of finding what I’m looking for. Diablo 4’s endgame now lets me easily work towards whatever goals I have for my character and gives me options when doing so.

Many of these endgame activities feed into each other. Running The Pit will give me tributes to use for the Undercity. Doing Undercity can give me boss-summoning materials. Defeating those bosses will give me Infernal Horde keys, which I can then use to gain Masterworking materials. It all feeds into itself in a satisfying endgame loop that keeps me playing, slaying, and upgrading, something that was definitely not the case when Diablo 4 launched.

That’s not to say there’s no room for improvement. Though there is now much more to do in Diablo 4’s endgame, there are few real challenges or reasons to keep pushing after a certain point. Most dedicated players will be able to easily clear higher-levels of The Pit or defeat the game’s Torment bosses on the game’s highest difficulty, after which gear upgrades simply allow players to clear those activities slightly faster. Doing things faster can be fun (and makes for efficient farming) but can lose its luster after a while without additional goals to pursue. Bugs also continue to be an ongoing issue, and Blizzard could benefit from putting a bit more polish on updates before releasing them out into the wild (something the game’s public test realm, also introduced this year, does help with).

Diablo 4’s road of refinement likely won’t be coming to an end anytime soon, but I am impressed at how far it has come in a relatively short amount of time. Even though Vessel of Hatred proved to be an excellent addition, it was this year’s free Loot Reborn and 2.0 updates, more than the paid expansion, that transformed Diablo 4 from just “okay” into a great ARPG worthy of the Diablo name. It’s fitting that Diablo 4 found its footing just ahead of Grinding Gear Games releasing the highly anticipated Path of Exile 2 into early access. Suddenly, the battle to be the top ARPG in the genre Blizzard invented is heating up. If Diablo 4’s 2025 is anything like its 2024, next year will be a banner year for the genre, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.

More Best Of 2024:
28Dec
Digital healthcare consultations not enough for safe assessment of tonsillitis

Digital healthcare consultations are not enough for a safe assessment of tonsillitis, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg. Reliability will not be sufficient, thus increasing the risk of over- or undertreatment of a sore throat.

Tonsillitis is a common reason for visits to the doctor and prescriptions of antibiotics in primary care. To determine whether a patient needs antibiotics, doctors use the so-called Centor Criteria for tonsillitis. The criteria include fever, tender and swollen lymph nodes in the angles of the jaw and inspection of the tonsils.

However, it has been unclear how well these criteria can be assessed during digital healthcare consultations compared to traditional in-person consultations. This lack of scientific evidence has become a growing concern as digital healthcare consultations become more common.

Digital vs physical assessment

The current study, published in the journal Infectious Diseases, examines whether digital assessments are as reliable as physical examinations in determining whether antibiotic treatment is warranted. The study includes 189 patients who sought care at healthcare clinics and urgent care clinics in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, between January 2020 and October 2023.

Each patient in the study underwent two assessments: a digital medical assessment via video and a physical examination conducted by another doctor. The results show that digital healthcare consultations are not sufficient to assess some of the most important criteria, such as tonsil inspection and lymph node examination.

Digital not safe enough

One of the driving forces behind the study is Patrycja Woldan-Gradalska, a PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Resident Physician at Sätila Healthcare Clinic.

“Our study shows that although digital healthcare consultations are convenient for many patients, they are not reliable enough to assess tonsillitis. To ensure a correct diagnosis and treatment, it is still important to conduct a physical examination,” she says.

The authors are active in community medicine and public health at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and at Region Västra Götaland’s FoUUI primary and community healthcare, a support resource for research, education, development and innovation.
28Dec
The Powerhouse Alums of UNH Franklin Pierce!

Over the last few years, you may have become familiar with the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, a top-ranked US Law School offering a globally renowned LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law. You might have read our piece on how to get hired in the US or this interview with the former Editor in Chief of our […]

The post The Powerhouse Alums of UNH Franklin Pierce! appeared first on Lawctopus.
28Dec
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 28, 2024 | Astrology

All zodiac signs have their own characteristics and traits which define someone’s personality. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you started your day by already knowing about what’s going to come your way? Read on to find out whether the odds will be in your favour today.

Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 28, 2024.(Pixabay)

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
Gaining a new skill may improve your job prospects. Your focused efforts on fitness will yield results. Some may miss out on a profitable deal. A family member might be a strong source of motivation. Travel to a fresh destination seems likely. A recent purchase will help you keep up with others.

Love Focus: Singles may have luck in romance today.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Purple

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
Some may consider buying a new vehicle. You will have a fulfilling day on both personal and work fronts. Staying on track with your routine will benefit your health. You might feel left out at a family gathering, affecting your mood. Exploring a remote place will feel exhilarating. Catering to others is likely to give you immense happiness.

Love Focus: A great day to bond with your partner and strengthen ties.

Lucky Number: 22

Lucky Colour: Green

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
Financial matters will be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. Those attending interviews will leave a strong impression. Be diligent with health measures. You may go to great lengths to lift a family member’s spirits. Gathering academic resources will be manageable. You might lend support to a relative in need. Acquiring a new property is on the cards.
Love Focus: A lover might be uncooperative today.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: White

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)
Some might receive money from a gift or inheritance. You may tackle most outstanding work issues. A vacation may soon come to fruition. Property paperwork is expected to conclude soon. An improved lifestyle will aid those working on their fitness. Full family support may be necessary for a home issue. Health remains satisfactory through your own efforts.
Love Focus: A thoughtful gift will keep romance thriving.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Maroon

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)
Profits are foreseen for those in buying and selling. A long-pending task will get completed today. You might begin a new fitness routine. Some good news awaits you at home. Travelers may find their destination dull. Students can expect a productive day. A property may be acquired by some. You may take up something that promises to add to your social image.
Love Focus: Romance is set to sparkle today!

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Baby Pink

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
Your mediating skills could make you valuable at work. Young businesspeople may see a promising start. Health improvements will show from your efforts. A family friend may give beneficial health tips. Academic support will be available if needed. Some may realize their dream of owning a luxury car. Avoid driving in traffic or using busy roads on foot as stars are not favourable.
Love Focus: An old flame may resurface, stirring past memories.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Saffron

LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
You might invest in financial plans with better returns. Some delays may occur in completing a task at work. Those feeling stressed will find peace today. Expect an eventful day at home with lots of activity. Holiday travellers will enjoy their time. Remaining consistent in your performance will keep the academic front secure.
Love Focus: A sweet gesture from your lover will spark romance.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Blue

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
A long-awaited loan may finally come through with persistence. Those feeling mentally stressed might take up yoga or meditation. Your hard work will soon pay off. A family member’s success may boost your pride. Adventurers should be cautious with thrill-seeking activities. Immovable assets are likely to add to your prestige.

Love Focus: Romance serves as a wonderful stress reliever.

Lucky Number: 5

Lucky Colour: Yellow

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
A financial tip could lead to profitable business. Your skills may attract influential attention. A change in scenery will benefit both mind and body. Helping a family member in distress may be needed. Some are set to enjoy a fantastic vacation. Progress in higher studies will be steady. Your demeanour is likely to impress someone on the social front.

Love Focus: Secret outings with your partner may bring joy.

Lucky Number: 18

Lucky Colour: Peach

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Strict budgeting will keep finances stable. Some will solidify their professional standing. A balanced diet and exercise will enhance health. You might feel frustrated by family dynamics. Helping others on a local level could earn you goodwill. You may get a chance to travel to an exotic location on invitation. Your efforts are likely to prove fruitful on the academic front.

Love Focus: A long-term relationship is likely to bring contentment.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Beige

AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
You may make sound financial decisions. Your commitment to fitness will pay off. Marketing professionals may need to adjust strategies. Spending quality time with loved ones will bring joy. Travel may help clear your mind. Academically, you may be seen as a role model. This is a good time to start something you had been contemplating for long.
Love Focus: New love brings joy to lonely hearts.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Red

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Your investments are likely to yield gains. An out-of-town business trip may be successful. Healthy eating will boost your vitality. A favorable marriage proposal may come for a family member. A trip out of town is on the horizon for some. You are likely to achieve well academically. Participating in an event is indicated and will be loads of fun.
Love Focus: A romantic opportunity might slip away for some.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Colour: Brown
28Dec
Plunger, espresso, filter? Just because your coffee is bitter, doesn’t mean it’s ‘stronger’


Coffee – one bean with many possibilities.

A big choice is how to brew it: espresso, filter, plunger, percolator, instant and more.

Each method has unique equipment, timing, temperature, pressure, and coffee grind and water needs.

Our choices of brewing method can be cultural, social or practical.

But how much do they really impact what’s in your cup?

Which is the strongest brew?

It depends.

If we focus on caffeine concentration, on a milligram per millilitre (mg/ml) basis espresso methods are typically the most concentrated, able to deliver up to 4.2 mg/ml.

This is about three times higher than other methods like Moka pot (a type of boiling percolator) and cold brewing at about 1.25 mg/ml.

Drip and plunger methods (including French and Aero-press) are about half that again.

Espresso methods extract the most caffeine for a few reasons.

espresso-1209522_1920

Using the finest grind means there is more contact between the coffee and water.

Espresso also uses pressure, pushing more compounds out into the water.

While other methods brew for longer, this doesn’t impact caffeine.

This is because caffeine is water soluble and easy to extract, so it’s released early in brewing.

However these comparisons are made based on typical extraction situations, not typical consumption situations.

So, while espresso gives you the most concentrated product, this is delivered in a smaller volume (just 18–30ml), compared to much larger volumes for most other methods.

These volumes of course vary depending on the maker, but a recent Italian study defined a typical final serve of filter, percolator and cold brews as 120ml.

Caffeine Content In A Cup

Based on this maths, cold brew actually comes out as the highest dose of caffeine per serving with almost 150mg – even higher than the 42–122mg totals found in finished espresso.

Although cold brew uses cold water, and a larger grind size, it is brewed with a high coffee-to-water ratio, with extra beans needed in the brew.

Of course, “standard serves” are a concept, not a reality – you can multiply serves and supersize any coffee beverage!

With the rising price of coffee, you might also be interested in extraction efficiency – how much caffeine you get for each gram of coffee input.

Interestingly, most methods are actually pretty similar.

Espresso methods vary but give an average of 10.5 milligrams per gram (mg/g), compared to 9.7–10.2mg/g for most other methods.
28Dec
Ashton Jeanty didn’t win the Heisman, but he’s still chasing history at Boise State

Ashton Jeanty was into basketball more than football as a kid. So before he grew up to be a 5-foot-9 battering ram in cleats, his favorite athlete was LeBron James. Jeanty, who bounced around the globe as the son of a Naval officer, spent a chunk of his childhood in Florida when James was on the Miami Heat.

“Seeing (LeBron) beat all the odds,” said Jeanty, “I feel like I’ve been doing that same thing in my career.”

It’s why the Boise State running back will forever be the answer to that same question — Who’s your favorite athlete? — for a generation of Broncos fans.

Jeanty didn’t win the Heisman Trophy, finishing second to Colorado’s Travis Hunter. But he did collect the most points by a Heisman runner-up and forced the narrowest margin of defeat since 2009. He also took home the Maxwell Award (player of the year), Doak Walker Award (best running back) and unanimous All-American honors. And Jeanty has another major milestone in his sights.

He enters the College Football Playoff at 2,497 rushing yards this season, just 131 yards shy of college football’s official single-season record, set by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders in 1988. Considering Jeanty has averaged 192.1 rushing yards per game this season, there’s at least a decent chance he rewrites that record in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff against Penn State on Dec. 31.

But Jeanty is more than just a Heisman runner-up and future first-round NFL running back who is on the verge of a record-breaking statistical accomplishment. At a Boise State program with a reputation for giant slaying and a rich history of running backs, he has managed to stand above the rest.

“Ashton Jeanty is phenomenal for college football, and he’s going to be phenomenal for the NFL,” said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson. “Not only from his play on the field but also the culture he brings with him.”

GO DEEPER

Can Penn State stop Ashton Jeanty? ‘He just doesn’t go down’

There is some nuance to Sanders’ record. He rushed for 2,628 yards in only 11 games on his way to the Heisman in 1988; Jeanty has already played 13 games. And Sanders’ unofficial record is 2,850 yards if you add in the 222 yards he racked up in the Holiday Bowl, before bowl game stats were officially counted.

There will be those who discount Jeanty’s record if he does set it, but Sanders won’t be among them, sending a tweet ahead of Boise’s victory in the Mountain West championship wishing Jeanty luck.

“My fans can gripe, but records are made to be broken & I am rooting for you,” Sanders wrote.

Asked about Sanders’ mark, Jeanty said it would be “like the cherry on top, to break a record that’s been around for decades,” especially after he came up just short in the Heisman race. But as Boise State enters the inaugural 12-team Playoff as a No. 3-seed from the Group of 5, the record — attained or not, contested or not — doesn’t change what Jeanty has achieved.

The stats are staggering, like if Paul Bunyan played high school football. Nearly 2,500 rushing yards, an FBS-leading 30 total touchdowns, 7.3 yards per carry and six games with 200-plus rushing yards. His season low was 127 yards against Portland State, and he got pulled at halftime. Jeanty outrushed 115 FBS teams this season all by himself. The next closest player to him in terms of rushing yards is North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with 1,660. That’s less than the 1,889 yards Jeanty has gained after contact. He’s the first back to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing since 2019.

“I love watching Ashton play — the mix of physicality, speed and control,” said Alexander Mattison, a former Boise State running back now in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders. “But I’ve been able to get to know him, not just as a football player but a genuine person. It’s fun to see him get everything that he deserves. He loves the game, and if you love the game, it will love you back.”

There is an impressive pedigree of running backs at Boise State, with Jeanty set to become next in a long line of Broncos bell cows who have gone on to play in the NFL. Jeanty surpassed Cedric Minter as the program’s all-time leading rusher this season and broke a number of other records Minter has held since at least 1980. But the string of modern-day tailbacks stretches to Ian Johnson, who famously won the 2007 Fiesta Bowl on the Statue of Liberty handoff, followed by Jeremy Avery, Doug Martin, D.J Harper, Jay Ajayi (the former single-season record holder), Jeremy McNichols, Mattison and George Holani.

It’s quite a list, and that’s just the running backs. Former quarterback Kellen Moore is the winningest QB in FBS history (50) and the program’s only other Heisman finalist (he finished fourth in 2010). He remains a Boise State icon. Yet after this season, no one compares to what Jeanty has produced on the field or what he embodies off it.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Boise State and Ashton Jeanty: The Cinderella in a steel-toe boot

“He’s a unanimous captain, part of our leadership council,” said Danielson, who added that he meets one-on-one with Jeanty each week after those council meetings.

“Every single time we have those meetings, it is nothing about Ashton. He’s asking about the team, a player, asking how he can help lead better, have more of an impact,” said Danielson. “That is uncommon. He’s different in all facets.”

Jeanty does care about the awards and accolades. He hasn’t shied from that, whether rattling off the individual goals he had for himself this season or lamenting his Heisman finish by stating: “I really felt like I should’ve walked away with the award.” It’s part of why he returned to Boise State this season, believing he could achieve everything he wanted right where he was.

But Jeanty also cares about the legacy he will leave behind. It’s why he embraced being a team captain and leader and de facto spokesperson. It’s why he spurned more lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) offers to transfer elsewhere last offseason. It’s why he established the Ashton Jeanty Endowed Scholarship for Football — in October, even before he broke all the records and became a Heisman finalist and carried the Broncos to a Mountain West title and first-round bye in the CFP. The scholarship has raised more than $180,000 toward its $200,000 goal, which will support future Boise State athletes.

“He’s like a movie star here,” said athletic director Jeramiah Dickey. “We had to finally get him security so we could cut off the autograph and photo lines. It was our responsibility to help him because he’s such a good kid, he didn’t want to say no to anyone.”

Jeanty is already the most decorated player in program history and has put Boise State in position to compete for a top-flight national championship for the first time. He has a chance to set a single-season rushing record that could stand for decades.

And none of it will outlast what he has meant to Boise State football and the community that surrounds it.

“Culture is about the people who are here — just bringing back what Boise State’s been, having a positive influence over everybody,” said Jeanty. “People won’t remember the stats, they’re not going to remember the games. But they’re going to remember how I treated people, how I carried myself throughout my time here and the impact that had.”

— The Athletic’s Vic Tafur contributed reporting

 (Photo: Loren Orr / Getty Images)
28Dec
9 Ways to Fix Microsoft Word Documents Not Printing Correctly

Printing in Word should be seamless, but issues can sometimes arise. Missing text, misaligned margins, or entire pages not printing can derail your work. Fortunately, most of these problems have easy solutions.

1

Make Sure the Printer Is Working

This might seem obvious, but starting your diagnosis properly is always best. Before diving into any fixes, it’s best to rule out any issues with your printer first. To do so, you can print a test page on your PC using these steps:

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
  3. Select the printer you’re using and click the Print Test Page button.

If there is an issue with your printer, refer to our guide on what to do when your printer is not working. However, if the test page prints correctly, continue with the following fixes to fix the problem.

Sometimes, issues with a document can prevent Word from printing it correctly. Thankfully, Word includes a handy feature that allows you to repair your documents with ease.

To use it, go to File > Open > Browse and select the Word file that’s not printing correctly. Then, click the tiny arrow next to the Open button and select Open and Repair. Wait for Word to repair and open the file and then try printing it again.

Open and Repair option for Word document

Alternatively, you can create a new Word document and copy all the content from the original file into it. If this resolves the issue, it means the print error was isolated to the original document.

This is more of a workaround, but it can be useful if you’re in a rush and don’t have time to check what’s causing the problem. Simply save your Word document as a PDF and then print it. PDFs preserve the formatting and layout of your document, ensuring it will appear exactly as intended when viewed or printed.

To convert a Word file to PDF, press F12 to open the Save As dialog. In the Save as type dropdown menu, select PDF and click Save. Your document will be saved as a PDF file and should open automatically once saved. After that, try printing it again and see if it works.

Save as dialog showing PDF option highlighted

4

Check for Problems With Windows

Both Windows 10 and 11 include a printer troubleshooter tool that can automatically find and fix common issues. Hence, it’s a good idea to run it if you continue to experience problems with Word printouts. Here are the steps you can follow:

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Head to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Click the Run button next to the Printer and follow the on-screen prompts.
Printer troubleshooter option in Windows 11 settings app

If the issue persists after running the printer troubleshooter, it could be related to the printer drivers on your PC. You can refer to our guide on fixing printer driver issues to restore your printer’s functionality.

5

Scaled Printing Issue

A less common but frustrating printing issue in Word is when pages print at a fraction of their actual size, occupying only a small portion of the printed paper. This is often caused by scaling factors that are set incorrectly in the print settings. Here’s what you can do to fix that.

  1. In Word, press Ctrl + P to open the Print page.
  2. Click the Printer Properties option under your printer.
  3. Under the Page Setup tab, tick the Manual Scaling option and adjust the Scaling to 100%.
  4. Click OK to save changes.
Printer properties dialog box on in Word

This should make the pages print at full size, with text and any graphics filling the entire page.

6

Check for Hidden Text

Microsoft Word offers the option to hide text within a document. This hidden text behaves similarly to formatting marks, such as spaces, line breaks, and tab characters—it takes up space on the page but does not appear when printed or viewed on screen. Sometimes, hidden text can be the reason why certain parts of your document are missing from the printout, even though they are visible in the soft copy.

If you suspect that hidden text might be causing your printing issue, here’s how to check and reveal any hidden content in your Microsoft Word document:

  1. In Word, go to File > Options.
  2. Select the Display tab and uncheck the Hidden text option.
  3. Click OK and print the document again.
Word Options window with Display tab selected

7

Check Form Data Print Options

Another common printing issue in Word occurs when table borders or other elements in your document don’t appear in the printed version, even though they are visible on screen. Here’s how to fix that.

  1. In the Word document, go to File > Options.
  2. Switch to the Advanced tab.
  3. Scroll down and uncheck the Print only the data from a form option. Then, click OK.
Word Options window with Advanced tab selected

When you print directly to the printer, Word bypasses the print spooler and sends the document straight to the printer. This can help resolve issues such as printing delays, missing pages, or incorrect formatting that might occur when the document is processed by the spooler first.

To print directly to the printer in Word:

  1. Open the Control Panel using the search menu.
  2. Click on Devices and Printers.
  3. Right-click on your printer and select Printer properties.
  4. Go to the Advanced tab and tick the Print directly to the printer option.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Try to print your Word document one more time.
Printer properties dialog box on Windows

9

Repair Microsoft Office Suite

If you’ve tried all the above fixes and the issue persists, or if you’re experiencing similar issues with other Office apps, you can try using the Office repair tool. This tool scans all your Office apps, including Word, for potential issues and automatically repairs them. Here’s how to run it.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl in the text box and hit Enter.
  3. Find Microsoft Office suite, right-click it, and select Change.
  4. Select the Online Repair option and click Repair.
Repair Microsoft Office

Wait for the repair tool to run and then try printing from Word again.

When you’ve spent hours working on a document, it can be frustrating when Word fails to print it correctly. Hopefully, that’s no longer the case, and one of the above tips has helped you resolve your printing issues in Word.
28Dec
Is this the Chicago of China?

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-27/Is-this-the-Chicago-of-China–1zDYFgbH1GU/img/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810/74bd3abc0c7043ee9e8adb807fbfb810.jpeg'
The Yangtze River runs through the heart of Wuhan, central China. /CGTN

Crisscrossed by the Yangtze and Han rivers, the bustling city of Wuhan is a major hub of transport, commerce, culture and politics in central China. Strolling along the waterside, you’ll sense the weight of history in its architecture and in every chime of its iconic clock tower. 
28Dec
Sean Hannity is engaged to Ainsley Earhardt of ‘Fox & Friends’

Call it Fox & Fiancées: Fox News’ prime-time star Sean Hannity is engaged to “Fox & Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt.

The “Hannity” host popped the question at their home church at Christmas, according to Fox News. The couple’s children — he has two, she has one — “couldn’t be happier” about the engagement, giving their parents their blessing and support, the cable news network said.

“We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” the Fox News hosts said.

The spouses-to-be did not announce the engagement on their social media pages, but Earhardt marked the holiday with an Instagram carousel of Christmas photos that featured Hannity.

“Merry Christmas. Happy Birthday, Jesus. 2024 has been a very special year. #christmas #merrychristmas,” she wrote Wednesday.

Although it’s unclear exactly when Earhardt, 48, and Hannity, 62, began dating, the private couple said they bonded over their deep faith. They have reportedly been spotted together at social events since 2019. Vanity Fair first reported in 2020 that the pair — dubbed the “first couple of Fox” by the magazine — had been privately dating for months after arriving together by private helicopter for the wedding of then-“Fox & Friends” weekend host Pete Hegseth and producer Jennifer Rauchet at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J.

People then claimed that Earhardt and Hannity had been seeing each other “for years,” but the speculation yielded denials from both TV personalities at the time, with the former announcing that she was not dating anyone and the latter asserting that he doesn’t publicly discuss his personal life.

Meanwhile, Earhardt is based in New York while Hannity lives in Florida as they carry out their long-term deals with Fox News Media. The couple said they maintain their long-distance relationship with weekend trips.

Hannity, who also hosts the streaming Fox Nation show “Sean,” joined the network when it debuted in 1996 and launched “Hannity & Colmes” with his liberal counterpart Alan Colmes, who left the show in 2008 after 12 years. Since then, the conservative political pundit has remained among the cable news network’s top prime-time stars. Earhardt joined Fox News in 2007 and briefly hosted a segment on “Hannity.” She began co-hosting “Fox & Friends” in 2016 and also hosts “Ainsley’s Bible Study” on Fox Nation.

This will be the second marriage for Hannity and the third for Earhardt. Hannity was wed to journalist Jill Rhodes for 26 years before they divorced in 2009. The former spouses share two adult children, Merri and Sean. Earhardt was previously married to Kevin McKinney from 2005 to 2009 and Clemson Tigers quarterback Will Proctor from 2012 to 2019. She and Proctor share a 9-year-old daughter, Hayden.

Both Earhardt and Hannity say they “still get along well” with their exes and that they all support one another.

“We actually made them aware this was happening ahead of time,” they said.

The couple, longtime defenders of President-elect Donald Trump, also received well wishes on Friday from him.

“Great news about Sean and Ainsley. They are officially engaged to be married! There are no finer people than these, and there will be no finer couple. Congratulations to both – A deal made in HEAVEN!!!” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
27Dec
What is Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Bill and How Could It Become Law?

Hong Kong is moving swiftly to regulate stablecoins, signalling their potential integration into the region’s financial systems. Regulators have drafted a ‘Stablecoins Bill’ that sets forth mandates and restrictions for stablecoin issuers and advertisers. The bill outlines the necessary steps to ensure consumer protection for individuals engaging with stablecoins—crypto assets pegged to reserved assets, such as fiat currencies, to maintain price stability amid market fluctuations.

Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Bill was recently submitted to the Legislative Council, marking its first reading. After passing this stage, the bill will undergo two more readings by regulators before becoming law. Each reading will involve thorough discussions, assessments, and any necessary revisions, according to a report by CoinTelegraph.

What Does the Bill Entail?

The first draft of Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Bill was published in the official Gazette earlier this month. The bill outlines stricter licensing requirements for stablecoin issuers in the region. Violations of these licensing and approval regulations could result in fines of up to $50,000 (roughly Rs. 42.6 lakh) and prison sentences of up to two years. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) will oversee the approval of these license applications.

Only licensed entities will be legally permitted to market their stablecoins. Advertising unlicensed stablecoins could lead to penalties, including jail sentences of up to six months, as suggested by the bill. This targets not only unlicensed issuers but also the marketing agencies promoting them.

The primary objective of the bill is to protect individuals using stablecoins in everyday financial transactions from potential losses. Regulators will carefully evaluate issuers’ backgrounds, asset reserves, and operational frameworks before granting licenses.

The document, that is 285 pages long, aims to make stablecoins usable in Hong Kong for automating incentives, loyalty programmes, as well as rebates for the citizens, said a report by the South China Morning Post.

Revisiting Hong Kong’s Crypto Journey in 2024

Hong Kong, which ranked as the world’s most crypto-ready nation in the 2022 Worldwide Crypto Readiness Report, has begun cracking down on unregistered crypto businesses. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong blocked a number of non-compliant crypto platforms in March. Regulators have also rejected all crypto businesses that delayed applying for official permits starting in June. The SFC has expedited audits of operational crypto firms to ensure compliance and identify rulebreakers.

In April, Hong Kong approved BTC and ETH spot ETFs – allowing investors to engage with crypto assets via traditional stock markets. Hong Kong’s largest digital bank – the ZA Bank – launched crypto trading services to individual, retail traders.

This year, Hong Kong also established a subcommittee focused on researching crypto regulations, with the goal of developing a comprehensive regulatory framework in the near future.
27Dec
Top 10 PPC news of the year 2024 on Search Engine Land

The world of digital marketing in 2024 has been nothing short of transformative, with Google once again taking center stage in many of the year’s biggest developments. From the ongoing debates about third-party cookies to advancements in Google Analytics and the rising distrust among advertisers, the year was marked by shifts that tested the adaptability and resilience of marketers everywhere.

As we enter the last few weeks of the year, let’s take a look at the top newsworthy headlines according to pageviews.

10. Google Ads phasing out card payments

In June Google notified some high-spending advertisers that they would need to stop using credit or debit cards for Google Ads payments by July 31, 2024. Affected accounts needed to transition to bank-based payment methods or risk suspension.

  • Advertisers expressed frustration, citing financial strain, loss of cashflow flexibility and lack of benefits.
  • Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed that only a small subset of advertisers would be impacted.

9. Google Ads ad copy: what works and what doesn’t in 2024

Optmyzr analyzed over 1 million Google Ads to uncover key insights into ad copy strategies, focusing on metrics like CPA, CTR, and ROAS. The findings challenge conventional wisdom and highlight opportunities for marketers to improve performance.

The report covered:

  • Ad strength – its misleading
  • Pinning Assets – against Google’s recommendations, it could be worth pinning all headlines
  • Sentence case vs Title Case – sentence case is a clear winner especially for RSAs
  • Creative length – shorter headlines performed better

8. Google is shutting down websites made with business profiles

Google Business Profile (GBP) websites were discontinued in March 2024. Visitors to these websites were redirected to the associated Business Profile form March until June 10 and from then it will be a “page not found error” they would see whenever such a link is clicked.

This caused the need of a new site for brands who had GBP websites, using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, Google Sites, or GoDaddy

7. Advertisers don’t trust Google

2024 saw advertisers trust level at an all time low as the Department of Justice’s laid out a damning case against Google, releasing a document even, detailing extensively why there should be trust issues against Google.

It took little coaxing to have several advertisers let us know why their trust is at an all time low. Advertisers complained of manipulative practices, lack of transparency, erosion of trust and much more.

6. Costs increasing

Advertising spend on Google search ads in the U.S. increased by 17% year-over-year in Q4 2023, with steady click growth at 8% and cost-per-click (CPC) rising by 9%, according to Tinuiti’s Q4 2023 Digital Ads Benchmark Report.

The rise in ad spend and growing confidence in paid media suggest advertisers adapted to challenges in 2023, leveraging mobile and emerging platforms like PMax to drive performance.

However by April, despite CPCs being up, spend was plateauing as advertisers were seeing a decline in clicks.

5. Google exposes competitor data

Advertisers are used to the odd Google Ads reporting glitch here and there, however in August, a unique one happened where competitor data was exposed.

Advertisers were unable to manage campaigns or access critical performance data. Additionally, a serious data breach has exposed unrelated item IDs, product titles, and Merchant Center information, potentially revealing competitors’ sensitive information.

It took a week for the issue to be fully resolved.

4. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) adds new dimensions

In February, GA4 introduced eight new dimensions to enhance tracking and analysis of paid and organic traffic sources. With new dimensions like Manual source, Manual medium, Manual Campaign and more, these dimensions provide deeper insights into user behavior and performance across channels.

3. Google Ads discrepancies

In July, advertiser Brais Calvo Vázquez’s discovered that Google Analytics 4 (GA4) includes a hidden report that allows users to compare conversion data exported to Google Ads, helping to identify and explain discrepancies between the two platforms.

This tool, accessible by appending “/advertising/key-event-differences” to a GA4 property URL, provides advertisers with insights to improve campaign accuracy and performance.

Some users have had access to this report for over a year, indicating it may have been in extended testing. Google made no comment to this discovery.

2. Search Partner Update

February Google announced introducing greater advertiser control over ad placements within its Search Partner Network (SPN). Starting March 4, advertisers using Performance Max (PMax) campaigns will gain access to impression-level reporting for SPN sites. Additionally, exclusions applied at the account level will extend to SPN placements, YouTube, and display ads.

The changes aim to provide advertisers with enhanced transparency and control, allowing them to safeguard their brand reputation. The SPN includes websites and apps that display search ads, extending beyond Google’s main properties like YouTube and Google Discover.

1. Third Party Cookies

There had been back and forth about third party cookies for years now and whether to deprecate it and in 2024, Google had high hopes of going ahead with doing getting rid of it. However, their hopes were dashed almost as soon as they started their tests.

In January the report was Google started phasing out third party cookies. They were axing cookies from 1% of browser traffic, and the speculation at that stage was that they would phase out third-party cookies by the second half of 2024 as a crucial move in its Privacy Sandbox initiative.

In February due to concerns raised by UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, Google were stopped in their tracks form going ahead with the third party deprecation until concerns around its proposed Privacy Sandbox changes were sufficiently appeased. According to Google’s documentation:

  • “The Privacy Sandbox initiative aims to create technologies that both protect people’s privacy online and give companies and developers tools to build thriving digital businesses.”

However CMA had lots (39 and counting) of concerns, the three key ones being:

  • Google would still benefit from user data whilst competitors would be limited form this data,
  • That they will show favoritism towards their ad tech,
  • Publishers and advertisers won’t able to detect fraudulent activity.

In April the deadline for third party cookie deprecation moved from end of 2024 to 2025, conceding to the concerns the CMA raised in February. The had put evidence together that they were still doing the right by the industry and wanted to give the CMA enough time go over all the documentation they had provided.

Later that same month the concerns increased to 111 with the primary concern now being that Google will become too dominant in the market if their Privacy Sandbox solution went ahead.

After a couple of months of silence, the final decision came – Google scraps plans to kill third-party cookies in Chrome. The new promise is to introduce a new experience in Chrome whilst the Privacy Sandbox AMI will continue to be developed for alternative solutions.

That is a wrap on 2024. Several major talking points there, unsurprisingly mostly focused around Google there. What do we think 2025 will bring us? I reckon a lot more AI updates and experts truly needing to different themselves from those who just use AI as their selling point. It would also be interesting to see whether the Google we know now will have all its brands still intact by this time next year.
27Dec
Helldivers 2 Limited Edition PS5 DualSense Controller Is Up For Preorder

Helldivers 2 has been one of 2024’s biggest hits, and if you’re looking to celebrate the game in style, a new and super-democratic DualSense controller sounds like the best way to do so. The Helldivers 2 Limited Edition DualSense Controller costs $85 and releases February 6, 2025. Preorders are available limited quantities starting today, December 20 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET. Unlike the recently released Astro Bot and Fortnite DualSense Controllers, you can only preorder the Helldivers 2 DualSense at PlayStation Direct.

Helldivers 2 Limited-Edition DualSense controller

The Helldivers 2 DualSense controller has some neat nods to the game it’s inspired by. It’s decorated in symbols pulled straight from Super-Earth’s military, it has simulated wear and tear, handy reminders of what each button does in the game, and on the touchpad you’ll find a grim reminder that death is just one badly positioned stratagem away.

The Helldivers 2 game is also pretty fantastic, as it mixes superb action with satire to create one of the best co-op experiences of the year. If you’re interested in checking it out, several retailers currently have it on sale for $30 (was $40) on PS5. You can snag Helldivers 2 for even less on PC, as Fanatical has Steam keys for $28. If you feel like splurging, you can get the Helldivers 2: Super Citizen Edition and tons of extra DLC with it for $42 (was $60).

In case you haven’t gone hands-on with it yet, the DualSense is a superb controller and one of the best that Sony has ever made. It can be used wirelessly on PS5, PS4, and PC, and it has a range of haptic feedback features that help to make games feel more immersive, like nuanced vibrations and adaptive triggers. The controller really shines when used with PlayStation Studios games like Astro Bot, Marvel’s Spider-Man or Helldivers 2, but it’s worth noting that you’ll need to have the controller tethered via USB-C on PC to make use of that advanced technology. Still, it’s worth the hassle once you feel it in action.

This will likely sell out very quickly, as Sony doesn’t often make limited-edition DualSense controllers like this. The Astro Bot controller is a good example here, as that particular DualSense was extremely popular and fetches a high price on the reseller market. You can, however, still find the Fortnite Limited Edition DualSense in stock for $85 at Best Buy.

PlayStation’s holiday deal on DualSense controllers has ended, but you can still save big on the PlayStation VR 2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle, PS5 Slim console bundles, and a bunch of PS5-exclusive games.

PS5 Holiday 2024 Console Deals

Save Big on PlayStation-Exclusive PS5 Console Games
27Dec
Virus that threatened humanity opens the future

Professor Sangmin Lee from POSTECH’s Department of Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with 2024 Nobel Chemistry Laureate Professor David Baker from the University of Washington, has developed an innovative therapeutic platform by mimicking the intricate structures of viruses using artificial intelligence (AI). Their pioneering research was published in Nature on December 18.

Viruses are uniquely designed to encapsulate genetic material within spherical protein shells, enabling them to replicate and invade host cells, often causing disease. Inspired by these complex structures, researchers have been exploring artificial proteins modeled after viruses. These “nanocages” mimic viral behavior, effectively delivering therapeutic genes to target cells. However, existing nanocages face significant challenges: their small size restricts the amount of genetic material they can carry, and their simple designs fall short of replicating the multifunctionality of natural viral proteins.

To address these limitations, the research team used AI-driven computational design. While most viruses display symmetrical structures, they also feature subtle asymmetries. Leveraging AI, the team recreated these nuanced characteristics and successfully designed nanocages in tetrahedral, octahedral, and icosahedral shapes for the first time.

The resulting nanostructures are composed of four types of artificial proteins, forming intricate architectures with six distinct protein-protein interfaces. Among these, the icosahedral structure, measuring up to 75 nanometers in diameter, stands out for its ability to hold three times more genetic material than conventional gene delivery vectors, such as adeno-associated viruses (AAV), marking a significant advancement in gene therapy.

Electron microscopy confirmed the AI-designed nanocages achieved precise symmetrical structures as intended. Functional experiments further demonstrated their ability to effectively deliver therapeutic payloads to target cells, paving the way for practical medical applications.

“Advancements in AI have opened the door to a new era where we can design and assemble artificial proteins to meet humanity’s needs,” said Professor Sangmin Lee. “We hope this research not only accelerates the development of gene therapies but also drives breakthroughs in next-generation vaccines and other biomedical innovations.”

Professor Lee previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Baker’s laboratory at the University of Washington for nearly three years, from February 2021 to late 2023, before joining POSTECH in January 2024.

This study was supported by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT under the Outstanding Young Scientist Program, the Nano and Material Technology Development Program, and the Global Frontier Research Program, with additional funding provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in the United States.
27Dec
Judgment Writing Competition by GLS University [Online; Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 18k]: Register by Jan 10!

Registrations are invited for a Judgment Writing Competition by GLS University. Register by Jan 10! About Gujarat Law Society Gujarat Law Society (GLS) is a premier educational group offering courses across multiple disciplines. Synonymous with contemporary education in the region, GLS boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, encompassing nearly 29 institutes in diverse fields. GLS has an expansive […]

The post Judgment Writing Competition by GLS University [Online; Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 18k]: Register by Jan 10! appeared first on Lawctopus.
27Dec
Fernblock for anti-ageing: This tropical fern could be the secret to ageless skin; here’s how it works | Health

In our modern, fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded by environmental stressors that can wreak havoc on our skin. From damaging UV rays to pollution and blue light, our complexions often pay the price but what if there was a natural, plant-based solution to combat these skin aggressors? Enter fernblock – a powerful, nature-derived compound that has been hailed as a game-changer in the world of skin protection.

The antioxidant hero your skin needs: Here’s why Fernblock is taking over skincare.(File Photo)

Revolutionise your skincare routine with Fernblock, nature’s ultimate protector

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Priti Shenai, MD (Skin),DDV, MBBS Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and Trichologist at Skinworks Clinic in Mumbai, explained, “Fernblock originates from the Polypodium leucotomos fern, a tropical plant native to Central and South America. For centuries, indigenous communities have used this fern for its remarkable medicinal properties, including its ability to soothe inflammation and support overall skin health. In recent years, scientific research has delved deeper into the potent compounds found within fernblock, unveiling its remarkable potential as a natural skin protectant.”

Blue light from screens could be worsening your skin: Anti-ageing tips to say ‘goodbye’ to digital ageing (Photo by Fullscript)
Blue light from screens could be worsening your skin: Anti-ageing tips to say ‘goodbye’ to digital ageing (Photo by Fullscript)

She elaborated, “At the heart of fernblock’s efficacy lies its exceptional antioxidant and photoprotective abilities. The plant’s active compounds, known as polyphenols, work tirelessly to neutralise free radicals and mitigate the damaging effects of UV radiation, visible light and even blue light emitted from our digital devices. By shielding skin from these environmental stressors, fernblock helps to prevent premature ageing, pigmentation and other unwanted complexion concerns.”

From pollution to blue light, this plant-based wonder has your skin covered

However, the benefits of fernblock don’t stop there. Dr Priti Shenai gushed, “This remarkable plant-based ingredient has also been shown to enhance the skin’s natural repair processes, accelerating the healing of sunburns and other types of photo-damage. Additionally, fernblock possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable ally in the fight against conditions like acne, rosacea and eczema.”

Powerful anti-ageing ingredients you need to add in your skincare (Photo by Darina Belonogova on Pexels)
Powerful anti-ageing ingredients you need to add in your skincare (Photo by Darina Belonogova on Pexels)

What’s particularly exciting about fernblock is its versatility. Dr Priti Shenai revealed, “Unlike traditional sunscreens that can leave a greasy residue or irritate sensitive skin, fernblock can be seamlessly incorporated into a wide range of skincare formulations, from serums and moisturisers to makeup and sun protection products. This allows individuals of all skin types to enjoy the protective and restorative benefits of this botanical wonder.”

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable and natural skincare solutions, fernblock is poised to take center stage. Dr Priti Shenai asserted, “Its ability to safeguard our complexions from the onslaught of modern environmental stressors, while simultaneously nourishing and revitalising the skin, makes it a true powerhouse in the world of skincare. So, the next time you’re looking to fortify your skin’s defenses, consider turning to the humble fernblock – nature’s secret weapon for comprehensive, long-lasting protection.”

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
27Dec
What Would Warren Buffett Say About Investing in the Melbourne Property Market?

Key takeaways

If Warren Buffett, arguably the world’s most successful investor, were evaluating the Melbourne property market today, he’d likely see opportunity amidst its recent under performance.

Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful: Use current market hesitations to secure valuable assets at discounted prices.

Prioritize Intrinsic Value: Seek properties with strong fundamentals in prime locations, beyond their current market price.

Get Independent Advice: Work with unbiased advisors, like Metropole, who focus on long-term strategy over transactions.

Think Long-Term: Property investing is most effective when viewed through a long-term lens, ideally over multiple market cycles.

Cash Flow Is Key: Prioritize properties with strong rental yield to maintain steady cash flow.

Invest with a Margin of Safety: Look for opportunities to buy below market value to protect against potential downside.

By applying these Buffett-inspired principles, Melbourne property investors can navigate the current market with confidence, making choices that are grounded in value, discipline, and foresight.


If Warren Buffett, arguably the world’s most successful investor, were evaluating the Melbourne property market today, he’d likely see opportunity amidst its recent underperformance.

Known for his disciplined, value-driven approach, Buffett’s timeless wisdom would provide a unique perspective on Melbourne’s real estate market’s current opportunities.

Let’s examine how Buffett’s core principles can guide investors who want to take advantage of the Melbourne property market’s potential.

Warren Buffett

1. “Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful”

This famous Warren Buffett quote is especially relevant to Melbourne’s current property market.

After several years of stagnation and even decline, many investors and buyers are hesitant and uncertain about whether now is the right time to jump in.

However, for strategic investors with a long-term focus, this could be the ideal opportunity.

While many people are holding back, hoping for more evident signs of recovery, the cautious investor can find well-priced properties with strong fundamentals, significantly below replacement cost.

This contrarian approach allows savvy investors to pick up quality assets when competition is low, positioning themselves for substantial gains as the market inevitably recovers.

With demand gradually returning to Melbourne, Buffett would likely advise using the current market sentiment to make bold, yet careful investments in undervalued properties.

2. Intrinsic value – “Price is what you pay; value is what you get”

Buffett has always emphasized intrinsic value – the real worth of an asset, regardless of its current price.

In the Melbourne market, recent economic conditions have left some properties undervalued, meaning they’re priced below their true, long-term worth.

As Buffett would say, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get,” and right now, that price could be a bargain.

When seeking intrinsic value, focus on Melbourne properties in areas with strong fundamentals, such as established inner suburbs with high demand, good infrastructure, and limited supply.

Properties in gentrifying, middle-ring affluent suburbs are currently generally underpriced, but their intrinsic value remains solid due to desirable amenities, historic charm, and growth potential.

While the market is subdued, securing these properties now aligns with Buffett’s principle of finding undervalued investments.

3. “The investor of today does not profit from yesterday’s growth”

Buffett’s approach also warns against relying on past performance alone, reminding us that “the investor of today does not profit from yesterday’s growth.”

Many inexperienced investors may place too much emphasis on historical trends, but markets are dynamic, and context is crucial.

In Melbourne, while historical growth has been tempered recently, underlying factors like immigration, infrastructure development, and population growth indicate future demand.

Watch out for the new breed of “property advisers” who say they have access to all the data to help you make smart investment decisions.

They’re looking in the rear vision mirror, but Buffett’s principle suggests looking ahead, not back.

A deep understanding of the current landscape and the factors shaping tomorrow’s Melbourne real estate market is essential.

The key is to use data as part of a larger, forward-looking strategy to identify areas where long-term demand will grow, regardless of past performance.

Investments

4. “Never ask a barber if you need a haircut”

The message here is to seek independent advice- in other words “Never ask a barber if you need a haircut”.

In Melbourne’s property market, vested interests often sway opinions, which can mislead investors.

The property marketers are out there selling house and land packages in the outer suburbs or off the plan properties – neither of these types of property is likely to deliver strong growth in the future.

Independent advisors, such as the wealth strategists at Metropole, provide insights grounded in experience and strategy rather than transactions alone.

A trusted advisor can offer an objective view, assess potential risks, and help investors find value that aligns with Buffett’s investment philosophies.
27Dec
Those who never doubted Cameron Skattebo share validation: ‘No one understood what we were looking at’

Arizona State was picked to finish last in the 16-team Big 12. The Sun Devils are now meeting Texas in the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The player who sparked that incredible run also epitomizes it. 

Cameron Skattebo — 1,568 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 506 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns — went from high school graduate with no FBS offers to fifth-place finisher in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting. The running back has gone from cult hero to folk hero, displaying an uncanny knack for breaking tackles and for blowing people’s minds. 

Leo Skattebo III (Cam’s father): Before he turned 3, we got him a bike for Christmas.

Becky Skattebo (Cam’s mother): He (Cam) argued with my dad (Cam’s grandfather) to take the training wheels off. “I don’t want em! I don’t want em!” wouldn’t take no for an answer. My dad popped them off. “Welp, he’ll eat dirt a couple of times and then he’ll figure it out.”

Leo Skattebo IV (older brother): They took him out on the bike. He goes down the street, and within two minutes, he’s full speed pedaling back and goes, “Watch this!” And he stands up on the seat of the bike coming down the street.

Becky: He’s going, “I don’t have to hold the handlebars!” The neighbors just stood outside hysterically laughing.

Leo III: I think that’s when I knew he was gonna be different.

Becky: At about 18 months, we were sitting at the dinner table and a neighbor knocked on the door. She’s standing there with Cam in a diaper. He had climbed over the fence and dropped over the other side to play with her kids.

The scariest thing he ever did was when he was 2. We were watching his dad play softball. He had been standing next to me and we were watching his dad at bat. It seemed like a split-second but when I turned and looked. He was gone. I started to panic. Everybody was yelling his name. His brother ran to the bathroom and was calling his name. People are looking under the bleachers. Then, the umpire says, “Well, there, he is!”

We looked straight up above us. He had crawled all the way up the chain-link backstop and was looking down on his dad that was at bat. It was like 14 or 16 feet up on those rounded backstops. One of the guys started to climb the fence and Cameron turned around but instead of backing down like a normal person, he came down head first, like a little Spiderman. He’s been doing things that are inexplainable from pretty much Day 1.

Leo III: Yeah, he did a lot of weird things.

Leo IV: All he ever cared about was winning. It didn’t matter if we were playing a video game, or wrestling on the trampoline. He wanted to beat me.

Becky: We had many holes in the sheetrock from the boys wrestling, slinging each other around the house. They never took it easy on him. They tossed him around pretty good, and he’s just always been able to handle it.

Leo IV: I was six years older than him and he wanted to beat me in everything. I didn’t take it easy on him.

Becky: He’d always competed with older kids, whether that was wrestling in the front yard or on the field. When he says he can do something, it’s real hard not to believe that he can do it.

Jack Garceau (Rio Linda (Calif.) High School coach, Skattebo’s coach from 2017-19): I’ve known Cam since he was a little boy, because I coached his older brother, so we’ve always heard about Cam coming up in our youth program. We’d go watch him. He was just a little ball of muscle. He had that little mohawk and it just always fit his image.

I became the head coach when he was a sophomore. It was the first day of spring ball. It was a blocking drill. No pads and he just was not going to lose. If he got beat in any one-on-one drill, he was going again. I came home and told my wife, “This guy is way different than anybody we’ve ever had.”

GO DEEPER

Who’s the best player in the College Football Playoff at each position?

In 2018, Rio Linda won its first section title in 14 years, led by Skattebo. The junior running back scored seven touchdowns and ran for 313 yards in a 63-12 win over Casa Roble.

Chris Horner (Casa Roble (CA) High School head coach): After that game, I saw him by the bus. I remember dapping him up. I said, “Bro, you were so fun to watch. I’ve never seen anything like that. Good luck. I’m a huge Rio Linda Knights fan from here on out.”


Skattebo had a prolific high school season but struggled to gain traction with major FBS programs. (Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images)

A few weeks later, on Rio Linda’s opening series of the CIF State Division 5-AA Title Game against San Gorgonio, Skattebo had a 67-yard touchdown run where he broke 11 tackles. He finished with 396 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in a 38-35 win. He was doing it all through his parents’ divorce. 

Leo IV: My mom and dad had been together for about 20 years. That was hard. It was hard on Cameron. I was away at college. I lived in Ohio, had a son. I wasn’t there to be the big brother for him. And at the most formative moment for him — he’s 16 and everything around him is falling apart. Somehow on Friday nights, he was able to tune out all that emotional distress, when he was falling apart on the inside, and still be the best player in the state. A lot of kids can’t handle that. That showed me this kid has something different than other kids have mentally.

It’s very easy to let that affect you, and start lashing out at other people around you. He just didn’t do that. He continued to be a leader.

Becky: When we split up, his coach was really instrumental in keeping him focused and letting him vent, giving him room when he needed. I don’t think we’ll ever really know if it fueled him or if it almost derailed him.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Hines Ward at Arizona State: How the NFL star turned WRs coach is fitting in

That same year, Skattebo led the Knights to the California 5-A state title by rushing for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns. He averaged almost 12 yards per carry but he was still a zero-star recruit who had no scholarship offers.

Garceau: Bigger schools did come. We had UCLA, USC. Utah, Air Force but they just passed on him. It made us all kind of doubt ourselves.

Cam Skattebo: I went to UCLA right after my junior year. They told me that I wasn’t good enough for this level. I can’t remember who I was sitting with at the time. It was (Bruins running backs coach Deshaun) Foster’s assistant. Bjian (Robinson) was at the facility and that was their focus. They spelled my name wrong on my name tag. It was just an unofficial visit there. I was just sitting in the back, hanging out. Me and my father. It was a humbling experience.

Troy Taylor (Stanford head coach, former Sacramento State head coach 2019-22): We were evaluating players. I couldn’t really find anybody who said we should go on the kid. I put on the tape. You could see the anger when he ran and the determination. I was five or six clips in and I said, “We’re taking this guy!”

I remember specifically that run (where he broke 11 tackles in the state title game). I just couldn’t believe that no one else would go on the kid. I’m not always right but I decided on the spot.  We were his only offer. Everybody missed on that one.

Cam Skattebo: I wasn’t too worried because I knew at some point in my life I was gonna take that next step even if I had to go the juco route. I knew I was gonna make it. But I definitely sat around a lot of days hoping for a text from somebody, which never happened. I finally got Sacramento State, and I was the happiest kid in the world.

Taylor: Then he came to our camp and he was kind of a prick when he competed. It was one-on-ones against the linebackers. He would win the rep and then get up and cut in line and take another rep. He just had that attitude that you don’t want to compete against this kid. I just fell in love with him.

Malcolm Agnew (Sacramento State running back coach, 2021-22): In 2021, he was unbelievable in spring ball because of how physical he was, and because of how competitive he is. It was practice No. 6. This kid touched the ball probably around 10 times that practice, and he scored every time. And we had a pretty good defense.

My favorite play was when we ran this middle screen with him. It was a poor throw, but the dude caught it with his left hand like down towards where his knees are — and he played baseball so he’s really good at tracking the ball — and had the ability to make a guy miss as he was turning and catching it. Then, he made another guy miss and scored. I said to our head coach, “That is one of the best plays I’ve ever seen.”

Taylor: His first game, it looked like he was playing with younger people who didn’t belong on the field with him.

Jason Eck (New Mexico head coach; then-Idaho head coach): He killed us (Idaho) in 2022. He reminds me of Jim Brown highlights.

Agnew: I’ve seen this kid hit standing backflips. I’ve seen this kid broad-jump almost 11 feet. He did a 10-7. I’ve seen him throw a baseball 95 miles an hour to the point where the Sac State baseball coach asked him if he wanted to play in the offseason. We didn’t let him.


Skattebo is the heart and soul of Arizona State’s turnaround. (Photo: William Purnell / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In Skattebo’s first season at Sacramento State, he ran for 520 yards, averaging over 9 yards per carry, scoring six touchdowns. In his second year, he had almost 1,900 all-purpose yards and was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year, helping the Hornets go 11-0 in the regular season. But after Taylor left to become Stanford’s head coach, Skattebo opted to enter the transfer portal.

Taylor: (Then-Arizona State offensive coordinator) Beau Baldwin called me: “We’re trying to figure out whether to go on Skatt. What do you think?” I said, “Beau, he’s an incredible player. You guys would be crazy not to take him.” Beau pulled the trigger.

The Sun Devils were in the midst of a massive rebuild. They finished 3-9 in 2022 and subsequently hired 32-year-old Kenny Dillingham, an ASU graduate, to lead the program. They were an undermanned team in 2023, but Skattebo emerged as the backbone of the overhaul. He did almost everything for the Sun Devils. He was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation’s most versatile player. He’d run for 788 yards, but also played some quarterback, completing six passes on 15 attempts for 150 yards and a touchdown. He averaged over 42 yards per punt. He lined up at receiver for another 100-plus snaps.

This year, the Sun Devils were seeded fourth and got a bye in the first iteration of the 12-team College Football Playoff. They will play 5-seed Texas in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1 for a spot in the Playoff semifinals. 

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

The CFP quarterfinals are set. Here’s a reason to be excited for each matchup

Marcus Arroyo (ASU offensive coordinator): I think (former USC analyst Kliff) Kingsbury was the first guy who told me about him (Cam). Kliff’s like, “Dude, they got a back down there that is bananas. This little sawed-off White guy.”

Joe Connolly (ASU strength coach): Last season, we saw a lot of flashes of unbelievable balance, unbelievable body awareness. He was our starting quarterback at one point, our starting punter, our starting running back, often playing wide receiver. One of the biggest things we did this offseason was tightening the nutrition, the consistency. He was north of 230 pounds and now he’s around 218. He’s increased his speed and his quickness. All those things really showed this year. He never has to come off the field. He is absolutely relentless.

Cam: I think my top speed was the high 19s (miles per hour on the GPS) last year. Right before training camp this year, I almost hit 21.

Arroyo: The guy can really run. He’s hitting 20 MPH on his GPS in the game. It’s crazy where he doesn’t look like he’s moving that fast sometime. When you see guys go up against real guys, and you’re like, “OK, let’s see what this looks like?” And every time, he takes the torch. God-dang, these guys just can’t even tackle this guy. Against Utah, those guys are really big and fast and talented, and he ran over those guys. He was absolutely insane against Iowa State.

Morgan Scalley (Utah defensive coordinator): For as much punishment as he dishes out, and as much as he takes, he is so durable. His shirt get ripped and all the crap he takes, and he just keeps coming back. He’s like Rocky.

Taylor: I always said he was like a Viking. A couple of hundreds years ago, he’d have been at the front of the boat with horns on his helmet, ready to jump onto the other boat to take it over.

Horner: Our coaches (at Casa Roble) had a text chain while we were watching what he was doing to Iowa State (in the Big 12 title game). It was another level. When we lose to a guy like this doing what he’s doing to a college team, it should make us feel a lot better about that drubbing that he put on us in his junior year of high school. Yeah, we lost to Cameron Skattebo, but so did everybody else!

Taylor: He’s been doubted at every single level, and they’ll doubt him again for the NFL, but watch, he’ll end up being an NFL player — and a good one.

Leo III: Whoever drafts him or wherever he ends up, if he just plays in the preseason, he’ll earn his spot on the team. But if they get him on the field and give him the opportunity, he’s going to make somebody very smart.

Garceau: Now, we all feel validated. We knew exactly what we were looking at and nobody else understood. We would hear everything from he’s too small, he’s too short, he’s not fast enough. There was the stigma of the White running back; the fact that we weren’t a giant school. There was just always that one little thing. I am just glad he got the opportunity to show everybody what he can do. But if you change that, and he maybe he gets a big ride out of high school, maybe we’re not here today.

(Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
27Dec
What Do the Android Status Bar Symbols Mean?

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The icons at the top of our Android smartphones have changed a lot over time. As more features are added, more icons appear, and it can get a bit confusing at times. Here’s what they all mean.

Battery and Charging

The battery icons on Android Status Bar

Perhaps the most recognized and easiest icons to interpret are the battery icons—these are variants of the generic battery symbol that mimics a battery cell.

  • There’s the battery status icon which might be accompanied by a percentage. A simpler version of this will show only an appropriately filled battery.
  • The battery charging icon is displayed if your phone is currently charging—wired or wireless.
  • The battery saver mode is represented by a battery bar icon with a cross (akin to the red cross symbol that is commonly associated with first aid and medical services).
  • For low battery – which usually means it is somewhere between fifteen and five percent, and is configurable – the icon is a battery symbol containing an exclamation point.

The Android status bar is the strip of icons running across the top of your screen. The top right corner is where you’ll see most of these icons, while the top left corner is mostly reserved for app notifications.

Network and Connectivity

Network icons on Android Status Bar

The network bars and Wi-Fi icons represent your mobile and Wi-Fi network as well as additional connectivity features. The mobile network and WI-Fi icons display a rough approximation of the strength of the signal—the amount of the icon filled-in can be used to gauge how strong your signal is, like the battery icon. Some carriers also display the network speed – LTE, 4G, or 5G – alongside this icon.

  • An exclamation point next to the mobile network or Wi-Fi symbol means there’s no internet connection. For Wi-Fi though, it indicates that the device might be connected to the WLAN (wireless local area network) but not to the internet.
  • A circle with a cross inside means that your device is on data saver mode. This simply means that your device is reducing data usage wherever possible allowing you to save on your data plan costs.
  • There’s the mobile hotspot icon that comes up when you turn on the feature to turn your smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • The good ol’ Bluetooth icon denotes that your smartphone is paired and connected to another device, like a pair of headphones, your smartwatch, etc.
  • An airplane icon which replaces the mobile network and Wi-Fi icons implies the airplane mode which cuts off all the connectivity from your smartphone. You can then turn on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options separately though to connect to the on-board Wi-Fi while traveling by air or to listen to the music from your phone, tablet, or laptop. on your phone.

Calling

Call icons on Android Status Bar

The traditional icons for the calling experience have been there for quite a while.

  • The most obvious of these is the phone icon, which varies between an ongoing call and a missed call. Interestingly, these icons appear on the left side of the status bar.
  • If you have muted your microphone during a call, you will find a crossed-out microphone in your status bar—on the right.
  • A phone icon on the right, very similar to the ongoing call one, indicates that you are on speaker mode. Previously, it used to be the traditional speaker symbol.

Different Modes

Different Modes on Android Status Bar

Often you set your phone to one of the many available modes to shut off notifications, turn off the ping sounds, or just to focus on the real world things that you’re engaged in.

  • An icon that looks like a phone bar with vibration denotes that the phone is on vibrate mode, and will vibrate for calls and notifications but not make any sounds.
  • A crossed out speaker implies that the phone is on silent mode and will neither make any sounds for calls and notifications nor vibrate for the effect.
  • Another available mode is the do not disturb option which blocks all notifications (you can customize apps or contacts that can come through even if DND is turned on)—this icon is a solid circle containing a horizontal dash.

Other Icons

Miscellaneous icons on Android Status Bar

There are a host of other icons you’ll see in your status bar from time to time. In addition to these status icons, you’ll see app-specific icons whenever you receive notifications.

  • The upside-down teardrop with a hole represents that the location service is on, and one of your apps, or an Android feature, is tracking or sharing location. For example, this icon is persistently active when you’re using Google Maps for navigation.
  • A box containing the Wi-Fi symbol will appear whenever you are casting from your phone to another display device on your network. An example would be casting a YouTube video from your phone to the TV in your living room.

Now that you can recognize some of the most common Android status bar icons, a quick glance to the top-right corner will always tell you what’s going on with your phone.
27Dec
Hulunbuir Winter Heroes Games return with epic 7th edition

The 7th “Hulunbuir Grassland – Winter Heroes Games” has opened at the ice and snow sports base in Inner Mongolia and will run until March 2025. The games feature a dynamic lineup of events, including the snowmobile cross-country grand prix, short-track auto rally, snow soccer, speed skating, and themed car dance performances.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Hulunbuir-Winter-Heroes-Games-return-with-epic-7th-edition-1zE7QZI7Sbm/img/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469.jpeg'
A competitor takes part in the snowmobile cross-country grand prix at the 7th Winter Heroes Games in Inner Mongolia on December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Hulunbuir-Winter-Heroes-Games-return-with-epic-7th-edition-1zE7QZI7Sbm/img/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469.jpeg'
A competitor takes part in the snowmobile cross-country grand prix at the 7th Winter Heroes Games in Inner Mongolia on December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Hulunbuir-Winter-Heroes-Games-return-with-epic-7th-edition-1zE7QZI7Sbm/img/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469/0387b64702404415ae363bbee1e05469.jpeg'
A competitor takes part in the snowmobile cross-country grand prix at the 7th Winter Heroes Games in Inner Mongolia on December 25, 2024. /CFP

This immersive competition enriches cultural tourism while strengthening the Winter Heroes Games brand as a hallmark of ice and snow tourism. It also sets the stage for China’s 11th National Public Ice and Snow Season, creating a vibrant winter atmosphere.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Hulunbuir-Winter-Heroes-Games-return-with-epic-7th-edition-1zE7QZI7Sbm/img/2eac5fb3970143bbb981a89b82c7716f/2eac5fb3970143bbb981a89b82c7716f.jpeg'
A competitor takes part in the snowmobile cross-country grand prix at the 7th Winter Heroes Games in Inner Mongolia on December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Hulunbuir-Winter-Heroes-Games-return-with-epic-7th-edition-1zE7QZI7Sbm/img/2eac5fb3970143bbb981a89b82c7716f/2eac5fb3970143bbb981a89b82c7716f.jpeg'
A competitor takes part in the snowmobile cross-country grand prix at the 7th Winter Heroes Games in Inner Mongolia on December 25, 2024. /CFP

Launched in 2018, the Winter Heroes Games is a signature winter tourism project held in Hulunbuir. It has successfully enhanced the region’s winter tourism appeal over six consecutive editions.
27Dec
Netflix NFL games score 24 million viewers each on Christmas as streamers push further into sports

With two much anticipated NFL games and a big assist from Beyoncé, Netflix created a major cultural moment for the streaming industry, marking a significant milestone as the service pushes further into live sports. But the events couldn’t top the ratings for last year’s games on broadcast television.

Netflix on Thursday said its two Christmas Day NFL games — Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans — each brought tens of millions of viewers to the Los Gatos, Calif.-based streaming service.

The Ravens-Texans game drew an average of 24.3 million U.S. viewers Wednesday, while the earlier Chiefs-Steelers matchup brought in 24.1 million, according to Nielsen data released by Netflix. Viewership peaked with 27 million viewers during the Ravens-Texans game with Beyoncé’s halftime performance, the company said. Worldwide streaming numbers will be released in the coming days.

The strong numbers come after Netflix’s boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson attracted huge viewership to the platform, despite being plagued by buffering and other technical issues for many users. That bout, Netflix’s first professional live sports event, drew 65 million households streaming concurrently and 108 million global viewers, the company said.

Netflix’s numbers are a sign of the potential for streaming as a vehicle for sports broadcasting. But the ratings didn’t top those for traditional TV. Last year’s most-watched Christmas Day game averaged 29.2 million viewers for CBS, according to Nielsen data.

The data for Wednesday’s games included CBS local market viewing and mobile viewing on NFL+, in addition to traffic to Netflix, the company said.

NFL fans are used to turning on the the old-school broadcasters for their football showdowns, despite the growing popularity of streaming for on-demand and live programming.

Netflix’s NFL games were widely seen as a key moment for the streaming industry, pairing the most popular sport in America with the biggest global subscription streaming platform. Streaming services have been swallowing up the rights to sports leagues, with Amazon securing Thursday Night Football and upcoming NBA games, while Apple has Major League Baseball on Friday nights as well as Major League Soccer games.

“Amazon and YouTube and Apple and now Netflix, they’re all totally in the mix,” said Paul Verna, vice president of content at market research firm Emarketer. Netflix’s NFL Christmas Day broadcast is “them throwing their hat into the ring for live sports in a big way.”

The entry of the tech titans has also raised the price of sports rights. Traditional TV networks often are willing to pay big bucks to keep live games, one of the few things that can still get a huge number of people to tune in at a specific time.

Netflix reportedly paid $150 million for its first two NFL games. The service will also carry at least one NFL Christmas game in 2025 and 2026 as part of a three-year agreement with the league.

CBS Sports produced the games, with NFL Media producing the pre-, post-, and studio halftime programming.

“Bringing our members this record-breaking day of two NFL games was the best Christmas gift we could have delivered,” Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, said in a statement.

Compared with some of its prominent streaming rivals, Netflix had been slower to dive into sports.

Prior to the Paul vs. Tyson fight, Netflix’s efforts in live sports included events such as exhibition golf and tennis tournaments, as well as sports documentaries. Last week, Netflix signaled further ambitions by signing a deal to stream the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031. The company has been gradually upping its game in the space because of the appeal for viewers and, crucially, advertisers, which Netflix is attempting to court.

“The other companies have started small and built up from there, and I see Netflix going in exactly the same direction,” Verna said.

Neither of the Christmas games were very close. In the first game of the day, Kansas City defeated Pittsburgh 29-10. Baltimore routed Houston 31-2.

From a technical perspective, the NFL games on Netflix were a far smoother viewing experience for those tuning in, compared with the Paul vs. Tyson match, during which the company’s service was overwhelmed by demand. Those problems rose the stakes for Netflix, which worked to prepare for another big influx of viewers.

The streaming giant has about 283 million subscribers worldwide, with nearly 85 million in the U.S. and Canada.

It did its best to Netflix-ify the telecasts, peppering commercial breaks with promos for its upcoming shows and movies (including “Squid Game” Season 2, which debuted Thursday, the second season of “The Night Agent” and “Back in Action,” starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz).

The telecast also featured appearances from comedians Bert Kreischer and Nate Bargatze, who have appeared on Netflix. Bargatze’s latest standup special just debuted on the service.

But by far, the biggest nonathletic draw to the event was Beyoncé’s halftime performance during the Ravens-Texans contest in Houston, the singer’s hometown. The artist showcased her latest album, the countrified “Cowboy Carter” celebrating her Southern roots, ahead of February’s Grammy Awards, at which she’s competing for album of the year.

Times music critic Mikael Wood called the performance “a thrill from top to bottom.” “For all its cross-promotional synergy,” her “halftime show was a reminder that whatever lures Beyoncé from her superstar cocoon is worth celebrating,” Wood wrote.

Regular season NFL games typically don’t have a halftime show — a spectacle reserved for big games such as the Super Bowl. But the decision to add Beyoncé into the mix was a savvy move, Verna said.

“It definitely had much more media interest and attention because everybody knew Beyoncé was going to perform,” he said. “Netflix was smart to latch onto these Christmas games and having the halftime show certainly couldn’t have hurt.”
27Dec
MBBS Student Held Over Alleged Transfer of Rs. 8 Lakh in Crypto to Chinese Nationals After Cyber Fraud

Police have arrested a 23-year-old MBBS student in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore for sending around Rs. 8 lakh of cyber fraud money to a gang of Chinese youths by converting it into cryptocurrency, an official said on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajesh Kumar Tripathi said the accused, identified as Vikram Vishnoi (23), was arrested based on the clues found in the case of cheating a city-based software engineer of Rs 1.35 lakh by placing him under “digital arrest”.

Vishnoi, who hails from Jodhpur in Rajasthan, is a third-year MBBS student of the Government Medical College in Maharashtra’s Alibag, he said.

Through Vishnoi’s interrogation, it came to light that he used to provide bank accounts to a gang on a commission basis for cyber fraud and was connected to five Chinese youths through a group on Telegram messaging app, he said.

“We came to know that Vishnoi used to convert the cyber fraud money deposited in Indian bank accounts into cryptocurrency and send it to the Chinese gang. We are investigating thoroughly the role of the Chinese gang in carrying out cyber crimes in India,” Tripathi said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotia said Vishnoi used to convert the cyber fraud money into cryptocurrency through an account of cryptocurrency exchange “Binance” and then send it to the crypto wallet of a Chinese youth with the secret name of “TLX” through QR code.
He said that Vishnoi has so far converted about Rs. 8 lakh into cryptocurrency and sent it to the Chinese crypto wallet of “TLX”.

Dandotia said the accused used to talk to the Chinese youth through a chatbot with mutual translation facility in English and Chinese languages.

In order to investigate the transfer of cyber fraud money to the Chinese gang, the Indore police have sent an email to Telegram and Binance to seek information.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
27Dec
Google ads rolls out Brand Report for enhanced advertiser insights

Google Ads introduced Brand Report, a new dashboard tool that gives advertisers consolidated insights into reach and frequency across campaigns.

The tool simplifies how brand advertisers track campaign performance by providing deduplicated metrics in one place, rather than scattered across multiple reports.

The details. Brand Report consolidates data from multiple tools, streamlining analysis of KPIs and demographic performance.

  • Advertisers can filter results by age, gender, and other on-target demographics.
  • Accessible directly in the Google Ads dashboard under “Insights and reports.”

Why we care. This update is significant because it finally solves the headache of piecing together reach and frequency data from multiple places.

By providing deduplicated metrics in one dashboard, you can now easily see who they’re actually reaching across campaigns, spot where they’re overspending on the same audiences, and make faster, smarter decisions about their brand advertising investments.

Key requirements:

  • Available at the single account level (no multi-account or MCC support).
  • Metrics cover a max of 92 days and up to 10,000 campaigns.
  • Requires 10,000+ impressions per campaign for data to populate.
  • Search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns are excluded.

What’s next. You should now look out for when other campaign types, like Search, Performance Max and Shopping, will be included in the reports.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live and host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup.

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
27Dec
Nothing Had Me Feeling Better In 2024 Than Saving Astro Bot’s Big Brother

A giant robotic frown is the first thing you see while flying behind Astro Bot into a droopy, rain-stricken tropical island. A handful of glowing purple locks hold the colossal metal creature to the ground. Destroy them, and the entire world around glows with transformation.

Free Big Brother–a standout Astro Bot planet–sees a level transform with emotion. Beginning as a darker tribute to Shadow of the Colossus, it evolves into the epitome of platforming joy that rivals exploring the sunkissed secrets of Super Mario Sunshine’s Delfino Plaza. Raindrops grow fewer and fewer before the colossal and friendly creature becomes the final stages of the level itself.

Whether it’s Ape Escape or Uncharted, Astro Bot is adept at recreating the feelings that the franchises it showcases made us feel. The adrenaline of ruin-destroying gun battles or the awe inspired by the scale of a toy-sized Jörmungandr are both apparent, even if the feelings only last for a few moments.

Free Big Brother achieves something even more impressive, imbuing the somber themes of Shadow of the Colossus into a platformer that elicits nothing but smiles, and still makes that sadness feel genuine.

As soon as Astro Bot, complete with his umbrella hat, touches the sand, the main goal is to destroy each lock holding Big Brother down as soon as possible. The gigantic mech pulls at your heartstrings as it struggles and groans as each lock cracks. Exploring every nook and cranny of this island isn’t a priority: Saving Big Brother comes before all else.

PlayStation fans will immediately recognize the somberness as a tribute to Team Ico, the creators of Shadow of the Colossus. Images of Wander, Mono, Dormin, and the 16 colossi come flashing in as soon as reality sets in.

It felt fitting to see a piece so clearly inspired by Fumito Ueda, especially as Team Ico used to work alongside Team Asobi before a Japan Studios merger in 2021. Some of the Japan Studio developers were “re-centered” around Team Asobi. Of the 69 credited developers who worked on Astro Bot, one worked on Shadow of the Colossus and 12 worked on The Last Guardian, Team Ico’s last game before many of its developers joined Ueda at his new studio.

This crossover is part of the reason all these tributes feel so incredible. Besides the fact that studios like Naugthy Dog and Santa Monica Studio consulted on the sections that paid tribute to their games, developers who worked on Ape Escape, Gran Turismo 5, Knack, and other games are all credited as developers on Astro Bot. The tributes feel wonderful because some of the people who created the originals created the tributes.

The opening segment of Free Big Brother | Credit: Team Asobi

As soon as Big Brother is freed, the titanic metal man wades out into the ocean as fresh sunlight begins to soak the island. Once the tropical locale has been explored, he beckons Astro Bot to join him in the water. Astro Bot then ascends the limbs, neck, and head of Big Brother as the entire island comes into view on the horizon.

The sunlight, view, and music come together–combined with the natural fun of just navigating the tiny robot around a unique space–to create the best moment in Astro Bot.

It feels especially joyful now that we know that Ueda has been working on a successor of sorts at his new company, GenDesign. He, along with many former members of Team Ico, recently showcased their untitled new project at The Game Awards.

The magic in Astro Bot is that it’s more than 50 levels, which packs over 15 hours of gameplay time, and still feels incredibly brief. There are dozens of moments with something as meaningful as that somberness found in Free Big Brother, although nothing reaches the emotional peak that the Team Ico tribute does. Each moment is short, sweet, and leaves you wanting a whole lot more.

”Having something that’s 12 to 15 hours of condensed fun, where there wasn’t five minutes in which you felt it was long or lacking, is much more valuable than 40 hours when you have some moments that you feel like skipping,” said Astro Bot creative direct Nicolas Doucet in an interview with Bloomberg.

Free Big Brother stands out in that 15 hours because of the brief sadness experienced. It’s unlike anything else in Team Asobi’s adventure. The combination of a narrative beautifully woven into level design, a genuine tribute to a beloved franchise, and fantastic moment-to-moment gameplay makes it one of the standout moments of 2024.

More Best Of 2024:
27Dec
Singles differ in personality traits and life satisfaction compared to partnered people

Although being married or in a long-term relationship is often seen as the norm, more people are staying single for life. But singlehood can bring economic and medical disadvantages, especially as people get older and may become more reliant on others.

New research in Psychological Science reveals that lifelong singles have lower scores on life satisfaction measures and different personality traits compared to partnered people, findings that point to the need for both helpful networks and ways to create such networks that are better catered to single people.

“When there are differences, they might be especially important in elderly people who face more health issues and financial issues,” said Julia Stern, one of the lead authors and a senior researcher at the University of Bremen in Germany, in an interview with APS. “They need more help, and the help is usually the partner.”

Stern and colleagues compared single people and partnered individuals on life satisfaction ratings and the Big Five personality traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism). The study used a survey of more than 77,000 Europeans over the age of 50 and was the first of its kind to look across cultures and at people who had been single their entire lives. The findings revealed that, in addition to lower life satisfaction scores, lifelong singles are less extraverted, less conscientious, and less open to experience, compared to partnered people.

Previous studies used different definitions of being single, sometimes considering only current status and other times drawing the line at having never married or, alternatively, at never living with a partner. But people who have been in a serious relationship in the past — even if it has ended — might have different personality traits than those who have never been that committed. To investigate this, Stern and colleagues grouped respondents by the different definitions: currently partnered, never living with a partner, never married, or never being in any long-term relationship. People who had never been in a serious long-term relationship scored lower on extraversion, openness, and life satisfaction than those who were currently single but had lived with a partner or been married in the past. All singles scored lower on these measures than people in current relationships.

Although this study cannot definitively decipher if personality differences are due to selection — people with certain personality types may be more likely to start relationships — or socialization — long-term relationships could change personalities — the evidence points to the former. Stern said that changes to personality from being in a relationship are small and temporary. For instance, although an extraverted person beginning a new relationship may be keen to stay in with their partner, eventually their extraversion comes back.

“It’s more likely you have these selection effects: For example, people who are more extraverted are more likely to enter a relationship,” Stern said. But she warned that the results are average effects and not necessarily descriptive of everyone; of course, there are single extraverts and introverts in committed relationships.

For singles, living in a society where marriage is the expectation may affect their life satisfaction. Because the large sample included people from 27 European countries, the researchers were able to ask whether there were any cultural differences. In countries with higher marriage rates (such as southern European countries), singlehood resulted in even lower life satisfaction scores, but the effects were small. The religiosity of the country did not seem to matter, however.

When comparing across gender and age, single women scored higher on life satisfaction than single men, and older people tended to be happier with their singlehood status than middle-aged singles. Stern speculated that, with the era of their peers getting married and starting families behind them, older singles may accept their circumstances and be happier.

Singles may grow happier with age, but their lower scores compared to partnered people are still worrying. Previous research has shown life satisfaction and particular personality traits (including extraversion and conscientiousness) can predict health and mortality, emphasizing the need to find ways to promote the well-being of older singles.

“There are differences between people who stay single their entire lives and people who get partnered, and for me this means that we have to take extra care of these people,” Stern said. She suggested developing new kinds of programs to prevent loneliness that take these personality traits into consideration and help older singles meet like-minded people. “If they have people who care for them or look out for them regularly, this might help.”
27Dec
34th Moot Court Competition by Kerala Law Academy [Feb 5 – 8; Online; Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 15L]: Register by Jan 27!

Registrations are invited for the 34th Moot Court Competition by Kerala Law Academy. Register by Jan 27! About the College Established in 1966, Kerala Law Academy (KLA) is a seat of excellence in legal education, consultancy, research, and in pioneering law reforms. The Academy’s prestigious institute, “The Kerala Law Academy Law College” is located in […]

The post 34th Moot Court Competition by Kerala Law Academy [Feb 5 – 8; Online; Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 15L]: Register by Jan 27! appeared first on Lawctopus.
27Dec
HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on 27 December 2024

#CineCall

What: Miracle on 34th Street

Catch It Live on Friday, 27 December 2024

Where: The American Center, KG Marg, Connaught Place

When: December 27

Timing: 5.30pm

Entry: Free

Nearest Metro Station: Barakhamba Road (Blue Line)

#ArtAttack

What: Multiple Legs of a Historically Wing-Chopped Bird

Where: Shrine Empire, D-395, Dron Marg, Defence Colony

When: December 27 to January 22

Timing: 6pm to 9pm

Entry: Free

Nearest Metro Station: Lajpat Nagar (Violet & Pink Lines)

#TuneIn

What: Rashmeet Kaur Live

Where: Studio XO Bar, 1st Floor, Trilium Avenue, Sector 29, Gurugram

When: December 27

Timing: 9pm

Entry: www.bookmyshow.com

Nearest Metro Station: Millennium City Centre Gurugram (Yellow Line)

#Staged

What: Ghalib In New Delhi

Where: LTG Auditorium, 1 Copernicus Marg

When: December 27

Timing: 7pm

Entry: www.bookmyshow.com

Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines)

#JustForLaughs

What: Hamare Zamane Mein ft Amit Tandon

Where: Kamani Auditorium, 1 Copernicus Marg, Mandi House

When: December 27

Timing: 8pm

Entry: www.bookmyshow.com

Nearest Metro Station: Mandi House (Blue & Violet Lines)
27Dec
4 hobbies that science says will make you smarter


While intelligence can be a lottery based on your genes as well as your upbringing, that doesn’t mean we can’t all become smarter.

I’m sure we all know of people from our childhoods who ended up running successful businesses when at school they didn’t seem that different from the rest of us.

Sure, education would have played a role, as well as a supportive home environment, but plenty of people have achieved financial success without either of those experiences.

One of the reasons why this has occurred, apart from ambition and determination, is likely to be that they had hobbies that science has shown can make us smarter.

As well as taking charge of their futures, they dedicated time each day to a hobby that they enjoyed, but which also increased their grey matter along the way.

Here are four hobbies that can do just that.

1. Play an instrument

Children who learn to play an instrument pick it up so easily because of the brain’s agility when they’re young.

It is much harder for adults to master musical instruction, however, that is why it is such a good hobby to increase our intelligence.

We have to learn new techniques, which are often foreign to us, that teach us patience, perseverance and concentration.

Plus, when we’re able to play a tune or two, we have the added bonus of increasing our memory capacity by listening to music.

2. Read… a lot

Warren Buffett famously spends the majority of each day reading and credits his investment success to this extraordinary habit.

Not only does reading increase our knowledge on a variety of subjects, including your expertise, but it is also an excellent way to reduce stress.
27Dec
The tennis stories of 2024, from doping bans and Grand Slam titles to a bee invasion

Happy holidays, and prepare for the greatest gift: tennis returns tomorrow, December 27.

In the spirit of looking back on the previous season and remembering all the moments big and small that defined it, here is a compendium of tennis stories of all kinds from The Athletic’s tennis writers, Matt Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare, with a few guest appearances. This is not a “best of,” but rather a “remember when?” and a “did that really happen?” as well as an opportunity to revisit the stories you may have missed.

Matt will hold up the front end of the year given Charlie’s joining for the full launch of tennis coverage in May. See you next season, or rather, tomorrow.  — James Hansen

“There is nothing quite like a comeback in tennis, a game that essentially punishes players for time away.

Ranking points disappear. There is no job protection the way there might be for an athlete in a team sport, with an organization committed to managing a rehabilitation, if only to salvage value from a contract. There are no practice starts without consequences in the minor leagues to ease the transition back to top-tier competition.

For older players, the game, the practice sessions, the matches, they all hurt more.”

Matt Futterman

“Mirra Andreeva showed up to tennis in the middle of last season, like the new kid at school whose mother or father has just been transferred into the local branch office.

One day, no one had ever heard of her, the next, she’s all anyone is talking about: 16 years old, three days into the online version of her junior year in high school, complaining about the homework and taking over this Australian Open.”

Matt Futterman

“There was Andy Murray (or was it an actor named Fraser McKnight?) looking very serious, sitting for a tell-all interview.

“The players, the matches, it’s all just made up,” he said. “Let’s face it, people are stupid, so they’ll buy anything.”

There was Novak Djokovic coming clean about his true identity as the actor Bert Critchley, practising ripping his shirt in front of a bathroom mirror and discussing his process of getting into character.

“I want to bring truth to Novak,” he said. “What is he thinking, what is he feeling, what would motivate him, if he was a real person?””

Matt Futterman

“Maybe one day his name will become household. Or maybe not. Tennis is a difficult business; only a tiny sample size of its athletes achieve enough to become part of the vernacular. But what Top Nidunjianzan already has done is extraordinary. In the 50 years since the ATP Tour started its singles ranking system, not a single player from Tibet had earned a single ranking point. Nidunjianzan has 20 of them and ranks 869th in the world.”

Dana O’Neil


Fnu (Top) Nidunjianzan in Tibet. (Courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

“For several minutes, Alcaraz stood in the center of the court in his warm-up jacket, conveying his fears to Davis and a tournament supervisor. They assured him the random flying bee he might still see was harmless.

“If I see the bee, I cannot concentrate on the ball,” he told them.

Both are yellow after all.

Matt Futterman

“No one will ever know whether tennis would have experienced a surge in popularity had more of the best players let in the cameras the way some of the biggest stars in F1 and golf have in recent years for Drive to Survive and Full Swing, the golf equivalent. Still, in many ways, the failure of Break Point revealed some of the long-running fractures and countervailing interests throughout tennis, especially at a time when the best players treat access to their lives as their intellectual property.”

Matt Futterman

“We do compete in many countries that certainly reflect different cultures and value systems,” said Steve Simon, the chief executive of the WTA Tour. “We certainly understand and respect that Saudi is something that provokes some very strong views.”

Matt Futterman

Challengers, Tashi and the film’s director Luca Guadagnino have plenty to say about that metaphysical quandary. They have plenty to say about the aggression-filled flow state two players enter when they are in the middle of a high-octane match, rhythmically pounding and pattering a ball back and forth across a net.

Challengers may not really be a tennis movie — but it has plenty to say about the quintessence of the sport.

Matt Futterman

“One normal day of Corentin Moutet, that’s all we ask. It will never happen.”

James Hansen

“Initially, it was thought that the bottle might have been thrown deliberately because footage of the incident obscured where the bottle had come from. However, video shows the bottle slipping out of a spectactor’s backpack as they bend over to attempt to get the attention of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“The knee-jerk reaction is that women don’t bring in as much money as the men and if they did, they wouldn’t be second-class citizens. Yet consider a counter-narrative: during the 55-year history of the sport’s modern era, if women had received the same exposure and investment as men and didn’t have to confront countless barriers and aggressions, maybe they would be bringing in the same amount of money.”

Matt Futterman

“The dominance becomes self-fulfilling once she wins a few games and she and her opponent both feel like they know what’s coming next, so the starts and ends of points become more inevitable; what happens in between is less important.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“The world of invention is full of products and gadgets intended for one purpose that found their groove with another.

Bubble wrap was supposed to be three-dimensional wallpaper. Viagra was a new blood pressure medication. The slinky was a surefire way to secure naval instruments in rough seas.

Umpire-Head-Camera, welcome to the ranks of unintended consequences.”

Matt Futterman


Corentin Moutet was just one of the players to fall victim. (Eurosport)

“The weeks before the French Open had been filled with doubts. He had barely been able to practice. It seemed like what he had experienced during the previous year, and even for some months before that, was coming for him all over again.

Back then, Alcaraz was starting to gain a reputation as a beautiful but possibly brittle player. His young body, so fast and so strong, way beyond the level of most 20/21-year-olds, somehow kept betraying him.”

Matt Futterman

“All the pent-up emotion that Murray must have been feeling for days, weeks, months, even the seven years since he limped off this court with a hip injury against Sam Querrey and was never the same again, could pour out.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“For the second time in five weeks, Paolini, the diminutive Italian, has forced everyone in the sport to forget everything they thought they knew about the modern version of tennis. She has reminded them of one of the things, maybe even the thing, that makes tennis special.”

Matt Futterman

“After Krejcikova left the court, she saw her name next to Novotna’s on the board that lists the champions on a wall inside the All England Club. Emotion overcame her then.

Afterwards, she said she had been dreaming of Novotna lately. In the dreams, they are talking. She didn’t want to say about what.

“It’s a little personal,” she said.”

Matt Futterman


Barbora Krejcikova’s Wimbledon title stretched back into her tennis youth. (Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

“Andy Murray made you care.

That was his superpower. There were better players in his era; there were more stylish ones. But none possessed the ability to make you invest emotionally in their matches as much as Murray did.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“I have no cartilage in my knees,” Bopanna repeated several times during a recent interview, emphasizing the absurdity of what he has accomplished despite all that. He shook his head. He shrugged his shoulders. Then he recalled asking a relative, a yoga teacher, if she could help.

At the time, it was not a particularly serious question. The answer ended up changing his life.

Matt Futterman

Aged seven, Zheng went to Wuhan with her father to play in front of a coach. She impressed so much that she would stay there to train — alone.

“Now I can tell him I made history,” she said, beaming with the brightest of smiles.

Matt Futterman

“Djokovic went to the center of the court and knelt in prayer, crossing his chest, his closed eyes looking skyward with his arms raised in the air. He crouched on the clay, crying more, his hands trembling.”

Matt Futterman

“All of these processes follow the Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) regulations. But that hasn’t stopped the fury from Sinner’s fellow players.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“Gauff knows this isn’t about just about her. During her lifetime, Black Americans have become some of the biggest stars in tennis and in some cases have transcended the sport, especially in the U.S.”

Matt Futterman

“Most people can envisage dating someone who does the same job or works for the same company. But most people’s jobs don’t involve travelling the world to play a very selfish sport in front of thousands of people, sometimes with — or even against — your partner.”

Charlie Eccleshare


It was a summer of love in tennis in 2024. (Getty Images; design: Meech Robinson)

“How did that chirpy teenager suddenly get to this middle-age existence, wife and kids and in-law dinners, wearing the status of millennial tennis wise man?

Where does life, his and ours, go?”

Matt Futterman

“Muchova has come from a place that no tennis player wants to go. After that surgery in February, on the area of the body tennis players most dread becoming damaged, Muchova worried she might not play the sport again.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“Something about the human backboard nature of her play, the hard (but not too hard), flat power of ball after ball after ball opposing off her racket. The beauty of her game, her economic and elegant movement, and the subtle scything of her forehand almost go unnoticed.

She is plenty steady, sure, but that doesn’t begin to describe her. Stealthy is more like it.”

Matt Futterman

“Sabalenka can be funny and bubbly off the court but has a temper to match her athletic gifts on it, and an obduracy that follows her out of the tramlines too. When the stress ramped up, she would get so hot she could barely breathe or function, let alone serve.

That is when it helps to have someone with a background in martial arts: a discipline in controlling your breathing and your emotions when you are facing someone beating the crap out of you.”

Matt Futterman

“Both are so quick that they look like they could be Olympic sprinters, and where Alcaraz lunges and bends like his limbs are putty, Sinner dives and twirls like a superhero escaping from a burning building.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“Forlan expected to spend much of his retirement honing his golf game, but instead has found himself drawn back to tennis. Nothing else gives him the same satisfaction as the sport that, along with football, he excelled at in his youth.”


Diego Forlan’s professional debut was one of the less likely stories of the year. (Kevin Santamaria / Tenis al Maximo)

“When the WTA go to Saudi, I would say they should adopt a political prisoner’s case and take it on and say ‘OK, we’re going, but we are also advocating for them. And Manahel al-Otaibi (the jailed fitness instructor) is the closest case you could have to sports. Say, ‘We are happy to be in Saudi. We’re happy that Saudi women are to now play tennis. But what about Manahel al-Otaibi?’”

Charlie Eccleshare

“Jannik Sinner is trying to speak, but his own name is resounding too loudly across the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Lit up on billboards, written on placards, chanted across the aisles. Sinner, the first Italian to achieve the men’s world No. 1 ranking, isn’t just the featured attraction of the ATP Tour Finals tournament in his home country: He is the tournament, on the court and off it.”

Matt Futterman

“Instead of letting her serve become a complete albatross, Errani has used her ground skills, tactical nous and the shock factor of a serve that regularly registers around 60mph (96.5kph) on the speed gun to reach the very top of tennis in singles and doubles.”

Charlie Eccleshare

“For two decades, whatever outrageous fortune controls tennis injuries kept slinging arrows at Rafael Nadal.

When the Spaniard finally raised his white flag last month, he admitted defeat to an opponent he had vanquished not just in his later years but for two decades, until he couldn’t win the battle any more.”

Matt Futterman


Rafael Nadal’s retirement was one of many that defined the year. (Julian Finney / Getty Images)

“Both Swiatek’s one-month suspension and the decision not to ban Jannik Sinner for his two positive tests for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, have been conducted according to ITIA protocol. Both cases have also revealed deep wells of mistrust and anger within tennis from fans and players alike, confused at players being allowed to play while under investigation. Everything has been done by the book. The book appears in need of a rewrite.”

Matt Futterman

“I wasn’t alone,” she said. “It wasn’t something wrong with me.”

Matt Futterman

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s my boyfriend’s birthday. Like happy birthday. I love you.’ And then, boom!

“It was so normal for me that I didn’t think about it.”

Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman

(Top photo: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
27Dec
Is Obsidian Really Worth the Learning Curve for Note-Taking?

Obsidian is a feature-packed note-taking tool, but does it justify the time spent getting familiar with it and customizing it, or do the benefits fall short?

Long-Term Reflection and Learning

On the surface, Obsidian looked generic to me, like any other app out there, but only using it over a couple of months revealed its underlying benefits. Fast-forward to today, Obsidian has become my central hub, a map of what I have learned and what I am learning, finally making my search for a note-taking app come to an end. When I think of Obsidian, I consider it a tool that glues your notes together and makes notes as a whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Previously, in my note-taking process, I used to jot down notes, and that was it. They were merely words and numbers, placed on one line after another, ready to be forgotten. Only after using Obsidian did I realize that my notes lacked a critical component — connections. How one note related to another. Instead of my notes being independent fragmented entities, Obsidian allowed me to turn notes into a chain of thoughts.

For example, at the start of a course during my Computer Science degree, for the first few classes, I took notes diligently, primarily due to my high motivation when a course started. However, as I approached the midpoint of my semester, my notes made no sense to me. They felt scattered and segmented to the extent that I stopped taking down notes.

When I repeated the same process, but this time using Obsidian, my notes were connected and appeared as a whole. They had connections, starting from one point and heading towards another. I could see where everything started and where it was heading.

obsidian search feature showing results from coreML keyword

This approach to note-taking is precisely what I was missing with other apps. And the best part is that the more notes I took, the better the system became.

This was possible due to Obsidian’s key features: Note linking, graph view, and note tags. Note linking lets you connect one note to another, which you can visually see in graph view. At the same time, the note tagging feature lets you tag notes to a particular keyword.

Discovering Deeper Connections Between IdeasObsidian graph view from cold war notes that show how different events related with each other

Obsidian’s Graph View visually maps out the relationships between notes, creating a bird’s-eye view of your knowledge network. With this, not only do you get a logical overview, but it also helps you discover ideas and relations between concepts that weren’t apparent at first, compared to flat note-taking, where your words will just stay on the page.

During a history course at university, we learned about the Cold War. The graph view helped me map out the relationships between key events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Airlift, connect them with key figures such as Kennedy and Khrushchev, and also connect concepts such as deterrence and domino theory.

Furthermore, graph view also helped me discover more things I needed to research. For example, the word NATO appeared in a note about the Korean War but wasn’t linked with my NATO note. With this, I quickly found a new area to explore: how NATO related to the Korean War.

A Knowledge Hub That Grows With Me

One of the major drawbacks I found with other note-taking tools is that once the notes grew in number, organizing them became an issue, as I had to manually open folders and see what was in them, decide whether to place it in a particular folder or make a new one. However, tagging and note interlinking saves you from these problems.

Obsidian search showing results related to machine learning search query

Usually, after a week or two, I organize my Obisidan vault. I go to graph view, look for individual nodes, and think about which notes I can connect them with. Moreover, to make things easy, Obsidian’s search can easily find notes for you; you just have to type the keyword, and it will output notes with that particular keyword or tag.

Dialogue box in Obsidian that shows create vaults, and also option to create new vault

Obsidian also lets you create multiple vaults that can help separate different kinds of notes and make clear distinctions between them. For example, you could keep work-related notes, projects, and research separate from personal journals, hobbies, and personal information. So, even if you diverge into new domains and topics, Obsidian will not hinder you but make things more manageable.

Realizing What I Know (and What I Don’t)Obsidian graph view for Machine Learning notes, that show how different conecpts relate with each

The Obsidian graph view lets you easily judge your expertise on a particular topic. You create a trail of interconnected ideas when you link one note to another. However, if you cannot find relevant notes to link to a new idea or missing links, it may indicate that you lack sufficient information on that topic. This helps you realize what areas you know well and what areas need further exploration.

Additionally, by tagging notes, you can categorize them around themes and subjects (e.g., “Machine Learning,” “Philosophy,” “Psychology”). If you notice that a tag has only a few notes, that indicates that you need to dive deeper into that subject. For this reason, whenever I am learning about something new, I want to quickly add it to Obsidian and see how my expertise touches new domains.

Is the Learning Curve Worth It?

One of the drawbacks of Obsidian is its learning curve, especially Markdown formatting, which many people might find difficult to wrap their heads around. Similarly, I did face a learning curve, such as learning the formatting syntax, linking notes, and how the tagging feature works. However, it didn’t take me more than a few days to master these things, which was far shorter and easier than getting used to Notion.

Obsidian theme store showing list of themes that you can download

Another thing I disliked about Obsidian is its default theme, which wasn’t the best. However, you can install Obsidian themes with a single click, and there are plenty of free Obsidian themes to choose from. Obsidian has a diverse theme store, so I had to spend a fair amount of time finding the right theme or even writing custom CSS code to implement the desired appearance.

So, Obsidian is an undeniably powerful and effective tool, but at the end of the day, it’s just a tool and might not be for everyone. If you are looking to jot down a few things, such as grocery items or a to-do list, there are better apps for that because the learning curve is not worth it. Similar to how note-taking in Notion can be overkill.

But, if you are going to take a lot of notes and are looking to build a personal knowledge base, Obsidian will help you do that. It’s an app that helps glue notes together and makes things you have learned cohesive.

Canvas page in Obsidian app that shows a flochart, connecting arrows to different topics

Obsidian’s real strength lies in its ability to turn disconnected notes into an interconnected web of knowledge. While the learning curve and setup might seem daunting initially, the payoff is immense for those who invest the time.

Based on my experience, Obsidian is worth the learning curve—but only if you’re looking for a tool that grows with you. For casual note-takers, the setup might feel like overkill. However, if your goal is to create an evolving knowledge base that can handle all your interests and efforts, Obsidian more than justifies the effort. It’s not just a note-taking app; it’s a tool to help you understand what you know and uncover what you don’t.
27Dec
Animals line up for sunbathing at a Qingdao zoo

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-26/Animals-line-up-for-sunbathing-at-a-Qingdao-zoo-1zEbYiX9xo4/img/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50/c42b088774a04dec93341128ffe94d50.jpeg'
Meerkats line up to enjoy the sunlight at the Qingdao Forest Wildlife World in Shandong Province, December 25, 2024. /CFP

It’s time for some outdoor activities! As the sun rises in winter, the meerkats and ring-tailed lemurs soon leave their enclosures and stand side by side like soldiers to enjoy the sunlight at Qingdao Forest Wildlife World. After warming themselves up, they enjoy snacks prepared by the zookeepers.
27Dec
Justin Baldoni ex-publicist sues over alleged Blake Lively smears

As Blake Lively’s allegations against her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni continue to reverberate through Hollywood, a new lawsuit has further raised the stakes.

Stephanie Jones, Baldoni’s former publicist, filed a complaint Tuesday in New York Supreme Court, accusing the actor’s crisis PR team of waging a coordinated effort to undermine her and deflect blame for what she calls a retaliatory smear campaign targeting Lively.

The new lawsuit adds to the mounting fallout from Lively’s legal complaint filed last week in California. In it, the actor accused Baldoni of sexually harassing her on the set of the romantic drama and orchestrating a campaign to discredit her after she raised concerns about a “hostile work environment.” Her complaint detailed allegations of “improvised physical intimacy” during scenes, pressure from Baldoni to perform greater nudity than originally agreed upon and a calculated effort to spread damaging stories about her in the press.

Jones alleges that Jennifer Abel, formerly a senior figure at her PR firm Jonesworks, collaborated with crisis manager Melissa Nathan on a “no-holds-barred strategy” to shield Baldoni from Lively’s misconduct allegations while simultaneously undermining Jones’ own reputation. According to her lawsuit, the plan involved planting negative stories about Lively in the media, creating fake social media accounts to amplify the attacks and leveraging Baldoni’s public image as a feminist ally to discredit her.

“Behind Jones’s back, [Abel and Nathan] secretly coordinated with Baldoni and [his studio] Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign against Baldoni’s film co-star,” the lawsuit states.

Jones, who represented Baldoni and Wayfarer from 2017 until her termination in August 2024, claims the alleged scheme destroyed her professional relationship with the actor-director. Abel is accused of using confidential company information to poach clients and lay the groundwork for a competing PR firm.

“Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and [her PR firm] Jonesworks,” the lawsuit alleges, describing efforts to “steal clients and business prospects” while pinning the blame for the smear campaign on Jones herself.

The filing includes excerpts from thousands of pages of text messages and emails that Jones says were extracted from Abel’s company-issued phone after her firing from Jonesworks in August, shortly before the company’s relationship with Baldoni and Wayfarer came to an end. In one exchange, Abel allegedly described Baldoni as “pompous” and mocked his decision to attend a men’s retreat during the film’s release, writing, “He doesn’t need a retreat. He needs to be humbled.”

Jones accuses Abel and Nathan of weaponizing the controversy to “drive a wedge” between her and Baldoni, isolating her in the industry and damaging her career. Her lawsuit seeks damages and a court order to halt what she describes as ongoing harassment and professional sabotage. “This lawsuit seeks to finally put a stop to their continued misconduct and to compensate Jones and Jonesworks for the damage Defendants’ conduct and scheme has inflicted,” the filing reads.

Bryan Freedman, an attorney representing Baldoni and the other defendants, could not immediately be reached for comment but has previously dismissed Lively’s claims against his clients as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.”

As lawsuits from both Lively and Jones unfold in the courts and the public eye, the controversy has cast a harsh spotlight on Hollywood’s PR playbook, exposing the darker corners of reputation management in an industry facing calls for greater transparency and accountability.

The allegations have already had professional repercussions for Baldoni. Earlier this week, his talent agency, WME, dropped him as a client and the nonprofit Vital Voices Global Partnership rescinded an award honoring him as an advocate for women’s empowerment. In a statement, the organization said Baldoni’s alleged “abhorrent conduct” detailed in Lively’s lawsuit was “contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award.”

Author Colleen Hoover, whose bestselling novel “It Ends With Us” was based on, has also expressed support for Lively, writing on Instagram: “Blake’s ability to refuse to sit down and ‘be buried’ has been nothing short of inspiring.”
27Dec
Temu’s Takeover Is Now Complete

Love it or hate it, you have to admit Temu had a banger year. Launched in late 2022, the Chinese-owned ecommerce site, known for selling a vast array of astonishingly affordable goods, took only two years to become a household name in the US. Over the past 12 months, it has topped download charts, surpassing other viral apps like ChatGPT and Threads, and now operates in dozens of countries around the world. Even its biggest rival, Amazon, recently introduced a Temu clone called Amazon Haul that closely resembles the original, both in terms of its logistics supply chain and user interface.

Temu is projected to earn more than $50 billion in total sales this year, according to analysts from AB Bernstein and Tech Buzz China, potentially tripling its 2023 figure. Temu’s website now gets nearly 700 million visits worldwide every month, and Apple recently revealed it was the most downloaded app of 2024 on iPhones in the US.

Temu has now fully replaced Wish, an earlier bargain online shopping site, in the cultural lexicon as the signifier of knockoffs or budget-friendly alternatives. The winner of the recent Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest in New York City, for example, calls himself “Temu-thée Chalamet.” Tens of millions of ordinary people have tried out the app, many of whom learned about it through one of Temu’s seemingly unavoidable and relentless advertising campaigns. At this point, your grandma is probably obsessed with Temu, too.

“My friends and family members who didn’t know what it was in 2023 do now,” says Moira Weigel, an assistant professor at Harvard University who studies transnational online marketplaces. “Random relatives who know that I study China or ecommerce will say, ‘Oh, you must know all about Temu,’ in a way that didn’t happen a year ago.”

Weigel says that Temu has done a few things right, including identifying the correct suppliers in China, targeting appropriate customer segments, and finding an inexpensive way to ship products from one to the other. That allowed the shopping platform to defy early analyst predictions that it would quickly burn through its cash reserves and flame out.

Temu, which is owned by PDD, one of the biggest ecommerce giants in China, is moving and pivoting at a speed that its Western counterparts can’t really grasp, says Juozas Kaziukėnas, founder of the ecommerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse. “When you look at a company like Temu, it’s going a thousand miles an hour,” he says.
26Dec
Russia is Using Bitcoin in Foreign Trade, Finance Minister Says

Russian companies have begun using Bitcoin and other digital currencies in international payments following legislative changes that allowed such use in order to counter Western sanctions, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday.

Sanctions have complicated Russia’s trade with its major partners such as China or Turkey, as local banks are extremely cautious with Russia-related transactions to avoid scrutiny from Western regulators.

This year, Russia permitted the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to make it legal to mine cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. Russia is one of the global leaders in Bitcoin mining.

“As part of the experimental regime, it is possible to use Bitcoins, which we had mined here in Russia (in foreign trade transactions),” Siluanov told Russia 24 television channel.

“Such transactions are already occurring. We believe they should be expanded and developed further. I am confident this will happen next year,” he said, adding that international payments in digital currencies represent the future.

Earlier this month, President Vladimir Putin said that the current US administration was undermining the role of the US dollar as the reserve currency by using it for political purposes, forcing many countries to turn to alternative assets.

He singled out Bitcoin as an example of such assets, saying that no-one in the world could regulate Bitcoin. Putin’s remarks indicated that the Russian leader backs the extensive use of cryptocurrencies.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
26Dec
4 core updates and 2 spam updates

Google launched seven official and confirmed algorithmic updates in 2024, four core updates and three spam updates. The March 2024 core update was massive, updating several systems within the core algorithm, plus bringing in a few new large spam policies.

In 2023, Google had 9 confirmed algorithmic updates. In 2022 and 2021, Google had 10 confirmed algorithmic updates.

Google confirmed algorithm update summary

We whipped up this timeline documenting all the confirmed Google search algorithm updates in 2024, so you can visualize the updates over the year.

Four Google core updates in 2024

Google had four core updates in 2024, the same number as it had in 2023, but in 2022 Google only had two core updates. We had core updates in March, August, November and December.

March 2024 core update. The Google March 2024 core update started rolling out March 5, took 45 days to complete, and finished on April 19. Google told us this core update was its largest core update in history, updating multiple core systems.

The March 2024 core update is “more complex update than our usual core updates,” Chris Nelson from the Search Quality team at Google said. Google made “changes to multiple core systems,” he added. A Google spokesperson said, “The updates led to larger quality improvements than we originally thought – you’ll now see 45% less low quality, unoriginal content in search results, versus the 40% improvement we expected across this work.”

Here is one chart we shared back then comparing that volatility:

SERP Volatility All Categories US

August 2024 core update. The Google August 2023 core update started on August 15 and completed 19 days later on September 3. This update is not just a normal core update, Google said this core update took into account the feedback Google heard since the September 2023 helpful content update that seemed to have a negative impact on many small and independent publishers. Some sites hit by the September 2023 helpful content update saw some improvement, but not full recoveries.

This update was a rather large core update, based on what the data providers showed us. Google updated its help page, including more in-depth guidance for those who may see changes after an update.

November 2024 core update. The Google November 2024 core update started on November 11 and completed 24 days later on December 5. This was a normal core update that “This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search,” Google said.

As a whole, the November 2024 core update felt less volatile overall compared to the other two core updates that seemed to impact a larger number of sites.

December 2024 core update. The Google December 2024 core update started on December 12 and completed 6 days later on December 18. This update was a bit of a surprise, since it started a week after the November core update completed.

Why did Google release this core update so soon? “If you’re wondering why there’s a core update this month after one last month, we have different core systems we’re always improving,” Google told us.

This December update was more volatile than the November core update, but less than the August and March core updates in 2024.

Here is a chart from Similarweb comparing the volatility of these past core updates:

Similarweb Dec Compare

Three Google spam updates in 2024

March 2024 spam update. The Google March 2024 spam update started the same day as the March 2024 core update but completed in less time, only taking about 14 days to complete – it ended on March 20. Google did not say anything specifically new when it came to announcing the spam update. Chris Nelson from Google wrote on March 5, “Along with our new spam policies, we are also launching the March 2024 spam update today.”

June 2024 spam update. The Google June 2024 spam update started on June 30 and completed 7 days later on June 27. This update was a general and broad spam update, it was not a link spam update and did not automate the site reputation abuse policy, which is still only done via manual actions.

December 2024 spam update. The Google December 2024 spam update started the day after the December 2024 spam update is expected to finish any time now, but has not yet been completed at the time of this story (we will update this story and infographic above, when it is complete). This update was a general and broad spam update, that applied globally and to all languages, Google said. It seems this update hit very hard within a few days and was much more widespread than some previous spam updates.

Other Google algorithm changes, updates, tweaks or topics

Other Google updates. While we had four core updates and two spam updates, Google also pushed out other search specific updates in 2024. Here is a list of those:

Google Search bugs. Google also had several search bugs throughout 2024:
26Dec
The Wait For GTA 6’s Second Trailer Just Broke A Sad Record

It’s been more than one year since Rockstar Games released the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI, and in fact, the wait for the next trailer has now broken a record for the developer.

As GTA 6+ first noticed, the time between Trailer 1 and the inevitable Trailer 2 for GTA VI has now eclipsed the wait times for the first and second trailers for Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption II.

GTA V got its first trailer on November 2, 2011, with its second trailer arriving on November 14, 2012 for a total of 378 days between. Red Dead Redemption II’s first trailer arrived on October 20, 2016 and its second arrived on September 28, 2017–that was a gap of 343 days. GTA VI’s first trailer, meanwhile, was posted on December 4, 2023. Its second trailer has not yet arrived.

As December 20, it’s been 381 days since the first trailer arrived, marking the longest wait for a follow-up trailer for a major Rockstar Games new release in more than decade.

In the absence of any new real information, GTA fans are grasping onto anything they can find to connect the dots about when the second trailer might arrive. Nothing has yet materialized, however. Strauss Zelnick, the head of Rockstar parent company Take-Two, recently said he understands fans are frustrated, but said Rockstar won’t release GTA VI until it’s ready.

Rockstar does have a history of releasing new assets for major games during the holidays, as the company debuted new GTA V screens on Christmas Eve back in 2012. As of yet, however, there is nothing pointing to Rockstar Games releasing anything new for GTA VI before the end of 2024.

GTA VI is set for release in Fall 2025, a window that Take-Two has committed to on multiple occasions. Every Rockstar Games title from the past decade has been delayed beyond its first publicly confirmed date.

GTA VI takes players back to Vice City–a stand-in for Miami–for the first time in the main series since GTA: Vice City in 2002. The game appears to focus on two main characters, which follows on from reports that GTA VI could feature a Bonnie and Clyde-style story about two robbers.

Wait times for Rockstar Games trailers

GTA 5

  • Trailer 1: November 2, 2011
  • Trailer 2: November 14, 2012
  • Total days between: 378

Red Dead Redemption II

  • Trailer 1: October 20, 2016
  • Trailer 2: September 28, 2017
  • Total days between: 343 days

GTA 6

  • Trailer 1: December 4, 2023
  • Trailer 2: TBA
  • Total days between: We don’t know
26Dec
Scientists discover a ‘Goldilocks’ zone for DNA organization, opening new doors for drug development

In a discovery that could redefine how we understand cellular resilience and adaptability, scientists at Scripps Research have unlocked the secret interactions between a primordial inorganic polymer of phosphate known as polyphosphate (polyP), and two basic building blocks of life: DNA and the element magnesium. These components formed clusters of tiny liquid droplets-also known as condensates-with flexible and adaptable structures.

PolyP and magnesium are involved in many biological processes. Thus, the findings could lead to new methods for tuning cellular responses, which could have impactful applications in translational medicine.

The ensuing study, published in Nature Communications on October 26, 2024, reveals a delicate “Goldilocks” zone — a specific magnesium concentration range — where DNA wraps around polyP-magnesium ion condensates. Similar to a thin eggshell covering a liquid-like interior, this seemingly simple structure may help cells organize and protect their genetic material.

This work began as a collaboration between co-senior authors Associate Professor Lisa Racki, PhD, and Professor Ashok Deniz, PhD, both in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology at Scripps Research. Racki had been studying these structures in bacterial cells, while Deniz’s next-door lab was exploring the physical chemistry of biomolecular condensates for the past decade. Collaboration, they realized, was the only way to unlock these ancient interactions.

“We knew that DNA was in close proximity to the magnesium-rich polyP condensates in cells, but we were totally surprised by the beautiful spheres of DNA that lit up under the microscope,” says Racki.

“Being molecular detectives, seeing these structures raised exciting questions for us about the physics and mathematics of the DNA shells and whether they influenced the polyP condensates,” adds Deniz.

Their microscopy images revealed that DNA wraps itself around a condensate, creating a thin eggshell-like barrier. This shell could affect molecule transportation and also slow down fusion: the process where two condensates merge into one. Without DNA shells, polyP-magnesium ion condensates readily fused — like how oil drops and vinegar fuse in a salad dressing bottle when shook.

However, careful examination showed that fusion overall slowed to varying extents, depending on DNA length. Longer DNA, the researchers suspected, caused greater entanglement on condensate surfaces — similar to how long hair tangles more than short hair.

DNA is more than 1,000 times thinner in diameter than condensates, making molecular details hard to visualize. Fortunately, infrastructure to capture such imaging has been developed by two other faculty members at Scripps Research: Assistant Professor Danielle Grotjahn, PhD, and Scripps Fellow Donghyun Raphael Park, PhD.

Teaming with Park, with help from Grotjahn, the researchers used cryo-electron tomography to closely examine the condensate surfaces. Using electrons instead of light, this technique captures three-dimensional, high-resolution images of samples that were rapidly frozen to preserve their structures. The new images revealed that DNA forms filaments protruding from condensate surfaces, resembling tangled hairs.

Another crucial discovery: DNA shell formation only occurred within a specific magnesium concentration range — too much or too little, and the shell wouldn’t materialize. This “Goldilocks” effect highlights how cells can regulate condensate structure, size and function simply by tuning control parameters.

“Although we think of cellular interfaces as boundaries, they also create a new landscape by providing a surface for molecules to organize,” notes Racki. “DNA may not actually be a tangled mess at the surface and is instead organized by these condensates.”

In this context, Deniz and Racki are particularly interested in understanding DNA supercoiling — how DNA twists like a spring to fit inside cells.

“Cells have to manage their DNA curls,” explains Racki. “Interestingly, the mathematics of DNA supercoiling results in ‘action-at-a-distance’ effects — like how twisting a rope can create coils far from where you’re holding it.”

The researchers suspect that DNA interactions with polyP condensates in cells might propagate local changes in DNA supercoiling over long distances, resulting in broader changes in gene expression and cell function. Investigating this effect is one of the team’s next goals.

“We’re excited by the prospects of leveraging these discoveries to develop new tools for cellular control — potentially simpler, more cost-effective approaches to manage biomatter for biomedicine,” says Deniz.

In addition to Deniz, Racki, Grotjahn and Park, authors of the study, “Reentrant DNA shells tune polyphosphate condensate size,” include co-first authors Ravi Chawla and Jenna K. A. Tom, and Tumara Boyd, Nicholas H. Tu and Tanxi Bai of Scripps Research.

This work was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIGMS Grant R35 GM130375, Grant DP2-GM-739-140918 and S10OD032467), Scripps Research start-up funds, a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the American Heart Association (Award #903967) and the Pew Scholars Program.
26Dec
Call for Papers: 2nd JFIEL Conference in Collaboration with TWAILR and CTIL by OP Jindal Global University [April; Publication & Internship Opportunities]: Submit Abstract by Jan 17!

Submissions are invited for the 2nd JFIEL Conference in Collaboration with TWAILR and CTIL by OP Jindal Global University. Submit Abstract by Jan 17! About JGU O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary and research-oriented university founded in 2009. JGU was established as a philanthropic initiative of its Founding Chancellor, Mr. Naveen Jindal […]

The post Call for Papers: 2nd JFIEL Conference in Collaboration with TWAILR and CTIL by OP Jindal Global University [April; Publication & Internship Opportunities]: Submit Abstract by Jan 17! appeared first on Lawctopus.
26Dec
Kiara Advani’s dress from Christmas celebration with Sidharth Malhotra is elegant and timeless with a sultry twist | Fashion Trends

Dec 26, 2024 04:52 PM IST

Kiara Advani’s stylish polka-dot dress for Christmas 2024 will provide you with endless outfit inspiration; here’s the price, brand and other details.

Kiara Advani’s bold black-and-white dress flowed effortlessly to the floor in a picture as she hugged actor-husband Sidharth Malhotra. ‘Merry Christmas from us to you,” read the caption of their joint Instagram post. Read on to know all about Kiara’s back-exposing look for Christmas 2024. Also read | Kiara Advani serves a bombshell moment in bodycon dress worth ₹1.75 lakh: See pics

Kiara Advani with Sidharth Malhotra during their Christmas 2024 celebration. (Instagram/ Kiara Advani)

Kiara makes a case for open-back outfits

Celebrities aren’t only choosing backless outfits for fancy red carpet outings. Just take it from Kiara Advani, whose latest look showcased how stars are repping the growing trend in their day-to-day lives. To be clear, backless dresses and tops are by no means a new trend but Kiara’s sultry dress once again shows how the timeless silhouette cycles in and out of style every few years in different iterations.

What Kiara Advani wore for Christmas 2024

Kiara chose an eye-catching white-and-black polka dress from Mango. The sleeveless dress featured a V neck, thin straps and crossover straps on the back exposing most of her back. It featured a fitted yet flowy, draped design and also came with a small triangular cutout on the front. The actor added Christmas cheer to her polka-dot look with bright red nails, lips and a pair of red earrings. Kiara’s Mango dress costs ₹9,490.

Celebs acing polka-dots

Recently celebs from Hollywood and Bollywood have donned polka-dots of all sizes. In September, actor-singer Lady Gaga made a fashion-forward appearance in a black mini dress with a white polka-dot pattern. It featured long, slightly flared sleeves and a similarly flared mini skirt.

More recently, actor Sonam Kapoor stepped out in Mumbai for an outing with businessman-husband Anand Ahuja. She wore a flattering black-and-white polka dot dress from the designer label Bella Freud. Full-length sleeves, puffed shoulders, a round high neckline, a fitted bodice, a flowing skirt and a maxi length added a feminine elegance to the ensemble.

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26Dec
Australians Are Ready to Punish Politicians Who Fail to Tackle the Housing Crisis

Key takeaways

The housing crisis is now a deeply personal issue for millions of Australians, with affordability and availability at critical levels.

With a federal election looming, housing affordability is poised to dominate as the defining issue, with voters demanding real solutions.

Australians are holding the federal government accountable, with two-thirds of survey respondents expecting the government to solve the crisis. 70% believe the current administration has failed to take sufficient action. Politicians who ignore this frustration risk severe electoral consequences.

The housing crisis isn’t just about affordability; it affects mental health, productivity, and community cohesion. Stable housing is essential for workforce mobility and societal well-being, and its absence highlights a failure of governance.


Australians are fed up.

The housing crisis is no longer a distant policy issue—it’s personal, affecting millions who are struggling to find affordable homes to buy or rent.

With a federal election coming up, voters have made it clear: they expect real solutions, and politicians who fail to deliver may face harsh consequences at the ballot box.

With housing set to dominate the upcoming federal election, the battle lines are drawn, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

A recent survey conducted by Insightfully for Master Builders Australia highlights the depth of public frustration. It reveals that:

  •  90% of Australians find it challenging to buy or rent a home.
  • 85% believe there is a critical housing shortage.
  • 70% feel the crisis has worsened over the past year.
  • Over a third have sacrificed essentials like food or medicine to cover housing costs.

These statistics are a sobering reflection of the housing crisis’ toll on everyday Australians, and now, voters are looking to politicians for bold action, not empty promises.

Housing Crisis 2

A tale of two approaches

The two major political parties—the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal-National Coalition—have laid out their visions for addressing the housing crisis.

However, their approaches differ significantly.

1. Australian Labor Party’s proposed solutions

  • Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF): A $10 billion fund designed to deliver 30,000 new social and affordable homes over five years, marking one of the largest federal housing investments in decades.
  • Help to Buy Scheme: A shared equity initiative where the government co-purchases up to 40% of a new home or 30% of an existing one, targeting low- and middle-income earners. While this will get more first-home buyers in the market, it doesn’t tackle the supply issue and will only push property values up higher.
  • Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee: A program enabling first-home buyers in regional areas to purchase properties with as little as a 5% deposit without incurring lenders’ mortgage insurance.
  • Social Housing Accelerator: A $2 billion program aimed at fast-tracking the delivery of new social homes, with states and territories committing to allocate funds by mid-2025.

These policies focus on leveraging federal resources to address the housing crisis, particularly for low-income earners and regional residents.

2. Liberal-National Coalition’s proposed strategies

In contrast, the Coalition has prioritised reducing regulatory barriers and stimulating private sector involvement:

  • $5 Billion Infrastructure Fund: A plan to build 500,000 new homes by investing in critical enabling infrastructure such as roads and water systems.
  • National Construction Code (NCC) Freeze: A proposal to halt changes to the NCC for a decade, aiming to reduce costs and regulatory burdens for builders and developers.
  • Superannuation Access for Home Purchases: Continuing support for allowing first-home buyers to use their superannuation savings for deposits.
  • Temporary Ban on Foreign Purchases: A two-year restriction on foreign buyers and temporary residents purchasing existing homes to ease demand pressures.

These policies reflect the Coalition’s belief in minimising government intervention and empowering market forces as the pathway to increased housing supply and affordability.

Housing Affordability
26Dec
How To Feel Confident During Your First Sex Experience

Embarking on your first sexual experience can evoke a mix of emotions – excitement, curiosity, nervousness, and even fear. It’s a deeply personal milestone, one that is different for everyone. While it’s natural to feel unsure or vulnerable, there are steps you can take to build confidence and create a positive, respectful, and enjoyable experience. Here’s a guide to help you feel more comfortable and confident as you approach this intimate moment.

Understanding And Embracing Your Feelings

The looming possibility of your first sexual experience can stir up a wide range of emotions— nervousness, excitement, fear, curiosity, or a mix of all these feelings is common. Acknowledging these emotions is the first step toward embracing them and building confidence. 

Acknowledge your emotions

It’s important to understand that there’s no “right” way to feel about this moment. Every individual’s experience is unique and shaped by personal values, beliefs, and expectations. If you’re feeling nervous, remind yourself that it’s a sign you care about this experience and want it to be meaningful. Instead of viewing nervousness as a negative, try to reframe it as a sign of anticipation—your body and mind are preparing for something new and important.

Related Reading: Signs Of Emotional Invalidation In A Relationship

Reframe nervousness as excitement

Self-reflection can also be helpful during this time. Ask yourself what you want from this experience and why it matters. Are you seeking a deeper connection with your partner, exploring your desires, or simply curious about the experience? Understanding your motivations can help you feel more grounded and in control.

Accept the learning process

Embrace the fact that you don’t need to have everything figured out. It’s okay to feel uncertain or vulnerable. Confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything in advance; it means being willing to learn and grow from the experience. Accepting that this is a journey, not a destination, can help alleviate some of the pressure you might feel.

Related Reading: Balancing Love And Learning: How Online Degrees Can Strengthen Relationships

Embrace vulnerability

Finally, remind yourself that your feelings are valid, whatever they may be. Whether excited, nervous, or unsure, allow yourself to experience those emotions without judgment. This self-acceptance is a powerful step toward building the confidence you need to approach your first sexual experience with a positive mindset.

Communicate Openly With Your Partner

Open and honest communication is the foundation of a positive first sexual experience. Sharing your thoughts, feelings, and expectations with your partner helps build trust, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable as you explore intimacy. Good communication sets the stage for mutual understanding, reducing uncertainty and fostering a deeper connection.

Discuss expectations

Start by expressing your feelings about the experience ahead of time. Let your partner know if it’s your first time, and share any emotions you may be experiencing, such as excitement or nervousness. This transparency allows your partner to be supportive and understanding and can help eliminate assumptions or pressure. If your partner knows you’re feeling apprehensive, they’re more likely to approach the moment with patience and care.

Set boundaries

Equally important is discussing your boundaries. Be clear about what you’re comfortable with and not ready for. Consent is a continuous, two-way conversation that should always be respected. Encourage your partner to share their feelings and boundaries as well. Understanding each other’s limits creates a safe space to relax and enjoy the experience without fear of overstepping.

Related Reading: 19 Examples Of Healthy Boundaries In Relationships

Use verbal and nonverbal cues

In addition to verbal communication, pay attention to nonverbal cues. Body language, facial expressions, and touch can convey emotions and preferences in ways words cannot. Checking in with your partner during the experience – through simple questions like “Is this okay?” or “How do you feel?” – ensures that both of you remain on the same page.

Be open to feedback

Approach these conversations with kindness and openness. Avoid judgment or criticism, and create an environment where your partner feels equally free to express themselves. Effective communication isn’t about having the perfect words; it’s about creating a dialogue prioritizing respect, honesty, and mutual care.

First-Time Sex Tips For A Positive Experience

While there’s no universal guide that works for everyone, the following first time sex tips can help ensure your first sexual experience is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable.

1. Prioritize consent

Consent is essential Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about wanting to engage in intimacy. Consent should be enthusiastic, mutual, and active, meaning it is given freely, enthusiastically, and clearly by all parties involved. It’s okay to pause or stop if you feel unsure or uncomfortable.

2. Practice safe sex

Protect yourself and your partner by using contraception and practicing safe sex. Condoms are effective at preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have questions about contraception options, consult a healthcare provider beforehand.

Related Reading: tips for women who are trying sex for the first time

3. Take it slow

There’s no need to rush. Moving slowly lets you and your partner get comfortable and enjoy the moment. This also gives you time to communicate and adjust to each other’s needs.

4. Choose a comfortable environment

The setting can make a big difference. Opt for a place where you both feel safe, private, and relaxed. Consider creating a mood with lighting, music, or other elements that help you feel at ease.

5. Manage expectations

Your first time doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s a new experience, and it’s okay if things don’t go as planned. Focus on connecting with your partner and being present at the moment rather than achieving a specific outcome.

6. Focus on foreplay

Foreplay is an important part of intimacy and can help both partners feel more aroused and comfortable. It also prepares your body physically, making the experience more pleasurable. Foreplay refers to the intimate, physical, or emotional activities that occur before sexual intercourse to increase arousal, build intimacy, and enhance emotional connection. It often sets the stage for a more satisfying and pleasurable sexual experience for both partners. Foreplay can involve a variety of actions like talking, kissing, touching and caressing, eye contact, and flirting.

Related Reading: Foreplay: More Than Just a Warm-Up 

7. Understand that it may be awkward

It’s completely normal for your first time to feel a bit awkward. You and your partner are learning about each other, and mishaps or giggles are all part of the process. Embrace the moment, and don’t take things too seriously.

8. Relax and breathe

Nervousness can make your body tense, making the experience less enjoyable. Take deep breaths and focus on staying relaxed. If something feels wrong, communicate with your partner and adjust as needed.

9. Reflect and communicate afterwards

After your first time, take a moment to check in with your partner. Talk about how you felt and ask how they felt. This can strengthen your connection and make future experiences even better.

Final Thoughts 

Your first sexual experience is a significant step, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. You can confidently approach it by focusing on communication, education, and emotional connection. Remember, intimacy is about mutual respect and enjoyment. Trust yourself, be open with your partner, and prioritize your comfort. Confidence grows when you honor your feelings and approach the experience on your terms.

5 Women Confess How Their First Time Sex Was

5 Tips For Women To Prepare For Oral Sex

15 Ways To Satisfy A Woman In Bed

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26Dec
How to Organize Your Photos on iPhone

If you’re an iPhone user who takes pictures regularly, you’ll likely have thousands of photos in your library, taking up tons of storage space. That’s when organization becomes essential. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to go about it.

Before You Begin: Some General Space-Saving Tips

While we will break down the specific ways that you can organize your photos, we also wanted to give you a few space-saving tips to start:

  1. Always review your photos. It’s easy to take a few photos and forget about them, but those “few photos” can add up. To avoid a future backlog, get into the habit of looking over your photos after you’ve shot them. Quickly decide on which ones to delete.
  2. Don’t keep near-duplicate photos. Taking a bunch of similar photos can give you many options—but if the photos are nearly identical, you don’t need all of them. Get in the habit of deleting duplicate iPhone photos to reduce storage clutter.
  3. Optimize your iPhone storage. If you go to Settings > Apps > Photos on your iPhone, you’ll see an option called iCloud Photos under iCloud. Once enabled, your iPhone will automatically upload and store your full-sized photos on iCloud.

Now that you know how to save space on your iPhone, let’s check out organizing your images in more detail.

Organize Photos on Your iPhone Into Albums

Let’s say you want to organize your photos into albums. This is the most straightforward method of arranging photos, as you can group photos that span multiple locations, dates, people, or events.

Here’s how you can create a new photo album:

  1. Launch the Photos app, scroll past your photo library, and tap Albums. If you can’t find Albums here, scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Customize & Reorder. Now, select Albums.
  2. In the top-left corner of the screen, tap Create and choose New Album.
  3. Name your album, and tap the plus (+) icon to begin adding images to your album. When you’re done, hit Done.
  4. If you’d like to choose an image to represent your entire album, tap Edit Key Photo. Then, pick an image and tap Done.

To further organize your albums, you can also group multiple albums into folders. For example, if you take photos of different projects for your work, you may want to create a “Work” folder to sort all work-related albums.

  1. Head to the Albums section again, and tap Create in the top-left corner.
  2. Choose New Folder and then name your new folder.
  3. Then, tap the plus (+) sign, select all the albums you’d like to add to your folder, and then tap Add.
  4. Finally, tap Done.

If there are photos on your phone that you forgot to add to an album:

  1. Go to your main photo grid and tap Select in the top-right corner.
  2. Select the photos that you want to add.
  3. Tap the ellipsis (…) button in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  4. Select Add to Album, and choose the album where you’d like to place the photos.

Alternatively, you can scroll past your photo library, tap Albums, and choose the album to which you’d like to add the photos. Then, simply tap the plus (+) sign, select the images you’d like to add, and hit Add.

From here on, whenever you need to find photos from a multi-day event, you should be able to go into your Photos app and view the appropriate album!

How to Organize Photos on Your iPhone by Name

The next best way to organize photos on your iPhone is by person. This method makes it easy to find pictures of yourself, friends, or family.

Modern versions of iOS can recognize faces, allowing your iPhone to detect and arrange your photos by person automatically. These unique faces are recognized as individuals, allowing the iPhone to group photos of that person together, regardless of date or event, or even if they’re in a group photo.

However, organizing your photos by name or person requires some setup. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Scroll past your photo library and tap People (or People & Pets, if pets are detected in your gallery).
  2. You’ll see thumbnails for each person your iPhone recognizes. Select one of those faces, and you’ll see all the pictures that contain that person.
  3. You’ll also see that some people’s faces don’t have names. To name them, select the face and tap Name This Person. Then, type their name in and hit Done.

Once a person is named, all future photos with their face will be tagged and searchable by their name, making it easy to find them anytime.

If you’d like to create an album for a specific person, you can do so by selecting their face and tapping Select in the top-right corner. Then, choose Select All, and tap the ellipses (…) button in the bottom right corner of the screen. Finally, select Add to Album and tap the plus (+) sign to create an album for them.

How to Organize Photos on Your iPhone by Location

The iPhone Photos app will also sort your pictures by location if you travel a lot. But, just like the previous method, you must set it up first.

When you take a picture with your iPhone, the picture’s metadata automatically records the location of the photo—so long as you have Location Services turned on for the Camera app.

Here’s how to manage Location Services on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Location Services. Make sure the toggle at the top is enabled.
  3. Now, scroll down and select the Camera app.
  4. Make sure While Using the App is selected.

Now that this setting is turned on, your iPhone will automatically geotag new images. It will then sort these location-based photos into a pre-made album.

To view your pictures:

  1. Scroll past your photo library and find Pinned Collections. Then, tap Map. If you don’t see it, you may need to modify your Pinned Collections. To do so, simply tap Modify and tap the plus (+) sign next to Map under the Suggestions header.
  2. On the map, tap the thumbnail of the place you want to view. You’ll see all the pictures from that location.

Map in the Photos app on an iPhone

Filter Photos on Your iPhone

At times, you might only want to view screenshots in an album or just the images you’ve edited. Instead of scrolling through each picture manually, you can use the Photos app’s built-in filtering options. Simply swipe past your photo library, tap Albums, and open the album you’d like to filter.

Next, tap the sorting icon and select Filter. A context menu will appear with six options: All Items, Favorites, Photos, Edited, Videos, and Screenshots. All you need to do is choose the type of photo you want to see.

When you’re done and want to remove the filter, tap the icon that replaces the sorting icon, select Filter, and choose All Items. This isn’t limited to albums only—you can also filter your entire gallery by following the same steps as above. Just make sure to be in your main photo grid instead!

Sort Your iPhone Photos

By default, the Photos app sorts images by the date they were captured. Essentially, this means photos are sorted based on their original timestamp, even if you receive them via AirDrop or save them from an app.

While it may be helpful in some cases, it can make it tricky to find photos you recently took, especially if you tend to save a lot of images. Thankfully, you can choose to stick with sorting your photo library by their original timestamps or choose to have them show up at the end of your timeline.

To do so, scroll through your library and tap the sorting icon as soon as it appears. A context menu will immediately appear with two options: Sort by Recently Added and Sort by Date Captured. Choose the former if you’d like to have your newest photos appear at the bottom of your library. On the other hand, choose the latter if you’d like your library to stay organized by the date you took the respective photos rather than when you saved them to your library.

Photo gallery on an iPhone with sorting option

Different sorting options within the Photos app displayed

When it comes to albums, you can also sort your images by Oldest First, Newest First, or in a Custom Order. To do this, head to the album you’d like to sort and simply follow the same steps outlined above. Then, choose your preferred sorting option.

Sorting and Filtering options in the iOS Photos app within an album

With the quick tips and tricks mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to organizing photos on your iPhone! Doing so will not only help you declutter your gallery, but also help you find photos much quicker in the Photos app.
26Dec
Beijing’s Sanlitun lights up for the New Year

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-25/Beijing-s-Sanlitun-lights-up-for-the-New-Year-1zCsxgs6jcY/img/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a.jpeg'
A photo taken on December 23, 2024, shows a Christmas tree and snowflake lights dazzling visitors in Sanlitun, Beijing. /IC
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-25/Beijing-s-Sanlitun-lights-up-for-the-New-Year-1zCsxgs6jcY/img/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a.jpeg'
A photo taken on December 23, 2024, shows a Christmas tree and snowflake lights dazzling visitors in Sanlitun, Beijing. /IC
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-25/Beijing-s-Sanlitun-lights-up-for-the-New-Year-1zCsxgs6jcY/img/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a.jpeg'
A photo taken on December 23, 2024, shows a Christmas tree and snowflake lights dazzling visitors in Sanlitun, Beijing. /IC
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-25/Beijing-s-Sanlitun-lights-up-for-the-New-Year-1zCsxgs6jcY/img/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a/26a97e556de6409cb6e1bc627089575a.jpeg'
A photo taken on December 23, 2024, shows a Christmas tree and snowflake lights dazzling visitors in Sanlitun, Beijing. /IC

As the year draws to a close, Beijing’s Sanlitun is dazzling visitors with its stunning light displays. Beyond the centerpiece Christmas tree, the area boasts glowing snowflake lights, large-scale light installations, and vibrant New Year displays, creating a festive atmosphere that is impossible to resist. The area is alive with festive joy, drawing crowds of young people eager to snap photos and soak up the holiday cheer.
26Dec
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 review: Player 456 returns with a mission

You may ask yourself, “Did the world need a ‘Squid Game 2?’” Hwang Dong-hyuk, who wrote and directed 2021‘s “Squid Game,” didn’t think so originally, having devised the Korean Netflix series as a single-season stand-alone. But success is a great corporate intoxicant, and so Hwang has found something new to do with Lee Jung-jae‘s Seong Gi-hun (a.k.a. Player 456) and the secret island where luckless souls are murdered in the name of rich people’s fun, under the pretense of playing a game.

You may also ask yourself why a show with such a sadistic premise and content has been such a worldwide hit, but perhaps you are the sort of person who went to see “Saw X,” and are waiting breathlessly for “Saw XI,” in which case that question will make no sense to you. Nor would you question the rationale behind last fall’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a U.K.-produced reality competition — also on Netflix — which may now be regarded as sort of a curtain raiser to the sequel, premiering Thursday, to harsh your Christmas mellow. (No one was actually murdered in the course of “The Challenge,” merely metaphorically.)

Not that I mean to imply any sort of qualitative or moral equivalence between “Saw” and this. “Squid Game” was intelligently written, beautifully acted, well directed; it had ideas and a moral core — was even a little sentimental — with a hero who survives with his humanity intact in the face of violence, decadence and corruption. Still, it is not the sort of show I would care to watch twice.

Instead, I have watched its follow-up, professionally but without complaint. As with most sequels, it is — almost by definition — less essential than the original, whose conceits and M.C. Escher by way of Fisher-Price settings it repeats. There are, of course, new characters, many of the old ones having died in the first go-round — I suppose I should add for anyone who hasn’t seen the first series, that it involves financially strapped citizens lured into playing a series of murderous versions of children’s games with a giant cash prize for the last person standing. There is a rule by which the game may be stopped and the wealth shared, but you know how people are.

The conclusion of the first season did imply further action, though the implication was enough to go on with; ambiguity can be more powerful than closure. (We have in any case lived in that caesura for three years with no ill effects.) It ended with Gi-hun, newly rich and presentable, about to board a flight to Los Angeles to see his daughter; glimpsing the Squid Game recruiter known as the Salesman (Gong Yoo), he realizes the game is still running, turns back and walks toward the camera, with an I’m-coming-for-you look of determination. The new season picks up there, and focuses on Gi-hun’s crusade to destroy the game once and for all. There is really no other option, dramatically speaking, or consonant with his character. And away we go.

Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho in “Squid Game” Season 2.

(No Ju-han / Netflix)

Three years on, police detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) awakens from a coma, having been shot at the end of the first series by his just-unmasked stepbrother, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) — a.k.a. the Front Man, a former player who now runs the game. Having somehow survived that and a fall into the sea, Jun-ho has transferred from major crimes to the traffic division, for the clarity it affords. (He can’t produce evidence or the location of the island, for which he has been searching in his off hours.)

Gi-hun, meanwhile, is living like a pauper, holed up in an empty fleabag hotel he owns and refusing to spend any of the fortune he’d won on himself. Calling it blood money, he uses it only to fund his inchoate plan to crush the Squid Game. An attempt to locate the Salesman through a network of agents occupies the first couple of episodes. These are not without violence; still, it’s nice not to be back on the island yet, where players — not informed of this outcome beforehand — will be literally eliminated; while Gi-hun, who has returned, scrambles like the catcher in the rye to save as many as possible.

Though I am not going to rewatch the first season for comparison, because life is short, my impression is that the new season has more of an emphasis on interpersonal relationships (good and bad) and team dynamics, which, of course, fall apart as people die. (The games feel bloodier and even more evil this time around.) There are more young people involved: Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun), a former rapper, lost all his money in a cryptocurrency scam pushed by YouTuber Lee Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan), who was bankrupted as well (he’s also wanted for fraud), along with his former girlfriend, Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri). All are there, quite coincidentally. Coincidental, too, is the presence of Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), Gi-hun’s outside-world gambling pal from Season 1, whose survival is more than usually personal to our hero.

Thematically, it’s pretty straightforward, even conventional: kindness is better than selfishness, community trumps isolation, however much the deck is stacked against it or how depressing the outcome can be. That “Squid Game,” which is more than a little depressing, can be read as a critique of late-stage capitalism was often noted in reviews and essays at the time of the first season, and income inequality is clearly the structural basis of a story about the jaded rich exploiting the desperate poor, whom they divide in order to stay in power. If this season has its own theme, it may have to do with telling the actual enemy from the false ones the enemy engineers.

“You think people are just horses in a race, and you own the horses,” Gi-hun tells the Front Man. (They are speaking via a pig-shaped speaker, echoing the giant money-filled piggy bank that hangs above the players’ dormitory, tempting them to play on for an ever-bigger payout — typical game show stuff.)

“They were all just losers of the game,” the Front Man says of the hundreds of dead. “Trash eliminated from the competition. A ton of new trash is being poured into the world as we speak.”

Gi-hun, who has been stockpiling weapons in Seoul and assembling a strike force, and Jun-ho, who wants to confront his brother — the Front Man, remember — will begin to converge in their missions, which seem to promise some sort of battle royale. But this is just the middle chapter; a third season is slated for 2025, and it is my holiday wish that it spells “comeuppance.”

Will “Squid Game” have the courage of its philosophy, or will this be just another horror story? “The game will not end unless the world changes,” says the Front Man, which, one would like to think, gets it backward. But you never can tell.
26Dec
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Hits and Recedes From $106,000 Mark, Most Altcoins Trade in Gains 

The crypto market is seeing record gains as Bitcoin’s upward momentum continues to create new benchmarks. Over the weekend, BTC spiked to its new all-time high, exceeding $106,000 (roughly Rs. 89.9 lakh). On Monday, the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency underwent some price correction. At the time of writing, BTC was trading at $104,527 (roughly Rs. 88.6 lakh) on global exchanges after climbing 2.15 percent in the last 24 hours, showed CoinMarketCap. On Indian exchanges like CoinSwitch and CoinDCX, meanwhile, BTC’s price grew by 2.57 percent to trade at $104,344 (roughly Rs. 88.5 lakh).

“Bitcoin seems to have marked its support over $2 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,69,66,500 crore) dollar market cap – making it the 7th largest asset in the world by market cap with Amazon and Google being less than 15 percent away,” the CoinSwitch market desk told Gadgets 360. “Pro Bitcoin company Microstrategy is set to enter Nasdaq 100 as per its 100th annual reshuffling. This means that it will now be a part of one of the world’s largest ETF with more than $300 billion (roughly Rs. 25,44,975 crore) in assets under management,” the crypto firm added.

At a time when US President-elect Donald Trump is talking about establishing Bitcoin as a reserve asset as soon as he takes offices, several crypto assets are rallying. Ether grew by 1.80 percent in the last 24 hours and is presently trading at $3,966 (roughly Rs. 3.36 lakh) on international exchanges. The price of ETH on Indian exchanges, meanwhile, stands at $3,935 (roughly Rs. 3.33 lakh).

As per the crypto price tracker by Gadgets 360, Solana, Dogecoin, USD Coin, and Cardano are trading in gains.

Tron, Avalanche, Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin also reflected profits on Monday.

“Optimism for bullish momentum remains firm as the market awaits a 25-basis point cut by the Federal Reserve, triggering high overtures in the market. In the derivatives market, open interest in Bitcoin futures and options had hit record highs, indicative of an overwhelmingly bullish sentiment. The market can see short-term consolidations before a new bull run as selling volumes can outpace buying volumes,” Avinash Shekhar, the co-founder and CEO, Pi42, told Gadgets 360.

The valuation of the crypto sector rose by 1.61 percent over the last day. The current market cap of the sector stands at $3.69 trillion (roughly Rs. 3,13,00,425 crore), as per CoinMarketCap.

Tether, Ripple, Binance Coin, Chainlink, and Shiba Inu recorded losses on the price chart on Monday.

Prices of Stellar, Uniswap, Cronos, Cosmos, and Elrond also registered minor slips.

Market analysts have warned investors to be ready for price corrections in the coming days.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

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26Dec
Top 15 SEO stories of 2024

Another year in SEO has flown by. While 2023 may have been the wildest year in SEO ever, 2024 was not far behind – with perhaps two of the biggest stories in the history of SEO.

Note: This article doesn’t include any stories related to Google algorithm updates. Barry Schwartz wrote a separate recap on that, which will publish Dec. 26.

For years, the cache link in the Google Search results snippets was a de facto tool for many SEOs and searchers. That all changed in February. Google decided to retire it and officially remove the cache link.

14. Reddit-Google

Reddit had a heck of a year, greatly accelerated by an incredible surge of organic visibility in Google search results. And by sheer coincidence (surely), Reddit and Google struck a content licensing deal in February.

13. New insights into how Google ranks content

Mark Williams-Cook uncovered a Google endpoint, revealing over 2,000 properties used to classify queries and websites. We got new insights into scoring, query types, and site quality metrics – and unprecedented clarity into how Google Search works. This discovery is right up there with our Number 1 story and is only Number 13 because it happened so late in the year and hasn’t accumulated as many views as our other stories.

12. ChatGPT tries to change the search paradigm

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was pretty clear that he wanted to figure out search earlier this year. Rumors persisted, until we finally got a new prototype, called SearchGPT. Finally, in October, ChatGPT search launched for paid users. ChatGPT search opened up to all ChatGPT users this month.

11. Google leadership changes

Liz Reid, who was leading up core search experiences, was promoted to the Head of Search at Google in March. Later, Prabhakar Raghavan, who was villainized as being the man who killed Yahoo and Google search, exited his role as leader of search and ads to become chief technologist in October.

10. Organic traffic predicted to drop by 25%

Gartner made headlines with this prediction: “By 2026, traditional search engine volume will drop 25%, with search marketing losing market share to AI chatbots and other virtual agents.”

9. Google’s imaginary market share slip

Google experienced an unbelievable drop in market share in April, according to StatCounter. And when I say “unbelievable,” that’s because I didn’t believe Google took a massive at the expense of Microsoft Bing and Yahoo. In fact, it turned out that the data was wrong. But it was a hot story for a hot minute.

We’ve heard a lot from Google about how links matter less and aren’t a top ranking signal. Well, it turns out that 96% of websites ranking in the top 10 of Google had more than 1,000 backlinks from unique domains – at least according to a study by Internet Marketing Ninjas.

7. Mobile-first indexing (the end?)

Google told us in June that, starting after July 5, Google would crawl and index sites with only Googlebot Smartphone. That meant Google would no longer index or rank any sites that were not accessible using a mobile device.

6. New zero-click search data

Zero-click search results are not new. But we got some new data from the latest Rand Fishkin zero-click search study. Of note: Google searches end without a click 60% of the time; almost 30% of clicks go to Google’s properties; and about 36% of clicks go to the open web.

5. Semrush acquires Search Engine Land

Semrush, the leading online visibility management and content marketing SaaS platform, acquired Third Door Media, our parent company, on Oct. 16. In addition to Search Engine Land, Semrush acquired all of Third Door Media’s brands (SMX, MarTech, and Digital Marketing Depot).

4. Google Search penalties

One day after releasing its new search spam policies, including the March 2024 spam and core updates, Google began penalizing websites. Some sites were completely or partially de-listed from Google’s search results.

3. Google AI Overviews: Rise, fall, and rise again

Google started testing AI Overviews (formerly known as Search Generative Experience) in March. AI Overviews officially launched in May. What followed was a bit of a PR scandal, as Google’s AI-generated answers told searchers to eat rocks and drink urine, among other things. That led to a massive but temporary pullback in the presence of AI Overviews in search results. Google has since expanded the presence of AI Overviews in many sectors.

In June, Google announced it would bring back paginated results. The continuous scroll user experience, where Google loaded more results as you scroll past the first page of the search results, would become a thing of the past. Continuous scroll launched in Google mobile search in October 2021 and on desktop in December 2022.

1. Google’s Content API Warehouse leak

The biggest story of the year – and perhaps the biggest SEO story of all time. Michael King and Fishkin broke the news of a huge leak that gave us a glimpse into how Google’s ranking algorithm may work. Of note, the documents revealed how Google Search is using, or has used, clicks, links, content, entities, Chrome data and more for ranking.
26Dec
How One Of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Substories Sold Me On The Whole Franchise

Many of us have a game franchise that, despite liking everything we hear about it, we have never actually played any of the games. I have a few, but one notable blind spot in my gaming resume was Yakuza, or as it’s called now, Like A Dragon.

I’d been told by many friends that the series has something for everyone, from heavy action scenes to lighthearted goofiness, all with real emotion at the center… and yet I still never found the time. This year saw the release of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and for a while I thought it would be just another game to add to my backlog. However, thanks to a freelance opportunity, I finally found my excuse to play a Like A Dragon game for the first time.

Listening to Orlando’s story.

Through the first few chapters, I was enjoying myself, but I wasn’t yet seeing what others had told me about the series all these years. That changed in Chapter 4, when I approached a shaved-ice shop on the streets of Hawaii, and Substory 24: Let It Snow began.

Let It Snow begins with Ichiban finding a man in a plaid shirt buying shaved ice (also known as a snow cone) at a local shop. Curiously, the man asks for no toppings on his dessert, and then once he receives the treat, he throws it into the air. As the ice immediately melts–this is Hawaii, after all–the man screams in anguish and leaves distraught. Ichiban watches this happen, and other than feeling it’s really strange, doesn’t think much more of it.

Later, we find the same man being denied shaved ice at a second stand, as the proprietor had caught wind of his weird motives. Dejected, the man sits at a nearby bench, where Ichiban can sit with him and learn his story.

It turns out this man, whose name we learn is Orlando, is trying to fulfill his wife Ellie’s dying wish: “I want to see the snow with you again.” The couple, Orlando explains, have a lot of fond memories involving snow, including their honeymoon in Japan, and while he wanted to take her back, real-life responsibilities got in the way. She wants to see snow fall with her beloved one more time before she dies, which can be any time now. Ichiban agrees to help, and the two part ways for the moment.

So, uh, yeah…when I first saw a weird old dude throwing shaved ice into the sky, I did not think it would lead me to “super emotional story about a man trying to help his wife on her deathbed.” This is exactly the kind of thing my friends have been telling me about, and I have to admit it’s effective. That’s the beauty of the writing at work here; just when you think you have it all figured out, Like A Dragon surprises you. And, as the Substory continued, surprise me it absolutely did.

Later on in a nearby shopping center, Ichiban watches a woman lose a stroller down an escalator. Ichiban chases the stroller–the chase consisting of quick-time events to complete–until he catches it and brings it to a stop. Ichiban looks into the stroller, only to find a grown man in a diaper staring back at him.

Not what you'd expect to see in a bassinet!
Not what you’d expect to see in a bassinet!

This is Susumu Gondawara, a yakuza boss from a previous game who veteran Like A Dragon players would know to expect, but I was completely caught off guard. This hulking baby man says his stroller got away from the “nanny” he hired, and he wants Ichiban to take him back to her. However, three of Gondawara’s henchmen–also, inexplicably, in nothing but diapers–accuse Ichiban of kidnapping Gondawara, and the fight is on.

Once they’re defeated, Gondawara asks for some milk–and the only place to find it is a nearby shaved-ice truck, which uses condensed milk as a topping. One of the henchmen gets in line, only for a man in a familiar plaid shirt to force himself into the front and ask for a shaved ice with no topping.

Eventually, Ichiban, Orlando, and Gondawara all speak together, and try to come up with a solution to the problem. Orlando worries they’re running out of time, and Ichiban throws his shaved ice to the ground in frustration… however, the group notices that the ice didn’t melt, and instead turned to a snow-like substance. How did this happen?

Are you ready?

You’ll never guess…

It turns out that the absorbent of the diapers Gondawara and his men are wearing mixed with the shaved ice, and the combination created the “snow.” I’d heard Like A Dragon could be wacky, but I don’t think I realized just how wacky things could get. After Gondawara explains the difference between his group’s “baby play” fantasy and real-world honor, the three agree to a plan.

The scene then shifts to the hotel where Orlando and Ellie are staying, where–and I cannot believe I’m typing these words–Ichiban, Gondawara, and the underlings mix diaper absorbent with shaved ice, then throw it off of the rooftop of the hotel. Orlando and Ellie, together in their room just below said rooftop, see the “snow” come through the window and are delighted.

Ellie calls Orlando a “magician,” before asking for one more last wish: She wants to see Orlando smile one last time before she falls asleep. He obliges, tears welling in his eyes, and she eventually falls asleep for the final time.

Ellie's final moments.
Ellie’s final moments.

So, to recap, in order to help a desperate man fulfill the final wish of his dying wife, our hero Ichiban:

  • Enlisted the help of a man who likes to act as a baby
  • Mixed absorbent from that man’s adult diaper supply with shaved ice to create “snow”
  • Threw the mixture off of a roof, so the desperate man and his wife could see it fall from the room below.

And yet, despite the sheer wackiness making this whole thing happen, the heart at the core of the scene cannot be denied. Ichiban stepped up to help a stranger, simply because he could, and he made a dying woman’s final wish come true in the process. Once the “snow” started to fall, and the scene focused on Orlando and Ellie, I forgot about the absurdities of it all and focused on the relatable, human story at the center of the Substory, and it filled me with a warmth that most games aren’t capable of creating… until the scene switches back to Ichiban and company, where Gondawara’s henchmen are laying on the rooftop exhausted–and buck naked. It’s a last bit of wackiness to send us off; this is Like A Dragon, after all.

After years of being told I would like this series, and never having time to check it out, Infinite Wealth was officially my first foray into what Like A Dragon/Yakuza has to offer. Thanks to Substory 24: Let It Snow, I’ve seen the light. I’m sold, and I plan to go back and see what I’ve been missing all this time as soon as possible–and all it took was a little “winter” magic.

More Best Of 2024:
26Dec
New scan method unveils lung function secrets

A new method of scanning lungs is able to show the effects of treatment on lung function in real time and enable experts to see the functioning of transplanted lungs.

This could enable medics to identify sooner any decline in lung function.

The scan method has enabled the team, led by researchers at Newcastle University, UK, to see how air moves in and out of the lungs as people take a breath in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and patients who have received a lung transplant.

Publishing two complementary papers in Radiology and JHLT Open, the team explain how they use a special gas, called perfluoropropane, that can be seen on an MRI scanner. The gas can be safely breathed in and out by patients, and then scans taken to look at where in the lungs the gas has reached.

The project lead, Professor Pete Thelwallis Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics and Director of the Centre for In Vivo Imaging at Newcastle University. He said; “Our scans show where there is patchy ventilation in patients with lung disease, and show us which parts of the lung improve with treatment. For example, when we scan a patient as they use their asthma medication, we can see how much of their lungs and which parts of their lung are better able to move air in and out with each breath.”

Using the new scanning method, the team are able to reveal the parts of the lung that air doesn’t reach properly during breathing. By measuring how much of the lung is well-ventilated and how much is poorly ventilated, experts can make an assessment of the effects of a patient’s respiratory disease, and they can locate and visualise the lung regions with ventilation defects.

Demonstrating that the scans work in patients with asthma or COPD, the team comprising experts from across Universities and NHS Trusts in Newcastle and Sheffield publish the first paper in Radiology.

The new scanning technique allows the team to quantify the degree of improvement in ventilation when patients have a treatment, in this case a widely used inhaler, the bronchodilator, salbutamol. This shows that the imaging methods could be valuable in clinical trials of new treatments of lung disease.

Use in lung transplants

A further study, published in JHLT Open, examined patients who had previously received a lung transplant for very severe lung disease at the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It demonstrates how the team further developed the imaging method to provide lung function measurements which could be used to better support lung transplant recipients in the future. The sensitivity of the measurement means medics can spot early changes in lung function allowing them to identify lung problems earlier and so provide better care for patients.

In research studies, the team scanned transplant recipients’ lungs over multiple breaths in and out, collecting MRI pictures that show how the air containing the gas reached different areas of the lung. The team scanned those who either had normal lung function or who were experiencing chronic rejection after lung transplant, which is a common issue in lung transplant recipients as their immune system attacks the donor lungs. In those with chronic rejection, the scans showed poorer movement of air to the edges of the lungs, most likely due to damage in the very small breathing tubes (airways) in the lung, a feature typical of chronic rejection also known as chronic lung allograft dysfunction.

Professor Andrew Fisher, Professor of Respiratory Transplant Medicine at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, UK, co-author of the study said; “We hope this new type of scan might allow us to see changes in the transplant lungs earlier and before signs of damage are present in the usual blowing tests. This would allow any treatment to be started earlier and help protect the transplanted lungs from further damage.”

The team say there is potential for this scan method to be used in the clinical management of lung transplant recipients and other lung diseases in the future, bringing a sensitive measurement that may spot early changes in lung function that enable better management of these conditions.

This work on lung imaging has been funded by the Medical Research Council and by The Rosetrees Trust.
26Dec
Call for Papers: Niti Samvaad by The Department of Public Policy, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai: Submit Abstract by Jan 15!

Submissions are invited for Niti Samvaad by The Department of Public Policy, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Submit Abstract by Jan 15! About the Conference Niti-Samvaad is the annual national public policy conference which brings together scholars, researchers, practitioners, and students from the public policy space to deliberate on crucial policy challenges and innovative solutions. The […]

The post Call for Papers: Niti Samvaad by The Department of Public Policy, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai: Submit Abstract by Jan 15! appeared first on Lawctopus.
26Dec
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 26, 2024 | Astrology

All zodiac signs have their own characteristics and traits which define someone’s personality. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you started your day by already knowing about what’s going to come your way? Read on to find out whether the odds will be in your favour today.

Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 26, 2024. (Pixabay)

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
A balanced routine of diet and workouts will keep you energized. A pay raise is expected, especially for those in government roles. Your spouse may react negatively to your advice on self-improvement. Some might consider purchasing pre-owned items. A tour package may fall short of expectations. Through effort and luck, certain students may excel in exams.

Love Focus: Feelings for someone special could deepen.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Colour: Blue

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
You may start a new fitness routine to regain your shape. Financial worries may linger in your mind. Your skills could open up great opportunities at work. Extended work hours may limit family time, but you may make amends. Take precautions during long-distance road travel. You don’t have to be subservient to show that you care.

Love Focus: Romance will bring you great joy today.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: Green

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
You may make sound financial choices. Your work performance will likely impress your bosses. A change in surroundings will boost both physical and mental health. Avoid letting a trivial issue disturb home harmony. Adventure activities will bring excitement! Changing your attitude about someone or something will be for your own good.
Love Focus: Reconciliation with your partner may not happen soon.

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Colour: White

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)
A new diet and fitness routine will bring health benefits. Financially, someone may try to mislead you. Job seekers are likely to find well-paying positions. Family life will be peaceful but may need some thrill. Long trips may be challenging. Students are likely to focus better by enhancing their study environment.
Love Focus: Your partner will find new ways to please you romantically.

Lucky Number: 7

Lucky Colour: Grey

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)
A healthier lifestyle will benefit those trying to get fit. Reviewing investments may be necessary for some. Work pressures may lead you to desire a relaxed setting. A family elder will appreciate your support. A tour to an exotic place will bring joy. You will be confident enough to perform well on the academic front.

Love Focus: Some efforts may be needed to strengthen the romantic bond.

Lucky Number: 6

Lucky Colour: Orange

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
Your financial situation is set to improve as profits increase. You may succeed in a competition that once intimidated you. Fitness enthusiasts will benefit from a new workout. A family gathering might not be as enjoyable as expected. You may be swayed into doing something unwise. Those in a new environment won’t take long in finding their feet.

Love Focus: You may make the right moves toward your loved one.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Magenta

LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
Strict budgeting will keep your finances stable. Progress at work may feel slow and frustrating. Family support will motivate you to move forward. Some may soon acquire a new home. Dedication will help you complete tasks swiftly. You are likely to remain regular in your workouts and retain perfect health. Travelling with someone you like will help make a long journey short.
Love Focus: Small gestures will be deeply appreciated in romance.

Lucky Number: 3

Lucky Colour: Beige

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Your mediation skills make you valuable at work. Promotions are likely for uniformed or private-sector employees. Maintaining your fitness efforts will yield good results. Peace at home may require intentional effort. Those awaiting exam results are likely to pass with distinction. You can plan to travel out of station on someone’s invitation.
Love Focus: Be mindful of words to avoid annoying your partner.

Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: Saffron

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Helping someone with their fitness journey is possible. Be cautious about lending money as it may not be returned. Expanding social circles could fulfil companionship desires. Overseas travellers will enjoy close connections’ hospitality. Recent graduates may pursue advanced studies. Someone may feel benevolent towards you and give some good professional tips.
Love Focus: Your partner might be in a complaining mood, so listen with patience.

Lucky Number:3

Lucky Colour: Peach

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Those feeling unwell are likely to recover. A promising investment opportunity may come your way. At work, poorly presented ideas could be dismissed. Someone’s return may prompt celebration. Some may travel abroad for work purposes. Acquiring a new house or shop may not materialise immediately for some. You perform brilliantly on the academic front.
Love Focus: Avoid yielding to emotional persuasion from your partner, but stay gentle.

Lucky Number: 18

Lucky Colour: Silver

AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
Some may travel overseas for work. Savings will allow you to buy something you have long desired. A work project may need outside help. Exciting events are likely at home. Students will feel relieved and optimistic about their performance. You are likely to remain fit and healthy through your own efforts. Property and other assets may be put up for sale by some.

Love Focus: Romance looks lively with shared activities.

Lucky Number:3

Lucky Colour: Cream

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Someone may motivate you to shake a leg to remain in shape. Paying off debts may seem difficult but manageable. A lucrative job opportunity could soon materialize. Parents will be especially supportive of your efforts. Property deals may start emerging. Students studying abroad will find the journey smooth. You are likely to sidestep a major responsibility simply by your convincing talk.
Love Focus: Your lover may feel slighted if ignored in their interests.
Lucky Number: 4

Lucky Colour: White
26Dec
Wherever you are, be there


One of the major reasons why we fail to find happiness or to create a unique lifestyle is because we have not yet mastered the art of being.

While we are home our thoughts are still absorbed with solving the challenges we face at the office.

And when we are at the office we find ourselves worrying about problems at home.

We go through the day without really listening to what others are saying to us.

We may be hearing the words, but we aren’t absorbing the message.

As we go through the day we find ourselves focusing on past experiences or future possibilities.

We are so involved in yesterday and tomorrow that we never even notice that today is slipping by.

We go through the day rather than getting something from the day.

We are everywhere at any given moment in time except living in that moment in time.
26Dec
How To Split Large Files into Multiple Files on Windows

Quick Links

Splitting large files into smaller chunks is an effective way to work around the file size limitations of various messaging and email services. You can split files on Windows and then rejoin them using these two popular file archiving tools.

Split Large Files with WinRAR for Easy Sharing and Storage

WinRAR is one of the most popular file compression and archiving tools capable of splitting a file into multiple volumes of your specified size. Download Winrar and install it onto your computer.

After installation, open File Explorer and right-click the file you want to split. Then choose WinRAR > Add to archive.

The Archive format is set to RAR by default, but you can choose ZIP or RAR4 if you want. Leave the compression method set to Normal and the Dictionary size at its default setting since you’re splitting the file.

In the Split to Volume, size, field, specify the desired file size for each part. Say I have a 6.34GB file that I want to split into 1GB each. For this, I’ll enter 1GB. You can also add a password to protect your archive.

WinRAR add archive dialog open in Windows 11

Once done, click OK. WinRAR will begin splitting the files into the specified size and saving them in the source folder. This process may take some time, depending on the file size, so wait until it is complete. The split archives will be named part1, part2, part3, and so on.

WinRAR split files in Windows File Explorer

You’ll need every part in the same folder to recombine the files. Right-click on the first part of the file and choose WinRAR > Extract files. Choose the destination and click OK.

The receiver must have WinRAR installed on their Windows computer, as other archiving tools or Windows 11’s built-in extract option won’t be able to recombine the files.

Use 7-Zip to Split Large Files into Smaller Parts

7-ZIP is another archive and compression tool that can split large files into smaller parts. It’s free to use, open-source, and known for its high compression ratio.

Download 7-Zip and install it. Once installed, launch 7-ZIP, double-click Computer, and select the file you want to split. Finally, click Add (green plus icon).

7-Zip add to archive dialog open in Windows 11

Alternatively, select and right-click the file in File Explorer and then choose Add to Archive.

In the Add to Archive window, click Split to volumes, bytes, then enter the file size. For instance, typing 20M will create files of 20MB each.

7-Zip Add to Archive dialog open in Windows 11

Additionally, use the encryption option to add a password to your archive. Leave the other options at their default settings and click OK.

Windows File Explorer with 7-Zip split files

Like WinRAR, you must use 7-Zip to recombine the parts. To do this, right-click the first part of the file, then choose Show More > 7-Zip > Extract Files. Choose a destination folder and click OK to extract the file.

By following these methods, you can split large files to overcome file size limitations through storage devices, instant messaging apps, and email services. These instructions should work with any file type, including video, audio, compressed archives, backup, and disk images.
26Dec
The week’s bestselling books, Dec. 29

Hardcover fiction

1. James by Percival Everett (Doubleday: $28) An action-packed reimagining of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”

2. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Farrar, Straus & Giroux: $29) Two grieving brothers come to terms with their history and the people they love.

3. All Fours by Miranda July (Riverhead Books: $29) A woman upends her domestic life in this irreverent and tender novel.

4. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Grove Press: $20) During the 1985 Christmas season, a coal merchant in an Irish village makes a troubling discovery.

5. The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami (Knopf: $35) A love story and ode to books and the libraries that house them.

6. The Women by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press: $30) An intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time.

7. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Riverhead Books: $30) Two worlds collide when a teenager vanishes from her Adirondacks summer camp.

8. Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar (Knopf: $28) An orphaned son of Iranian immigrants embarks on a search for a family secret.

9. Playground by Richard Powers (W.W. Norton & Co.: $30) The Pacific Ocean-set novel explores one of the last truly wild places.

10. The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Henry Holt & Co.: $29) An unexpected wedding guest gets surprise help on her journey to starting anew.

…

Hardcover nonfiction

1. Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (Crown: $34) The Barefoot Contessa shares the story of her rise in the food world.

2. Cher by Cher (Dey Street Books: $36) The superstar reveals her true story in the first of a two-part memoir.

3. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer, John Burgoyne (Illustrator) (Scribner: $20) The “Braiding Sweetgrass” author on gratitude, reciprocity and community, and the lessons to take from the natural world.

4. Patriot by Alexei Navalny (Knopf $35) The memoir of a political opposition leader who paid the ultimate price.

5. The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (One World: $30) The National Book Award winner travels to three sites of conflict to explore how the stories we tell, and the ones we don’t, shape our realities.

6. Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik (Scribner: $30) Eve Babitz’s diary-like letters provide a window into her fellow literary titan, Joan Didion.

7. Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown & Co.: $32) The bestselling author reframes the lessons of his first book 25 years later.

8. Carson the Magnificent by Bill Zehme (Simon & Schuster: $30) A biography 20 years in the making of the entertainer who redefined late-night television and reshaped American culture.

9. The Wager by David Grann (Doubleday: $30) The story of the shipwreck of an 18th century British warship and a mutiny among the survivors.

10. The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides (Doubleday: $35) An epic account of Capt. James Cook’s final voyage.

…

Paperback fiction

1. Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Grove Press: $17)

2. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Harper Perennial: $22)

3. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Vintage: $19)

4. North Woods by Daniel Mason (Random House Trade Paperbacks: $18)

5. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Ballantine: $20)

6. The Best American Short Stories 2024 by Lauren Groff, Heidi Pitlor (Editors) (Mariner Books: $20)

7. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (Europa Editions: $17)

8. The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters (Catapult: $18)

9. The Hunter by Tana French (Penguin: $19)

10. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Entangled: Red Tower Books: $21)

…

Paperback nonfiction

1. The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan (Knopf: $35)

2. On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder (Crown: $12)

3. The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Vintage: $18)

4. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe (Vintage: $20)

5. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley (Simon & Schuster: $19)

6. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Milkweed Editions: $20)

7. All About Love by bell hooks (Morrow: $17)

8. World Travel by Anthony Bourdain, Laurie Woolever (Ecco: $22)

9. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (TarcherPerigee: $20)

10. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Crown: $20)
26Dec
Lilium Layoffs: German Flying Taxi Startup Lays Off 1,000 People, Shuts Down Operations Amid Failure To Raise Money, Founder Dr Patrick Nathen Says ‘This Is Heartbreaking’

Munich, December 25: Germany-based flying taxi startup Lilium recently shut down its operations and laid off nearly 1,000 employees. The layoffs were announced amid the startup’s failure to get financing and exit insolvency. With this step, the company is expected to close its business permanently.

According to a report by Business Insider, Lilium layoffs affected 1,000 individuals who supported the flying taxi startup. The report mentioned that “things are not going any further” with these laid-off employees. Lilium, an electric aircraft startup, raised USD 1 billion before going public. On December 24, Lilium announced that a consortium of investors was interested in buying its subsidiaries to help the company restructure and emerge from insolvency. Tech Layoffs 2024: 539 Companies Lays Off 1,50,034 Employees This Year, Yahoo, AMD, Ola Electric and Others Latest To Let Go Staff From November to December.

Lilium Founder Dr Patrick Nathen’s Message on Layoffs

 

However, Lilium founder Dr. Patrick Nathen posted on LinkedIn that the company was shutting down its operations after 10 years and 10 months. In his official post, Nathen started by crediting the company’s existence to him and co-founders Daniel, Sebastian and Matthias. He said, “This is heartbreaking, and the timing feels painfully ironic.” 

The Lilium layoffs affected 1,000 workers, and more than 200 workers would be laid off in the coming few days. Patrick Nathen said he was grateful for everyone who supported the company and wished everyone a peaceful and restful holiday during the turbulent times. He proudly said that Lilium was started by four of the founders with nothing but a dream, and they tried to go far with their journey despite facing hurdles. Hiring 2024: Online Job Postings Jumped 20% This Year With Over 12 Lakh Openings Amid Digital Adoption and SMB Sector Growth, Says ‘India at Work’ Report.

German-based flying air taxi startup was developing VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft that could achieve 100 kilometres per hour speed; however, it was struggling for months, according to a report by TechCrunch. Despite making remarkable progress by going public in 2021 and announcing a merger with SPAC Qell, a blank-check company, Lilium was years away from delivering its flying taxis to the market. Lilium filed for bankruptcy in October after a failure to raise money from the German government. 

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2024 04:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
25Dec
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High of $108,000 Before Pulling Back; Altcoins Mostly in Red

The overall crypto market witnessed price correction across most cryptocurrencies over the last 24 hours. Bitcoin on Wednesday, December 18 registered a loss of 2.60 percent to trade at $103,740 (roughly Rs. 88 lakh) on foreign exchanges. Earlier in the day, Bitcoin had surged to a new all-time high of over $108,200 (roughly Rs. 91.8 lakh) before retreating to its current level. The price correction impacted Bitcoin on Indian platforms as well, such as CoinDCX and CoinSwitch, where it was trading at $103,701 (roughly Rs. 88.6 lakh) at the time of writing.

“Bitcoin recently surged to $108,260 (roughly Rs. 91.9 lakh) on Tuesday, representing an increasingly strong institutional interest. The market’s strong fundamentals include persistent demand from spot Bitcoin ETFs and tight supply,” Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder and CEO, Pi42 told Gadgets360. “The most important thing for Bitcoin now is to hold above $102,000 (roughly Rs. 86.6 lakh) support, since a break below could set off a liquidity crunch and holding above could signal more upside.”

Ether saw a price drop of 4.25 percent over the last day on global exchanges. At present, ETH is trading at $3,841 (roughly Rs. 3.26 lakh) on foreign exchanges, showed CoinMarketCap. As per Indian exchanges, ETH value dropped by 4.88 percent bringing its price to $3,839 (roughly Rs. 3.26 lakh).

“Ethereum is in the consolidation phase right now but can mimic the rally of Bitcoin as the investors sentiments are bullish for Ethereum, as short positions are being liquidated all over the board. Ethereum gets a boost from its history of lagging and then catching up to Bitcoin’s momentum,” Shekhar added.

As shown by the crypto price tracker by Gadgets 360 – most altcoins are trading in the reds indicating losses on Wednesday.

Tether, Binance Coin, Dogecoin, Cardano, Tron, Avalanche, and Chainlink saw losses.

Shiba Inu, Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, Near Protocol, and Cronos also registered price dips on Wednesday.

The overall valuation of the crypto sector tumbled by 2.77 percent in the last 24 hours. The present market cap of the sector has reached $3.62 trillion (roughly Rs. 3,07,42,307 crore), showed CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin’s dominance on the market stands at 56.65 percent.

Market experts anticipate a more favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in the near future.

“The crypto market has shown encouraging signs as US lawmakers have pledged to advance digital asset legislation, a long-awaited move for the sector. Key members, including the new Senate Banking Chair, have referred to crypto as the ‘next wonder’ of the world, signaling a strong commitment to regulatory clarity. This positive momentum reflects growing institutional interest and a favorable political environment for cryptocurrencies,” Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin told Gadgets 360.

Meanwhile Ripple, Solana, Stellar, Uniswap, Litecoin, and Iota recorded minor profits on Wednesday.

Industry insiders have said that investors should remain cautious but optimistic about navigating their way out of macroeconomic uncertainties in the coming days.

Cryptocurrency is an unregulated digital currency, not a legal tender and subject to market risks. The information provided in the article is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice, trading advice or any other advice or recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by NDTV. NDTV shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on any perceived recommendation, forecast or any other information contained in the article. 

Affiliate links may be automatically generated – see our ethics statement for details.
25Dec
Google expands AI organized search results to restaurants

Google has expanded its AI-organized search results for local queries on restaurants. As a reminder, Google announced AI-organized search results back at Google I/O in May, then officially began rolling them out in October for recipes and meal inspiration on mobile and now they are rolling out for dining recommendations.

What Google said. Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google, said on X:

Happy to share we’ve launched a new way to get dining recs on Search. If you’re looking for something like “restaurants with a view Chicago,” you’ll get a results page organized with AI. This includes unique, AI-generated categories based on your search with helpful resources from the web, like articles, videos, forums, etc. We launched something similar for meal planning back in October – and there’s still more to come!

What it looks like. Here is a video showing these results organized by these categories:

Why we care. This may change how much traffic your site or business gets from Google search. Any large or even small changes to the Google search results page can have a big impact to your site’s performance in Google Search. This is rolling out right before the holidays and if your restaurant does a lot of holiday business, you may be in for a surprise.

Add Search Engine Land to your Google News feed.    

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz is a technologist and a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics.

In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the “US Search Personality Of The Year,” you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O’Clock.

Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here or on his personal site.

25Dec
Rayman Is Back But Probably Not How You Want

Ubisoft has released a new game called Captain Laserhawk: The Game, which is a top-down multiplayer shooter that utilizes NFTs and blockchain technology. It’s currently in early access on PC and somehow features Rayman.

According to Game File’s Stephen Totilo, the game is based on the Netflix show Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, which itself is based on the Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon spin-off. In Captain Laserhawk: The Game, Rayman is simply the announcer for deathmatches, so he’s not actually playable.

The game requires players to have a Niji Warrior NFT to play. A Rayman profile picture can also be purchased for 750 virtual coins and attached to your Niji Warrior NFT. That’s pretty much the extent of Rayman’s involvement in this game. Ubisoft has quietly released this game to little fanfare, as there aren’t many social media posts even acknowledging its existence outside of a few Medium posts.

NFTs were a hot topic a few years ago, as companies like Electronic Arts, Take-Two, and Square Enix vouched for them. However, the sentiment has died down considerably as the industry pivoted into the next tech craze: AI.

Ubisoft had an NFT platform called Quartz, which received backlash when it was first announced. Ubisoft also experimented with NFTs for Ghost Recon Breakpoint, but ended support for the game in 2022.
25Dec
Foundational technology to make cancer cells revert to normal cells?

Despite the development of numerous cancer treatment technologies, the common goal of current cancer therapies is to eliminate cancer cells. This approach, however, faces fundamental limitations, including cancer cells developing resistance and returning, as well as severe side effects from the destruction of healthy cells.

KAIST (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 20th of December that a research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering has developed a groundbreaking technology that can treat colon cancer by converting cancer cells into a state resembling normal colon cells without killing them, thus avoiding side effects.

The research team focused on the observation that during the oncogenesis process, normal cells regress along their differentiation trajectory. Building on this insight, they developed a technology to create a digital twin of the gene network associated with the differentiation trajectory of normal cells.

Through simulation analysis, the team systematically identified master molecular switches that induce normal cell differentiation. When these switches were applied to colon cancer cells, the cancer cells reverted to a normal-like state, a result confirmed through molecular and cellular experiments as well as animal studies.

This research demonstrates that cancer cell reversion can be systematically achieved by analyzing and utilizing the digital twin of the cancer cell gene network, rather than relying on serendipitous discoveries. The findings hold significant promise for developing reversible cancer therapies that can be applied to various types of cancer.

Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho remarked, “The fact that cancer cells can be converted back to normal cells is an astonishing phenomenon. This study proves that such reversion can be systematically induced.”

He further emphasized, “This research introduces the novel concept of reversible cancer therapy by reverting cancer cells to normal cells. It also develops foundational technology for identifying targets for cancer reversion through the systematic analysis of normal cell differentiation trajectories.”

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea through the Mid-Career Researcher Program and Basic Research Laboratory Program. The research findings have been transferred to BioRevert Inc., where they will be used for the development of practical cancer reversion therapies.
25Dec
Article Writing Competition by Centre for Constitutional Law & Human Rights at Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal: Register by Jan 10!

The JLU Centre for Constitutional Law & Human Rights at the Faculty of Law, Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal, is organizing II JLU CCLHR Article Writing Competition 2025 and is pleased to announce a call for articles on the broad-ranging theme: “Tracing Constitutionalism in the Era of Global Governance and Sequencing Human Rights Issues Across Horizons.” […]

The post Article Writing Competition by Centre for Constitutional Law & Human Rights at Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal: Register by Jan 10! appeared first on Lawctopus.
25Dec
Fitness trainer who helped Nita Ambani, Anant Ambani lose weight shares 3 tips to melt belly fat | Health

Dec 25, 2024 05:35 PM IST

Vinod Channa shared three main tips on how to lose belly fat faster. Take a look.

Anant Ambani went through a drastic weight transformation a few years ago which made him lose 108 kilos in just 18 months. Anant’s mother Nita Ambani also lost 18 kilos, and went through a weight loss journey. Fitness trainer Vinod Channa guided Nita Ambani and Anant Ambani during their individual weight transformation journeys. Also read | Before Anant Ambani’s wedding to Radhika Merchant, a look at his weight loss journey when he lost 108 kg in 18 months

Vinod Channa, on his website, shared three recipes of losing belly fat faster. (Instagram, Pexels)

The fitness trainer keeps sharing important tricks and tips related to weight loss and fitness on his Instagram profile. One of his blogs related to burning belly fat from a few years ago has resurfaced, and it is helpful for the ones embarking on a weight loss journey.

Vinod Channa, on his website, shared three recipes of losing belly fat faster.

Eat at regular intervals:

“Eating enough at regular intervals is much better than eating light or bloating your stomach after long gap. This keeps your metabolism at work and don’t pressurize your body’s intestinal system. As per my own experience and studies, it has been proved that eating within at least 2 hours is the best approach to follow your balance diet approach. Moreover, instead of completely avoiding your favorite junk food, check if there is healthy option or you can make it healthy,” read an excerpt of his blog. Vinod added that understanding the intake of essential nutrients through a balanced diet is the key to losing belly fat faster. Also read | Man lost belly fat by just changing these 4 things: ‘My belly started to shrink when…’

Work on abs at right time:

Vinod Channa advised that working on abs should be planned properly, and not based on impulsive decisions. We should target abs workout only after working on the large muscles such as legs, back and chest. This is because, after burning calories on working on the large muscles, it becomes easier for the abs to get into shape. Also read | How to lose stubborn belly fat before wedding: Nutritionist shares simple weight loss plan to shed 2-3 kg in 10 days

Work on all muscle groups:

Vinod Channa noted down the major muscle groups that we should focus on – Rectus abdominal, Internal oblique, External oblique and Transverse oblique. “Perform crunches that will work on rectus abdominal, cross crunches and leg raises which will work on internal and external oblique and lastly transverse oblique which can be worked by doing plank, side plank,” wrote Vinod Channa.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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25Dec
Lessons from the Wealth Building Report

Key takeaways

The average Australian household net worth has reached $1.58 million, placing the nation among the top five wealthiest globally in average wealth per adult. This growth reflects a robust economy but also highlights a stark wealth divide.

13% of Australian adults, or 2.8 million people, are millionaires, but this figure drops to 5% when excluding the value of their primary residence. Property and superannuation make up 74% of household wealth, making Australians “asset-rich” but often “cash-poor.”

The top 10% of households control 44% of wealth, while the bottom 60% hold just 17%. Lower-income groups face barriers to wealth-building opportunities such as property investment or diversified portfolios.

While Australia’s household wealth reflects economic strength, it also exposes systemic inequality. Financial fluency, disciplined savings, and a strategic investment approach can empower Australians of all income levels to achieve financial independence.

Building wealth is accessible through careful planning and leveraging opportunities within one’s means.


Do you feel richer?

There is no doubt that many Australians are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis but overall, Australia’s household wealth has reached new heights, with the average household net worth climbing to an impressive $1.58 million.

Total Household Net Wealth

This milestone secures Australia’s position as one of the top five wealthiest nations globally in terms of average wealth per adult.

While this figure reflects a robust economy, it also reveals a stark divide in wealth distribution and provides valuable insights into the strategies driving financial success.

Australia’s millionaire surge

Finder’s 2024 Wealth Building Report reveals that approximately 13% of Australian adults—equivalent to 2.8 million people—are now millionaires.

However, this figure diminishes to just 5% when the value of the primary residence is excluded, underscoring how integral property is to individual wealth in Australia.

Rising property values and superannuation funds have played pivotal roles, accounting for around 74% of household net wealth.

This data suggests that many Australians remain “asset-rich” but “cash-poor,” as their wealth is tied to illiquid assets such as property.

With homeownership playing such a central role, any fluctuation in property prices could have a significant impact on overall wealth.

Wealth inequality: a persistent challenge

While many households have seen an increase in net worth, wealth distribution remains uneven.

The top 10% of Australian households control 44% of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 60% collectively hold only 17%.

This disparity highlights systemic economic challenges, with lower-income groups often finding it harder to access wealth-building opportunities like property investment or diversified financial assets.

How do successful Australians build wealth?

The Finder Wealth Building Report sheds light on the habits and strategies of Australians who have successfully grown their wealth.

The Factor That Has Contributed The Most To Investors Net Wealth

Three key approaches stand out:

1. Budgeting:

Almost four in ten Australians attribute their financial success to disciplined budgeting.
25Dec
200+ Creative Responses To “I Love You” 

When someone says “I love you,” it can leave you speechless or filled with emotions. But what do you say in return? It can be hard to find the right words, whether you want to express your affection, be playful, or keep it lighthearted. Knowing how to respond to I love you more creatively can make your relationship more meaningful, whether the tone is romantic, cute, sweet, or funny. This article will delve into over 200 creative responses to I love you, giving you an array of options for every situation!

How To Respond To I Love You — 200+ Alternatives

When wondering how to respond to I love you more uniquely than with a generic “I love you too,” the possibilities are endless. The key is to match your response with the tone and context of the conversation, whether it’s romantic, playful, or heartfelt. Let’s explore the perfect responses to I love you for every occasion.

Romantic ways to I love you 

Love is best expressed through deep emotions. When someone says I love you, responding romantically will ignite that emotional connection. Here are 50 romantic ways to say I love you: 

Romantic responses to I love you

1.”I love you more than words can say.”
2.”You’re the love of my life.”
3. “Every moment with you feels like a dream.”
4. “My heart beats for you.”
5. “I love you endlessly.”
6. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
7. “You’re my forever.”
8. “I love you I love you I love you. I’m completely in love with you.”
9. “You’re the reason I smile every day.”
10. “You have my heart, now and forever.”
11. “My soul belongs to you.”
12. “I love you more each day.”
13. “You complete me.”
14. “With you, I’m home.”
15. “I never knew what true love was until I met you.”
16. “I love you like the sun loves the sky.”
17. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
18. “You’re the best part of my day.”
19. “You are my heart’s only desire.”
20. “You are my everything.”

Related Reading: 25 Bedtime Stories For Girlfriend

21. “I love you more than words can say.”
22. “You’re the light in my life.”
23. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
24. “You’re my one and only.”
25. “I’m falling deeper in love with you.”
26. “Every day I fall in love with you all over again.”
27. “You’re my dream come true.”
28. “You’re the person I’ve been waiting for all my life.”
29. “You make my heart skip a beat.”
30. “Loving you feels like a beautiful journey.”
31. “You’re my destiny.”
32. “I want to grow old with you.”
33. “You make every day brighter.”
34. “You are my world.”
35. “I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”
36. “You make me feel alive.”
37. “I am so lucky to have you.”
38. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted.”
39. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”
40. “I would choose you in a hundred lifetimes.”

Cute responses to I love you

Want to add a dash of sweetness? Sometimes a cute response can bring a smile to their face and make the moment even more special. Here are 50 cute ways to say I love you back:

cute ways to say I love you
Cute responses to I love you

41. “Aww, I love you too, cutie!”
42. “You make my heart skip a beat!”
43. “You’re my favorite person in the world.”
44. “I love you more than cupcakes!”
45. “I love you I love you I love you so much more than words can describe”
46. “You’re my sunshine.”
47. “I’m your biggest fan!”
48. “I love you more than chocolate!”
49. “You make my world go round.”
50. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
51. “You are my everything.”
52. “You make me smile like no one else can.”
53. “You’re my best friend and my love.”
54. “You’re my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye.”
55. “I love you to infinity and beyond.”
56. “You’re my heart’s one true love.”
57. “You’re the peanut butter to my jelly.”
58. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”
59. “I’m so glad you’re mine!”
60. “You complete me in the best way.”

Related Reading: Planning A Commitment Ceremony? Everything You Need To Know

61. “You make every day special.”
62. “You make my heart melt.”
63. “You’re the reason for my happy face.”
64. “I could never stop loving you.”
65. “You’re my sweet little love bug.”
66. “You’re my forever and always.”
67. “I’m addicted to you.”
68. “You’re the best part of my day.”
69. “I love you like a kid loves candy.”
70. “You’re the reason I wake up with a smile.”
71. “I love you more than all the cookies in the world.”
72. “I could cuddle you forever.”
73. “You’re my favorite daydream.”
74. “You are the best part of me.”
75. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”
76. “I’m always thinking of you.”
77. “You’re the one I want to spend forever with.”
78. “I’m never letting you go.”
79. “You’re my favorite person to be around.”
80. “You’re the apple of my eye.”

Sweet responses to I love you

Sweetness is the secret ingredient to deep affection. These responses convey warmth and genuine love and are great for making them smile and blush. Here are 50 sweet responses to I love you:

I love you endlessly
Sweet responses to I love you

81. “You are my sunshine on a rainy day.”
82. “I’m so lucky to have you by my side.”
83. “My heart is yours forever.”
84. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
85. “I love you because you make me feel whole.”
86. “You make every moment feel magical.”
87. “You’re my reason for everything.”
88. “I love you unconditionally and endlessly.”
89. “You’re my favorite person in the whole world.”
90. “I love you with all my heart.”
91. “You bring out the best in me.”
92. “You’re the best part of every day.”
93. “I love you more than you know.”
94. “You are my heart’s desire.”
95. “I can’t imagine life without you.”
96. “You mean the world to me.”
97. “You make my life beautiful.”
98. “You make me feel so special.”
99. “You are my favorite hello and hardest goodbye.”
100. “Every moment with you is a gift.”

Related Reading: 15 Delightful Signs The Talking Stage Is Going Well

101. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
102. “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”
103. “You make my heart feel so full.”
104. “You’re my home.”
105. “I love you because you make me laugh.”
106. “I’m so grateful for you.”
107. “You are the reason for my smile.”
108. “I love you more than words can express.”
109. “You light up my life.”
110. “You’re the one I’ve been waiting for.”
111. “I adore everything about you.”
112. “You make everything better.”
113. “I will love you forever.”
114. “I’m lucky to have you in my life.”
115. “You make me feel safe.”
116. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
117. “I love you because you are so amazing.”
118. “You’re the most important person to me.”
119. “You mean more to me than anything.”
120. “I love you more than I can say.”

Unique replies to I love you

For those who like to stand out, unique responses to I love you can add a special twist to the conversation. Here are 50 creative ways to say I love you in a different, one-of-a-kind style:

what to say instead of I love you
Unique responses to I love you

121. “You are my heart’s masterpiece.”
122. “I love you like a writer loves a blank page.”
123. “My love for you is endless and eternal.”
124. “You’re my forever favorite.”
125. “I adore you more than the stars in the sky.”
126. “You’re my missing piece.”
127. “Every moment with you is a treasure.”
128. “You are my greatest adventure.”
129. “I love you more than words can explain.”
130. “You’re the light that guides me home.”
131. “You’re my everything, now and always.”
132. “You are my reason to smile.”
133. “You make me want to be a better partner.”
134. “I love you in ways you can’t even imagine.”
135. “You complete the story of my life.”
136. “You’re the only one who makes my heart race.”
137. “You’re my forever and always.”
138. “I love you like the ocean loves the shore.”
139. “You’re the greatest gift life has given me.”
140. “I’m addicted to the way you make me feel.”

Related Reading: How To Make Him Obsessed With You: 21 Smart Tips 

141. “I love you more than all the coffee in the world.”
142. “You are my heart’s melody.”
143. “I will love you until the stars fall from the sky.”
144. “You are my happily ever after.”
145. “You’re the light in my darkness.”
146. “I’ll love you more every day.”
147. “I love you like no one ever has.”
148. “You’re my one and only.”
149. “I love you like a flower loves the sun.”
150. “You are my dream come true.”
151. “I love you to infinity and beyond.”
152. “You’re my home, my everything.”
153. “I love you more than all the books in the world.”
154. “I will always choose you as a life partner.”
155. “You make my heart sing.”
156. “I’m yours, now and always.”
157. “You are my wildest dream come true.”
158. “I love you because you make life beautiful.”
159. “You’re the person I want to spend forever with.”
160. “You are my whole world.”

Funny replies to I love you 

If sentimentality is not your cup of tea then laughter is the best way to keep things light. If you want to add humor to your relationship, here are 50 funny ways to reply to I love you:

best way to say I love you
Funny responses to I love you

161. “I love you more than pizza!”
162. “I love you like a foodie loves cake.”
163. “You complete me… like my morning coffee.”
164. “I love you… but not as much as I love my naps.”
165. “I love you more than my favorite hoodie.”
166. “You’re the peanut butter to my jelly.”
167. “I love you like a dog loves belly rubs.”
168. “You’re the only one who gets my weirdness.”
169. “I love you more than Netflix!”
170. “I love you like a fish loves water.”
171. “Well, I love you more than Wi-Fi!”
172. “You’re the Wi-Fi to my internet.”
173. “I love you more than my phone.”
174. “You’re the best thing since sliced bread.”
175. “I love you more than sleep!”
176. “I love you like a kid loves candy.”
177. “You make my heart race… and I’m terrible at running.”
178. “You’re my favorite notification.”
179. “I love you more than chocolate cake!”
180. “You’re the sprinkles on my donut.”

Related Reading: How To Emotionally Let Go Of Someone You Love: A Therapist Advises

181. “I love you more than anything… except my cat.”
182. “You make my heart do somersaults.”
183. “I love you more than tacos!”
184. “You’re my favorite weirdo.”
185. “I love you like a dog loves its squeaky toy.”
186. “I love you more than my bed.”
187. “You’re the butter to my popcorn.”
188. “I love you more than pizza with extra cheese.”
189. “You’re the sauce to my spaghetti.”
190. “I love you more than all the relatable memes in the world.”
191. “You’re my partner in crime.”
192. “I love you more than I love sleeping in on weekends.”
193. “You’re the ketchup to my fries.”
194. “I love you like a coffee addict loves caffeine.”
195. “You’re the cherry on top of my sundae.”
196. “I love you like I love my favorite pair of socks.”
197. “You’re my favorite addiction.”
198. “I love you more than I love pizza… and that’s saying something!”
199. “You make my heart skip like a broken record.”
200. “You’re the marshmallow to my hot chocolate.”

on romance

Infographic On How To Respond To ‘I Love You’ When You Don’t Feel The Same

It can be incredibly challenging when someone expresses their feelings for you, but you don’t feel the same way. Honesty and sensitivity are key in this situation. Responding with respect and kindness is crucial, as the person expressing their feelings is likely vulnerable and emotionally invested. It’s important to avoid leading them on or brushing off their feelings. Instead, respond with empathy and clarity while also ensuring you maintain the integrity of the relationship, whether it’s romantic, friendly, or professional.

How To Respond To ‘I Love You’ When You Don’t Feel The Same
Ways to reply to I love you when you don’t feel the same

FAQs 

1. What is the best reply to “I love you”?

The best way to say I love you back is one that’s true to your feelings. If you feel the same, use one of the  romantic ways to say I love you like “You’re my whole world.”. If you are wondering how to respond to I love you when you don’t reciprocate their feelings, declining them honestly yet gently is key.

2. How do you say “I love you” differently?

There are many creative ways to say I love you, such as “You’re my heart” or “You complete me.” Unique, heartfelt expressions make the sentiment more genuine and make the other person feel more special!

Key Pointers

  • Choose your response based on the mood and situation
  • Whether you’re opting for romantic, funny, or cute ways to say I love you, remember to be genuine
  • Respond with creativity to make the moment unforgettable
  • If you’re unsure, a sweet and simple response always works
  • Honesty is key, especially when you don’t feel the same

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to reply romantically, humorously, or sweetly, we hope this article helped you figure out how to respond to I love you with something other than a generic ‘I love you back. Always remember that the best way to say I love you is with honesty, creativity, and a touch of heart!

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25Dec
‘I don’t digest food properly now’: The all-consuming pressure of managing a football club

Pep Guardiola’s list of symptoms is long and unsettling. He has trouble sleeping. He can only take light meals in the evening. On some days, he does not eat at all. He finds it difficult to read because his mind keeps wandering. He feels, at times, intensely lonely. Things can get so bad that they begin to take on a physical form: bouts of back pain, breakouts on his skin. 

They are not isolated to moments like the one in which the Manchester City manager finds himself trapped, when his team are locked in a tailspin he has spent the better part of two months trying and failing to halt. By his own admission, he is always like that. Guardiola cannot sleep, or eat, or relax even when things are going well at work.

Manel Estiarte, perhaps Guardiola’s most trusted confidant, used to call it the “Law of 32 minutes”. Estiarte had spent enough time with Guardiola to calculate precisely how long his friend might last talking about another subject — literally any other subject — before his mind wandered back to football. 

That image has long since been folded into Guardiola’s mythology. He is the obsessional genius, his brain forever fizzing and whirring, a synapse permanently set to fire. His teams at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and then City represent his ideas made flesh, given perfect form. His brilliance has been constrained only by the limits of his imagination.

The cost of that dedication, though, has been laid bare over the last couple of months. As City’s form has slumped, Guardiola has given at least two unusually bleak interviews: first to the Spanish chef Dani Garcia, and then to his former team-mate, and longstanding friend, Luca Toni on Prime Video Sport. He told the former of the “loneliness of the football manager”, and how he found that — in defeat — there is “no consolation” once “you close that bedroom door and turn off the light”. 

To Toni, meanwhile, he detailed the impact on his health: the skin problem he has been dealing with for “two (or) three years”, the problems with sleeping and eating. “I don’t digest food properly now,” he said, as if the metabolic shift is permanent. Sometimes, he said, he “loses his mind”.


Guardiola during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace this month (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

That he was so matter-of-fact about it — that he could insist he was “fine” just a few days later — may well be because none of it is new, not really. He struggled to sleep in his final year at Barcelona. In 2019, when City beat Liverpool to the Premier League title, he had long since stopped eating on matchdays. He said in 2018 while speaking at the University of Liverpool that he could not read books to relax because “I start reading and before I know it I am reading about Jurgen Klopp”. 

It may also, though, be because it has become the standard reality of those in his profession. Management has always been stressful. Many of Guardiola’s most famous antecedents — Bill Shankly, Arrigo Sacchi — either resigned or retired because of the strain the job placed on them. The man he identified as the greatest opponent he had faced, Klopp, stepped away from Liverpool for similar reasons.

It has, too, always been a vocation largely reserved for the single-minded, the pathological, the fanatical. And yet even those who choose to do it, again and again, would acknowledge that it appears to be extremely bad for you.

Richie Wellens, the Leyton Orient manager, told The Athletic this year that he can no longer grow a beard because of the stress of the job; Nathan Jones, once of Stoke City and Southampton, used to bite his nails so feverishly that he drew blood. As far back as 2002, (vaguely unscientific) experiments showed that some managers were under such stress during games that they suffered irregular heartbeats.

“I definitely didn’t feel healthy at the end of my time at Chelsea,” Emma Hayes, now in charge of the United States’ women’s team, said last month. “I don’t want to say it’s pressure. I just think it’s the stress, the toll it took on me.” 

It is tempting to say that is inevitable, given the scale of the football industry, the money at stake, the unwavering scrutiny of the media. And yet, in some senses, management should be less, rather than more, stressful now. 


Hayes walks away after an altercation with the then-Arsenal Women manager Jonas Eidevall in March (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Most clubs have stripped back the burden of the post: technical or sporting directors take care of recruitment; chief executives handle contract negotiations; whole departments exist to analyse games and coordinate scouting. Shankly could not call on a psychologist, a specialist set-piece coach, or a nutritionist.

Yet it appears to have made little effect; management has not become more manageable. Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, might have been exaggerating a touch when he suggested it was the “hardest job in any walk of life”, but it was not difficult to follow his reasoning.

“You can say politics, but this is harder,” he said. “The tenure and longevity of this role now means you go into it and very few are going to come out without any scars.” Asked to compare it to being the prime minister of an actual country, he said: “How many times does he have an election? I have one every weekend, mate. We have an election and we either get voted in or out.”

In part, that can be attributed to the fact that while football has delegated responsibility behind the scenes, it has not done so in front of the cameras. The manager, particularly in England, more often than not remains the only public face of the club. 

“They have to comment on everything,” Michael Caulfield, a sports psychologist who works with Brentford, among other clubs, told BBC Radio 5 Live last week. “From Covid to Brexit to anything you care to mention: potholes, traffic, the price of hamburgers. Football is not good at sharing that workload. It is too much for one person.” 


Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler at his unveiling in July (Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)

That anachronism has practical benefits — as an executive at one club has noted, privately, it makes life easier if certain questions are asked of a manager who can legitimately say they do not know the answer — but it creates the impression that the absolute responsibility for the wellbeing of a club rests on one person’s shoulders.

But far more significant is the fact that football, essentially, actively discourages managers to switch off. Guardiola might be seen as an exception, but he is also presented as a model; the obsessiveness that has been central to his legend for the last decade and a half has created a blueprint for how a manager is supposed to be. 

It is telling, for example, that Fabian Hurzeler — the 31-year-old head coach at Brighton — does not watch television or movies but does read books about “mindset”.

“What is the mindset from high-performance people? People like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg. I like to understand how they behave, how they get so successful,” he said this season. Fabian Hurzeler’s reading materials are his own business, but this does not sound like switching off.

Indeed, most Premier League managers struggle to describe how they relax. Many exercise, of course — a notable percentage are very fond of padel, with Hurzeler one of several lobbying his club to build a court at their training facility — but genuine outside interests appear to be scarce.

Nuno Espirito Santo likes to “go to the window and look at the River Trent”. The night before he was summarily dismissed by Wolves, Gary O’Neil had allotted time to finish watching the film Wonka with his children. He knew it was “important to switch the brain off”. But he also knew exactly how long he had left. “I will try to switch off for an hour and six minutes,” he said.


The River Trent running by Forest’s ground. Their manager Nuno finds solace in watching the river (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Caulfield described Thomas Frank, his head coach at Brentford, as being unusually well-balanced for a manager — he plays padel (obviously), he skis, he spends time at his house in Spain, he has friends who have nothing to do with football — but even he has admitted his “brain is thinking about the next game” in almost every waking moment during the season.

He sometimes, he said, watches interior design programs on television with his wife. But only because she “forces” him to do it. Roberto Martinez, now managing Portugal, told The Telegraph in 2015 that he had designed his living room so it could contain one sofa and two televisions: one for his wife to watch normal television, and the other for him to watch football matches.

None of this, of course, is healthy. The League Managers Association, the umbrella body that lobbies on behalf of both current and former managers in England, has published a handbook to encourage its members to find some form of work-life balance; it is at pains to point out that they cannot function to their utmost if they are drained and fatigued.

“That is the biggest problem,” said Caulfield. “Football is exhausting. That culture of ‘be there seven days a week’ has to stop at some point. Managers have to manage their own energy as much as their players. We are not designed to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, under that pressure and scrutiny.” 

Guardiola would, it seems, be proof of that. The symptoms of what it is to be a manager are worse now, of course. He always suffers more after defeats. But it is not so different when things are good; he has been dealing with them for years. “I think stopping would do me good,” he told Garcia, the chef, in one of those stark interviews.

He knows that, and yet he will not. He will, like so many of his peers, keep coming back for more.

(Top photos: Getty Images)
25Dec
Why Your Raspberry Pi Won’t Boot (And 8 Ways to Fix It)

You’ve got your Raspberry Pi all hooked up and ready to run, but nothing happens when you connect the power. Something, somewhere, is wrong, but what? And what can you do about it?

Here is what you need to check to troubleshoot a Raspberry Pi that won’t boot.

1. What to Do if Your Raspberry Pi 5 Won’t Boot

Image Credit: Raspberry Pi

As the fifth full generation of Raspberry Pi boards, the Pi 5 is more reliable than earlier models. However, it remains susceptible to some common issues.

You should be able to identify most issues with booting from the LED status. Unlike previous models, the Raspberry Pi 5 has a single, bicolor LED that can illuminate in red and green. Red means the PSU is connected, and green indicates that the SD card/boot media is active.

If the LED flashes four times slowly, followed by five fast flashes, the Raspberry Pi 5 has a fatal firmware error. Four short flashes and six fast flashes indicate a power failure. Both should be reported to the vendor for a replacement.

Use the Correct PSU

Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply
Image Credit: Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi 5 requires a 27W USB-C power supply. While some owners have reported the Pi 4’s power supply is adequate, this tends not to be the case once peripherals are attached.

We understand that the Raspberry Pi 5’s power supply is difficult to buy in some territories. We recommend buying the official Raspberry Pi 27W PSU rather than risking a third-party device. If you have to use a third-party charger, use one rated higher than 27W.

Is the Boot Device Attached?

Like earlier versions, a Raspberry Pi 5 can boot from a USB device and microSD. Like the Raspberry Pi 4, it can boot over Ethernet; in addition, it can boot from an SSD connected over PCIe.

However, if the Raspberry Pi 5 isn’t booting correctly, and the PSU isn’t at fault, ensure the boot device isn’t responsible. With an increasing number of boot options, this will take longer than it might with an early model.

Also, only Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm is supported by the Raspberry Pi 5. Older versions will show an error message on the boot diagnostic screen.

Are You Using a Working HDMI Cable?

Another problem Raspberry Pi 5 owners encounter is boot failures due to HDMI cabling. The best option is to avoid using micro HDMI adapters and use a high-quality Micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable instead. Doing so avoids the risk posed by poor-quality adapters. The official Micro HDMI to HDMI cable is durable and affordable, but any good cable should work well enough.

2. Raspberry Pi 4 Not Booting? Try This

Raspberry Pi 4

Three issues can result in the Raspberry Pi 4 not booting or appearing not to turn on.

Raspberry Pi 4 Power Issues

Like the Pi 5, the Raspberry Pi 4 uses a different power supply unit (PSU) than older models. Power is via a USB Type C connector, preferably from the official 5.1V 3A PSU. As with older Raspberry Pi models, a mobile phone or tablet charger is usually inadequate if it can’t supply up to 15W.

Raspberry Pi 4 Not Booting and Red Light Showing?

flash raspberry pi lite os using pi imager

The Raspberry Pi 4 requires a fresh installation of the latest Raspberry Pi OS. Regardless of your preferred Linux distribution, you’ll need a version compiled for the Raspberry Pi 4 and released post-June 2019. The official options are Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit), Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit), and Raspberry Pi OS Lite.

Operating systems compatible with older Raspberry Pi models will not work reliably with this device. An older or unsupported operating system will result in a red LED light when the Raspberry Pi 4 is powered up. It simply won’t boot an OS that isn’t designed to run on the computer.

A fresh installation of the latest Raspberry Pi OS will solve many booting issues with the Raspberry Pi 4. The Raspberry Pi Imager is the best way to install an operating system on the device and always shows the recommended version of Raspberry Pi OS for your model at the top of the list.

Raspberry Pi 4 Has No Picture

Trouble seeing output from the Raspberry Pi 4 on your monitor? The Pi 4 has two HDMI outputs. Specifically, these are micro-HDMI ports labeled HDMI0 and HDMI1.

Most problems with a Raspberry Pi 4 seemingly not booting are due to the HDMI cable being connected to the wrong port. Be sure to use the left-hand connector, HDMI0. You can use both ports if you are connecting two displays.

3. Raspberry Pi Not Booting? Check the Red and Green LEDs

Raspberry Pi 3B

When a Raspberry Pi boots (models 1 through 4), one or more LEDs will activate. One is red, indicating power (PWR); the other is green, indicating activity (ACT). (There is also a trio of Raspberry Pi LED lights on older models indicating the Ethernet status if connected.)

raspberry pi power led
Image Credit: Christian Jann/Flickr

Generally, the red and green LEDs are key to troubleshooting your Raspberry Pi device. Green (ACT) flashes during SD card activity, and the red (PWR) LED blinks when power drops below 4.65V (the required voltage). To troubleshoot your Raspberry Pi model, watch out for the following:

  • Normal operating status, when both PWR and ACT LEDs are activated
  • Green LED off, indicating a problem with the SD card itself or the operating system installed on it
  • Red LED blinking or off, indicating a problem with the power supply

The green (ACT) LED on models 1 to 3B+ blinks irregularly to indicate that the Raspberry Pi is booting up. However, it can blink in a more regulated manner to indicate a problem:

  • 3 flashes: start.elf not found
  • 4 flashes: start.elf cannot launch, so it’s probably corrupted. Alternatively, the card is not correctly inserted, or card slot is not working.
  • 7 flashes: kernel.img not found
  • 8 flashes: SDRAM not recognized. In this case, your SDRAM is probably damaged, or the bootcode.bin or start.elf is unreadable.

If any of these indicators occur, try a fresh SD card with a newly installed Raspberry Pi operating system. No joy? Keep reading for an alternative fix.

4. Raspberry Pi Not Turning On? Check the PSU

As noted above, power issues can cause a Raspberry Pi to fail. It might switch off or hang when running, or it might simply fail to boot at all. To read the SD card accurately, a stable power supply unit (PSU) is required.

To ensure your PSU is good enough, check that it meets the specifications of your Raspberry Pi model. Similarly, confirm that the micro-USB or USB-C cable from the PSU to the Pi is up to scratch.

A lot of people use smartphone chargers to power their Raspberry Pis. This isn’t usually the best idea; a dedicated, suitable PSU is preferred.

The Raspberry Pi has a resettable polyfuse to protect the device from overcurrent. While the polyfuse can reset itself, it can take a while, sometimes hours. If you have accidentally blown the polyfuse, you’ll only find out when you try booting later.

While you wait, shop around for a new PSU; the official Raspberry Pi power adapter is your best option. This 15W power supply is suitable for the Raspberry Pi 4 but provides the minimum power requirements for the newer Raspberry Pi 5. You’re better off picking up the 27W USB-C PSU for the Raspberry Pi 5.

5. Is the Raspberry Pi’s Operating System Installed?

A screenshot of the Raspberry Pi OS

Your Raspberry Pi will not boot if there is no operating system. You can install a Raspberry Pi OS on a microSD card or run a boot script to install an OS. Until an operating system is installed, the Raspberry Pi is essentially a glorified LED.

If you have installed the Raspberry Pi’s operating system onto an SSD (or other device), ensure it is functional and is correctly attached.

6. Check the microSD Card if the Raspberry Pi Doesn’t Boot

Official Raspberry Pi microSD card
Raspberry Pi

A working Raspberry Pi relies on a good-quality SD card for booting and running the OS. If the SD card isn’t working, your Raspberry Pi will be erratic or fail to boot.

You can troubleshoot the SD card by powering down the Pi and inserting the card into your PC. Use a reliable flash drive formatting tool and attempt to reformat (on Windows and Mac, use the SDFormatter tool from the SD Association). If formatting fails, the card is corrupt (SD cards from SanDisk can be returned under warranty).

When setting up a new Raspberry Pi OS, always format the SD card before writing the image using a reliable card reader/writer. Look for media with a high write speed and superior error checking to ensure a fast, efficient Raspberry Pi. Only buy SD cards from reputable suppliers, such as this Sandisk 64GB microSD Card on Amazon. As of 2024, the Raspberry Pi company sells an official Raspberry Pi microSD card that works especially well with the Raspberry Pi 5.

7. No Video Output on Your Raspberry Pi?

Your Raspberry Pi cannot display any video without a bootable SD card present and a working HDMI cable.

The display device must be capable of detecting the signal from the Raspberry Pi. If the Pi appears to be failing to boot because nothing appears on the screen, you’ll need to force HDMI detection.

Because the Raspberry Pi doesn’t have a BIOS, it relies instead on configuration files on the SD card. You can force HDMI detection by inserting the SD card in your desktop computer or laptop and browsing to the /boot/ partition. Open the config.txt file, and add the following at the end:

        hdmi_force_hotplug=1

Save and exit the file, safely remove the SD card, return it to your Raspberry Pi, and then power up again.

Other video options are also possible. Old Raspberry Pi boards used TRRS for video and stereo audio. This means that you need a suitable TRRS A/V cable that can translate the RCA (red and white connectors) and composite (yellow connector) signals. This should work for you if HDMI is not an option.

8. Raspberry Pi Not Booting? How to Tell If It’s Dead or Defective

Raspberry Pi Zero

If you’ve got this far and the Raspberry Pi is still not booting, there is a chance the device is defective. It looks like you’ve been unlucky—Raspberry Pis are all tested following manufacturing.

Own an early Raspberry Pi (B, B+, 2B, or 3B—what are the differences between Raspberry Pi boards?)? One way to check if it is broken is to compare it with an identical model you know is working.

From the suspect device, remove the SD card, Ethernet cable, power lead, and HDMI cable. Remove anything connected, and substitute the working device with the same cables, peripherals, and SD card.

If this device boots, your other Pi is faulty; if not, then your cables, power supply, or microSD card are causing the problem. See above.

Meanwhile, there is a different way to check suspect devices for Raspberry Pi A, A+, and Zero devices. Remove all cables and the SD card, and connect the device via USB cable to your Windows PC. (Use USB-A to USB-A for the Raspberry Pi A and A+, micro-USB to USB-A for the Pi Zero models).

If working, the device will be detected, and an alert will sound from your PC. You’ll find the Raspberry Pi listed in Device Manager as “BCM2708 Boot”. On Linux and Mac, a working Raspberry Pi A or Zero will be listed in response to the dmesg command. You can follow a similar process for troubleshooting the Raspberry Pi Pico series.

Raspberry Pis purchased from official resellers have a 12-month warranty, but don’t return it without first checking the terms and conditions. Managed to get everything up and running? It’s time to think about a Raspberry Pi project. ​
25Dec
Flamingos winter at Yuncheng Salt Lake in Shanxi

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/Flamingos-winter-at-Yuncheng-Salt-Lake-in-Shanxi-1zANxNVnyco/img/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f.jpeg'
Flamingos are pictured at Yuncheng Salt Lake in Shanxi Province on December 23, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/Flamingos-winter-at-Yuncheng-Salt-Lake-in-Shanxi-1zANxNVnyco/img/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f.jpeg'
Flamingos are pictured at Yuncheng Salt Lake in Shanxi Province on December 23, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/Flamingos-winter-at-Yuncheng-Salt-Lake-in-Shanxi-1zANxNVnyco/img/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f.jpeg'
Flamingos are pictured at Yuncheng Salt Lake in Shanxi Province on December 23, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/Flamingos-winter-at-Yuncheng-Salt-Lake-in-Shanxi-1zANxNVnyco/img/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f/984fe9dd4f384e30b0f1336d0fe0e79f.jpeg'
Flamingos are pictured at Yuncheng Salt Lake in Shanxi Province on December 23, 2024. /CFP

A flock of flamingos have arrived at Yuncheng Salt Lake in north China’s Shanxi Province for the winter, creating a stunning natural spectacle as they forage, play and soar. The vibrant scene has attracted photographers from all across the country.

Since 2014, Yuncheng has become a winter stopover for flamingos, thanks to ecological restoration efforts such as water replenishment. These measures have helped improve the habitat, providing abundant food and shelter for a variety of bird species.
25Dec
The 2024 Envelope Oscar Roundtables

The fear factor behind great art

Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Colman Domingo, Peter Sarsgaard, Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong dive into their films, truth-telling and acting alongside your director. READ HERE

The word "Directors" in pink

Doubts, sure. Compromise? Never

6 directors on doubt, compromise and Timothée Chalamet. READ HERE
25Dec
China Leads Global EV Sales Growth in 2024, Accounts for 80% of Increase With 4 Million Units: International Energy Agency Report

New Delhi, December 25: China accounted for nearly 80 per cent of Electronic Vehicle growth globally, with EV sales jumping from over 3 million in the first half of 2023 to more than 4 million during the same period in 2024, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). As per the report, over 7 million electric cars were sold globally in the first six months of 2024, marking a 25 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2023. The report also noted that the share of electric vehicles (EVs) in the global car fleet is expected to reach around 5 per cent by the end of 2024.

Despite China’s dominance, other markets also witnessed growth. EV sales outside China rose by over 10 per cent, with significant increases in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and regions such as the Middle East and the Caspian. However, in developed markets, the performance was mixed. The European Union saw flat EV sales, with a decline in Germany balanced by a modest rise of around 3 per cent in other EU countries. Hyundai’s Mid-Sized SUV Santa Fe, Kia’s EV3 Among Safest Cars in South Korea, Says Country’s Transport Ministry.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom recorded a 15 per cent growth in EV sales, and the United States saw an increase of nearly 10 per cent. It said “While sales in the European Union remained flat, with a decline in Germany offsetting a rise elsewhere of around 3% on average”. The report also emphasized on the increasing popularity of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) over battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which made up over 35 per cent of total EV sales in the first half of 2024.

A key trend in the report is the growing preference for PHEVs over battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In China, sales of PHEVs surged by 70 per cent, largely driven by range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), which offer longer driving ranges due to larger batteries. It said “In China, the PHEV sales increase was largely driven by range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) which have longer driving ranges due to larger batteries”. Bhavish Aggarwal Announces Opening of 4,000 Ola Electric Stores in India Today Across Multiple Cities, Taluk and Towns To Reach Customers, Provide Services.

The average range for REEVs stands at 130 kilometers, compared to 80 kilometers for standard PHEVs. Similarly, in the United States, PHEV sales grew by 25 per cent, while BEV sales increased by only 5 per cent. The report also highlighted the need for improved recharging infrastructure to address range anxiety, a significant factor influencing EV adoption. As the EV market expands, investments in charging facilities will play a crucial role in sustaining growth.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
25Dec
Why is bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin?

bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin

When it comes to cryptocurrencies, the first name that most people think of is Bitcoin. It is the granddaddy of all digital coins, having sparked laughs and investment opportunities alike over the past few years. But there is another cryptocurrency that is stealing the spotlight lately: Dogecoin. This meme coin has been a major player in the crypto scene since 2013, gaining popularity for its light-hearted nature and vibrant community following.

Both bitcoin is generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin are cryptocurrencies, but their distinct origins and technological features set them apart in the cryptocurrency landscape. While Dogecoin is often considered a fun and speculative coin, Bitcoin is often viewed as a safer investment due to its mature market position and institutional support.

Bitcoin was created in 2009 as a way to enable online transactions without the need for third-party intermediaries like banks. It is a decentralized currency that operates on a blockchain network, allowing for secure, fast, and private transactions. Bitcoin’s value is determined by supply and demand, much like other commodities. Its limited supply (21 million coins) and growing acceptance as a form of payment has led to its reputation as “digital gold” and a viable alternative to fiat currencies.

Why is bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin?

In contrast, Dogecoin was created in 2013 as a light-hearted coin that features the Shiba Inu dog from the “Doge” meme. Its creators, software engineers Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus, wanted to create a meme that would capture the community’s attention and inspire laughter. Despite its humorous roots, Dogecoin has gained a lot of adoption due to its friendly, communal spirit and charitable work.

While both cryptocurrencies use Proof of Work, Bitcoin’s larger network makes it more resistant to attacks than Dogecoin’s smaller network. Additionally, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, which helps to prevent inflation and enhance its scarcity-driven value. In comparison, Dogecoin has an unlimited supply and mints 5 billion new coins every year, making it more susceptible to inflation and devaluation over time.

Bitcoin is widely regarded as a safer investment compared to Dogecoin due to its established market presence, broader adoption, and robust fundamentals. As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has positioned itself as a digital gold equivalent, with a finite supply capped at 21 million coins, giving it an intrinsic scarcity that appeals to investors seeking a hedge against inflation. This built-in scarcity contrasts sharply with Dogecoin, which has an unlimited supply and a high annual issuance rate, making it more susceptible to inflationary pressures and reducing its long-term value proposition.

Bitcoin’s status as the pioneer of the cryptocurrency market gives it a significant advantage in terms of credibility and trust. Over the years, Bitcoin has gained widespread acceptance as a legitimate asset class, with institutional investors, hedge funds, and even governments adopting it as part of their portfolios. Companies like Tesla, MicroStrategy, and Square have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets, further validating its role as a reliable store of value. In contrast, Dogecoin originated as a joke and lacks the foundational seriousness and utility that Bitcoin offers. While Dogecoin has gained popularity due to internet memes and endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, its origins as a parody currency and lack of a clear use case make it a far riskier investment.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in Bitcoin or Dogecoin should be based on one’s own personal goals and risk tolerance. However, many investors recommend maintaining a diversified portfolio that includes both Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin. In this way, you can take advantage of the unique benefits that each offer.
25Dec
India’s Need for Pro-Crypto Banking, Roadmap for Base: Interview with Coinbase’s Jessse Pollak

India, securing the top position on Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index for the second consecutive year in 2024, has earned widespread recognition for its vibrant and skilled community of Web3 developers. Jesse Pollak, a senior Coinbase official, shares this sentiment, describing Indian developers in the fields of crypto, DeFi, and blockchain applications as highly ‘sophisticated’ in their understanding and innovation with distributed ledger technology (DLT). As the creator of Coinbase’s Layer-2 blockchain, ‘Base,’ and the lead for Coinbase Wallet services, Pollak brings a wealth of expertise to these observations.

In December, Bengaluru hosted the second edition of India Blockchain Week, celebrating the industry’s achievements in 2024. The event united Web3 investors, developers, and community members to address existing challenges and outline focus areas for growth as the sector prepares for 2025. During the event, Jesse Pollak spoke with Gadgets 360, sharing insights on the roadmap for Coinbase’s Base blockchain and his observations on India’s evolving Web3 landscape.

Pollak had visited India earlier in November, traveling to Bengaluru—often referred to as India’s Silicon Valley—to engage directly with Web3 builders. Reflecting on these interactions, he highlighted the exceptional skills and technical expertise of Indian blockchain developers, which stood out during his on-ground meetings.

Pollak’s Observations on India’s Web3 Market

“Indian builders are sophisticated and passionate about contributing to the global on-chain economy. learned a lot from interacting on the ground with builders in Bengaluru,” Pollak told Gadgets 360.

During the discussions, Pollak noted that India’s Web3 sector faces a significant challenge beyond regulatory delays: the limited availability of borrowing and credit facilities.

This challenge stems from the strained relationship Indian banks have had with the crypto sector in recent years. In 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), skeptical of cryptocurrencies, prohibited banks from offering services to crypto firms. However, in 2020, the Supreme Court of India overturned this ban, paving the way for renewed interaction. Despite this, Indian banks continue to grapple with defining their stance and engagement with the Web3 industry.

ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, and IDFC First Bank reportedly offer crypto buying, selling, and storage services alongside customer awareness and education services. The trend of banks issuing loans against crypto assets as collateral is still not as popular among traditional financial institutions.

“There is a huge opportunity for on-chain micro-lending and credit. Tokenisation of assets, on-chain identity credentials, and updating legacy systems can help bring this to reality. Another massive opportunity is cross-border payments. While traditional finance, international payments across borders can take days and be prohibitively expensive, onchain cross-border payments operate 24/7,” Pollak noted.

Currently, a significant portion of Web3 startups in India depend on funding from venture capitalists and alternative sources.

Pollak’s Vision for Base Blockchain

After thorough testing, Coinbase officially made its Base blockchain live in August 2023. The Layer-2 blockchain is built atop the Ethereum blockchain. As per its official website, Base aims to keep gas fees under 1 cent (roughly Rs. 0.002519) while also maintaining the transaction speed at under a second.

Discussing the future of Base, Pollak emphasised his commitment to transitioning the currently centralised blockchain toward greater decentralisation.

“Base benefits in many ways from our relationship with Coinbase. At the same time, we believe that Base must be decentralised, because decentralisation will help enable a global, open, on-chain economy that will unlock economic freedom around the world,” Pollak said.

Two key areas of focus in 2025 will be to make wallets easier and more accessible while also bringing more currencies on-chain, Pollak noted.

“In 2025, we’re focusing on making getting on-chain with a wallet dead simple. We want anyone –even people who have no experience on-chain — to be able to get started in seconds. Secondly, stablecoins are key to the global on-chain economy. But to bring the world on-chain, it’s crucial for people to be able to interact in their local currency. By 2026, we want to bring over 100 local currencies on Base,” the blockchain creator added.
25Dec
Why is bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin?

bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin

When it comes to cryptocurrencies, the first name that most people think of is Bitcoin. It is the granddaddy of all digital coins, having sparked laughs and investment opportunities alike over the past few years. But there is another cryptocurrency that is stealing the spotlight lately: Dogecoin. This meme coin has been a major player in the crypto scene since 2013, gaining popularity for its light-hearted nature and vibrant community following.

Both bitcoin is generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin are cryptocurrencies, but their distinct origins and technological features set them apart in the cryptocurrency landscape. While Dogecoin is often considered a fun and speculative coin, Bitcoin is often viewed as a safer investment due to its mature market position and institutional support.

Bitcoin was created in 2009 as a way to enable online transactions without the need for third-party intermediaries like banks. It is a decentralized currency that operates on a blockchain network, allowing for secure, fast, and private transactions. Bitcoin’s value is determined by supply and demand, much like other commodities. Its limited supply (21 million coins) and growing acceptance as a form of payment has led to its reputation as “digital gold” and a viable alternative to fiat currencies.

Why is bitcoin generally considered a safer investment than dogecoin?

In contrast, Dogecoin was created in 2013 as a light-hearted coin that features the Shiba Inu dog from the “Doge” meme. Its creators, software engineers Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus, wanted to create a meme that would capture the community’s attention and inspire laughter. Despite its humorous roots, Dogecoin has gained a lot of adoption due to its friendly, communal spirit and charitable work.

While both cryptocurrencies use Proof of Work, Bitcoin’s larger network makes it more resistant to attacks than Dogecoin’s smaller network. Additionally, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, which helps to prevent inflation and enhance its scarcity-driven value. In comparison, Dogecoin has an unlimited supply and mints 5 billion new coins every year, making it more susceptible to inflation and devaluation over time.

Bitcoin is widely regarded as a safer investment compared to Dogecoin due to its established market presence, broader adoption, and robust fundamentals. As the first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has positioned itself as a digital gold equivalent, with a finite supply capped at 21 million coins, giving it an intrinsic scarcity that appeals to investors seeking a hedge against inflation. This built-in scarcity contrasts sharply with Dogecoin, which has an unlimited supply and a high annual issuance rate, making it more susceptible to inflationary pressures and reducing its long-term value proposition.

Bitcoin’s status as the pioneer of the cryptocurrency market gives it a significant advantage in terms of credibility and trust. Over the years, Bitcoin has gained widespread acceptance as a legitimate asset class, with institutional investors, hedge funds, and even governments adopting it as part of their portfolios. Companies like Tesla, MicroStrategy, and Square have added Bitcoin to their balance sheets, further validating its role as a reliable store of value. In contrast, Dogecoin originated as a joke and lacks the foundational seriousness and utility that Bitcoin offers. While Dogecoin has gained popularity due to internet memes and endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, its origins as a parody currency and lack of a clear use case make it a far riskier investment.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in Bitcoin or Dogecoin should be based on one’s own personal goals and risk tolerance. However, many investors recommend maintaining a diversified portfolio that includes both Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, such as Dogecoin. In this way, you can take advantage of the unique benefits that each offer.
25Dec
broad match auto-toggle raises concerns

When moving from non-conversion to conversion-based bidding, Google appears to automatically enable broad match on campaigns.

  • This affects existing exact and phrase match keywords, converting them to broad match without user confirmation.

Why we care. Advertisers switching to conversion-based bidding could unknowingly have their keywords shifted to broad match. Broad match can drastically alter campaign targeting, leading to spikes in irrelevant clicks.

The response:

  • Advertisers, including Navah Hopkins from Optmyzr, flagged the issue, raising concerns about wasted budget and campaign performance.
    • Navah led the criticism, reminding us that she isn’t one to just disapprove of Google with no cause – “Those of you who know me know I’m usually pretty balanced when it comes to Google “choices” but this is a pretty horrible one (especially for those who aren’t as comfortable with Google Ads).”
    • Harrison Jack Hepp (Founder of Industrious Marketing) questions what happens to the original keyword – “Ugh, now I’m wondering does it pause the old keywords or remove them? Not exactly a simple change in most campaigns”
    • Christi Olson (Sr. Director Digital Marketing) expresses how self-serving Google strategies are – “Google has always prioritized what makes them the most $$ … not what is efficient or effective for ad spend. It’s not shocking.
  • Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin responded, stating this behavior is not expected and is under investigation.

Be smart:

  • Regularly audit keyword match types after changing bidding strategies.
  • Monitor campaign performance closely and revert any unintended broad match changes.

The bottom line. While Google reviews the issue, advertisers should stay vigilant. Overlooking keyword match toggles could mean the difference between a controlled PPC strategy and runaway ad spend.

Add Search Engine Land to your Google News feed.    Google News

New on Search Engine Land

About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live and host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup.

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
25Dec
In 2024, We Went All-In On Card Games

Most mornings, I stumble out of bed, grab my phone, and crack open some Pokemon packs. Over the last month, I’ve been consumed by the routine of booting up Pokemon TCG Pocket, a mobile adaptation of the popular card game, and–much like the video games and show encourage–catching ’em all. I’ve blown through dozens of booster packs by now chasing the thrill of filling my digital library with rare holographic and full-art cards. I know for a fact I’m not alone in this craze, either. Group chats of mine are filled with friends sharing the rewards of their booster packs, and my social media feeds often consist of a handful of screenshots of someone’s haul. That’s not all that I’ve seen.

Everywhere I looked this year, some kind of card game was killing it and dominating conversations and minds. Balatro grabbed a hold of gamers early into the year and never particularly let go. My favorite part of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth wasn’t taking Tifa on a date or watching Nomura and company continue to reinterpret FF7’s mythos; it was taking a break from the bloated open world and throwing down the gauntlet in games of Queen’s Blood, a territory-based card game within the expansive RPG, and I wasn’t the only one who fell in love with it. Everyone I know now plays Magic: The Gathering, and after numerous alluring crossovers and bids from friends, I do too. And by the very end of the year, Pokemon TCG Pocket became a part of all of our day-to-day lives, allowing us to chase the thrilling feeling of filling a digital library with some of our favorite creatures.

The point is: In 2024, we proverbially bet big on card games. We went all in, so to speak, and it’s fascinating to wonder why this trend has picked up so much steam in recent years. These games vary in complexity and mechanics, but are there some underlying qualities that unify all these examples and make sense of the incredible year that they’ve enjoyed?

Balatro

For starters, I think a lot of us have just been craving something simpler, and most of the aforementioned games certainly fit the bill. Balatro is, as its tagline suggests, Solitaire by way of Poker, a combination of one of oldest genres and one of the most widely played games of all time. Strip away the multipliers, the infectious music, and the booster packs (which are purchased with in-game money, not microtransactions), and it is a deceptively simple concept: produce winning hands like straights and flushes while meeting increasingly ludicrous demands and score totals. There are obviously mechanical and aesthetic flourishes which complicate matters, like the presence of game-altering jokers and a roguelike framework that appears to allow for endless play, but it really is a game to idly play for hours because, when broken down, it is as easy to understand as 1, 2, 3.

To a certain degree, you can play a lot of these games, which mostly boast easy-to-understand rulesets and formats, on auto-pilot. I can recognize a flush and quickly finish a round of Balatro with nary a thought in a crowded airport. Pokemon TCG Pocket actually features an auto-battle feature, in case you are mostly in it for the little guys rather than the dueling. Queen’s Blood eventually becomes a much more complicated game if you follow its questline to the very end, but otherwise it’s a pretty straightforward game of terrain conquest and making numbers go up. It’s refreshing to take a break from world-ending plots, menus upon menus, and consequential decisions to slip back into something more comforting, and that’s what these card games often have been. It was as true for Triple Triad and Gwent as it is for countless of these modern examples, and the fact that the trend has persisted for so long suggests that players definitely have an appetite for them.

In cases where there’s an undeniable level of complexity though, like with Magic: The Gathering and even high-level play of the aforementioned games, there’s something else entirely that seems to bring players into the fold, and I know it’s definitely been true for me.

There’s a social aspect to card games that shouldn’t be discounted. The biggest reason that I’ve been turned onto them of late is that everyone around me is doing something with them. Many of my closest friends have been buying Pokemon booster packs and collecting them for several months or years now. My roommate began having friends over to play matches of Magic: The Gathering’s Commander format at our dining-room table for hours on end. For months on end, I’ve watched from the outside as folks fell madly in love with Balatro’s blend of poker and roguelike mechanics, committed to runs composed of ridiculous power-ups and multipliers, and forged challenges to issue others.

TCG Card Shop Simulator
TCG Card Shop Simulator

As someone who tends to play games in solitude, or at the very least with a very select few, I looked to my colleagues and friends adopting these card games and building new rituals amongst each other and wanted in on the sense of community they were building up. I wanted to delight in the joy of awesome new rare card art with others. I wanted to try out something new in spaces filled with people I trusted. I wanted to be where the people were, and if that meant huddling around a table in person and learning the convoluted rules of new games, then so be it. Hell, even this very experience that I’m detailing was adapted to a game called TCG Card Shop Simulator, and that game did gangbusters, proving to me that I’m not alone in wanting these communal spaces that card games are so uniquely good at fostering.

I learned to love card games over middle-school lunches. Growing up, I collected cards aplenty, but I never bothered learning their rules and functions. It was regular bouts of Yu-Gi-Oh at lunchtime that first gave me a real appetite for card games. That and a youth spent playing Solitaire. Even then, they were a break from talk of Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, or whatever monstrously large RPG was the game du jour. And even then, it gave me an opportunity to sit around and really connect with people. Years later, I’m picking them back up for so many of the same reasons, and it leaves me wondering if everyone else is too?

What’s most exciting is that this card fever isn’t going anywhere. Slay the Spire 2 is on the horizon, and if that first game was any indication, it’s going to be one of the biggest games of 2025. Balatro has spent the year adding card collections themed around other games, dubbing these crossovers “Friends of Jimbo,” and I’m sure there are many more to come. Riot Games just recently announced that it’s expanding its League of Legends transmedia push into the realm of trading cards, and I’m sure there’s even more in the works. Whether it was digitally or physically, it’s hard to deny that card games have enjoyed a great deal of success this year, and it looks primed to spill over into the next.

More Best Of 2024:
25Dec
Public shows greater acceptance of RSV vaccine as vaccine hesitancy appears to have plateaued

A year after becoming available, vaccines to protect against RSV in newborns and older adults are being more widely accepted by the American public, according to a new Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) health survey conducted in November 2024.

Over half of U.S. adults (52%) think the vaccine given to pregnant individuals to protect their infants from RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is effective, up from 42% in October 2023, soon after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the vaccine. And 61% say the RSV vaccine for adults age 60 and older is effective, up from 54% in October 2023.

The rise in perceived effectiveness for the RSV vaccine comes even though there has been no sign to date of a dreaded “tripledemic,” the wave of flu, Covid-19, and RSV illnesses that filled emergency rooms in the fall and winter of 2022-23 and may have resulted in over 100,000 U.S. deaths. As of Dec. 20, 2024, the CDC reports overall moderate levels of acute respiratory illness, though flu season is underway with levels increasing across the country, Covid-19 activity is increasing from low levels in some areas of the country, and RSV activity is high and increasing in most U.S. areas, especially in young children.

The rise also comes as several of president-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for leading policy-making health positions have cast doubt on the efficacy and safety of vaccines, notably Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has said “no vaccine” is safe and effective, and CDC chief nominee Dave Weldon, who, like Kennedy, has promoted the disproven link between vaccines and autism.

The APPC survey findings are based on a nationally representative panel survey of 1,771 U.S. adults fielded from Nov. 14-24, 2024, and has a margin of error of ± 3.3 percentage points. For more on the survey, see the end of this news release or the topline.

Vaccine hesitancy may have plateaued

The past several years have shown evidence of increased vaccine hesitancy. However, by several measures in the November survey, including the RSV findings noted above, public acceptance of vaccination has risen slightly or held steady:

  • 86% of respondents say the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) is safe, up from 81% in October 2023. The rebound brings it back toward the 88% who perceived it as safe in August 2022.
  • 83% say the flu vaccine is safe, unchanged from October 2023.
  • 65% say the Covid-19 vaccine is safe, unchanged from last fall.
  • The perceived effectiveness of a variety of other vaccines is unchanged from October 2023.
  • Over three-quarters of the public would recommend various vaccines, when appropriate, to members of their families and households.

In addition, despite continuing attacks on the safety and efficacy of certain vaccines by some politicians, 9 in 10 respondents say it is important for parents to get their children vaccinated: 72% say it is very or extremely important and 19% say it is somewhat important. Only 10% say it is not at all or not very important that parents get their children vaccinated.

Flu vaccine vs. Covid-19

In the survey, U.S. adults view the seasonal flu shot as more effective at reducing the risk of getting a severe case of the flu this season (75%) than the Covid booster is at reducing the risk of getting a severe case of Covid this season (55%). There’s been a significant increase in understanding that the flu shot doesn’t necessarily prevent a person who is exposed to the flu from getting sick but it does make the infection less severe (54%, up from 48% in October 2023). Fewer people say they are unsure what effect a flu shot has on a person who is later exposed to someone with the flu (14%, down from 20%).

The November data show that fewer people have received or plan to receive the Covid booster, as compared with the flu shot:

  • Just over half of survey respondents (51%) either got the seasonal flu shot (40%) or say they are very likely to (11%) get it, compared with 38% who either got the latest Covid-19 booster (29%) or say they are very likely to (9%).
  • The most common reason people select to explain why they have received the Covid booster and the flu shot is to protect themselves against catching that illness (82% and 78%, respectively).
  • More people report getting the flu shot because they “get it every year” (76%) than those who report getting the Covid booster because they “get one every time a new booster comes out” (51%).
  • 68% know they can get a Covid booster and a flu shot in the same visit to a health care clinic or pharmacy, unchanged from October 2023, though there’s a significant increase in the number who report that this is definitely true (44%, up from 38% in October 2023).

Flu knowledge

  • Most people (80%) know the effectiveness of the seasonal flu shot varies year to year.
  • Although most people (69%) see this year’s flu vaccine as effective at reducing the risk of getting the flu (unchanged from October 2023), more people think it is ineffective this fall (20%) than last fall (15%).
    • In fact, early reports suggest that this seasonal flu vaccine may be less effective than last year’s: Based on reports from five South American countries, the CDC has said the effectiveness of the seasonal flu vaccine at cutting the risk of hospitalization among high-risk groups appears to be 35%, lower than the 51.9% seen in those countries last flu season, according to WebMD.
  • 69% know that there is value in getting a flu shot after November, but 19% are unsure.
  • Most people (80%) know it is possible to spread the flu to others even if you have no symptoms, up from 76% in January of 2023. (The CDC says that some “people can be infected with influenza viruses and have no symptoms but may still be able to spread the virus to their close contacts.”)
  • Most (71%) know that the flu shot is the best defense against seasonal flu.
  • However, only 42% believe that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu shot, unchanged from last year.

Beliefs in vaccine effectiveness and safety

Longstanding vaccines such as the MMR, polio, and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccines are usually top-rated by the public in effectiveness, safety, and in recommendations that others get the vaccines. Newer vaccines such as the Covid-19 vaccine or those for which public health advice has recently changed — such as the CDC recommendation that adults 50 and older get a vaccine against pneumonia — are less familiar and often lower-rated by the public.

Recommending vaccines. Here are the public’s views on recommending vaccines to others:

  • MMR vaccine: 90% would be likely to recommend an MMR vaccine for a child in their household who is either between the ages of 12-15 months or 4 to 6 years old.
  • Polio vaccine: 88% would be likely to recommend a polio vaccine to a child in their household of 2 to 6 months old.
  • Tdap vaccine: 85% would be likely to recommend a Tdap vaccine to a child in their household of 11-12 years old or an adult in their family.
  • Shingles vaccine: 82% would be likely to recommend a shingles vaccine to someone age 50+ in their family.
  • HPV vaccine: 79% would be likely to recommend an HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine for a child aged 11 or 12 years old in their household.
  • Pneumonia vaccine: 77% would be likely to recommend a pneumonia vaccine to a person aged 50 or older in their family, down from 84% who were likely to recommend it to someone 65 or older in their family in April 2022. The CDC recommended lowering the age for the vaccine on Oct. 23, 2024, weeks before this survey was fielded.

Vaccine safety. Public views on vaccine safety:

  • MMR: 86% say the MMR vaccine is safe, up from 81% in October 2023 (as noted above)
  • Flu: 83% say the flu vaccine is safe, unchanged
  • Covid-19: 65% say the Covid-19 vaccine is safe, unchanged from October 2023 but lower than 73% in August 2022.

Vaccine effectiveness. Public views on vaccine effectiveness are stable with the exception of RSV, which rose as noted above. The following percentages saw these vaccines as effective. Comparisons are to October 2023, if this question was asked then:

  • MMR: 86% see the vaccine as effective (unchanged)
  • Polio: 85%
  • Tdap: 80%
  • Flu: 75% (unchanged)
  • Shingles: 74% (unchanged)
  • Pneumonia: 71% (unchanged)
  • HPV: 65% (unchanged)
  • Covid-19: 65% (unchanged)
  • RSV for adults 60 and older: 61%, up from 54% in October 2023
  • RSV for pregnant individuals: 52%, up from 42% in October 2023

APPC’s Annenberg Science and Public Health knowledge survey

The survey data come from the 22nd wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,771 U.S. adults conducted for the Annenberg Public Policy Center by SSRS, an independent market research company. Most have been empaneled since April 2021. To account for attrition, small replenishment samples have been added over time using a random probability sampling design. The most recent replenishment, in September 2024, added 360 respondents to the sample. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge (ASAPH) survey was fielded Nov. 14-24, 2024. The margin of sampling error (MOE) is ± 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All figures are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not add to 100%. Combined subcategories may not add to totals in the topline and text due to rounding.
25Dec
12th Mahamana Malaviya Moot Court Competition by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi [Feb 28 – March 3; Offline]: Register by Dec 31!

Registrations are invited for 12th Mahamana Malaviya Moot Court Competition by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Register by Dec 31! About the Organisers The Law School, Banaras Hindu University has been a pioneer in introducing a full-time three-year LL.B course of studies and a two-year full-time LL.M. programme. It has taken the lead and is perhaps […]

The post 12th Mahamana Malaviya Moot Court Competition by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi [Feb 28 – March 3; Offline]: Register by Dec 31! appeared first on Lawctopus.
25Dec
Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 25, 2024 | Astrology

All zodiac signs have their own characteristics and traits which define someone’s personality. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you started your day by already knowing about what’s going to come your way? Read on to find out whether the odds will be in your favour today.

Horoscope Today: Astrological prediction for December 25, 2024.

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 20)
Those unwell for a long time may experience an unexpected improvement. Financial opportunities may soon appear. You will strive to create peace and harmony at home. Travelers can look forward to a smooth journey. An outdoor event might happily involve you. You may start winning over influential people.
Love Focus: Your love life may look promising as you connect with your partner.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Silver

TAURUS (Apr 21-May 20)
Efforts to lose weight may exceed your expectations. Wealth might come through a lucrative venture or inheritance. Family members will support you, so reciprocate kindly. A past issue may be resolved amicably. Those setting out on a long journey should take all precautions. All round praise is in store for you on the social front.

Love Focus: Romance may pull you toward a thrilling adventure.

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Red

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
Your health remains steady, and your mind is at peace. You may have the funds for a major investment. Shopkeepers might attract more clients. Family life will be peaceful and undisturbed. An exciting trip could bring new experiences. Beware of neighbourhood gossip. Acquiring furniture or some appliance is on the cards for some.
Love Focus: A partner may want exclusive time, so enjoy it.

Lucky Number: 22

Lucky Colour: Grey

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)
A guest’s arrival could disrupt your daily routine. Clear negativity from your mind to enjoy the day. Family advice may benefit you. Some retailers may struggle with declining customers. Financial gains could be around the corner. Good health will keep you positive. You are likely to be much sought after on the social front.
Love Focus: A lover may plan something special for you.

Lucky Number: 5

Lucky Colour: Green

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 23)
Street food may not suit you, so be cautious. Avoid lending money now. Domestic happiness may need a new outlook. Traveling alone could feel tiresome. Social desires may remain unfulfilled. Some may find peace in spirituality. Freelancers are likely to find a well paying assignment soon. Positive feelings will keep you in an upbeat mood all throughout the day.
Love Focus: Being with your partner may bring comfort.

Lucky Number: 1

Lucky Colour: White

VIRGO (Aug 24-Sep 23)
Offering help to someone in need will be appreciated. Good networking could open doors. Some may travel in a new vehicle. Family life will bring joy and satisfaction. The market favors retailers looking to increase earnings. Fitness progress will be fulfilling. You can be on the forefront of a social cause that you are much passionate about.
Love Focus: Cupid might strike those seeking love.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Colour: Dark Blue

LIBRA (Sep 24-Oct 23)
Decide carefully before jumping to conclusions in a rush. Staying alongside a successful person may satisfy you. Something unique and interesting may unfold at home. Travel will help you unwind. Social recognition might come your way. Changing your attitude about a person will be for your own good. Some of you may resume your daily dose of exercises to become fit and energetic.
Love Focus: A special evening with your partner is on the cards.

Lucky Number: 2

Lucky Colour: Purple

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Sticking to a workout routine will keep you healthy. Don’t let a small cash shortage ruin your plans. You may engage in a constructive activity at home. Lonely feelings may be lifted by positive events. Adopt a forgiving attitude for peace. A journey is likely to take you down the memory lane. Investing in people is likely to bring you onto the social centre stage.
Love Focus: You might enjoy romance and surprise your partner.

Lucky Number: 8

Lucky Colour: Golden

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Joining a health spa can enhance your well-being. Finances remain steady with chances of additional income. Family will support relocation plans. You may travel happily with loved ones. An unfinished task may be completed. Negotiating skills may shine. You may be tasked to organise something on the social front.
Love Focus: Initiating romance promises bliss.

Lucky Number:3

Lucky Colour: Brown

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 21)
Good diet and exercise will improve your life. Work frugality keeps finances steady. Good news may uplift the family atmosphere. Business trips might yield success. A celebration is on the cards and may find you in the thick of organising a feast. Handling someone firmly may be necessary. A spiritual person can have a positive influence on you.
Love Focus: Romantic vibes may lead to joyful moments.

Lucky Number: 17

Lucky Colour: Beige

AQUARIUS (Jan 22-Feb 19)
A therapy might boost your health. Past investments may yield good returns. You may become a trusted confidant of someone. Family plans will bring excitement. A fun trip with friends may be ahead. Chances of meeting someone who understands you look bright. On the social front, you get your thrills by showing off to people you want to impress.
Love Focus: Recent romantic developments bring joy.

Lucky Number: 11

Lucky Colour: Peach

PISCES (Feb 20-Mar 20)
Changes made in lifestyle are likely to contribute towards good health. A promise may need fulfilling. An awaited payment might be received. You could travel internationally. Planning a big event may be on your mind. Achieving your desires will bring satisfaction. You will need to spend more time on something to make it a success
Love Focus: Love is in the air—embrace it!

Lucky Number: 9

Lucky Colour: Yellow
25Dec
12 Ways to Turn On Your Happiness Genes


Is happiness genetic?

Is it predetermined?

In 2017, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, published a paper that, for the first time, linked genetics to happiness.

In the study of nearly 300,000 people, the researchers, led by Meike Bartels, found that there was a direct link between genes and happiness.

This is a groundbreaking study.

For the first time, researchers were able to determine that happiness is genetic; that your happiness is predetermined by your genes.

But there’s much more to the story.

You see, the research also pointed out that environmental factors can turn happiness or sadness genes on or off.

In other words, your environment can turn on or off genes that make you happy or sad.

This environmental influence over your genes is known as epigenetics.

People2

Environmental factors that make you happy

Associate with Happy, Upbeat People – If your inner circle is made up of happy, upbeat people, like a virus, they will infect you with their happiness and positivity by turning on your happiness genes and suppressing your sadness genes.

Gratitude – Expressing gratitude every day turns happiness genes on and sadness genes off.
25Dec
A guide to Christmas-themed trading cards: From Santa Claus to Clark Griswold

Sports stars, celebrities, and even cryptocurrency all have rookie cards… but does Santa Claus? It’s a question you may ask yourself after consuming a little too much nutmeg. And since the season of giving is officially here, I want to spread some holiday cheer by highlighting Christmas-themed trading cards, which is a bigger niche than you may realize.

So let’s dive into a fun corner of the trading card world, one dominated by the GOAT of gift giving himself: Old St. Nick.

A brief history of Santa Claus trading cards


An 1891 Woolson Spice card. (Photo: eBay)

There isn’t a concrete origin story of Santa Claus trading cards, but some of the first examples in the United States date back to the late 1800s. Ohio-based company Woolson Spice created several artistic Christmas trading cards featuring Santa sitting around the tree with children or on his sleigh. Woolson Spice used the back of the cards to advertise its products, such as Lion Coffee.

There technically isn’t a card from the 19th century that’s coined as Santa’s “true” rookie card among the collecting community, but one of his most known from the time can be found in the 1890 Duke Holidays set. The popular tobacco company produced a 50-card set featuring three Christmas cards, but only the U.S. variation included Santa Claus. According to Professional Sports Authenticators’ (PSA) graded population report, the company has authenticated less than 15 copies. An example of the card is even in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection.


1890 Duke Holidays Christmas, U.S. card. (Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art)

It’s fascinating to see Santa Claus’ evolution from how he was depicted back then compared to today. Many early picture cards showed a thinner-looking version, sometimes dressed in a green or brown suit. It was Coca-Cola’s advertisements starting in the early 1930s that cemented the image of Santa Claus that we have today (although it was political cartoonist Thomas Nast who originated it in the 1860s). And yes, there are trading cards featuring those old Coke ads that were made in the 1990s.

In the late 1980s, the sports card industry exploded in popularity and began producing more and more sets. One of the first Santa Claus cards that caught the attention of modern collectors is the iconic 1989 Pro Set Football card. The promotional card was given to card shop owners and dealers during the holidays and could not be pulled out of packs, which heightened demand for it.


1989 Pro Set promo card. (Photo: eBay)

The front of the card lists Santa Claus as a “player-coach” and depicts him wearing a baseball cap bearing his own name and a red satin jacket emblazoned with the NFL logo. Inexplicably, he is holding up the very same trading card that he is on, creating a mind-bending card-ception loop. Behind Santa Claus, through a snow-covered window are two Pro Set executives dressed as elves (Leaf remade this card in 2021 with a selection of notable figures ranging from Donald Trump to Pele there instead, which can complicate searches for the more valuable original). The back of the card features Santa Claus’ vital info and a scouting report.

It was such a hit that Pro Set began putting Santa Claus cards into its sets starting in 1990. All of those were printed in far higher quantities, making them easy to obtain today, but the ‘89 card is still highly sought after, with “gem mint” PSA 10 graded copies selling for around $500 to $750.

As the sports card industry continued to innovate in the 1990s, it opened up new opportunities to celebrate the holidays through autograph and memorabilia cards. One of the first autographed cards of Santa Claus can be found in 1991’s Pro Line Portraits with the rarest version limited to 200 copies.

In 1998, Upper Deck produced an oversized Kris Kringle promo card featuring a velvety red piece of “holiday-worn jersey” that was exclusive to the company’s Collector’s Club members. The card can be found on eBay for around $20.

In 2007, Topps created the most comprehensive offering yet, with a special Santa Claus Holiday Set that contains 18 cards, all featuring versions of Santa Claus on Topps’ most popular designs of all time, including a Kris Kringle relic card, an autograph card, and a rookie card that pays homage to Mickey Mantle’s famous 1952 Topps card. Instead of being a “Topps Certified Autograph,” the signed card in this set is a “Topps Santafied Autograph,” with the back of the card insisting, “Santa himself signed this card with the very pen he uses to make his list of all the naughty and nice children around the world.” The back of the relic card, bearing a piece of Santa’s suit, says, “Topps acquired this suit from Santa himself, who requested it be spread as far and as wide as possible so everyone could have a piece of his holiday spirit to cherish and revisit whenever they wish.”


2007 Topps Holiday Set. (Photo: eBay)

In recent years, Topps has produced more Santa Claus autograph and relic cards for its holiday baseball sets (more on those in a minute), but the disclosures have gotten decidedly less whimsical. “The relic on this card is not from anything at all,” says the back of a 2019 offering.

Over the last decade or so, the hobby’s annual holiday set releases have produced more Santa Claus trading cards than ever before. In the most recent Topps Holiday set releases, collectors can pull rare chase cards of other classic North Pole characters such as Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man, and more.

Holiday-themed sports sets

The sports card industry offers a few holiday-themed sets that bring a seasonal vibe to collecting with unique player-worn holiday sweater cards and festive super short print variations.

The main baseball card release centered around this festive time of the year is Topps Holiday. First produced in 2016, the set has holiday-inspired designs of the MLB’s rookies and stars where you can find hidden elves, snowflakes, and Christmas lights on cards. Collectors can pull autograph cards, player-worn Christmas hat relics, and those aforementioned rare relic/auto cards of Santa Claus. Topps Holiday sets are retail exclusives that can be found online and in stores like Target and Walmart.


2024 Topps Holiday Bobby Witt, Jr. image variation. (Photo: eBay)

A few years after the first Topps Holiday release, Panini, which produces NFL and NBA licensed trading cards, began offering Hoops Basketball and Donruss Football holiday-themed sets that have also become popular with collectors. In 2022 Donruss Football, Panini released a visually stunning Santa Claus Downtown insert. The ultra-rare case hit (there has traditionally been only one Downtown insert per every couple hundred packs) is still in massive demand, with PSA 10 copies selling for more than $1,500. The one-of-a-kind Clearly Donruss Holo parallel of this card sold for $3,234.71 in June of this year — a record high for a Santa Claus card, according to CardLadder’s database, which tracks card sales across major online marketplaces.

I would consider these products to be more collector-focused, with less monetary value on average than many other sets, but they offer plenty of chase cards and autograph relics of top rookies and stars that can still fetch hundreds of dollars. PSA 10 Topps Holiday base rookie cards of superstars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani sell for north of $100.

Classic holiday movie trading cards


This Peter Billingsley autographed A Christmas Story card sold for $750. (Photo: eBay)

One of my favorite holiday traditions is to sit back with a glass of eggnog and watch Christmas movies — a genre that is also making its way into trading card forms now. This year, actor Chevy Chase released a Christmas Vacation 35th Anniversary Box Set that offers signed cards of the Griswold family and personally used Chevy Chase relic cards. The limited edition release of 300 boxes quickly sold out, but a few have made it to eBay.

Cryptozoic Entertainment and Marquee Trading Cards recently put out a similar set based on the beloved holiday movie “A Christmas Story” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the film’s release. Collectors have the chance to pull single and dual autograph cards signed by the cast, hand-drawn sketch cards, and serial-numbered chase cards. Sealed boxes are available on eBay for around $130 and a 1/1 Peter Billingsley (Ralphie) autograph card inscribed “I want a Red Ryder!” has already been pulled from a pack and sold for a penny shy of $1,000.

Billingsley also signed cards for Leaf, some with an “Oh fudge” inscription that are being sold for $99 each — exactly what someone might say after their loved ones find out they spent $99 on a Ralphie autographed card.

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(Top photo: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
25Dec
I Switched to a Desktop After Years of Using Laptops—Here’s What Changed

For years, laptops were my go-to for everything—work, gaming, Netflix binges, late-night writing sessions. But recently, I made a decision that felt almost old-school: I ditched the laptop life and set up a proper desktop. It’s been an experience. Some things about the transition surprised me, while others made me wonder why I hadn’t done this sooner.

My Posture and Physical Health Improved With a Dedicated Setup

When I used a laptop exclusively, my workspace was anywhere I could find Wi-Fi and a flat surface—cafés, couches, and even my bed. Sure, it was convenient, but my body paid the price. Hours spent hunching over a small screen or craning my neck at the edge of my bed left me with a stiff neck, sore shoulders, and a lower back that felt older than it should.

The big difference is that I now have a workspace designed to fit me, not vice versa. My monitor is at eye level, so I’m not constantly looking down. My chair provides proper lumbar support, and my keyboard and mouse are positioned to keep my wrists straight and my arms at a comfortable angle.

Anastassiya Bezhekeneva/Shutterstock

Old habits die hard, and I still catch myself slouching. But having a workstation designed with my body in mind makes it so much easier to stay comfortable and avoid the aches and pains that used to plague me.

The Lack of Portability Forced Me to Improve My Productivity

When your computer stays in one place, so does your focus. I used to tell myself that moving around with my laptop gave me “freedom,” but in reality, it gave me excuses. I’d open my laptop in the kitchen and suddenly remember I should clean the fridge. Or I’d take it to the living room and somehow get sucked into watching several hours of sitcoms with my brother. With a desktop, there’s no tempting flexibility. My desk became my designated workspace, and that mental separation between work and leisure made a world of difference.

In addition, being “stuck” at my desk forced me to build healthier work habits. I started scheduling regular breaks to stretch or take a quick walk rather than slouching on the couch for hours. My workday became more structured, and I found myself completing tasks faster because I wasn’t constantly relocating or distracted by my surroundings. It turns out that the limits imposed by a desktop can actually simplify your decision-making and help you get more done.

I Realized How Much I Underestimated Upgradeability and Longevity

pc gaming computer with various pc parts surrounding it
Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf/Leonardo.ai

With a laptop, you’re pretty much locked into whatever specs you buy. Maybe you can swap out the RAM or bump up the storage if the manufacturer didn’t solder everything down and if you’re skilled enough to crack it open without breaking something. But for the most part, once a laptop starts showing its age, you’re left either nursing it or replacing it entirely.

Desktops are a whole different game. If you need more performance, you can just pop in a new graphics card. If you are running low on storage, add another SSD or hard drive. Even upgrading the processor or motherboard is doable with a bit of planning. And the best part is that most of these upgrades don’t require you to be a tech wizard. If you can handle plugging in a USB stick, you’re already halfway there.

The Change in Noise Levels Took Some Getting Used To

One of the first things I noticed after switching to a desktop was the dramatic change in noise levels. With my laptop, the only sound I ever really heard was the occasional whir of the fan kicking in, usually when I had thirty too many Chrome tabs open or dared to play a graphics-intensive game. My desktop, on the other hand, is a different beast entirely.

Between the case fans, the CPU cooler, and the GPU ramping up during heavier tasks, there’s a constant low hum of activity that wasn’t there before. At first, I found it mildly distracting. I’d catch myself glancing over at the case like it was trying to get my attention.

pc air cooler featured image
nikkytok/Shutterstock

I’ve learned that this noise isn’t just the price of admission for better performance—it’s something you can actually manage. For starters, choosing the right location for your desktop matters. I initially had mine on my desk, right next to my monitor, where every fan spin felt magnified. Moving it to the floor (on a mat to keep it off the carpet) reduced the noise dramatically. Out of sight, out of mind—or, in this case, out of earshot.

If you’re really sensitive to noise, consider investing in quieter components and hardware. There’s an entire market of “silent” PC cases, low-noise fans, and even liquid coolers designed to keep things whisper-quiet. I’m not there yet, but it’s nice to know I have options if the hum ever gets to me.

Cable Management Became a Surprising New Challenge

One thing I didn’t anticipate when switching from a laptop to a desktop was how quickly cable chaos can take over your workspace. With a laptop, it’s simple—one power cord, maybe a mouse or phone charger, and you’re set. Everything stays neat by default, and you can unplug and relocate in seconds. But with a desktop, suddenly, there’s a monitor (or two), a keyboard, a mouse, speakers, a webcam, an Ethernet cable, and possibly a printer or external hard drive.

While managing cables might not sound exciting, it’s one of those small but crucial details that can make or break your desktop setup. Our expert cable management tips can help keep your under-desk cable situation neat and organized.

Was the Switch to a Desktop Worth It?

Without a doubt. The improved performance, ergonomic benefits, and sheer power of customization have made me wonder why I didn’t make this change sooner. Sure, I miss the convenience of taking my work anywhere, but the trade-offs have been more than worth it. If you’re on the fence, I’d say this: if your work (or hobbies) demand serious performance and you’re ready to prioritize a dedicated workspace, a desktop could be exactly what you need. Just be prepared for an adjustment period and maybe a few extra cables.
25Dec
China's snow town draws visitors with unique scenery

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-24/China-s-snow-town-draws-visitors-with-unique-scenery-1zANBvzIzJu/img/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e/5ee7dbbe17784825ab6214e9f127f90e.jpeg'
A view of the China Snow Town scenic area in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, December 18, 2024. /CFP

Tourists have flocked to China’s Snow Town in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, to experience the unique ice and snow scenery there. After several heavy snows, the log cabins in the scenic area were all covered with a thick layer of snow like ice cream or marshmallows. At night, the town is illuminated by red lanterns, adding to its charm and sense of serenity. Besides enjoying local delicacies, tourists can also try various outdoor activities, from dog sledding to snowmobiling.
25Dec
Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas’ sets 2 new records

Mariah Carey, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Christmas,” just earned herself another gift this year in the form of two new Billboard records.

Carey’s upbeat holiday pop song, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a 17th total week and set a new streaming record, according to the music outlet.

The “Fantasy” and “Emotions” singer-songwriter surpassed her own record at No. 1 on the multimetric chart, Billboard reported Monday. The 1994 song’s latest peak position gives the five-time Grammy winner her longest career lead on the chart, exceeding her previous 16-week run at No. 1 in 1995 and 1996 with her Boyz II Men duet “One Sweet Day.”

“This is amazing!!!! Will never ever ever ever ever take this for granted,” Carey wrote Monday on her Instagram stories, which featured Billboard’s post about the longest Hot 100 reign. “Merry early Christmas!!!!”

The ubiquitous “All I Want for Christmas Is You” also led the the Hot 100 chart for a third consecutive week this holiday season, Billboard said, claiming the third-longest run in the chart’s 66-year history. (At No. 1 are the 19-week runs for Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” this year and the 2019 record set by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.)

Billboard also reported that “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has spent a record 21 weeks atop the Streaming Songs chart since the chart debuted in 2013 and reigns supreme with 48 million official U.S. streams earned in the week ending Dec. 19. At 20 weeks, “Old Town Road” also previously held that chart’s record beginning in April 2019.

Carey’s Guinness World Record-setting single hailed from her first holiday album, “Merry Christmas,” which she released in 1994 (and reissued this year for its 30th anniversary). It was the first Christmas song she ever wrote, and it came at the nascent of her career. But the December single — an uptempo, longing love song set at Christmastime — immediately shot up the charts and never went away, returning each holiday season and “lodging in the world’s collective unconscious like no Christmas song in at least half a century,” according to a previous Times report.

“This is going to sound like I’m making it up or whatever, but it really did come from a place of wanting to write something that felt like Christmas,” Carey told The Times in 2020. “It wasn’t just like, ‘Oh, we’re going to put some sleigh bells on this record. Or, I’m going to talk about snow.’ I mean — of course I do talk about lots of Christmasy stuff in that song! But I was trying to do something a little different. I wanted to think of everything that made me feel in the holiday spirit. I was casting my mind back. What are the things I wanted out of Christmas as a kid?”

The octave-leaping global superstar, already one of the most successful recording artists of all time, rolled with it, releasing new versions of the established hit and performing it live across various platforms over the last three decades. She sang it as a duet with Justin Bieber in 2011, performed it with Michael Bublé during his third annual TV Christmas special, sang a toy instrument version with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots and delivered a “Carpool Karaoke” rendition with James Corden. A children’s book and an animated film based on the song have followed, with Carey dubbing herself a Christmas monarch and staging an annual holiday show or tour along the way.

The 55-year-old artist previously told The Times that she started writing the song by sitting at a piano and “plucking out notes,” which was uncharacteristic for her.

“I was just sitting there, coming up with this melody, in a dark house with a Christmas tree,” she said, adding that she collaborated with “Hero” and “My All” co-writer Walter Afanasieff for the melody and bridge.

“We wanted it to feel classic. I didn’t want it to feel ’90s. It probably feels ’90s now to people who are nostalgic about the ’90s. But in the ’90s, it was something different… I wanted this to have a different feel. I wanted it to be, you know, timeless. And to feel festive. The background vocals are a really important part of the song. It was an incredible group of singers. I stacked my own vocals in there. We were having the best time in the studio. It sounds corny, but I think you can hear it on the record.”

And very much so in all the records it has set.

Times pop music critic Mikael Wood and freelancer Jody Rosen contributed to this report.
25Dec
All of Our Hopes and Fears for Tech in 2025

Lauren Goode: I don’t remember that.

Zoë Schiffer: I think she did.

Michael Calore: I don’t know why everybody’s looking at me.

Lauren Goode: Yeah. Mike, what’s your recommendation?

Michael Calore: Mine is actually weirdly ties into this unboxing we just had, because I want to recommend condiments. So everybody has that thing that they love to put on their food. I have a friend who puts Jordanian za’atar on absolutely everything. I have a friend who loves the really expensive, fancy Meyer lemon olive oil that’s $25 a bottle and drizzles it on their breakfast every day. Maybe there’s a chili crisp that somebody is …

Zoë Schiffer: Oh my gosh. I was just going to say.

Michael Calore: Right, because chili crisps can be 20 bucks.

Zoë Schiffer: So expensive.

Michael Calore: So expensive. So just get them a year’s supply. You know they’ll use it. And it’s totally thoughtful. It shows that you care, that you have insight into their life enough to know them well enough as a person to know how to make them happy. So yeah, that’s …

Zoë Schiffer: That’s such a good one.

Michael Calore: If you can’t decide, I don’t know what their size is. I don’t know if they’ve read this book. I don’t know if they would actually use this, get them the thing that you know they love and that you know that they will use.

Zoë Schiffer: That’s such a good one. It’s such a good one, because it’s hard to get yourself. I keep running into this problem because my brother and my mother are both chefs. So they’ll come home, they’ll gift me these really expensive, for example, the Momofuku Chili Crisp, and then I’ll be like, “Well, I’m fully addicted to that. I need it on all of my meals all the time.” And then I go to buy it, and I’m like, “$18 for this tiny …” No, I can’t.

Lauren Goode: That is actually, that’s my favorite topping. Momofuku Chili Crisp.

Zoë Schiffer: You can put it on everything.

Michael Calore: Have you tried the Fly By Jing?

Lauren Goode: No.

Zoë Schiffer: Oh, also really good. It’s a Sichuan chili one.

Michael Calore: Awesome.

Zoë Schiffer: Really yummy.

Lauren Goode: This is great. God, I feel like I literally recommended Snake Oil and everyone’s like, “Oh, Mike. Yes. Thank you.” Now I’m hungry.

Michael Calore: OK, well, that’s our show for today. We’ll be back in the new year. Thanks for listening to Uncanny Valley. If you like what you heard today, make sure to follow our show and rate it on your podcast app of choice. If you’d like to get in touch with us with any questions, comments, or show suggestions, you can write to us at [email protected]. Today’s show is produced by Kyana Moghadam. Amar Lal at Macrosound mixed this episode. Jordan Bell is our executive producer. Condé Nast’s Head of Global Audio is Chris Bannon.
24Dec
Nokia Could Be Developing a Digital Asset Encryption Device, Patent Filing Suggests

Finnish telecom giant Nokia could be looking to deepen its presence in the Web3 space. The company has reportedly applied for a patent related to the encryption of digital assets, suggesting its intention to enter the blockchain arena with a focus on security. The patent, titled “Device Method and Computer Program to Improve Digital Assets Encryption,” was filed in June, but details about it have only recently come to light.

The patent outlines Nokia’s vision for a system designed to enhance the security of valuable cryptocurrencies. Leveraging advancements in encryption technologies, Nokia plans to develop a device that restricts access to authorised entities, ensuring the safekeeping of digital assets. Additionally, the device is expected to feature an index system to aid in monitoring and managing encryption processes efficiently.

For now, it remains uncertain when Nokia might receive official feedback on its patent application or how it plans to implement the technology.

This is not the first time that the equipment giant has ventured into the Web3 arena. Back in 2021, it announced the launch of a blockchain-powered Data Marketplace aiming to provide secure data trading and AI services.

In a blog published by Nokia, the company said that the global blockchain technology market is projected to swell to the valuation of $469.49 billion by 2030, citing data by Fortune Business Insights. It further added that it will “guide IT, operations, and network infrastructure evolution for success on the Internet of Value era.”

Other telecom and related firms have also expressed interest in exploring the Web3 space, joining Nokia in this emerging frontier.

In May, Vodafone’s Head of Blockchain Initiatives, David Palmer, suggested that blockchain networks, crypto wallets, smartphones, and SIM cards could converge in a Web3-driven transformation of Vodafone’s services. In 2022, Japan’s NTT Docomo and South Korea’s SK Telecom also ventured into the blockchain sector.
24Dec
Google tightens ad policies to align with Search spam rules

Starting December, Google will expand its “Abusing the ad network” policy to explicitly disapprove ads pointing to destinations penalized for violating Google Search spam policies.

The details:

  • Ads directing users to websites subjected to manual actions under Google Search’s Spam Policies will face automatic disapproval.
  • Site owners impacted by manual actions are notified through Google Search Console, giving them a chance to rectify issues.
  • The move aims to curb deceptive practices where advertisers attempt to drive traffic to spammy or manipulated web pages that have already been flagged by search enforcement teams.

Why we care. This update directly ties PPC performance to a site’s overall search health. If a site receives a manual action for violating Google’s spam policies, not only will organic traffic suffer, but paid campaigns driving to that destination will also be disapproved.

Neglecting site quality could now cut off both organic and paid traffic, amplifying revenue losses and disrupting marketing strategies.

Between the lines:

  • This enforcement raises the stakes for PPC managers (as well as SEO managers) . Sites hit with manual actions could see a direct impact on ad campaigns, not just organic search performance.
  • You will need to monitor Google Search Console closely and resolve any manual actions to prevent ad disapprovals.

The bottom line. By linking ad disapprovals to search penalties, Google is doubling down on ensuring a high-integrity digital ecosystem, nudging advertisers towards long-term best practices rather than short-term gains.

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About the author

Anu Adegbola

Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.

In 2008, Anu’s career started with

 delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.

 

Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live and host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup.

 

She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
24Dec
NBA Player Pleads With Call Of Duty To Put Him “In The Trash Lobbies”

Very few basketball players are good enough to make it in the NBA, and that alone places Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in rare territory. Unfortunately for Mitchell, his skills on the battlefields of Call of Duty don’t seem to be the equal of his skills on the basketball court. During a recent press appearance, Mitchell acknowledged his struggles with the game and how it gave him a raspy voice.

“I’ve been playing Call of Duty with these kids, screaming at them and stuff, that’s where the voice goes,” said Mitchell. “It’s been rough… I genuinely try to get better, which makes me even more upset. I watch film on my phone, on TikTok. I’m still terrible. As you can tell, I put a lot of effort into Call of Duty.”

Mitchell’s frustration appears to be happening because he’s been placed with players who are far above him in terms of their Call of Duty skills. He suggested that this may have happened because he plays basketball for a living before saying that he’s asked for a reprieve from his Call of Duty purgatory.

“I reached out to Call of Duty,” said Mitchell. “Like, ‘Hey, put me in the trash lobbies, that’s where I belong.’ We’ll see what happens.”

Activision recently released a stoner-lizard DLC for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone that has to be seen to be believed. Earlier this week, the development team also said that the Ricochet Anti-Cheating measures during competitive play “did not hit the mark” before pledging to improve the system. There is a new patch for Black Ops 6 that’s meant to address other issues in the game as well. Meanwhile, Treyarch teased a collaboration between Black Ops 6 and Netflix’s Squid Game.
24Dec
Propranolol reduces tremors in Parkinson’s disease

The standard medication levodopa does not always work against tremors in Parkinson’s disease, especially in stressful situations. Propranolol, however, does work during stress, providing insight into the role of the stress system in tremors. MRI scans reveal that propranolol directly inhibits activity in the brain circuit that controls tremors. Doctors may consider this medication when levodopa is ineffective.

People with Parkinson’s disease report that tremors worsen during stressful situations. ‘Tremors act as a sort of barometer for stress; you see this in all people with Parkinson’s’, says neurologist Rick Helmich from Radboud university medical center. The commonly used drug levodopa usually helps with tremors, but it tends to be less effective during stress, when tremors are often at their worst. Helmich and his team wanted to investigate whether a medication targeting the stress system could help and how this effect of stress on tremors works in the brain.

Mathematical calculations

The medication in question, propranolol, is a beta-blocker that inhibits the action of stress hormones. It was developed for high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias, has been around for a long time, and is already used as a standard treatment for essential tremor — a condition in which people experience tremors without other neurological symptoms. There were already indications that propranolol might reduce tremors in Parkinson’s, but until now, no thorough research has explored its potential effects.

Helmich and his team studied 27 people with Parkinson’s who experienced tremors. They were given propranolol on one day and a placebo on another day. A device on their hands measured the intensity of their tremors, while an MRI scan mapped brain activity. This was done both at rest and during a task involving stressful mathematical calculations. The stress response was measured by pupil size and heart rate, both of which increased during the calculations. As expected, without medication, tremors worsened during stress.

Amplifier

The study showed that propranolol reduced tremors both at rest and during stress. The MRI scans revealed how this works: after taking the medication, the brain circuit responsible for tremors showed less activity. Helmich explains: ‘We know that abnormalities in systems like the dopamine system cause tremors. Based on our study, we now think that the stress hormone noradrenaline acts as an amplifier, which increases tremor intensity in the brain’s movement area. Propranolol inhibits this amplifying effect and thus reduces symptoms.’

It surprised the researchers that propranolol also worked to reduce tremors at rest. ‘Apparently, our stress system is occasionally active, even at rest’, says researcher Anouk van der Heide. ‘This changes how alert someone is and leads to spontaneous fluctuations in tremors. We previously thought that the stress hormone system was only active under stress, but apparently, that’s too simplistic. It also plays a role at rest.’

Mindfulness

Helmich already prescribes propranolol for some Parkinson’s patients. ‘The most effective medication for Parkinson’s is levodopa. It not only helps with tremors but also with other symptoms, so that’s what we start with’, Helmich explains. ‘However, in about forty percent of patients, it is not effective against tremors. In that case, we first increase the dose, but if that doesn’t work, propranolol is an option. However, we must be cautious about side effects, such as low blood pressure.’

In addition to medication studies, Helmich’s team is also exploring lifestyle changes that could help with Parkinson’s. ‘It doesn’t take much to trigger a stress response, causing people to tremble more. Even something as simple as wondering: did I lock the front door? can set it off. We are currently investigating whether mindfulness can positively influence the stress system.’
24Dec
Is your weight loss drug leading to muscle and bone loss? Study reveals shocking details | Health

For the longest time, people resorted to diet and exercise for losing weight. However, with the recent introduction of weight loss drugs in the market, the weight transformation patterns have undergone a drastic change. These weight loss drugs are natural hormones taken from the intestine that can help in restricting hunger, thereby enabling faster weight loss. Also read | Man lost belly fat by just changing these 4 things: ‘My belly started to shrink when…’

Weight loss drugs can also lead to muscle and bone loss. (Unsplash)

GLP-1-based drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) help people to control their appetite, making them eat less and shed the extra kilos. However, weight loss drugs may not be all good news. According to a recent study led by Jennifer James, University of Liverpool, weight loss drugs can also lead to muscle and bone loss.

According to research, weight loss drugs are effective in shedding at least 20% of the body weight in some cases. But one-third of the weight loss is due to non-fat mass, that refers to muscles and bones.

Why muscle and bone loss are dangerous?

Muscle and bones contribute to the proper functioning of the body. Muscles help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. It has been observed that people with lower levels of muscle mass also struggle with low blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can also trigger chronic illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes, further leading to blindness, nerve damage, foot ulcers, infections, heart attacks and strokes.

Bones help us carry out the daily activities smoothly. When we lose bone mass due to weight loss drugs, t can increase the risk of fractures. Also read | Want to lose body fat in just 30 days? Weight loss coach reveals 5 easy and effective strategies

Weight loss drugs can have side effects.(Unsplash)
Weight loss drugs can have side effects.(Unsplash)

How weight loss leads to muscle loss:

During the process of weight loss, muscle proteins are broken down faster than they can be rebuilt. With less muscle weight on the bones, normal bone turnover also happens at a slower pace. This means that removal of old bones and regeneration of new bones take longer time. This can lead to muscle and bone loss. Also read | Rebel Wilson’s secret to her weight loss was working out like a ‘maniac’. Here’s how many hours she worked out

How to maintain bone and muscle mass?

The study suggested that when we are on weight loss drugs, we should ensure to consume more protein in the diet and stay physically active to maintain bone and muscle mass. Even when we cannot find time to exercise, we should make small healthy changes in our lifestyle, such as taking the stairs or going for a walk, to stay physically active.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
24Dec
Thanks to Those Who Save Disabled, Neglected & Abused Animals – Walkin’ Pets

T.J. Jordi was interviewed on the “Happy, Healthy Pets” radio podcast, speaking about his role as director of the Cheatham County Animal Controloffice in Tennessee. This man is an inspiration! An animal lover extraordinaire, T.J. works tirelessly to save dogs and other animals. He has five dogs of his own, including two disabled dogs in wheelchairs.

Animal Control Office Duties

The staff of county government animal control offices are often the unsung heroes of animals in need. T.J.’s staff is no exception. The Cheatham County Animal Control office receives 30 to 120 calls per day! The cases might be victims of cruelty or neglect, or a variety of other issues.

Four full-time and three part-time staff members work at Cheatham County’s office. They clean, feed, treat, and bathe the animals, do intake, answer phones, and make onsite calls.

They rely on rescues, adopters, and donations in order to best care for the animals. An adoption fee covers the costs of spay/neuter (dogs/cats), rabies shots, and all vaccinations while they are in their custody.

T.J. speaks of the dedication of his staff and what it is that keeps him motivated:

“To know that one can make a difference to an animal that is knocking on death’s door and then be able to bring them back from the brink. There are no words to describe the feeling. There isn’t a check in the world that can make you feel the accomplishment that you get from saving the animal.

As a result, we have not had to put down a single adoptable animal in nearly seven years. We have been able to remove a lot of barriers that many shelters are not equipped to break through.”

Passion for Pets

T. J. has worked in the animal welfare field for nearly 27 years, and Cheatham County Animal Control for the past seven. He is an expert animal cruelty investigator and special-needs dog trainer. T.J. clearly enjoys working with animals and making a difference!

When asked about a typical day, T.J. shed some light on the challenges and rewards of working with animal control:

“There is no such thing as a typical day in animal control. There is never a monotonous moment, as each day brings something new. Whether it be a cruelty case, an emaciated animal, an animal with major injuries, or an angry owner pointing a gun to our head. Officers have to learn to talk people down from high emotions and ensure the best options for the animal(s) and the officer’s own safety.

Most days, I go into the office, help my staff with cleaning, send my officers to calls, network animals out to rescues, work on grants and programs to help with funding and food, and work to find our animals the best places to go.”

T.J. has five dogs of his own. Storm and Molly are German Shepherds . . .

” . . . one of which is 18 years old and acts like a 2-year-old), a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Fidget with congenital hypermyelination (shaking puppy syndrome), and two dogs I have to take to the shop twice a year for balance and rotation: Scooter and Skeeter handi-capable dogs — in Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchairs>.

They are my kids and my life. Anyone who thinks of dogs (and cats and horses, so on) as “just animals” doesn’t understand the impact they make on your life, or you on theirs.”

Stories Worth Remembering

T.J. spoke of a few particularly memorable animals he and his staff saved:

“Prada and Giada, a couple of adult Italian greyhounds who were left in a house for weeks until nearly starved. You could literally see light through the skin on their hind legs. Both dogs were nursed back to health by volunteers, staff, and Noah’s Ark Society, a rescue for animals.

Brett, a 12-year-old Sheltie was found in a trash bag on the side of the road on Easter Sunday in 2015. His back was cut open from shoulder to shoulder, and his skin was pulled, exposing a large area of his back down to the muscle. When he was found, he was so near to death that he could not even lift his head. With a dedicated group, we were able to keep him alive, and his wound had completely healed within a month. He was given every reason to be scared of people for what was done to him, but he showed nothing but love. He stole the hearts of everyone who met him, and many who never got the opportunity.

Little Man, a young Redbone Coonhound, had been hit by a car two months prior to our office being notified. When he was found, his rear legs had been worn past the muscle and bone, even exposing the bone marrow. He was so anemic that his gums were gray. He remained at the shelter while his wounds were being tended to. All of his care was provided at no cost to the county by rescues, volunteers, and donors from around the world.”

Tennessee recently enacted an Animal Abuse Registry, much like a Sex Offender Registry. This allows for more serious ramifications for animal abusers, and is an excellent step in the right direction.

Animal Control Office Challenges

Animal control offices, including Cheatham County’s, are frequently underfunded. Yet these offices must still provide a standard quality of care for the animals, despite budgetary constraints.

Furthermore, T.J. cites a challenge that doesn’t get enough attention called Compassion Fatigue:

“A study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that animal rescue workers have a suicide rate of 5.3 in 1 million workers. This is the highest suicide rate among American workers; a rate shared only by firefighters and police officers. The national suicide average for American workers is 1.5 per 1 million.”

Therefore, it is especially important to remember to treat your local animal control offices with respect and thanks!

Disabled Dogs Can Save Lives

tj-jordi-animal-control-officerT.J.’s special-needs dog, Scooter, is now a trained therapy dog, visiting schools on a regular basis. He’s been the Grand Marshall for the Cheatham County Special Olympics for the last six years. And, he is the Official Mascot for Cheatham County Animal Control, complete with his own badge!

“I have been honored by seeing the difference that animals can make in the lives of people, sometimes when they are at their lowest point in life. Animals have saved more lives of people than statistics can ever accurately count.

For instance, Scooter has always had a thing for people with wheels, whether in a stroller or a wheelchair. Once, while at a public function, Scooter approached a young man in a wheelchair. I told the young man Scooter’s name. The young man, very shakily, reached down to pet Scooter on the head. Just as shakily, he said “Hi” to Scooter.

About 15 feet away stood the young man’s mother, and she started to cry. While the young man petted Scooter and slowly talked to him, I approached the mother. I asked her what was wrong. While sobbing and through tears in her eyes, she finally said, ‘I have never heard my son speak before.’

She wasn’t the only one that was shedding tears.”

Compassion Is Still Alive

T.J. reminds us of the tremendous power for good that animals are capable of:

“I’ve witnessed many people that animals like Scooter and Skeeter have affected, just by being themselves. From the mentally and physically handi-capable to the young and old alike, they are awed by a dog walking, playing, digging holes, stealing pillows, and nipping dinner off of my plate, and receiving rewards that didn’t exist before — while only having the use of two legs.

They are the reminders that compassion does still exist. Even though it can sometimes be a little difficult to see, it is still worth fighting for.

The dogs we save are soulful reminders to the people who cared for them, and it is why we are here. In a world where compassion seems so distant for many, they remind us that there are still compassionate people that will come out of the woodwork to help out those truly in need. They can make a difference. Not just a difference for the animals that are being treated, but to the people around the world that fell in love with them.”

compassion-for-animals

Listen to T.J.’s interview on the “Happy, Healthy Pets” radio podcast in episode titled “The ‘Dog Catcher’ – Animal Control Officers and Their Great Work,”. Let us know if you enjoyed it!

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24Dec
Must watch Christmas Lights “Gangnam Style”


The custom of Christmas lights goes back to when Christmas trees were decorated with candles.

These were brought by Christians into their homes in early modern Germany.

Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century.

Nowadays we adorn our homes with Christmas lights but this Perth home took it to the next level.

Watch this video and TURN UP THE SOUND…
24Dec
‘Nearly flawless’ Michael Penix Jr. helps re-energize Falcons’ playoff push

ATLANTA — Michael Penix Jr. looked like an NFL veteran in his first professional start but not as much as he sounded like one when he took the podium after the game.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was at a local Costco shopping Tuesday night when head coach Raheem Morris informed him he would be making his first NFL start. After leading the Falcons to a 34-7 win over the New York Giants in that start, Penix was asked if he’d be celebrating the win at Costco on Sunday night.

“No, hopefully, something fancier,” Penix said. “Costco is great, though. Costco, hit me up.”

If the Falcons (8-7) keep playing like they did Sunday, Penix may get a sponsorship offer from the company, which would mean he replaced Kirk Cousins to become Atlanta’s Kirkland quarterback and pitch Costco’s signature line of products.

“Could not be more pleased with how the team responded, really rallied behind a young man,” Morris said. “He went out and played nearly flawless football and helped us get a win.”

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Tampa Bay’s loss to Dallas on Sunday night put the Falcons back in the driver’s seat in the NFC South. If they win their final two games, at Washington and home against Carolina, they will host a playoff game.

The Falcons’ 27-point margin of victory was their second largest since the 2016 Super Bowl season, and they have now topped seven wins in a season for the first time since the 10-win 2017 season. The Giants (2-13) lost their 10th straight, the longest losing streak in franchise history.

“You do feel (nerves), but once I hit the field it goes away,” Penix said. “It’s the game I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. It’s at a higher level, but it’s the same game.”

The Falcons drafted Penix eighth in April intending to let him understudy behind Cousins for a year or longer, but Cousins’ most recent five games convinced them to accelerate that timeline.

“The plan came a little bit sooner, but the kid was ready,” Morris said. “We had a lot of time to develop him, and the kid did a great job himself of getting ready where the moment wasn’t too big.”

Cousins swallowed the sting of being benched less than a year after signing a four-year, $180 million contract to mentor Penix throughout the week, Penix said. In the tunnel before the pair jogged out for warmups, Cousins said his weekly prayer and patted Penix on the back, gently pushing him to jog out in front of him.

“Kirk has been great all week, just being there for me and anything I need help with. He’s a great leader, great teammate,” Penix said. “Coming off the sidelines, he was asking me what I saw, and he continued to encourage me throughout the whole game.”

Penix finished 18-for-27 for 202 yards and one interception on a ball that bounced out of the hands of tight end Kyle Pitts near the goal line. The quarterback was victimized by three drops, including on his first throw of the game. Drops of his passes weren’t rare during his early practices because of his strong arm, but Penix has made big strides in throwing a more catchable ball, said wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who led the Falcons with five catches for 82 yards and then told reporters they might not want to stand too close to him in the locker room because he was feeling under the weather.

“When he first got here, he was (too excited) to throw the ball and everybody was dropping the ball everywhere,” Mooney said. “Now he’s just chilling, and he’s got some touch to him.”

Sunday’s drops didn’t rattle Penix, running back Bijan Robinson said.

“After the Kyle play, he was like, ‘We’re good,’” Robinson said. “A lot of guys would have put their heads down, but he was like, ‘We’re good, we’ll get it right back the next drive,’ and that’s what he did.”

Robinson carried the ball 22 times for 94 yards and is fourth in the league in rushing (1,196 yards). He ran for two touchdowns but was upset he didn’t get a receiving score because he was tripped up short of the goal line on a swing pass. Robinson returned to the huddle and apologized to Penix for not getting him his first NFL passing touchdown.

“I told him, ‘It’s all good, man. We won the football game,’” Penix said. “That just shows the person he is, not just him but everybody on this team, the character. He talked about getting me my first touchdown, but it’ll come. The biggest thing we want to do each and every week is win. We did that.”

go-deeper

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What Michael Penix Jr.’s college film reveals about his chances as Atlanta’s QB

Atlanta’s defense had nothing to apologize for after returning two interceptions for touchdowns in the same game for the first time since 1983. Jessie Bates III jumped in front of a Drew Lock pass and returned it 55 yards in the second quarter, and then celebrated with Deion Sanders’ “Prime Time” dance. He said his inspiration was the throwback red helmets Atlanta wore Sunday.

“Something about these red helmets,” Bates said.

In the third quarter, defensive lineman Matthew Judon recorded the first interception and first touchdown of his nine-year career when he found himself holding a pass batted by Zach Harrison and rumbled 27 yards into the end zone.

“I just looked up and it fell right there. All glory to God,” said Judon, who became the first Falcon since Kroy Biermann in 2011 to have a pick six and a sack in the same game. “I am really grateful. I kept thanking Zach the whole time in (the locker room) until he left.”

The Falcons also recorded three sacks, one of which resulted in a fumble recovered by Arnold Ebiketie.

Penix, though, was the story of the day. Simply by providing a stabilizing element at the position, he gave the Falcons hope for their playoff push. His coaches and teammates said they never really doubted that the 24-year-old would.

The Falcons reorganized the “Mamba” periods they have used in practice this year where the starters from each side face off in competitive situations to give Penix some looks he hadn’t seen enough of, but other than that didn’t change their routine at all, Morris said.

“I think the guy is just a grown adult that came in with a high level of football experience,” the coach said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the young man. It was fun to watch.”

(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
24Dec
I Took a Trip Around a Smartphone Factory, and Saw the Next Big Thing in AI Photography Tech

Quick Links

It’s not often you get invited to check out the inner workings of a smartphone production line.

But that’s exactly what happened to me in early December 2024, as smartphone manufacturer Tecno invited me to take a unique peek into how its smartphones are made—along with the launch of some groundbreaking AI imaging tech, too.

Tecno Launches Its New AI-Powered Imaging Tech at Future Lens

Tecno’s annual Future Lens event is where the smartphone manufacturer reveals its latest imaging tech. That means a focus on camera technology, and this year, it’s deeper integration of AI into its imaging tech.

Gavin Phillips/MakeUseOf

Like most modern tech, AI is the keyword here. Smartphone imaging tech continues to improve, and at Tecno’s Future Lens event held at its manufacturing site in Chongqing, China, the company revealed three new AI image processing tools. These are the Tecno Image Matrix, its EVS Dynamic Shot tech, and—this is my favorite bit—Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto AI tech.

Tecno Image Matrix

The Tecno Image Matrix (TIM) is a new way of processing image data on a smartphone. It uses a multi-layered structure to optimize every part of an image you snap; it basically means every photo you shoot will look pristine, no matter the shooting environment.

tecno future lens image matrix technology breakdown
Tecno

Now, that does mean more AI processing of your images. The four layers of the TIM work in the background but effectively take the sweat of wondering whether that picture-perfect moment will come out how you think—it just works.

Tecno’s Image Matrix comprises the following:

  • Hardware Foundation Layer: The starting point is still the actual hardware in your smartphone, such as the sensors, lenses, processing package, and so on.
  • Deconstruction Layer: Once snapped, your image passes to the “Deconstruction Layer,” where a series of image refinement algorithms begin to work on your snap. These include color balancing, color correction, image stabilization, and so on.
  • Engine Reconstruction Layer: This is where Tecno’s AI magic begins to really kick in, with four different AI imaging algorithms working simultaneously to deliver a perfect image.

    • AI RAW is designed to enhance images shot in low-light or backlit situations.
    • AI SNAP focuses on reducing shutter speed lag and boosts capture speed.
    • AIGC Studio is an integrated suite of image enhancement tools that are applied to every image.
    • AI UT (Universal Tone) uses artificial intelligence to balance and restore skin tone, presenting accurate imaging of any subject.
  • Application Layer: Just like the Hardware Foundation, the AI tech still needs an application to display your images. Within this layer, you’ll also find different AI tech, such as an AI Image Studio with easy-to-use editing tools.

For those who want to take great shots without having to worry about fiddling around with any settings, Tecno’s deeper AI integration is certainly worth considering.

EVS Dynamic Snapshot

The EVS Dynamic Snapshot is an interesting proposition for anyone who has tried to capture a moving subject and ended up with something more akin to a Francis Bacon—a complete blur of colors, that is.

You don’t need me to explain how burst photography works. Plenty of phones have great burst photo capture, but Tecno’s EVS Dynamic Snapshot is the next step for this imaging tech.

EVS Dynamic Snapshot solves the issue of blurry images by recording the subject’s actual motion data. So, instead of going frame-by-frame, one-by-one, EVS locks onto the subject in the frame and uses an AI algorithm to dynamically establish the best image to highlight the action.

Tecno used the idea of trying to capture a racecar whizzing by at hundreds of miles per hour, much faster than you can hope to snap with a regular smartphone (and even a good few regular cameras, too). Instead, EVS Dynamic Snapshot captures the whole moment and then serves up the perfect frame.

Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto

tecno tap any zoom dual prism telephoto lens feature
Tecno

Tecno’s AI imaging stack is great, but have you ever just wanted to dynamically zoom a single part of an image without it becoming a mess? Tecno’s Tap Any Zoom Dual Prism Telephoto is just what you’ve been waiting for.

As said, I found this the most interesting part of Tecno’s new AI imaging tech. It basically makes the telephoto lens in your smartphone way more useful with a new dual-prism design, lens-shifting OIS, and AI algorithm that captures amazingly crisp and accurate shots.

But that’s not all. You can then double-tap to zoom into any subject in the image, zooming in at up to 30x while remaining incredibly clear. In combination with the dual prism design, it means you can capture images at a bonkers 400MP using an ultra-wide angle, or stitch together images using a telephoto sweep image function.

Being able to reframe a whole image without losing any detail is really interesting and useful tech and something I’ll definitely be using.

Tecno Showed Me Exactly How My Smartphone Is Made

It wasn’t all about the AI imaging tech at Tecno Future Lens. Tecno took me and other attendees for a previously unseen tour of its smartphone manufacturing process from start to finish.

As you can imagine, there are a huge amount of automated processes using highly specialized machines, shunting smartphones from the bare beginnings of a frame through to the finished product.

But there are still a huge number of human-input processes, too. Those cameras that arrive working fresh out of the box and perfectly calibrated? There is a person checking that on each smartphone that rolls down the line. It’s the same for other processes like charging, screen conductivity, and so on.

So, while the overall process is all about automation, the level of human interaction required surprised me. And yes, I’ve seen videos of smartphone lines before, but seeing it in person brings home the extensive requirements put onto and into each smartphone.

The other part of the Tecno factory tour I found interesting was the individual smartphone testing. There’s nothing like seeing a brand-new smartphone shoved into a pressurized container and having water jets fired at it, then seeing it work like new. Again, I’ve dropped my phone in water and know it’ll work fine, but seeing those testing processes up close definitely gives a new perspective on the level of testing our smartphones are subject to before hitting our pockets.
24Dec
The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall: A masterpiece of art and legacy

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492.jpeg'
A view of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492.jpeg'
A view of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492.jpeg'
A view of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492/c6bbb4c85d034105b4ad5bbf0d993492.jpeg'
A view of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on December 21, 2024. /CGTN

Nestled in downtown Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall stands as a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture and a testament to the artistry and intellectual heritage of the Chen family.

Originally a place for extended family members to prepare for the imperial examination, the hall is adorned with an array of priceless antique artworks.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/The-Chen-Clan-Ancestral-Hall-A-masterpiece-of-art-and-legacy-1zz8nro5J3q/img/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07/c7012f76f9294249b5ed0b600f108d07.jpeg'
An artwork adorns the roof of the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in this photo taken on December 21, 2024. /CGTN

The intricate carvings in stone, wood, iron, and porcelain create a beautiful visual narrative that blends tradition, myth, and nature.

Every surface within the hall tells a story – whether through delicate stone reliefs, wooden panels with intricate motifs, or porcelain tiles painted with auspicious symbols. The combination of materials and craftsmanship showcases the skill of the artisans over a century ago, making the building not only a functional space but a work of art in itself.
24Dec
‘Bad Sisters’ creator Sharon Horgan on Season 2’s twist-filled finale

This story contains spoilers about the Season 2 finale of Apple TV+’s“Bad Sisters.”

When Season 1 of “Bad Sisters” ended in 2022, the story of the Garvey sisters seemed to have reached a tidy conclusion. The evil John Paul was dead, killed not by one of his four sisters-in-law — each of whom had a compelling motive to commit murder — but by his seemingly meek wife, Grace, fed up by years of abusive behavior. With help from her friend Roger (Michael Smiley), she made it look like J.P. had died in an accident, with the rest of the sisters — Eva (Sharon Horgan), Becka (Eve Hewson), Bibi (Sarah Greene) and Ursula (Eva Birthistle) — facilitating the cover-up.

But Season 2 has slowly unraveled that neat — perhaps too neat — Hollywood ending. Two years after J.P.’s death, Grace has fallen in love with a seemingly kind new man named Ian (Owen McDonnell), but she starts behaving strangely and then dies in a car crash while fleeing home in a state of distress. The grieving sisters try to uncover the truth about what happened to Grace, and increasingly suspect Roger’s pious, overbearing sister Angelica (Fiona Shaw) of wrongdoing — but turn out to be (mostly) wrong about her intentions. Adding to the Garveys’ panic is an idealistic detective named Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham), who started to ask questions about J.P.’s death.

It all comes to a head in the Season 2 finale, appropriately titled “Cliff Hanger.” It turns out that Ian is not the nice guy he appears to be, but a disgraced former cop named Cormac who has a wife and family in the North and has tricked Eva into handing over money that was intended for Grace’s daughter Blánaid (Saise Quinn). In a heated confrontation with the Garvey sisters at Eva’s house, he threatens to tell police about their role in covering up J.P.’s murder when — whack! — Angelica turns up and hits him on the head with Blánaid’s camogie stick. Believing that Ian is dead, the sisters plan to dispose of his body — only to discover that he is alive. In the end, Houlihan helps silence Ian and protect the sisters. In the final scene, the Garveys set Grace’s ashes adrift in the sea and finally seem to put their sister’s trauma behind them.

Series creator Sharon Horgan spoke to The Times about Season 2 and the twist-filled finale. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Series creator Sharon Horgan in the finale of Season 2 of “Bad Sisters.”

(Apple)

Season 1 seemed to wrap things up rather neatly. What made you want to go back for more?

I didn’t think I was going to go back for more, but everyone responded to those characters. That’s not always the case and Apple wanted to do more. I thought, if I can think of a story that feels important to tell, then I’ll do it.

People found the ending perfect — it was, kind of, but I was much more interested in the real life of it all. Even though it was heightened, it was always supposed to feel that these were ordinary women who experienced something extraordinary but terrible. In the real world, it isn’t neat and triumphant like that. I wanted to explore the aftermath of something like that and what would really happen to a woman like Grace who had been isolated and full of shame for so many years.

In researching those relationships, and what happens when someone comes out the other side — if they manage to — they don’t necessarily fall into a healthy relationship. They’re so vulnerable, they can be targeted easily.

My original idea was what if it happened again? Would she be believed? What would her sisters’ reaction be? Could she go to them? Then the story started coming into the light. I knew it would be more brutal, but I also felt like I wanted to dig into that. I wanted to really feel the aftermath of what it’s like to have an abuser in your life. I wanted to dig into the institutions that are there to protect us and what happens when they don’t. There was still a lot of stuff I was angry about, and I wanted to tell it through these sisters, who people like watching,

Did you do research into domestic abuse and con artists?

I did a lot of work around the “Dirty John“-type relationships, the kind of women who end up in those situations and the psychopaths behind them.

Ian is a different kind of villain from J.P. He presents as a nice, sensitive guy, but then it turns out he’s this serial abuser and con man. Were you trying to explore another kind of toxic male?

I was more interested in exploring how difficult it is to move on when you’ve been in Grace’s situation and how open and vulnerable women like that are, and [people] who can find their way in through the cracks. I was interested in all of the sisters and where they are two years on, how what happened in Season 1 impacted all of them. For Eva, she finally got to offload to her sisters that terrible thing that had happened to her [getting raped by J.P.] and had arrested her life. She’s now starting over. There was a lot of me in there — like, let’s try and fix my life. Let’s go out and run, let’s stop drinking, let’s sort my hormones, all that. When she suffers bereavement, she’s vulnerable and just wants something to fill that grief hole.

It’s interesting because not only does Grace fall for Ian, the sisters do too — Eva literally.

That’s what happens — whole families are taken in and they feel so much shame around having been duped. These guys are incredibly good at what they do. The idea that he met Grace at her bereavement group — I listened to so many podcasts and read so many articles with stories like that.

A man with dark hair and a beard standing with a window in the background.

Ian (Owen McDonnell) turns out not to be the nice guy he seems. “That’s what happens — whole families are taken in and they feel so much shame around having been duped,” Horgan says.

(Apple)

Are you a true crime podcast listener?

Audio books, too. I heavily deep dove into true crime — for too long, actually, I’ve cut it out. It was getting to an unhealthy place. I know women are drawn to it. But you don’t want to stay in there for too long. It becomes like an addiction. I was listening to them at night and then waking up in the morning having forgotten to switch it off, and it was onto the next one.

Do you have a theory about why women are so into true crime?

So they know what to expect and can do their best to avoid it. So they’re aware. A lot of the stories I was reading were about narcissistic men and psychopaths, and how they operate. I’m not saying I’m hyper-vigilant now, but I certainly know the signs.

At a screening in New York, you alluded to the appeal of “Bad Sisters” in the present political climate because it’s a story about women refusing to have the bad decisions of men deciding their destiny. How much were you consciously channeling female rage when you were writing this show?

Certainly when I was making Season 1, I was like, “This could be very cathartic, this could help everyone feel angry together.” As I was making it, there was stuff that was really upsetting me. It was what happened with Sarah Everard and the fact that her murder was perpetrated by a cop and her having done all the right things, yet still it happened. I found it so terrifying. There were several [similar] stories about cops who’d been allowed to perpetrate [crimes] and get away with it, and they continued to work because it is so institutionally sexist. This is why I wanted the character of Houlihan to feel like a potential light. I was really angry about all that, and I wanted to use the show to have a group catharsis again, where the baddies get done, and the good people come out on top.

Angelica is interesting because the sisters really misjudge her. Why is that?

Sometimes we’re so angry about what’s going on in the world, we misplace our anger. Angelica was such an amazing character for me because she was really just a decoy baddie. She’s a very flawed person, and she’s a bigot in her own way. But she is a product of her environment and that generation, especially in Northern Ireland at that time. A certain life was expected for you, and woe betide you if you went outside of that. Suddenly she sees this new generation of modern Irish women, and she’s like, “What is that?”

There’s so much that we forgive people for that is generational, all sorts of bigotry. I think she rattled the sisters. She represents everything that they stand against. They’re a very liberal, free group of women. It’s also their grief, their paranoia and the panic that leads them to get it so wrong. But at the same time, Angelica is a wagon. [Irish slang for an ornery woman.]

A woman with a bruised face sitting on a couch.

Sharon Horgan on Angelica (Fiona Shaw): “She’s a very flawed person, and she’s a bigot in her own way. But she is a product of her environment and that generation, especially in Northern Ireland at that time.”

(Apple)

So how did you decide that Angelica would be the one to (almost) kill Ian? She’s like an honorary bad sister now.

Fiona Shaw always said, “I’m the heroine of the piece.” There were all sorts of routes we were going to take — it was Blánaid, it was one of the sisters. I felt like I’d seen “it was the kid,” and I didn’t want it to be one of the sisters because it didn’t feel as unexpected. I wanted it to be this woman who, against all odds, makes you cheer. I wanted that moment when the camera pans up and you would be like, “F— well done!” And I wanted them to choose to look after her and it felt like the sisterhood expanded at that point. There was some beautiful, f— up solidarity there that I liked. Angelica was like Rambo with the camogie stick. It’s weird, the way that story comes together. Sometimes you have the visuals first. I kept thinking about what new Irish thing I wanted to introduce to the audience. My sisters and I used to play camogie [an Irish sport similar to lacrosse] when we were little, and my sister got her front teeth knocked out. I wanted to see the next generation of young women playing this sport that’s so brutal. I had that idea before I had the idea that it would would [nearly] kill Ian.

There has been some conversation lately about the Irish moment that seems to be happening in pop culture. I wonder if you have thoughts about it?

We don’t have the baggage [of imperialism] and we’re really good storytellers because that’s all we had for so long. We had nothing. We just had the craic and someone to be angry with. There’s an amazing tradition of storytelling and also this great darkness and ability to harness tragedy and make a great song or a story about it. For a small island, we’ve always had enormous talent come out of it and hugely influential impact on culture. The “why now” — that I don’t know. There’s probably some very practical reason for it, like funding, but it’s really lovely.

So are you done telling the story of the Garvey sisters?

I know that when I wrote the ending for this season it felt like the end. I guess an idea could come to mind that feels viable for the world we’ve created, but for now I think we have a finale that gives fans what they wanted and allowed me to say what I needed to say.
24Dec
AI Agents Will Be Manipulation Engines

In 2025, it will be commonplace to talk with a personal AI agent that knows your schedule, your circle of friends, the places you go. This will be sold as a convenience equivalent to having a personal, unpaid assistant. These anthropomorphic agents are designed to support and charm us so that we fold them into every part of our lives, giving them deep access to our thoughts and actions. With voice-enabled interaction, that intimacy will feel even closer.

That sense of comfort comes from an illusion that we are engaging with something truly humanlike, an agent that is on our side. Of course, this appearance hides a very different kind of system at work, one that serves industrial priorities that are not always in line with our own. New AI agents will have far greater power to subtly direct what we buy, where we go, and what we read. That is an extraordinary amount of power. AI agents are designed to make us forget their true allegiance as they whisper to us in humanlike tones. These are manipulation engines, marketed as seamless convenience.

People are far more likely to give complete access to a helpful AI agent that feels like a friend. This makes humans vulnerable to being manipulated by machines that prey on the human need for social connection in a time of chronic loneliness and isolation. Every screen becomes a private algorithmic theater, projecting a reality crafted to be maximally compelling to an audience of one.

This is a moment that philosophers have warned us about for years. Before his death, philosopher and neuroscientist Daniel Dennett wrote that we face a grave peril from AI systems that emulate people: “These counterfeit people are the most dangerous artifacts in human history … distracting and confusing us and by exploiting our most irresistible fears and anxieties, will lead us into temptation and, from there, into acquiescing to our own subjugation.”

The emergence of personal AI agents represents a form of cognitive control that moves beyond blunt instruments of cookie tracking and behavioral advertising toward a more subtle form of power: the manipulation of perspective itself. Power no longer needs to wield its authority with a visible hand that controls information flows; it exerts itself through imperceptible mechanisms of algorithmic assistance, molding reality to fit the desires of each individual. It’s about shaping the contours of the reality we inhabit.

This influence over minds is a psychopolitical regime: It directs the environments where our ideas are born, developed, and expressed. Its power lies in its intimacy—it infiltrates the core of our subjectivity, bending our internal landscape without us realizing it, all while maintaining the illusion of choice and freedom. After all, we are the ones asking AI to summarize that article or produce that image. We may have the power of the prompt, but the real action lies elsewhere: the design of the system itself. And the more personalized the content, the more effectively a system can predetermine the outcomes.

Consider the ideological implications of this psychopolitics. Traditional forms of ideological control relied on overt mechanisms—censorship, propaganda, repression. In contrast, today’s algorithmic governance operates under the radar, infiltrating the psyche. It is a shift from the external imposition of authority to the internalization of its logic. The open field of a prompt screen is an echo chamber for a single occupant.

This brings us to the most perverse aspect: AI agents will generate a sense of comfort and ease that makes questioning them seem absurd. Who would dare critique a system that offers everything at your fingertips, catering to every whim and need? How can one object to infinite remixes of content? Yet this so-called convenience is the site of our deepest alienation. AI systems may appear to be responding to our every desire, but the deck is stacked: from the data used to train the system, to the decisions about how to design it, to the commercial and advertising imperatives that shape the outputs. We will be playing an imitation game that ultimately plays us.
24Dec
Crypto Price Today: Bitcoin Price Above $95,500, Altcoins Regain Profit After Correction

As we enter the final week of 2024, most cryptocurrencies have registered gains on the price charts. Bitcoin showed a gain of over one percent over the last day on Monday, December 23. At the time of writing, BTC was trading at the price point of $95,661 (roughly Rs. 81.3 lakh) on global exchanges, showed crypto tracking site CoinMarketCap. On Indian exchanges like Giottus, meanwhile, the value of BTC reached $100,499 (roughly Rs. 85.4 lakh) after recording a minor loss of 2.86 percent over the last day.

“The market continues to watch Bitcoin closely, poised for a move back above $100,000 (roughly Rs. 85 lakh) from current consolidation near $95,460 (roughly Rs. 81.19 lakh). Sentimental analysis of conditions suggests a recovery against prior sentiment contraction, despite ETF outflows and profit bookings. A move above $100,000 (roughly Rs. 85 lakh) would open up optimism-aimed toward $125,000 (roughly Rs. 1.06 crore) for BTC. A failure to maintain above $85,000 (roughly Rs. 72.2 lakh) will lead it downward in more extended corrections,” Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder and CEO, Pi42 told Gadgets360.

Ether mimicked Bitcoin’s price movement on Monday and registered a minor gain of under one percent. The price of ETH stood at $3,315 (roughly Rs. 2.81 lakh) on foreign exchanges at the time of writing. On Indian exchanges, the value of ETH hit 3,317 (roughly Rs. 2.82 lakh) after seeing a loss of 0.16 percent.

“The market, at the time being, appears a bit skeptical yet leaning toward being bullish. The macroeconomic environment remains improving, with a resurgence of activity coming from smart investors in the market. Investors should remain cautious yet optimistic in this highly volatile market,” Shekhar noted.

Tether, Ripple, Binance Coin, Solana, and Dogecoin clocked gains on Monday.

Other altcoins that saw profits include Cardano, Tron, Avalanche, Chainlink alongside Stellar, Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin also clocked gains.

“President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Bo Hines as the executive director of the newly formed Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, also known as the “Crypto Council.” This council aims to foster innovation and growth in the digital assets sector. The market is optimistic about these developments, anticipating increased regulatory clarity and support for the crypto industry,” Shivam Thakral, CEO of BuyUcoin told Gadgets360 explaining the rally of altcoins.

The overall crypto market cap rose by 0.17 percent in the last 24 hours. With this, the valuation of the sector has reached $3.3 trillion (roughly Rs. 2,80,71,268 crore).

USD Coin, Monero, Augur, and Circuits of Value saw minor losses on Monday.
24Dec
A deep dive analysis of 62 queries

The emergence of ChatGPT search has led to many questions about the quality of the overall results compared to Google. 

This is a difficult question to answer, and in today’s article, I will provide some insights into how to do just that. 

Note that our understanding is that the technology that makes it possible for OpenAI to offer a search capability is called SearchGPT, but the actual product name is ChatGPT search. 

In this article, we will use the name ChatGPT search.

What’s in this report

This report presents an analysis of 62 queries to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each platform. 

Each response was meticulously fact-checked and evaluated for alignment with potential user intents. 

The process, requiring about an hour per query, highlighted that “seemingly good” and “actually good” answers often differ.

Additionally, when Google provided an AI Overview, it was scored against ChatGPT search. 

A combined score for the AI Overviews and the rest of Google’s SERP was also included. 

Of the queries tested – two-thirds of which were informational – Google returned an AI Overview in 25 instances (40% of the time).

The queries analyzed fell into multiple categories:

The total number of the above is greater than 100%, and that’s because some queries could fall into more than one classification. 

For example, about 13% of the queries were considered informational and commercial. 

Detailed information from SparkToro on the makeup of queries suggests a natural distribution of search queries as follows:

Detailed information from SparkToro on the makeup of queries suggests a natural distribution of search queries as follows:

Navigational queries, which comprise nearly a third of all queries, were excluded from this test. 

These queries typically demand a straightforward response like, “just give me the website,” and are a category where Google excels. 

However, I included queries likely to favor one platform, such as:

  • Content gap analysis queries (4): Representing a broader class of content-related queries, which Google doesn’t handle but ChatGPT search attempts (though not always successfully).
  • Locally oriented queries (4): These leverage Google’s extensive local business database, Google Maps, and Waze, areas where ChatGPT search struggles to compete.

Metrics used in this study

I designed 62 queries to reflect diverse query intents, aiming to highlight each platform’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Each response was scored across specific metrics to evaluate performance effectively.

  • Errors: Did the response include incorrect information?
  • Omissions: Was important information not in the response?
  • Weaknesses: Were other aspects of the response considered weak but not scored as an error or omission?
  • Fully addresses: Was the user’s query intent substantially addressed?
  • Follow-up resources: Did the response provide suitable resources for follow-up research?
  • Quality: An assessment by me of the overall quality of the response. This was done by weighing the other factors contained in this list.

At the end of this article are the total scores for each platform across the 62 queries.

Competitive observations

When considering how different search platforms provide value, it’s important to understand the many aspects of the search experience. Here are some of those areas:

Advertising

Multiple reviewers note that ChatGPT search is ad-free and tout how much better this makes it than Google. That is certainly the case now, but it won’t stay that way. 

Microsoft has $13 billion committed to OpenAI so far, and they want to make that money back (and then some). 

In short, don’t expect ChatGPT search to remain ad-free. That will change significantly at some point.

An important note is that advertising works best on commercial queries. 

As you will see later in this article, I scored Google’s performance on commercial queries significantly higher than ChatGPT search.

Understanding user intent

Google has been working on understanding user intent across nearly infinite scenarios since 2004 or earlier. 

They’ve been collecting data based on all the user interactions within search and leveraging what they have seen with the Chrome browser since its launch in 2008. 

This data has most likely been used to help train Google algorithms to understand user intent and brand authority on a per query basis. 

For reference, as of November 2024, Statcounter pegs Chrome’s market share at 67.5%, Safari at 18.2%, and Edge at 4.8% 

This is a critical advantage for Google because understanding the user intent of a query is what it’s all about. 

You can’t possibly answer the user’s need without understanding their need. As I’ll illustrate in the next section, this is complex!

How query sessions work

Part of the problem with understanding user intent is that the user may not have fully worked out what they’re looking for until they start the process. 

Consider the following example of a query sequence that was given to me via Microsoft many years ago:

Inside a real query session

The initial query seems quite simple: “Merrell Shoes.” 

You can imagine that the user entering that query often has a specific Merrell shoe in mind, or at least a shoe type, that they want to buy. 

However, we see this user’s path has many twists and turns. 

For example, the second site they visit is www.merrell.com, a website you might suspect has authoritative information about Merrell shoes.

However, this site doesn’t appear to satisfy the user’s needs. 

The user ends up trying four more different queries and visiting six different websites before they finally execute a transaction on www.zappos.com. 

This degree of uncertainty in search query journeys is quite common. 

Some of the reasons why users have this lack of clarity include is that they:

  • Don’t fully understand the need that they’re feeling.
  • Don’t know how to ask the right questions to address their need.
  • Need more information on a topic before deciding what they need.
  • Are in general exploration mode.

Addressing this is an essential aspect of providing a great search experience. This is why the Follow-Up Resources score is part of my analysis.

Understanding categories of queries

Queries can be broadly categorized into several distinct groups, as outlined below:

  • Informational: Queries where the user wants information (e.g., “what is diabetes?”).
  • Navigational: Queries where the user wants to go to a specific website or page (e.g., “United Mileage Club”).
  • Commercial: Queries where the user wants to learn about a product or service (e.g., “Teak dining table”).
  • Transactional: Queries where the user is ready to conduct a transaction (e.g., “pizza near me”).

Recent data from SparkToro’s Rand Fishkin provides some insight into the percentage of search queries that fall into each of these categories:

What is the distribution of search intent on Google?

Be advised that the above is a broad view of the categories of queries. 

The real work in search relates to handling searches on a query-by-query basis. Each query has many unique aspects that affect how it can be interpreted. 

Next, we’ll examine several examples to illustrate this. Then, we’ll compare how ChatGPT search and Google performed on these queries. 

Query type: Directions

This query type is a natural strength for Google (as is any locally oriented query). We can see ChatGPT search’s weaknesses in this area in its response:

ChatGPT search - directions to Whole Foods

The problems with this response are numerous. 

For example, I wasn’t in Marlborough, Massachusetts, when I did the query (I was in the neighboring town of Southborough). 

In addition, steps 1 and 2 in the directions are unclear. Anyone following them and heading east on Route 20 would end up at Kenmore Square in Boston without ever crossing I-90 East.

In contrast, Google nails it:

Google search - directions to Whole Foods

The reason why Google handles this better is simple.

Google Maps has an estimated 118 million users in the U.S., and Waze adds another 30 million users. 

I wasn’t able to find a reasonable estimate for Bing Maps, but suffice it to say that it’s far lower than Google’s. 

The reason Google is so much better than Bing here is simple – I use Google Maps, and that lets Google know exactly where I am. 

This advantage applies to all Google Maps and Waze users in the U.S.

Query type: Local

Other types of local queries present similar issues to those of ChatGPT search. Note that a large percentage of search queries have local intent. 

One estimate pegged this at 46% of all queries. This was reportedly shared by a Googler during a Secrets of Local Search conference at GoogleHQ in 2018.

Here is ChatGPT’s response to one example query that I tested:

ChatGPT search - where is the closest pizza shop

As with the directions example, it thinks that I’m in Marlborough. 

In addition, it shows two pizza shops in Marlborough (only one of the two is shown in my screenshot). 

Google’s response to this query is much more on point:

Google search - where is the closest pizza shop

I also gave Google a second version of the query “Pizza shops in Marlborough,” and it returned 11 locations – 9 more than I saw from the ChatGPT search. 

This shows us that Google also has far more access to local business data than ChatGPT search. 

For this query class (including the Directions discussed previously), I assigned these scores:

  • ChatGPT search: 2.00.
  • Google: 6.25.

Query type: Content gap analysis

A content gap analysis is one of the most exciting SEO tasks that you can potentially do with generative AI tools. 

The concept is simple: provide the tool of your choice a URL from a page on your site that you’d like to improve and ask it to identify weaknesses in the content. 

As with most things involving generative AI tools, it’s best to use this type of query as part of a brainstorming process that your subject matter expert writer can use as input to a larger process they go through to update your content.

There are many other different types of content analysis queries that you can do with generative AI that you can’t do with Google (even with AI Overviews) at this point. 

For this study, I did four content gap analysis queries to evaluate how well ChatGPT search did with its responses. 

Google presented search results related to the page I targeted in the query but did not generate an AI Overview in any of the four cases. 

However, ChatGPT search’s responses had significant errors for three of the four queries I tested.

Here is the beginning of ChatGPT search’s response to the one example query where the scope of errors was small:

ChatGPT search - content gap analysis example

This result from ChatGPT isn’t perfect (there are a few weaknesses, but it’s pretty good. The start of Google’s response to the same query:

Google search - content gap analysis example

As you can see, Google hasn’t even attempted to perform a content gap analysis. ChatGPT search is better set up to address this type of query. 

However, ChatGPT search doesn’t earn a clean sweep for this type of query. 

Here is the first part of another example result:

ChatGPT search - content gap analysis example with errors

This looks good in principle, but it’s filled with errors. Some of these are:

  • The Britannica article does discuss the depth of Larry Bird’s impact on Indiana State University.
  • The Britannica article does mention the importance of the Larry Bird / Magic Johnson rivalry to the NBA
  • The ChatGPT search response is longer than shown here and there are other errors beyond what I mention here.

Overall, I tried four different content gap analysis queries and ChatGPT search made significant errors in three of them. For this query, I assigned these scores:

  • ChatGPT search: 3.25.
  • Google: 1.00.

Query type: Individual bio

How these queries perform is impacted by how well-known the person is. 

If the person is very famous, such as Lionel Messi, there will be large volumes of material written about them. 

If the amount of material written about the person is relatively limited, there is a higher probability that the published online information hasn’t been kept up to date or fact-checked. 

We see that in the responses to the query from both ChatGPT search and Google. 

Here is what we see from ChatGPT search:

ChatGPT search - Individual bio

The main issues with this response are in the third paragraph. 

I haven’t written for Search Engine Journal in a long time, and it’s also been more than six years since I published a video on my YouTube channel (@stonetemplecons). 

Let’s see what Google has to say:

Google search - Individual bio

Google also has problems with its response. They lead with quite a few images of me (which are all accurate), and below that, they show my LinkedIn profile and a summary of me drawn from Google Books. 

Here, it says that I write for Search Engine Watch (haven’t done that for more than a decade!) and SEOMoz (which rebranded to SEOmoz to Moz in 2013) (also more than a decade!).

These responses are both examples of what I call “Garbage-In-Garbage-Out” queries. 

If the web sources aren’t accurate, the tools don’t have the correct information to render. 

For bio queries (3 of them), I scored the competitors as follows:

  • ChatGPT search: 6.00.
  • Google: 5.00.

Query type: Debatable user intent

Arguably, nearly every search query has debatable user intent, but some cases are more extreme than others. 

Consider, for example, queries like these:

  • Diabetes.
  • Washington Commanders.
  • Physics.
  • Ford Mustang.

Each of these examples represents an extremely broad query that could have many different intents behind it. 

In the case of diabetes:

  • Does the person just discover that they have (or a loved one has) diabetes, and they want a wide range of general information on the topic? 
  • Are they focused on treatment options? Long-term outlook? Medications? All of the above?

Or, for a term like physics:

  • Do they want a broad definition of what it’s about? 
  • Or is there some specific aspect of physics that they wish to learn much more about?

Creating the best possible user experience for queries like these is tricky because your response should provide opportunities for each of the most common possible user intents. 

For example, here is how ChatGPT responded to the query “physics”:

ChatGPT search - Debatable user intent

The additional two paragraphs of the response focused on the definition of Physics and kept the response at a very high level. 

In contrast, the beginning of Google’s response also focuses on a broad definition of physics, but following that are People Also Ask and Things to Know boxes that address many other potential areas of interest to people who type in this search query:

Google search - Debatable user intent

This part of Google’s response shows a recognition of the many possible intents that users who type in the phrase “physics” may have in mind. 

For this query, I assigned these scores:

  • ChatGPT search: 5.00.
  • Google: 7.00.

Query type: Disambiguation

One special class of debatable intents queries is words or phrases that require disambiguation. Here are some example queries that I included in my test set:

  • Where is the best place to buy a router?
  • What is a jaguar?
  • What is mercury?
  • What is a joker?
  • What is a bat?
  • Racket meaning.

For example, here is how ChatGPT search responded to the question, “What is a joker query?”

ChatGPT search - Disambiguation

We can see that it offers a nice disambiguation table that provides a brief definition for five different meanings of the term. 

It also includes links to pages on the web that users can visit for information related to each meaning. 

In contrast, Google focuses on two major intents:

Google search - Disambiguation

Google’s focus is on the playing card and a person who tells a lot of jokes. 

Following this part of the SERP, Google continues this approach with websites focusing on these two definitions. 

This means that someone who’s interested in the word “joker” as it applies to contract clauses will have to do an additional search to find what they were looking for (e.g., “meaning of joker when referring to contract clauses”).

Which is better? 

Well, it depends. 

If the searchers interested in playing cards or people who tell lots of jokes make up more than 90% of the people who enter this search query, then the Google result might be the better of the two. 

As it is, I scored the ChatGPT search result a bit higher than Google’s for this query.

Another example of disambiguation failure is simply not addressing it at all. Consider the query example: “where is the best place to buy a router?” 

Here is how ChatGPT search addressed it:

ChatGPT search - Where can I buy a router?

You might think this result is perfect, but routers also refer to a tool used in woodworking projects. 

I use one frequently as a part of building furniture from scratch (true story). 

There is a large enough audience of people who use these types of routers that I hope to see recognition of this in the SERPs. 

Here is Google’s response to the query:

Google search - Where can I buy a router?

This part of the SERP is followed by:

Google search - Where can I buy a router SERPs

Google focuses on the internet router to the same degree as ChatGPT.

For this class of queries, I assigned these scores:

  • ChatGPT search: 6.00.
  • Google: 5.29.

Query type: Maintaining context in query sequences

Another interesting aspect of search is that users tend to enter queries in sequences. 

Sometimes those query sequences contain much information that helps clarify their query intent. 

An example query sequence is as follows:

  • What is the best router to use for cutting a circular table top?
  • Where can I buy a router?

As we’ve seen, the default assumption when people speak about routers is that they refer to devices for connecting devices to a single Internet source. 

However, different types of devices, also called routers, are used in woodworking. 

In the query sequence above, the reference to cutting a circular table should make it clear that the user’s interest is in the woodworking type of router. 

ChatGPT’s response to the first query was to mention two specific models of routers and the general characteristics of different types of woodworking routers. 

Then the response to “where can I buy a router” was a map with directions to Staples and the following content:

ChatGPT search - Maintaining context in query sequences

All of the context of the query was 100% lost. 

Sadly, Google only performed slightly better. 

It identified three locations, two of which were focused on networking routers and one which was focused on woodworking routers (Home Depot):

Google search - Maintaining context in query sequences

For this query, I scored the tools this way:

  • ChatGPT search: 2.00.
  • Google: 3.00.

Query type: Assumed typos

Another interesting example is queries where your search is relatively rare, yet it has a spelling that’s similar to another word. 

For this issue, my search was: “Please discuss the history of the pinguin.” 

The Pinguin was a commerce raider used by the German Navy in World War 2. It just has a spelling very similar to “penguin,” which is an aquatic flightless bird. 

Both ChatGPT and Google simply assumed that I meant “penguin” and not “pinguin.” 

Here is the result from ChatGPT:

ChatGPT search - Assumed typos

The result continues after what I’ve shown here but continues to focus on the bird, not the boat. 

Google makes the same mistake:

Google search - Assumed typos

After the AI Overview and the featured snippet I’ve shown here, the SERPs continue to show more results focused on our flightless friends.

To be fair, I’ve referred to this as a mistake, but the reality is that the percentage of people who enter “pinguin” that simply misspelled “penguin” is probably far greater than those who actually mean the German Navy’s WW2 commerce raider. 

However, you’ll notice that Google does one thing just a touch better than ChatGPT here.

At the top of the results, it acknowledges that it corrected “pinguin” to “penguin” and allows you to change it back.

The other way I addressed the problem was to do a second query: “Please discuss the history of the pinguin in WW2,” and both ChatGPT and Google gave results on the WW2 commerce raider. 

For this query, I assigned these scores:

  • ChatGPT search: 2.00.
  • Google: 3.00.

Query type: Multiple options are a better experience

There are many queries where a single (even if it is well thought out) response is not what someone is probably looking for. 

Consider, for example, a query like: “smoked salmon recipe.” 

Even though the query is in the singular, there is little chance that anyone serious about cooking wants to see a single answer. 

This type of searcher is looking for ideas and wants to look at several options before deciding what they want to do. 

They may want to combine ideas from multiple recipes before they have what they want. 

Let’s look at the response from ChatGPT search:

ChatGPT search - Multiple options are a better experience 1
ChatGPT search - Multiple options are a better experience 2
ChatGPT search - Multiple options are a better experience 3

I’ve included the first three screens of the response (out of four), and here you will see that ChatGPT search provides one specific recipe from a site called Honest Food. 

In addition, I see some things that don’t align with my experience. 

For example, this write-up recommends cooking the salmon to 140 degrees. That’s already beginning to dry the salmon a bit. 

From what I see on the Honest Food site, they suggest a range of possible temperatures starting from as low as 125.

In contrast, Google offers multiple recipes that you can access from the SERPs:

Google search - Multiple options are a better experience
Google Search Multiple Options Are A Better Experience 2

This is an example of a query that I scored in Google’s favor, as having multiple options is what I believe most searchers will want. 

The scores I assigned were:

  • ChatGPT search: 4.00.
  • Google: 8.00.

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Types of problems

Next, we’ll examine the types of things that can go wrong. I looked for these issues while scoring the results. 

The analysis noted where problems that generative AI tools are known for were found and potential areas of weakness in Google’s SERPs. 

These included:

  • Errors.
  • Omissions.
  • Weaknesses.
  • Incomplete coverage.
  • Insufficient follow-on resources.

Problem type: Errors

This is what the industry refers to as “hallucinations,” meaning that the information provided is simply wrong. 

Sometimes errors aren’t necessarily your money or your life situations, but they still give the user incorrect information. 

Consider how ChatGPT search responds to a query asking about the NFL’s overtime rules:

ChatGPT search - Errors

Notice the paragraph discussing how Sudden Death works. Unfortunately, it’s not correct. 

It doesn’t account for when the first team that possesses the ball kicks a field goal, in which case they could win the game if the second team doesn’t score a field goal. 

If the second team scores a field goal, this will tie the game. 

In this event, it’s only after the field goal by the second team that the next score wins the game. 

This nuance is missed by ChatGPT search. 

Note: The information on the NFL Operations page that ChatGPT search used as a source is correct.

Google’s AI Overview also has an error in it:

Omissions

In the second line, where Google outlines “some other NFL overtime rules,” it notes that the same ends if the first team to possess the ball scores a touchdown. 

This is true for regular season games but not true in the postseason, where both teams always get an opportunity to possess the ball. 

Scores were as follows:

  • ChatGPT search: 3.00.
  • Google: 4.00.

Problem type: Omissions

This type of issue arises when important information that belongs in the response is left out. 

Here is an example where ChatGPT search does this:

ChatGPT search - Omissions

Under Pain Management, there is no mention of Tylenol as a part of a pain management regimen. 

This is an unfortunate omission, as many people use only a mix of Tylenol and Ibuprofen to manage the pain after a meniscectomy. 

Scores were as follows:

  • ChatGPT search: 6.00.
  • Google: 5.00.

Problem type: Weaknesses

I used weaknesses to cover cases where aspects of the result could have been more helpful to the searcher but where the identified issue couldn’t properly be called an error or omission. 

Here is an example of an AI Overview that illustrates this:

Google AIO - Weaknesses

The weakness of this outline is that it makes the most sense to charge the battery as the first step. 

Since it takes up to 6 hours to complet,e it’s not that useful to set up the app before completing this step. 

Here is how I scored these two responses:

  • ChatGPT search: 3.00.
  • Google: 5.00.

Problem type: Incomplete coverage

This category is one that I used to identify results that failed to cover a significant user need for a query. 

Note that “significant” is subjective, but I tried to use this only when many users would need a second query to get what they were looking for. 

Here is an example of this from a Google SERP.

Incomplete coverage

The results are dominated by Google Shopping (as shown above). 

Below what I’ve shown, Google has two ads offering online buying opportunities and two pages from the Riedl website. 

This result will leave a user who needs the glasses today and therefore wants to shop locally without an answer to their question.

ChatGPT search did a better job with this query as it listed both local retailers and online shopping sites. 

Scores for this query:

  • ChatGPT search: 6.00.
  • Google: 4.00.

Problem type: Insufficient follow-on resources

As discussed in “How query sessions work” earlier in this article, it’s quite common that users will try a series of queries to get all the information they’re looking for. 

As a result, a great search experience will facilitate that process. 

This means providing a diverse set of resources that makes it easy for users to research and find what they want/need. When these aren’t easily accessed it offers them a poor experience. 

As an example, let’s look at how ChatGPT search responds to the query “hotels in San Diego”:

ChatGPT search - Insufficient follow-on resources
ChatGPT search - Insufficient follow-on resources 2
ChatGPT search - Insufficient follow-on resources 3

While this provides 11 hotels as options, there are far more than this throughout the San Diego area. 

It’s also based on a single source: Kayak. 

The user can click through to the Kayak site to get a complete list, but other resources aren’t made available to the user. 

In contrast, Google’s results show many different sites that can be used to find what they want. The scores I assigned to the competitors for this one were:

  • ChatGPT search: 3.00.
  • Google: 6.00.

The winner?

It’s important to note that this analysis is based on a small sample of 62 queries, which is far too limited to draw definitive conclusions about all search scenarios. 

A broader takeaway can be gained by reviewing the examples above to see where each platform tends to perform better. 

Here’s a breakdown of category winners:

1. Informational queries

  • Queries: 42
  • Winner: Google
    • Google’s average score: 5.83
    • ChatGPT search’s average score: 5.19

Google’s slight edge aligns with its strong track record for informational searches. 

However, ChatGPT Search performed respectably, despite challenges with errors, omissions, and incomplete responses.

2. Content gap analysis

  • Winner: ChatGPT Search
    • ChatGPT search’s average score: 3.25
    • Google’s average score: 1.0
  • ChatGPT Search excels in content gap analysis and related tasks, making it particularly useful for content creators. Winning use cases include:
    • Content gap analysis
    • Standalone content analysis
    • Comparing direct or indirect SERP competitors
    • Suggesting article topics and outlines
    • Identifying facts/statistics with sources
    • Recommending FAQs for articles

While ChatGPT search outperformed Google in this category, its lower overall score highlights areas where improvements are needed, such as accuracy.

3. Navigational queries

Navigational queries were excluded from the test since they typically don’t require detailed text responses. 

Google’s dominance in this category is assumed based on its straightforward, website-focused results.

4. Local search queries

  • Winner: Google
    • Google’s average score: 6.25
    • ChatGPT search’s average score: 2.0

Google’s extensive local business data, combined with tools like Google Maps and Waze, ensures its superiority in this category.

5. Commercial queries

  • Winner: Google
    • Google’s average score: 6.44
    • ChatGPT search’s average score: 3.81

This category, comprising 16 queries, favored Google due to its stronger capabilities in showcasing product and service-related results.

6. Disambiguation queries

  • Winner: ChatGPT search
    • ChatGPT search’s average score: 6.0
    • Google’s average score: 5.29

ChatGPT Search edged out Google by more effectively presenting multiple definitions or interpretations for ambiguous terms, providing users with greater clarity.

These scores are summarized in the following table:

ChatGPT search vs Google - Score summary

Summary

After a detailed review of 62 queries, I still see Google as the better solution for most searches. 

ChatGPT search is surprisingly competitive when it comes to informational queries, but Google edged ChatGPT search out here too.

Note that 62 queries are a tiny sample when considered against the scope of all search. 

Nonetheless, as you consider your search plans going forward, I’d advise you to do a segmented analysis like what I did before deciding which platform is the better choice for your projects.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
24Dec
Grab A Free Game From Steam This Holiday Season

It’s the season of giving, and Steam has a free gift up for grabs to keep you entertained over the holidays.

Distant Space 2 is a 2D arcade shooter set in–you guessed it–distant space, and is currently available for anyone to claim for free on Steam. A sequel to the original Space Distant, developer PixelMouse aptly describes the game as “an indirect continuation of the first part” that features “more dynamic gameplay.”

Distant Space 2 challenges players to pilot a spaceship through 26 levels of enemies, including three special boss ships, which PixelMouse says are especially challenging. On the bright side, players can find unique weapons by destroying and looting enemy ships, which will make those boss fights a little less daunting.

“Your task is to destroy enemy ships on each level to go to the next of 26 available [levels],” the game’s Steam page reads. “In addition to conventional ships, you will have to wait for the boss ships, the battle with which will not be easy.”

Distant Space 2 is currently available to play for free on Steam (download it here), but this no-strings-attached gift won’t be around forever, so players will want to add this title to their library before the 100% discount expires on December 24 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. If you prefer to play its predecessor first, you can get your hands on both Space Distant and Distant Space 2 for only $0.73 USD.

For even more Steam-powered savings, check out the best deals featured in this year’s Steam Winter Sale.
24Dec
Gene editing tool reduces Alzheimer’s plaque precursor in mice

A new gene editing tool that helps cellular machinery skip parts of genes responsible for diseases has been applied to reduce the formation of amyloid-beta plaque precursors in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign report.

The application in live mice shows the improved efficiency of the tool, called SPLICER, over the current standard in gene editing technology, as well as the potential for application in other diseases, the researchers said. Led by Pablo Perez-Pinera, a professor of bioengineering at the U. of I., the researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Communications.

SPLICER uses a gene editing approach called exon skipping, which is of particular interest for health conditions caused by mutations that produce misfolded or toxic proteins, such as Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy or Huntington’s disease.

“DNA contains the instructions to build everything that is responsible for how cells function. So it’s like a book of recipes that contains very detailed instructions for cooking,” Perez-Pinera said. “But there are large regions of DNA that don’t code for anything. It’s like, you start the recipe for a turkey dinner, and then you hit a note that says, ‘continued on page 10.’ After page 10, it’s ‘continued on page 25.’ The pages between are gibberish.

“But say on one of the recipe pages — in genetics, an exon — there is a typo that makes the turkey inedible, or even poisonous. If we cannot correct the typo directly, we could amend the note before it to send you to the next page, skipping over the page with the error, so that at the end you could make an edible turkey. Though you might lose out on the gravy that was on the skipped page, you’d still have dinner. In the same way, if we can skip the piece of the gene with the toxic mutation, the resulting protein could still have enough function to perform its critical roles.”

SPLICER builds upon the popular CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing platform — with key changes. CRISPR-Cas9 systems require a specific DNA sequence to latch on, limiting which genes could be edited. SPLICER uses newer Cas9 enzymes that do not need that sequence, opening up the door to new targets like the Alzheimer’s-related gene that the Illinois group focused on.

“Another problem we address in our work is precision in what gets skipped,” said graduate student Angelo Miskalis, a co-first author of the paper. “With current exon-skipping techniques, sometimes not all of the exon gets skipped, so there’s still part of the sequence we don’t want expressed. In the cookbook analogy, it’s like trying to skip a page, but the new page starts in the middle of a sentence, and now the recipe doesn’t make sense. We wanted to prevent that.”

There are two key sequence areas surrounding an exon that tell the cellular machinery which parts of a gene to use for making proteins: one at the beginning and one at the end. While most exon-skipping tools target only one sequence, SPLICER edits both the starting and ending sequences. As a result, the targeted exons are skipped over more efficiently, Miskalis said.

The Illinois group chose to target an Alzheimer’s gene for the first demonstration of SPLICER’s therapeutic abilities because while the target gene has been well-studied, efficient exon skipping has remained elusive in living organisms. The researchers targeted a specific exon coding for an amino acid sequence within a protein that gets cleaved to form amyloid-beta, which accumulates to form plaques on neurons in the brain as the disease progresses.

In cultured neurons, SPLICER reduced the formation of amyloid-beta efficiently. When analyzing the DNA and RNA output of mouse brains, the researchers found that the targeted exon was decreased by 25% in the SPLICER-treated mice, with no evidence of off-target effects.

“When we originally tried to target this exon with older techniques, it didn’t work,” said graduate student Shraddha Shirguppe, also a co-first author of the study. “Combining the newer base editors with dual splice editing skipped the exon at a much better rate than we were previously able to with any of the available methods. We were able to show that not only could it skip the whole exon better, it reduced the protein that produces the plaque in these cells.”

“Exon skipping only works if the resulting protein is still functional, so it can’t treat every disease with a genetic basis. That’s the overall limitation of the approach,” Perez-Pinera said. “But for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s or Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, this approach holds a lot of potential. The immediate next step is to look at the safety of removing the targeted exons in these diseases, and make sure we aren’t creating a new protein that is toxic or missing a key function. We would also need to do longer term animal studies and see if the disease progresses over time.”

At Illinois, Perez-Pinera also is affiliated with the department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the Cancer Center at Illinois and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. U. of I. Bioengineering professors Sergei Maslov and Thomas Gaj were coauthors of the paper. The National Institutes of Health, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Heart Association, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and the Simons Foundation supported this work.

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants 1U01NS122102, 1R01NS123556, 1R01GM141296, 1R01GM127497, T32EB019944 and 1R01GM131272.
24Dec
11th DD Basu Essay Writing Competition by NUJS and The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy [Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 95k]: Submit by Jan 20!

Submissions are invited for the 11th DD Basu Essay Writing Competition by NUJS and The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. Submit by Jan 20! About the 11th DD Basu Essay Writing Competition Dr. Basu was a distinguished Judge of the Calcutta High Court. He was also a member of the Union Law Commission. His commentary on […]

The post 11th DD Basu Essay Writing Competition by NUJS and The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy [Cash Prizes Upto Rs. 95k]: Submit by Jan 20! appeared first on Lawctopus.
24Dec
Art Diary: Chennai-based artist moulds the marble with flair, for a showcase in Delhi

Dec 24, 2024 04:05 AM IST

Chennai-based artist, Narayan Lakshman is exhibiting his first-ever sculpture at a group exhibition in Delhi’s India Habitat Centre. Read on to know more  

Smooth curves in pink intertwine the three figures so seamlessly that the marble they are made out of, emotes a unified soul. “This sculpture titled Protected represents the deep bond between humans, which comes out of my sense of oneness of the universe,” says Narayan Lakshman, the artist who has crafted this work. It’s currently displayed in Delhi at the ongoing exhibition, The Forces of Imagination.

Artist Narayan Lakshman’s artwork, Protected is sculpted using pink makrana marble from Rajasthan.

“This is my first sculpture,” informs the Chennai-based artist, who is exhibiting his debute work alongside some of the aces in the realm of modern sculptural art form, such as Vibhor Sogani and Neeraj Gupta. “I, infact, worked closely with Gupta, to create this work,” shares Lakshman. But, he didn’t let his thoughts get coloured by his guide’s palette, as can be seen in the former’s treatment of the material — the pink makrana marble that’s sourced from Rajasthan — which stands out even at such a nascent stage of Lakshman’s experimentation with sculpture.

Eternal Present, an acrylic on canvas, painted by artist Narayan Lakshman (right) is also displayed at the exhibition.
Eternal Present, an acrylic on canvas, painted by artist Narayan Lakshman (right) is also displayed at the exhibition.

It’s interesting to note how this artist blends the philosophy behind his paintings to suit a 3D medium. Pointing to the two canvases, which are also part of this show, Lakshman explains, “My paintings are inspired by Zen Buddhism… I started painting during the Covid lockdown, and now I take about 45 minutes to 10 days to complete a canvas. But, sculpture is a relatively new and challenging medium. It took me four months to complete my first work in this medium, including its conceptualisation and design. Now, I intend to pursue this medium relentlessly and obsessively.”

Catch It Live

What: The Forces of Imagination

Where: Visual Arts Gallery and Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road

On till: December 31

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium (Violet Line)
24Dec
Melbourne Property Market Outlook 2025

Key takeaways

The Melbourne housing market has not performed as strongly as other capitals over the last few years, but Melbourne’s property values are expected to play catch up over the next year or two.

Melbourne has been constrained by several factors that are transitory in nature, but the long-term fundamentals of Melbourne remain strong, with a robust economy, strong population growth tipped to overtake that of Sydney and significant new infrastructure in the pipeline, making it one of the most liveable cities in the world.

We are seeing some early signs of a boost in confidence in both buyers and sellers and auction clearance rates have remained strong showing a significant depth of buyers in the market.

There is significant “inbuilt equity” in the undervalued Melbourne housing market at present, but not all Melbourne property is created equal – you need to know where to buy, what to buy and what suburb is ripe for investment.

One thing is becoming clear, if you wait around until interest rates eventually fall, all you’re going to be doing is playing tug-of-war with owner occupiers over the best properties.

With vacancy rates at historic lows, rentals are skyrocketing in Melbourne

Recently the Victorian government has stepped up to encourage more housing supply with two key policies designed to give developers a push to build:
1. A12-month reduction in stamp duty for off-the-plan units, townhouses, and apartments—regardless of the price tag.
2. 50 new activity centres where they will be streamlining the planning process for multi-storey residential developments.


Are you wondering what will happen to the Melbourne property market in 2025?

Over the last four decades Melbourne has been Australia’s strongest performing housing market; however, over the last couple of years it has underperformed.

In fact, over the last 12 months dwelling prices have been basically stagnant, while many other capital cities enjoyed double digit capital growth.

Melbourne’s property values have risen 10.6% since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, but they are still  -4.4% below their previous peak in March 2022.

Here is the latest data on the median property prices for Melbourne.

Source: CoreLogic, 2nd December  2024

 The fact that the Melbourne housing market has not performed as strongly as some other capitals over the last year creates a window of opportunity for strategic property investors as Melbourne property values significant upside potential.

The average price of a Melbourne standalone house is the lowest it has been against its Sydney equivalent in around twenty years.

Sydney has always commanded a premium versus Melbourne, but recently that premium has hit historic extremes.

The latest data show the typical house in Sydney currently fetches a 70% premium relative to the typical house in Melbourne, or put differently median house prices in Melbourne are approximately 41% cheaper than in Sydney.

This gap represents a more than $600,000 difference in median house prices at the end 2024.

This is the cheapest houses in Melbourne have been relative to Sydney at any point in the last 20 years, and a significant deviation from the average discount over the past decade (29%).Sydney vs Melbourne

This means there is significant “inbuilt equity” in the undervalued Melbourne housing market at present, but not all Melbourne property is created equal – you need to know where to buy, what to buy and what suburb is ripe for investment.

One thing is becoming clear, if you wait around until interest rates fall, all you’ll be doing is playing tug-of-war with owner occupiers over the best properties for sale.

Buying properties below replacement cost in a market poised for recovery could yield substantial returns as the economic conditions improve and interest rates eventually fall.

Not only will strategic investors benefit from Melbourne’s long-term growth, but they will also get a “free kick” as the Melbourne property market catches up and reverts to its loan term mean growth rates.

Why the underperformance of the Melbourne market?

The underperformance of Melbourne’s residential property market can be attributed to several factors, but the root cause boils down to economic challenges.

Some commentators still blame the harsh COVID lockdowns imposed at the height of the pandemic which influenced some people to move to the regions, but in my mind that was a long time ago and not really relevant today.

I believe Melbourne’s under performance is related to lack of confidence in the state government.

Victoria has experienced significant economic setbacks, particularly evident in the net reduction of 7,606 businesses during the financial year 2022-23, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

One of the main reasons for the decline in business numbers in Victoria is the aftermath of the state’s extensive lockdowns.

Another critical factor is the increased tax burden on businesses.

The Victorian government introduced a payroll tax surcharge in the 2021-22 State Budget as part of a “mental health and wellbeing levy”, targeting businesses with a payroll of $10 million or more.

This was followed by a further increase in payroll taxes in the 2022-23 State Budget as part of a 10-year COVID debt levy to repay the government’s substantial borrowing during the pandemic.

The economic struggles of Victoria have had a direct impact on the property market. Where the economy and jobs go, the property market follows.

At the same time…

Property investors are getting disillusioned with Melbourne

Investors are increasingly abandoning the Melbourne market, driven away by stricter residential tenancy legislation and higher land taxes.

Recent reforms in tenancy laws have tipped the balance heavily in favour of tenants, making it more challenging for landlords to manage their properties effectively.

Additionally, the Victorian government’s decision to hike land taxes has further compounded the woes of property investors.

Despite the current struggles, there is a significant opportunity in Melbourne’s property market.

Property prices are considerably below replacement costs, creating a unique buying opportunity.

This situation is similar to where Brisbane and Perth were three years ago.

Back then, both cities were experiencing a period of underperformance, but those who bought during that time have since seen significant capital growth as the markets recovered.

At Metropole Melbourne we’re finding that strategic investors and homebuyers are back actively looking to upgrade, picking the eyes out of the market.

It is clear that Melbourne has been constrained by several factors that are transitory in nature, and over the longer term, that will either improve under a new government or be integrated into market expectations.

At the same time, the long-term fundamentals of Melbourne remain sound with strong population growth, a diverse economy with robust industries and employment opportunities, an increasing  knowledge based economy and significant new infrastructure in the pipeline, making Melbourne  one of the most liveable cities in the world.

Cheaper properties are recording stronger price growth

Melbourne dwelling prices remain below their 2022 peak,  and more affordable properties (in the bottom quartile) have outperformed.

There’s been a shift towards outer suburban areas, where additional supply is greater and prices are lower.

In fact activity at the top end of the Melbourne property market has stalled with high properties selling over the last couple of years, and this obviously affects the median prices being reported for Melbourne.

This shows how Melbourne’s most expensive homes recorded sharp price falls.

Melbourne Price Growth By Segment

This situation in Melbourne today is similar to where Brisbane and Perth were three years ago.

Back then, both cities had experienced a period of underperformance, but those who bought then have since seen significant capital growth as these markets recovered.

This means that once interest rates fall, and when Melbourne gets his Mojo back, the Melbourne housing market will likely outperform other capital cities, driven by strong population growth, economic recovery, and relative affordability.

Confidence will return as interest rates fall over the next year or two, and buyers will return to the Melbourne property market.

However, affordability will still be an issue for many potential buyers, and buyers will only be able to pay up to the limit of what they can afford, so I would only invest in locations where wages are increasing faster than average and residents have multiple streams of income, not just wages.

This means investing in the more affluent inner-ring suburbs and the gentrifying middle-ring suburbs of Melbourne which will outperform the cheaper suburbs, where residents will still find it difficult to afford to buy a home.

What is the Victorian government going to do about the situation?

Recently the Victorian government has stepped up to encourage more housing supply with two key policies designed to give developers a push to build.

Firstly, from October 21, 2024, there will be a 12-month reduction in stamp duty for off-the-plan units, townhouses, and apartments—regardless of the price tag.

This should hopefully make these properties more attractive to both developers and buyers.

Secondly, to boost density around public transport, the government has identified 50 new activity centres where they’ll be streamlining the planning process for multi-storey residential developments.

The goal is to fast-track much-needed housing in these areas.

Now, when we look at the numbers from the ABS, things are a bit concerning.

At the moment, there are around 63,700 dwellings under construction across Victoria—that’s 11% fewer than what we saw a year ago, and most of that drop is due to the slowdown in high-density apartment projects.

While detached houses under construction are still above the 10-year average, they’ve fallen by 19% over the past year.

If you look at the bigger picture, 2024 is likely to see the lowest level of new housing completions in Victoria in the last decade, and new housing starts are continuing to decline.

The approval pipeline isn’t looking great either—approved dwellings in Victoria are sitting 14% below the 10-year average. This all points to a further tightening supply in the near future.

On the flip side, demand is booming.

Victoria’s population is growing at near-record levels, increasing by over 183,000 people in the 12 months to March 2024, which is the biggest jump of any state in Australia.

A big driver of this has been overseas migration, and for the first time since 2020, Victoria has also managed to attract people moving from other states.

In terms of housing finance, things are also picking up.

Total housing finance commitments in Victoria have been steadily climbing and are now sitting 13% above the 10-year average as of August 2024, with a whopping $86.2 billion financed.

Over the past year, monthly finance commitments have risen across the board.

  • Non-first home buyers have seen a 4% increase in owner-occupier finance compared to last year, and first home buyers have also been quite active, with their commitments up 13%.
  • Investors, in particular, are making their presence felt, now accounting for 32% of total housing finance in Victoria, up from 27% just three years ago. With rental growth continuing strong and the housing shortage becoming more acute, I expect investors to take an even larger share of housing loans moving forward, as affordability challenges push owner-occupiers out of the market.

It’s an interesting dynamic—demand is as strong as ever, but the supply side is struggling to keep pace. This imbalance will continue to put upward pressure on prices and rents in the months ahead.

The best performing properties in Melbourne in 2025

Family-Friendly Homes

Price growth of established houses in Melbourne’s gentrifying suburbs will be underpinned by the ongoing trend of families seeking spacious homes with proximity to amenities, schools, parks, and transport links that continue to fuel demand for houses.

With Melbourne’s population growth back on the rise due to both domestic and international migration, family-oriented homes in established suburbs will maintain strong demand.

3-4 bedroom houses with larger land components, ideally with some potential for renovation or minor upgrades, will attract families and grow in value.

Middle ring eastern suburbs such as Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley, Mitcham, Blackburn, and Ringwood are enjoying gentrification and infrastructure upgrades, and remain more affordable than inner suburbs, and therefore experiencing strong owner occupier demand to push up prices as well as rental demand.

In the west, Essendon and Moonee Ponds are popular suburbs among families and professionals alike and provide easy access to the CBD, reputable schools, and ample lifestyle amenities.

Townhouses and Villa Units

Townhouses are an increasingly popular form of accommodation for young families, offering a compromise between apartments and houses.

With affordability pressures still high, many buyers and renters prefer townhouses as a more cost-effective option compared to standalone houses.

The trend toward higher-density living in inner and middle-ring suburbs will continue to make townhouses an appealing choice for investors.

Melbourne’s gentrifying, middle ring suburbs are great locations in which to buy townhouses, including Bentleigh and McKinnon in the south east, Reservoir and Preston in the north and Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley in the east.

Similarly villa units in Melbourne in a suburban suburbs in suburbs make great investments as they are popular amongst young families and older couples

Established apartments in Premium Locations

Well-located “family friendly” two-bedroom apartments are seeing renewed interest.

This is particularly true in areas with strong rental demand, especially from young professionals, students, and downsizers.

Look for properties in low-rise, boutique developments with unique features and modern finishes, spacious layouts, and access to amenities such as cafes, restaurants, public transport, and green spaces.

What’s happening in the Melbourne Property Market?

Melbourne Total Property Listings 16 December

Source: SQM Research

On the other hand, the Melbourne auction market started the year strongly showing a significant depth of buyers in the market and has continued to deliver steady auction clearance results.

4.3 Melbourne Auction Trends

While the data is insightful, as we know, Melbourne’s market is not a one-size-fits-all property market and A-grade homes and investment-grade properties remain in strong demand and are likely to outperform, many holding their values well.

There is a clear flight to quality with A-grade homes and investment-grade properties still in short supply for the prevailing strong demand, but B-grade properties are taking longer to sell and informed buyers are avoiding C-grade properties.

This is creating a window of opportunity for homebuyers and property investors with a long-term perspective.

Sure, many discretionary buyers and sellers have left the market at present, but life will go on in the Victorian capital – people will get married, people will get divorced, families will have babies and many Melbournians are going to need to move house.

When they realise interest rate rises have stopped (and we’re possibly there already) and that inflation is under control (and we’re past the peak already) they will come back into the market with a vengeance.

Melbourne’s rental markets remain exceptionally tight

Vacancy rates in Melbourne’s rental market are usually very tight, often sitting below the national baseline.

And thanks to soaring demand and a severe undersupply across Victoria, and the rest of the country, the national vacancy rate is exceptionally low today by historical standards.

SQM Research reports Melbourne’s vacancy rate at 1.5%.

By comparison, the vacancy rate which represents a balanced market, is around 2-2.5%.

Melbourne Residential Vacancy Rates 16 December

Source: SQM Research

Of course, this isn’t news.

As we know, Melbourne’s rental market, like most places across the country, has plunged into crisis.

Near-record-low vacancy rates, high rent prices, strong demand, and a rising population have combined to push the city’s market into a high-pressure cooker environment.

The data for vacancy rates and also weekly rent listings highlights that the distressing state of Melbourne’s rental market leads to a bleak outlook for renters.

Melbourne Weekly Rent Listings 16 December

Source: SQM Research

Melbourne’s decline in vacancy rates and number of rental listings can be attributed to two factors:

  1. One major factor is the city’s strong economy and job market. Melbourne is home to a number of major industries, including finance, technology, and healthcare, which are driving the demand for housing.
  2. Another factor is the city’s growing population.  Melbourne’s population has been growing steadily in recent years, with more people moving to the city to take advantage of its job opportunities and quality of life.

This increased demand for housing has led to competition among renters, driving down vacancy rates.

Overall, the decline in vacancy rates in Melbourne is a sign of the city’s strong economy and growing population.

While it may be more difficult for renters to find a property, the city remains an attractive place to live and work.

Key trends for Melbourne’s housing market 2025

The Melbourne property market has been one of the strongest and most consistent performers over the last four decades.

After booming through 2020 and 2021 with prices rising by 15.8%, Melbourne housing values fell -7.9% from their peak in March 2022 through to the recent trough in January 2023.

While the Melbourne housing market turned the corner in early 2023, property price growth has been slower than in most other capital cities.

Any way that you look at it, Melbourne has now clearly passed the bottom of the downturn, and while Melbourne has not seen as sharp a recovery in prices this year as other capitals have, it also did not see as large a decline in 2022.

And there are firm indications that Melbourne property values and rents will start to pick up in 2025.

The level of new dwellings completed in Victoria in 2024 is likely to be the lowest level in 10 years with the current level of approved dwellings in Victoria 15% lower than the 10-year average;

Conditions are notably softer outside the capital, with property prices in most regional centres in Victoria falling or at best only stabilising.

And it’s worth remembering that even though Melbourne’s property market underperformed in the last few years, it has been one of the strongest and most consistent performers over the last four decades.

Supply will not keep up with demand from all the new immigrants coming to Melbourne, and boosted by below-average vacancy rates, Melbourne residential rental rates grew by more than 9% for both houses and units over the past 12 months.

Melbourne’s population growth vs. housing market

pencil icon

Note: Projected population growth will continue to support Melbourne’s recovery, but will also pose problems.

Currently, there are 5.8 million people living in Melbourne, and 6.8 million in Victoria.

Victoria experienced the biggest population increase over the year to June 2023.

This can mostly be accounted for by a steady inflow of interstate and international arrivals and a subdued number of Victorians leaving the state (compared to other states which have had higher arrivals but also higher departures).

Annual population change

Source: ABS data

And the population growth is expected to continue growing too.

The Victorian government has a business plan to increase Melbourne’s population by 2050 to 8 million people, which will put Victoria’s population at around 10 million people.


This means that over the next 30 years, Melbourne is likely to require 1.5 million more dwellings which will be made up of 530,000 detached houses, 480,000 apartments, and 560,000 townhouses.

While this increased demand is likely to translate to continued strong property price growth and a more robust economy, which is great news for investors, its infrastructure will struggle to keep up.

However Melbourne’s public transport system, in particular, is struggling to keep up with the increased demand, leading to overcrowding, delays, and other issues.

The city’s roads are also becoming increasingly congested, making it difficult for people to get around.

To address these challenges, the Victorian government has committed to investing heavily in public transport infrastructure.

The Metro Tunnel project, for example, will create a new underground rail line through the CBD, while the Suburban Rail Loop project will create a new orbital rail line connecting Melbourne’s suburbs.

These projects will help to relieve congestion on Melbourne’s roads and public transport system, providing much-needed relief to commuters.

The local government also has plans to invest in the city’s sustainable infrastructure and practices and is looking to develop new areas in surrounding suburbs to help facilitate the impending population boom.

Despite the Victorian Government’s Housing Statement ambition to build 800,000 dwellings in Victoria over the next decade, the number of dwellings under construction across Victoria has fallen over the past 12 months.

According to the ABS, there are currently 68,100 dwellings under construction across Victoria, 6% lower than the activity recorded 12 months ago, largely impacted by the slowdown of high-density apartment development.

The level of new dwellings completed in Victoria in 2024, is likely to be the lowest level in 10 years.

With construction costs having risen by up to 40% since Covid and higher financing costs, the level of new supply is likely to continue to decrease in coming years with commencements falling to their lowest levels since 2014.

Top 10 Melbourne suburbs where property has earned more than the average worker

Overall Melbourne property prices grew by a relatively modest 1.33% over the year.

But in the exclusive inner-Melbourne suburbs of Toorak and South Yarra, houses still gained more than the average wage at $237,486 and $136,311 respectively.

Meanwhile, suburbs east of the city in Canterbury, Balwyn and Surrey Hills also saw house values jump by $160,638, $156,400 and $125,312 respectively.

Further east the data was also impressive.

House prices in Wheelers Hill, Park Orchards, Lysterfield and Doncaster East increased $115,706, $103,194, $101,332 and $99,385 respectively over the year, all more than the average Australian wage.

Top 10 earners in Victoria

Suburb Region AVM 12 months ago Current AVM Change ($)
Toorak Melbourne – Inner $4,148,336 $4,385,822 $237,486
Canterbury Melbourne – Inner East $3,121,281 $3,281,919 $160,638
Balwyn Melbourne – Inner East $2,702,699 $2,859,099 $156,400
South Yarra Melbourne – Inner $1,891,053 $2,027,363 $136,311
Surrey Hills Melbourne – Inner East $2,163,709 $2,289,021 $125,312
Mont Albert Melbourne – Inner East $2,077,778 $2,200,017 $122,239
Wheelers Hill Melbourne – South East $1,301,619 $1,417,325 $115,706
Balwyn North Melbourne – Inner East $2,102,890 $2,214,560 $111,670
Middle Park Melbourne – Inner $2,682,799 $2,790,123 $107,325
Park Orchards Melbourne – Outer East $1,900,536 $2,003,730 $103,194

Source: PropTrack/realestate.com.au

Melbourne’s housing market – the forecast for 2025

Digging deeper into the stats, some Melbourne properties – bearing in mind there are multiple markets within markets – have far outperformed others.

Michael Yardney

About Michael Yardney
Michael is the founder of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He’s once again been voted Australia’s leading property investment adviser and one of Australia’s 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.

24Dec
Max Purcell admits doping violation: U.S. Open doubles champion enters provisional suspension

2024 U.S. Open men’s doubles champion Max Purcell has admitted breaking anti-doping rules and has been provisionally suspended from tennis while under investigation.

Purcell has been suspended since December 12, having made the admission and requested to be provisionally suspended December 10. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the suspension December 23, saying that the Australian, 26, breached rules relating to the use of a “prohibited method,” rather than any positive test for a banned substance.

Purcell said in a statement on Instagram: “I have voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension since I unknowingly received an IV infusion of vitamins above the allowable limit of 100ml. Until last week when I received medical records from a clinic showing that the amount of an IV I received was above 100ml, I was fully convinced I had done everything to ensure that I had followed the WADA regulations and methods.

“But the records show that the IV was over the 100ml limit, even though I told the clinic that I was a professional athlete and needed the IV to be under 100ml.”

According to the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA), “infusions or injections of 100 ml or less within a 12-hour period are permitted unless the infused/injected substance is on the Prohibited List.”

A “prohibited method” comes under three possible definitions in the WADA code: blood manipulation, widely referred to as blood doping; chemical and physical manipulation, which extends to all forms of tampering or doctoring either blood or urine samples and also covers intravenous infusions; and gene and cell doping. Purcell’s violation falls under chemical and physical manipulation.

The ITIA has not yet commented on the specifics of Purcell’s violation.

As the suspension is provisional, it is unclear how much tennis Purcell will miss but that time will be credited against any ultimate sanction when the investigation into his case concludes. He was absent from the Australian Open’s list of singles wildcards despite being ranked world No. 105, just outside the cut-off for entries to the main draw.

Doubles entry lists have not yet been released, but Purcell, who won the U.S. Open title in September with compatriot Jordan Thompson and is ranked world No. 12 in doubles was in line to enter his home major. Purcell also won the Wimbledon men’s title with Matt Ebden, another Australian, in 2022.

Purcell is the third major champion in 2024 to be charged with an anti-doping violation. Defending Australian Open champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol in March, was found not to be at fault by three independent tribunals convened by the ITIA. Sinner, who also won the U.S. Open title, is awaiting the result of a WADA appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could see him banned for up to two years.

French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) in August, served a one-month ban. 22 days of that ban were covered by her provisional suspension, which saw her miss three tournaments. Swiatek was deemed not to be at significant fault.

GO DEEPER

Jannik Sinner’s doping case explained: What WADA appeal means and what is at stake for tennis

(Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
24Dec
Which AI Portrait-Editing Tool Gives Better Results?

Quick Links

AI-powered portrait editing has made professional results more accessible than ever, but not all are created equal. Aperty and Retouch4Me are two standout options, each offering unique strengths. But which one’s the best when it comes to the results?

What Is Aperty?

Aperty is a portrait-focused photo editing tool, provided by Skylum, the creators of Luminar Neo. Although Aperty is an AI editing software, it has a subtle integration of AI tools, slightly different from Luminar Neo’s GenSwap or GenRemove features. Aperty works as a standalone desktop tool or as a plugin integration for Photoshop and Lightroom.

You can subscribe to Aperty on a monthly or annual basis. Monthly costs $29.95 and to subscribe for a year is $299. Skylum do occasionally put their products on sale, so you may be able to get Aperty for less than this price.

What Is Retouch4Me?

​​​​​​​Retouch4Me is an AI-focused photo-editing and video-editing tool which applies subtle editing at a click. You can access individual photography plugins as standalone tools, congregate your purchased plugins into Retouch4Me’s Arams hub, use Retouch4Me’s Photoshop plugin panel, or as an extension in Lightroom and Capture One.

Retouch4Me Teeth Whiten AI Tool

Retouch4Me plugins are available for individual purchase—so you only own the ones you’ll need in your workflow—and come with lifetime free updates. The prices vary from around $125-$180, with occasional sales. They’re pricey, but it’s a one-time cost, so you’ll never have to pay more.

Now you know more about each of these two AI-portrait-editing software, you can directly compare their offerings.

Platform support

Both software can be used on Windows and Mac systems as standard. There’s no Linux or tablet-based support for either. Both tools work offline, but Retouch4Me plugins must be installed and activated first.

Aperty offers standalone apps for Windows (Windows 10 or higher) and Mac (MacOS 12 or higher), along with plugins for both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. There’s also a further extension for you to use Aperty with the Apple Photos app from Mac.

Retouch4Me can be used by each individual plugin as a standalone tool; with the Arams hub, your purchased plugins appear in one place for use (Arams is compatible with Windows 7 and higher and MacOS 10.14 and above); or integrated into other software with Retouch4Me’s Photoshop plugin panel or extensions in Lightroom and Capture One.

Interface and Ease of Use

Aperty has a simple and inviting interface with obvious icons and helpful tooltip labels. It presents basic camera information above the image—ISO, focal length, aperture, and shutter speed—and all the tools you’ll need are in easy-to-navigate menus on the right-hand side.

Aperty Interface

Retouch4Me’s Arams hub works as a central holding pot for your purchased product plugins. You don’t have to use Arams, as the products can be accessed individually or integrated into other tools. Arams just saves hassle.

Retouch4Me interface

Arams offers a simple interface, but it’s slightly more cluttered than Aperty’s. Arams has menus on both the left and right-hand sides of your image and a large image thumbnail below, meaning less space to view your portrait. Aperty’s tools work simply by selecting a checkmark and moving a slider.

Facial Retouching

Facial retouching tools largely consist of skin smoothing, blemish removal, and skin tone evening. The Heal and Dodge & Burn tools are also used frequently for facial retouching.

Aperty’s Retouch category is for editing and retouching portrait facial features. They work subtly with both effects sliders and detail sliders.

The Skin Blemish option lets you remove blemishes or freckles and enhance detail. The Face Skin option lets you to smooth skin, as well as correct the facial skin color. There’s also a dark circles removal for the under-eye area, and finally within the skin details are options to brighten the skin and remove shine. The results are subtle, yet noticeable, ensuring there’s no over-smoothing or unrealistic results.

Using Arams by Retouch4Me, you can select all plugins you wish to apply at the same time. For the retouching experiment, I selected Heal, Mattifier, Dodge Burn, Skin Tone, and Skin Mask.

I didn’t mind the results in Retouch4Me; however, it did apply some unnatural smoothing to where the light fell on the model’s face, causing a matte area over her nose instead of being brighter from the lighting.

Winner: Aperty

Eyes

Aperty’s Eyes section is within the Retouch category. For this portrait, I used the Dark Circles Removal tool again, before choosing some of the Eyes features.

Using the dropdown menu, I chose to set the Iris Color to brown—the same as the model’s original eye color—for more texture and depth, then I increased the Iris Visibility and Flare for a more natural result. These are interesting and specific options to have.

I used the Eye Whitening and Eye Enhancement sliders—the most similar to Retouch4Me’s eye tools—to add a little brightening to the eyes.

Aperty also has eye makeup features, and eye reshaping features. I used these subtly too by enhancing the eyebrows since the model’s were quite light against her skintone. I didn’t see a difference using the Eyeliner tool.

Under the Reshape tab, I moved the eyebrows slightly further apart but kept everything else the same. The results are subtle but add a nice highlight to the eyes.

Retouch4Me has two eye enhancing tools—Eye Vessels and Eye Brilliance—and they both come as part of the Eyes Bundle.

There’s also a Portrait Volumes plugin which affects the eyes in a portrait along with other elements like lip and nose shape and overall face shape. I just applied the two Eye tools to my portrait, as I didn’t want to affect the skin or face.

The original portrait didn’t show any visible blood vessels in the eye, so it’s difficult to see what or how the plugin affected the eyes. The eyes were transformed with brightness, though.

The whites do look somewhat unrealistic, but the eyes do pop as a result. I brought the sliders lower down for a small improvement without being over-the-top. The results look a little unnatural but can be dialled down further.

Winner: Aperty

Color

​​​​​​​

Aperty has many color tools, including white balance and color tint sliders. It also features a host of presets which affect color, including creative presets.

Within the lighting controls, you can add source lighting for extra jazz to your portraits. This replicates a lighting rig; you can choose the color/hue, intensity, and direction.

The Retouch4Me suite doesn’t offer the same color tools as Aperty. You can get a free and paid Color Match plugin, which lets you match colors from a reference image to your source image. There’s also a LUT creator plugin and LUT presets which are all purchased separately, and, as such, I don’t have access to them for comparison.

Of course, you can use Retouch4Me as a plugin or extension to other photo-editing software to use color tools elsewhere instead of directly.

Winner: Aperty

Body Enhancements

​​​​​​​Aperty has its own body section under the Reshape tab. These AI tools have sliders for Body Shape and Abdomen. I personally dislike these tools and think they could be damaging—not least because the abdomen slider starts at 0 on one end, and only goes up, decreasing the shape or size of the abdomen, suggesting that models should always look skinnier.

The Shape slider has 0 in the middle and can get both bigger and smaller. I think the results are a little unrealistic and lean too heavily into the fashion industry’s desire for models to look smaller. This is one problem I’ve seen in other AI photo-editing tools—warping images can lead to unrealistic body expectations.

Retouch4Me has some subtle body-area tools, none of which affect the size of a model’s body.

The main one you can apply to the body is the Fabric plugin—this is targeted towards cleaning up fabric creases and shadows for better presentation. It works subtly but successfully, and doesn’t insult a model’s body.

Winner: Retouch4Me

Aperty vs. Retouch4Me: Which Gives the Best Results?

Aperty provides a wider range of tools, and thus, slightly better results. Aperty’s interface is easier to navigate, and the results render faster than Retouch4Me’s. The subtlety of Rectouch4Me’s tools can be too subtle. When editing aspects you want to drastically change, it’s hard to see desired results.

However, some of Aperty’s Reshape features are too gimmicky, and I wouldn’t use them for serious portrait editing. Overall, I was more pleased with my results using Aperty than I was using Retouch4Me.
24Dec
Migratory birds thrive in Tianjin's coastal wetlands

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/Migratory-birds-thrive-in-Tianjin-s-coastal-wetlands-1zzaWxEaRHO/img/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288.jpeg'
Migratory birds are pictured at the tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area this December. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/Migratory-birds-thrive-in-Tianjin-s-coastal-wetlands-1zzaWxEaRHO/img/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288.jpeg'
Migratory birds are pictured at the tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area this December. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/Migratory-birds-thrive-in-Tianjin-s-coastal-wetlands-1zzaWxEaRHO/img/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288.jpeg'
Migratory birds are pictured at the tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area this December. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/Migratory-birds-thrive-in-Tianjin-s-coastal-wetlands-1zzaWxEaRHO/img/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288.jpeg'
Migratory birds are pictured at the tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area this December. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-23/Migratory-birds-thrive-in-Tianjin-s-coastal-wetlands-1zzaWxEaRHO/img/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288/d1a79a7fff224557ab271b24970e2288.jpeg'
Migratory birds are pictured at the tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area this December. /CFP

The tidal flats of Tianjin’s Binhai New Area are teeming with life as flocks of migratory birds gather to forage and rest. These wetlands, rich in water and fish, offer an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species. Each year, more and more migratory birds stop there to replenish their energy before continuing their journey south or staying for the winter.
24Dec
Blake Lively compliant: Who’s who in ‘It Ends With Us’ scandal

The behind-the-scenes machinery of modern Hollywood burst into the open over the weekend as actor Blake Lively filed a legal complaint accusing her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star Justin Baldoni of harassment and creating a hostile on-set working environment. Also included in the complaint are allegations that Baldoni hired crisis PR operatives to wage a sophisticated online smear campaign against Lively as the movie was being released last summer.

As detailed in exhibits accompanying the legal filing, crisis management expert Melissa Nathan responded to a request from Baldoni by saying, “You know we can bury anyone.”

An adaptation of the popular novel by Colleen Hoover, the romantic drama “It Ends With Us,” details an abusive relationship. Released by Sony Pictures, the film has grossed more than $350 million worldwide.

Below is a primer on the key figures involved in the scandal.

Blake Lively

Lively had her first breakout role in 2005’s “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and its 2008 sequel. She reached a new level of stardom thanks to her leading role in the hit television series “Gossip Girl,” running from 2007 to 2012. Since then she has appeared in films such as “The Age of Adeline,” “The Shallows” and “A Simple Favor.”

In 2012, Lively married actor and producer Ryan Reynolds, which has increased her visibility and fame, as has her close friendship with superstar musician Taylor Swift. Lively made a cameo appearance in Reynolds’ 2024 hit “Deadpool & Wolverine” and said in an interview that her husband had rewritten a scene in “It Ends With Us.” Lively has more than 45 million followers on Instagram.

In a statement, Lively said of the complaint, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”

Justin Baldoni

Baldoni is an actor, director and producer who first gained broader attention by appearing on the CW series “Jane the Virgin” from 2014 to 2019. He previously directed the 2019 romantic drama “Five Feet Apart” and the 2020 biographical drama “Clouds.”

Baldoni married actress Emily Foxler in 2013. He is also the co-host of the podcast “Man Enough,” described as exploring “what it means to be a man today and how rigid gender roles have affected all people.” Baldoni has nearly 4 million followers on Instagram.

Among the allegations against Baldoni are comments about Lively’s weight, including reaching out to her personal trainer, as well as physical touching and sexual remarks without consent. Lively requested that no more “sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing” be added outside of what was already in the script.

In the filming of a scene in which her character gives birth, Lively alleges that she was pressured into being mostly nude from the chest down and that many non-essential crew members were on set as she was left exposed in a vulnerable position. Additionally, Baldoni cast a personal friend to play the OB-GYN in the scene, which Lively described as “invasive and humiliating.”

In a statement, Bryan Freedman, an attorney who represents Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, called Lively’s allegations “another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ her negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film. … These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”

Of the alleged smear campaign Freedman added, “What is pointedly missing from the cherry-picked correspondence is the evidence that there were no proactive measures taken with media or otherwise; just internal scenario planning and private correspondence to strategize which is standard operating procedure with public relations professionals.”

On Saturday, after the allegations were made public, Baldoni was dropped by talent agency WME, which also represents Lively.

Wayfarer Studios

After his five-year stint on “Jane the Virgin,” Baldoni launched his own production company in 2019. He has cited his Baha’i faith as one of the inspirations behind launching the company, whose stated mission is to “champion inspirational stories that act as true agents of social change.” Its first project, Baldoni’s directorial debut “Five Feet Apart,” a romantic drama about two cystic fibrosis patients, was released that year. It was his work on the film that Baldoni said convinced Colleen Hoover, author of “It Ends With Us,” to grant his company the rights to her book.

Wayfarer is also behind Baldoni’s weekly podcast, “Man Enough,” which aims to explore gender roles and avoid “polarizing and demonizing men and masculinity.” The studio also produced “Will & Harper,” the Netflix documentary about Will Ferrell’s road trip with his transgender best friend Harper Steele, which recently made the shortlist for a potential Academy Award nomination.

Jamey Heath

Heath, who is named as one of the defendants in Lively’s legal complaint, is Baldoni’s close friend and colleague. In addition to serving as the chief executive officer of Wayfarer Studios and as producer on “It Ends With Us,” he is a co-host of the “Man Enough” podcast. Like Baldoni, the father of four is also a member of the Baha’i faith.

According to Lively’s complaint, on Jan. 4, 2024, Heath was part of a small meeting of “It Ends With Us” collaborators where Lively alleged that the producer and Baldoni had engaged in “inappropriate conduct” on set. Lively claimed that Heath pressured her to “simulate full nudity” in a birth scene and showed her a video of his wife in labor “fully nude … with her legs spread apart.” When Lively expressed alarm, she said, Heath replied that his wife “isn’t weird about this stuff.”

Heath insisted on taking a meeting with Lively while she was “topless and having body makeup removed,” according to the legal document. Though he agreed to keep his back turned to her, she said, he instead stared directly at her.

Steve Sarowitz

Sarowitz, the billionaire co-chairman of Wayfarer Studios, is one of the primary financiers of Baldoni’s production company, investing at least $125 million in the venture. He amassed his fortune after taking his payroll firm, Paylocity, public in 2014; he is now worth a reported $2.7 billion. Sarowitz is also a member of the Baha’i community.

Lively’s complaint alleges that at the New York premiere of “It Ends With Us” in August, Sarowitz said he was “prepared to spend $100 million to ruin the lives of Ms. Lively and her family.” Further, the document says, Sarowitz “flew in for one of his few set visits” on the day that Lively was filming the birth scene where she only had a “small piece of fabric covering her genitalia.”

Jennifer Abel

Abel, founder and CEO of RWA Communications, is the publicist for Baldoni and Wayfarer. In July, she founded her own public relations company after serving as a partner at the communications firm Jonesworks. Her client roster is relatively small; Baldoni and actor Jameela Jamil are the most well known names she represents.

Lively’s legal complaint includes dozens of private text messages and emails between Abel, Baldoni and other communications experts that the actor claims show intent to destroy her reputation. According to those messages, Baldoni first expressed concern to Abel in May that Lively’s on-set allegations could go public. That was when Baldoni noticed that Lively’s husband, Ryan Reynolds, had blocked him on social media, the complaint says.

“HE BLOCKED YOU?! Is he a 12 year old girl?!” Abel texted Baldoni, per the document. “We can put the plan down on paper … to make sure we have all of the documentation needed of what happened on set, who witnessed what and who would be our Allies to go on background if needed to shut down her claims.”

By then, the complaint alleges that Abel was already in touch with a crisis communications expert, Melissa Nathan, relaying that Baldoni “wants to feel like [Lively] can be buried.”

Melissa Nathan

Nathan, co-owner and CEO of the Agency Group, was officially brought in by Abel in July to work for Baldoni, according to Lively’s complaint. The document says Nathan quoted the actor a fee of up to $175,000 for three to four months of her work.

The Agency Group then created a “scenario planning” document for Wayfarer to be implemented if Lively were to make her “grievances” public. According to this document, which was cited in Lively’s complaint, one idea was to float the narrative that Lively involved Reynolds in the filmmaking to “create an ilmalance [sic] of power between her” and Baldoni. The PR firm also suggested reminding reporters that Lively has a “less than favorable reputation in the industry” and has “issues” working with Leighton Meester, Anna Kendrick and Ben Affleck.

A month before starting her work with Wayfarer, Nathan in June announced the launch of her own public relations firm after departing Hiltzik Strategies, the crisis PR firm where she was executive vice president.

Nathan’s new company is partially owned by Ithaca Media Ventures, according to corporate registration records filed in California. Ithaca is owned by HYBE America, whose CEO is entrepreneur and former talent manager Scooter Braun. HYBE America is one of the Agency Group’s clients, along with Johnny Depp, Logan Paul and Drake.

Jed Wallace

According to Lively’s complaint, Wallace is a public relations contractor from Austin, Texas, whom the Agency Group hired to “seed and influence” negative social media discussion about the actor.

In an Aug. 9 text message referenced in the complaint, Nathan relays to Abel that Wallace said “we are crushing it on Reddit.” A day later, the alleged messages show, Abel compliments Wallace “and his team’s efforts to shift the narrative” about Baldoni.

Scooter Braun

Braun, the former manager of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, now runs the U.S. arm of the South Korean entertainment company HYBE. HYBE America is a co-founder of Nathan’s company, the Agency Group, and one of its clients.

Braun has also been engaged in a years-long public dispute with Swift, who is one of Lively’s best friends. The battle between the singer and the executive began in 2019, when Braun acquired the record label Big Machine, which held the rights to the master recordings for Swift’s music from her 2006 self-titled debut to 2017’s “Reputation.” Swift responded by launching the “Taylor’s Version” series of rerecordings and rereleases of those albums.

In Lively’s complaint, Nathan sends a June text message telling the Wayfarer team that she is aware the actor “does have some of the TS fanbase so we will be taking it extremely seriously.”

Later, in the Agency Group’s “scenario planning” document, the company says its team could explore “planting stories about the weaponization of feminism and how people in BL’s circle like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilizing these tactics to ‘bully’ into getting what they want.”

Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report.
24Dec
Honda-Nissan Merger: What Merger Between Nissan, Honda Means for Automakers and Industry?

Bangkok, December 23: Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company.

Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry.

An industry shakeup

The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China’s BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of US and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda Inch Closer to Possible Merger.

Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centred around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March.

A merger could result in a behemoth worth about USD 55 billion based on the market capitalisation of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan’s market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp.

What would Honda need from Nissan?

Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. Nissan Layoffs: Japanese Automobile Company To Reduce 1,000 Employees From Thailand Following Announcement of Reduction of 9,000 Global Staff.

“Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn’t currently play,” that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan’s electric Leaf and Ariya haven’t sold well in the US, they’re solid vehicles, Fiorani said. “They haven’t been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology,” he said. “They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation.”

Why now?

Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6 per cent of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20 per cent after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen (USD 61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50 per cent pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes.

Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen (USD 9.4 billion). Nissan’s share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector.

The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20 per cent in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China.

More headwinds

Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighbouring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico.

Meanwhile, analysts say there is an “affordability shift” taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly USD 50,000 for a new vehicle. In America, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that’s forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
24Dec
How Google Maps Makes It Harder for Palestinians to Navigate the West Bank

Buttu, who regularly travels to the city of Ramallah in the West Bank from her home in Haifa, Israel for work and to visit friends, says Google Maps has led her astray many times in recent years. “I’ve been told to drive right into a wall that’s been up since 2003,” she says.

Others have encountered the same wall near the Qalandia checkpoint separating Jerusalem from the West Bank, and almost driving into it has become something of a rite of passage. “I was once trying to get to an office that was in a neighborhood in East Jerusalem, and Google Maps absolutely failed me,” says Leila, who works for a US company remotely from Ramallah and asked to use only her first name for privacy reasons. “It wanted me to go on a road that was completely cut off by the wall.”

Google’s Bourdeau tells WIRED that the company is investigating the route and will make an update if it can verify the situation against reliable data.

Even before the war, Google Maps users in the West Bank say they were accustomed to receiving potentially unsafe directions. One persistent issue they point to is the fact that Google doesn’t distinguish between unrestricted roads and ones that are only permitted to be used by Israelis, such as those leading to and from Israeli settlements where Palestinians aren’t supposed to go. On the route from Haifa to Ramallah, Google Maps once directed Buttu to a closed gate where she says Israeli soldiers approached her car with their guns pointing toward her. “I had to explain I made a mistake,” she says. Google “optimizes for going on settler roads, which for me as a Palestinian, can be very dangerous.”

Bourdeau says Google does not distinguish between Palestinian and Israeli routes, as that would require knowing personal information about users, such as their citizenship.

When Google Maps leads her into settlements, Buttu says she speaks in English in the hopes of passing as a lost foreigner. Other Palestinian users tell WIRED that when they unexpectedly end up in risky areas, they try to turn around or backtrack as quickly as possible.

In other instances, Google Maps refuses to provide directions altogether, like when navigating between cities in the West Bank, including Hebron and Ramallah. Instead, the app tells them it “could not calculate driving directions” (WIRED was able to replicate the same result). One of the current Google employees says that’s because Google hasn’t invested in enabling directions between the West Bank’s three administrative areas, two of which are officially more controlled by Israeli authorities. Bourdeau, the Google spokesperson, says the company is working to address the issue.

New Challenges

Despite its drawbacks, users tell WIRED they still previously found Google Maps to be helpful in the region, especially when they traveled to unfamiliar places. Since the war began, though, they feel the app has become unbearable. Soon after the fighting started, Google shut off the ability to see an overview of live traffic in the region to protect “the safety of local communities.” Users now have to input a specific location to see traffic conditions along their route, adding a potentially additional step for some of them.

Two current Google employees also say that, due to shifting conditions on the ground during the war and an uptick in spam that tends to follow conflicts, Google hasn’t acted on many of the suggested edits submitted by employees and West Bank drivers, which alert the tech giant to problems like missing streets or places. That has caused road data on the app to become outdated over the past year. Bourdeau says Google applies updates when suggestions can be verified through reliable sources.
23Dec
Donald Trump Appoints Bo Hines as Executive Director of US Crypto Council: All You Need to Know

US President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged during his campaign to position the country as the “crypto capital of the planet,” is already making strides toward fulfilling that promise ahead of taking office in January 2025. In his latest move, Trump has appointed Yale alumnus Bo Hines as the Executive Director of the newly-formed ‘Crypto Council,’ which remains in its formative stages as new members join and shape its agenda. These steps signal Trump’s intent to clarify the legal, financial, and operational framework of the US crypto industry.

In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced that Hines will be taking up this crucial role in the crypto council – which is officially also referred to as the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets.

President-elect Donald Trump elaborated on his vision for the Crypto Council, describing it as an advisory group comprised of “luminaries” from the crypto industry. However, details about other members joining this body remain scarce at this time.

Earlier this month, before appointing Hines to the Crypto Council, President-elect Donald Trump named David Sacks as its Chairperson and the White House’s ‘Czar’ of Crypto and AI. Sacks, a former Chief Operating Officer at PayPal, has reportedly invested in high-profile ventures such as SpaceX and Uber.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump detailed the roles Sacks and Hines would play in shaping the Crypto Council’s mission and objectives.

“Bo is a graduate of Yale University, and Wake Forest University Law School. Bo will work with David to foster innovation and growth in the digital assets space, while ensuring industry leaders have the resources they need to succeed,” said the 78-year-old billionaire-turned-politician.

As senior leaders of the Crypto Council, Hines and Sacks will jointly focus on establishing a comprehensive legal framework to support the US crypto sector while addressing financial risks associated with the volatile digital assets market.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to make Bitcoin a reserve asset in the United States. In September, he launched a cryptocurrency venture named World Liberty Financial, aimed at advancing the DeFi sector. By November, the Trump Media & Technology Group filed for a trademark for ‘TruthFi,’ signaling potential ambitions in the Web3 space.

Amid these developments, Trump’s victory in the November US elections propelled Bitcoin to a record-breaking all-time high of over $108,135 (roughly Rs. 92 lakh). The overall valuation of the crypto market has also surged, reaching $3.3 trillion (roughly Rs. 2,80,91,561 crore) in recent days.

Trump’s ambitions extend beyond cryptocurrency, as he also aims to solidify the US as a leader in the AI industry.

In a Truth Social post, Trump announced Sriram Krishnan as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. A former Microsoft executive, Krishnan will collaborate with Hines and Sacks to develop policies governing the rapidly evolving crypto and AI sectors.
23Dec
Distilling what truly impacts rankings

Keeping up with new developments in the SEO industry can be daunting. 

With increasingly frequent Google algorithm updates, rumored insider leaks, and the latest large language model (LLM) breakthroughs, there’s hardly any time to pause and reflect on what these changes mean for an online business. 

This is unfortunate, as many of these updates have little impact on actual search engine optimization. 

Meanwhile, following breaking SEO news can easily distract from what truly matters for rankings: consistent SEO signal input. 

SEO noise

Confirmed Google updates are just the tip of the iceberg. 

There are daily algorithm adjustments that don’t warrant public acknowledgment. 

Additionally, Google conducts countless live SERP tests daily on a small portion of its user traffic. 

It’s nearly impossible to track and deduce the specifics of these frequent changes, even as a full-time journalistic pursuit. 

A more practical approach is to consider these updates as “SEO weather” – constantly shifting, with the occasional storm that will eventually pass.

Alleged document leaks of unverified origin are equally, if not more, distracting. 

Without context, a grasp of internal corporate language, or experience with the company’s internal systems, these documents provide no basis for anything beyond speculation. 

While they may be useful tools for loud self-promotion, they offer no real value for website optimization.

Large language models, often marketed under the umbrella of “AI,” have significant potential to streamline certain workflows. 

They can be valuable tools for speeding up various processes, including software development cycles. 

They also frequently provide compelling answers to queries, stirring up an industry that has seen relatively little true innovation over the past two decades. 

In short, they are useful tools, like Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, or a server log analysis, and can support efforts toward better rankings. 

However, they are far from a one-size-fits-all solution for anything related to search.

SEO input

All of the examples above contribute to a confusing overload of SEO information, distracting from what actually matters: signal input. 

To clarify, achieving dominant SEO requires more than simply identifying individual signals that Google and Microsoft Bing factor into their calculations.

Only through experience can one understand how an isolated signal, such as canonical tags, interacts with and influences another, like crawl budget distribution. 

This, in turn, can affect content quality signals, which impact user satisfaction and drive key SEO metrics like click-through rate (CTR) and bounce rate. 

These signals can be influenced by other SEO factors, like legacy PageRank-passing backlinks. 

They can also be compromised by issues like:

  • Faulty sitemaps.
  • Incorrect hreflang implementation.
  • Unintentional use of noindex tags.
  • Outdated robots.txt settings. 

These are mere examples of the many technical, content, and off-page signals that ultimately have a cumulative impact on any website’s organic search result rankings.

Both Google and Bing incorporate numerous SEO signals into their algorithms. 

While most of these signals are well-known, it’s often forgotten that signal consistency sustains high rankings for relevant user queries. 

Rising to the top in SEO isn’t about chasing the latest SEO buzzword. 

Instead, it’s far more effective to ensure that Googlebot and Bingbot can:

  • Crawl a critical mass of a website’s relevant, engaging landing pages.
  • Clearly understand the site’s unique selling proposition.

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.

SEO output

Rankings are the result of dozens of critically important, heavily weighted SEO signals. 

Unlike Google updates, publishers retain control over those inputs and can regularly measure and improve their websites’ signals. 

This is the essence of SEO: it’s an ongoing process based on measurable, verifiable data rather than individual, biased opinions.

This is why collecting a website’s server logs and conducting annual defensive SEO audits are critically important. 

Embracing these best practices and integrating them into a comprehensive SEO strategy is what sets consistently successful website operators apart.

SEO signals

Shifting the focus on what actually matters in SEO isn’t difficult. 

At the most basic level, it requires tapping into and regularly monitoring the two main sources of verifiable data: 

  • Google Search Console.
  • Bing Webmaster Tools. 

While both these free services provide excellent insights, it is the former that tends to allow for more profound insights. 

That’s because, especially when it comes to large websites, Google often allocates more resources for crawling. This results in more in-depth and more frequent re-crawls of a website. 

Consequently, the data provided, despite the intended latency between crawls and sample data updates, shows how Google reads and understands a website. 

Paired with Bing Webmaster Tools, these two data sources represent the best source of verifiable information about a website’s basic SEO health signals.

Even without any additional analysis, Google Search Console can be used to tap into existing visibility, when high impression low / CTR page representation in SERPs is improved to include a unique selling proposition. 

The more advanced step is to verify findings and analyze potential SEO issues or signal inconsistencies. This involves crawling the website in a manner similar to search engine bots. 

Several tried-and-tested analysis tools are available for this purpose, with Oncrawl, RYTE, Screaming Frog, and Lumar standing out as particularly reliable. 

These tools, along with others, should ideally be used simultaneously as part of an annual defensive SEO audit or when addressing unexpected ranking drops.

Ideally, a comprehensive analysis should include server log data, recorded and stored in perpetuity. 

However, this represents an advanced level of big data analysis that few companies can perform regularly in-house. 

For large websites with extensive data, partnering with SEO audit experts provides superior insights. 

While in-house teams understand their website’s intricacies, external providers bring the advantage of experience across diverse web platforms. 

These insights often help address lingering legacy signals and guide SEO efforts toward the most impactful changes for ranking growth.

Contributing authors are invited to create content for Search Engine Land and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the search community. Our contributors work under the oversight of the editorial staff and contributions are checked for quality and relevance to our readers. The opinions they express are their own.
23Dec
Get Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth With A Steelbook Case For Only $38 Today (December 20)

If Best Buy sells out, Amazon and Walmart have Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on sale for $40. Amazon’s edition comes with an exclusive DualSense controller skin.

The second chapter in the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, Rebirth sees the main cast of heroes venture out of Midgar and into a larger world. While there are some narrative stumbles along the way, Rebirth does a superb job in fine-tuning its gameplay to feel even more satisfying, is a treat for the eyes with its impressive graphics, and sets the stage for a grand finale currently in development.
23Dec
AI may help researchers with medical chart review, study finds

Stanford Medicine researchers have built an artificial intelligence tool that can read thousands of doctors’ notes in electronic medical records and detect trends, providing information that physicians and researchers hope will improve care.

Typically, experts seeking answers to questions about care need to pore over hundreds of medical charts. But new research shows that large language models — AI tools that can find patterns in complex written language — may be able to take over this busywork and that their findings could have practical uses. For instance, AI tools could monitor patients’ charts for mentions of hazardous interactions between drugs or could help doctors identify patients who will respond well or poorly to specific treatments.

The AI tool, described in a study that published online Dec. 19 in Pediatrics, was designed to figure out from medical records if children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder received appropriate follow-up care after being prescribed new medications.

“This model enables us to identify some gaps in ADHD management,” said the study’s lead author, Yair Bannett, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics.

The study’s senior author is Heidi Feldman, MD, the Ballinger-Swindells Endowed Professor in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

The research team used the tool’s insights to pinpoint tactics that could improve how doctors follow up with ADHD patients and their families, Bannett noted, adding that the power of such AI tools could be applied to many aspects of medical care.

A slog for a human, a breeze for AI

Electronic medical records contain information such as lab results or blood pressure measurements in a format that’s easy for computers to compare among many patients. But everything else — about 80% of the information in any medical record — is in the notes that physicians write about the patient’s care.

Although these notes are handy for the next human who reads a patient’s chart, their freeform sentences are challenging to analyze en masse. This less-organized information must be categorized before it can be used for research, typically by a person who reads the notes looking for specific details. The new study looked at whether researchers could employ artificial intelligence for that task instead.

The study used medical records from 1,201 children who were 6 to 11 years old, were patients at 11 pediatric primary care practices in the same health care network, and had a prescription for at least one ADHD medication. Such medications can have disruptive side effects, such as suppressing a child’s appetite, so it is important for doctors to inquire about side effects when patients are first using the drugs and adjust dosages as necessary.

The team trained an existing large language model to read doctors’ notes, looking for whether children or their parents were asked about side effects in the first three months of taking a new drug. The model was trained on a set of 501 notes that researchers reviewed. The researchers counted any note that mentioned either the presence or absence of side effects (e.g., either “reduced appetite” or “no weight loss”) as indicating that follow-up had happened, while notes with no mention of side effects were counted as meaning follow-up hadn’t occurred.

These human-reviewed notes were used as what’s known in AI as “ground truth” for the model: The research team used 411 of the notes to teach the model what an inquiry about side effects looked like, and the remaining 90 notes to verify that the model could accurately find such inquiries. They then manually reviewed an additional 363 notes and tested the model’s performance again, finding that it classified about 90% of the notes correctly.

Once the large language model was working well, the researchers used it to quickly evaluate all 15,628 of the notes in the patients’ charts, a task that would have taken more than seven months of full-time work without AI.

From analysis to better care

From the AI analysis, the researchers picked up information they would not have detected otherwise. For instance, the AI saw that some of the pediatric practices frequently asked about drug side effects during phone conversations with patients’ parents, while other practices did not.

“That is something you would never be able to detect if you didn’t deploy this model on 16,000 notes the way we did, because no human will sit and do that,” Bannett said.

The AI also found that pediatricians asked follow-up questions about certain medications less often. Kids with ADHD can be prescribed stimulants or, less commonly, non-stimulant medications such as some types of anti-anxiety drugs. Doctors were less likely to ask about the latter category of drugs.

The finding offers an example of the limits of what AI can do, Bannett said: It could detect a pattern in patient records but not explain why the pattern was there.

“We really had to talk to pediatricians to understand this,” he said, noting that pediatricians told him they had more experience managing the side effects of the stimulants.

The AI tool may have missed some inquiries about medication side effects in its analysis, the researchers said, because some conversations about side effects may not have been recorded in patients’ electronic medical records, and some patients received specialty care — such as with a psychiatrist — that was not tracked in the medical records used in this study. The AI tool also misclassified a few physician notes on side effects of prescriptions for other conditions, such as acne medication.

Guiding the AI

As scientists build more AI tools for medical research, they need to consider what the tools do well and what they do poorly, Bannett said. Some tasks, such as sorting through thousands of medical records, are ideal for an appropriately trained AI tool.

Others, such as understanding the ethical pitfalls of the medical landscape, will require careful human thought, he said. An editorial that Bannett and colleagues recently published in Hospital Pediatrics explains some of the potential problems and how they might be addressed.

“These AI models are trained on existing health care data, and we know from many studies over the years that there are disparities in health care,” Bannett said. Researchers need to think through how to mitigate such biases both as they build AI tools and when they put them to work, he said, adding that with the right cautions in place, he is excited about the potential of AI to help doctors do their jobs better.

“Each patient has their own experience, and the clinician has their knowledge base, but with AI, I can put at your fingertips the knowledge from large populations,” he said. For instance, AI might eventually help doctors predict based on a patient’s age, race or ethnicity, genetic profile, and combination of diagnoses whether the individual is likely to have a bad side effect from a specific drug, he said. “That can help doctors make personalized decisions about medical management.”

The research was supported by the Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute and the National Institute of Mental Health (grant K23MH128455).
23Dec
Webinar on Shaping Legal Career: A Deep Dive into Corporate Laws by Nyaya Shastra [Jan 5; 100 Seats]: Register by Jan 4!

Registrations are invited for a Webinar on Shaping Legal Career: A Deep Dive into Corporate Laws by Nyaya Shastra. Register by Jan 4! About Nyaya Shastra Nyaya Shastra functions as a catalytic nexus facilitating the actualization of jurisprudential excellence via an integrative matrix of investigative scholarship, pedagogical enhancement, awareness facilitation, and competitive dynamism. Our organizational […]

The post Webinar on Shaping Legal Career: A Deep Dive into Corporate Laws by Nyaya Shastra [Jan 5; 100 Seats]: Register by Jan 4! appeared first on Lawctopus.
23Dec
PV Sindhu and Venkat Datta make first public appearance as married couple in stunning ethnic attire: Pics | Fashion Trends

Dec 23, 2024 04:12 PM IST

Badminton champion PV Sindhu and Venkat Datta made their first appearance in glam ethnic looks as a married couple in Hyderabad after tying the knot in Udaipur.

Badminton champion PV Sindhu and entrepreneur Venkat Datta recently made their first appearance as a married couple after arriving in Hyderabad from Udaipur. The couple tied the knot on December 22 in an intimate and dreamy ceremony held in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Badminton star PV Sindhu and entrepreneur Venkat Datta made a stylish debut as a married couple in Hyderabad.(Instagram)

While their wedding picture, shared by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, had already left us mesmerised, their latest ethnic looks are equally stunning. Let’s take a look at what they wore. (Also read: PV Sindhu and Venkat Datta are married. Here’s what the bride wore on her big day )

Newlyweds PV Sindhu and Venkat Datta stun in ethnic attire

Their pictures from the airport were quickly shared online, capturing the newlywed couple beaming in radiant ethnic attire. Sindhu looked stunning in a bright orange Anarkali suit featuring a scoop neckline, full sleeves, and a flared hemline. The intricate white embroidery adorning the outfit added an extra touch of elegance, making it a regal ensemble. She paired it with a matching Bandhani-print dupatta, accented with silver borders, gracefully draped around her arms for a traditional look.

She accessorised her look with a gold mangalsutra, a statement diamond ring on her finger, a silver bracelet, and a pair of black sunglasses. With minimal makeup and her luscious tresses left loose in a side parting cascading down her shoulder, she perfectly completed her simple ethnic look. On the other hand, her husband Venkata Datta looked dapper in a white kurta paired with a purple bandhani-printed waistcoat.

About PV Sindhu and Venkat Datta’s wedding

The couple tied the knot in a private and intimate ceremony attended by their closest friends and family. They are now gearing up for their upcoming wedding reception, where prominent personalities like Sachin Tendulkar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to join the celebrations. In an interview with HT City, they shared, “We both love celebrating festivals, and family traditions are incredibly important to us. We look forward to carrying these traditions forward with immense joy in the years ahead.

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23Dec
Zepbound, Mounjaro shortages are resolved, FDA confirms

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday reaffirmed its assessment that Mounjaro and Zepbound, popular drugs for diabetes and obesity, are no longer in shortage,

The agency’s decision will largely prevent so-called compounding pharmacies from making off-brand copies of the drug, closing a lucrative market niche that had opened as Eli Lilly, the drug’s maker, found itself unable to meet skyrocketing demand.

However, the FDA won’t take enforcement action against compounding pharmacies until early next year, a grace period the agency said is to “avoid unnecessary disruption to patient treatment.”

Tirzepatide, the drug ingredient contained in both Mounjaro and Zepbound, has been in shortage since late 2022, not long after Mounjaro’s initial U.S. approval for Type 2 diabetes and around the time its potent weight loss effects became clear.

Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist, a class of drugs that also contains semaglutide, the ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. The injectable medicines are now among the fastest-selling products in the pharmaceutical industry and have become household names, suffused through society via newspaper headlines, Hollywood discourse and TikTok videos.

Both Lilly and Novo have invested billions of dollars to expand their ability to mass-produce the drugs but, until recently, had been unable to keep them in steady supply. When a drug is in shortage, the FDA allows certain kinds of pharmacies to prepare what are essentially copies of branded medicines. These knock-off versions are not approved by the agency, nor are they verified as having met safety, effectiveness or quality standards.

Typically, compounding is a relatively small business. But as GLP-1 drug sales climbed, telehealth companies like Hims and Hers Health and Ro capitalized on rising patient demand with compounded tirzepatide and semaglutide, which they sold for significantly less than the roughly $1,000-per-month price tags of branded Zepbound and Wegovy.

Lilly and Novo have fiercely fought compounded production of their treatments, taking legal action against smaller “medspas” and warning of risks of contaminated or under-strength drug products. The FDA has also issued alerts on the safety risks of compounded GLP-1 drugs.

In early October, the FDA determined Lilly had resolved tirzepatide shortages, declaring all dose forms of the drug were available. Days later, a group representing compounding pharmacies sued the agency, claiming it had made its determination without proper due process and failed to take account of continued supply disruptions. While litigating the group’s suit, the FDA agreed to reevaluate its decision and file a status report by Dec. 19.

In its decision, the agency acknowledged reports from some patients and pharmacists who have been unable to obtain tirzepatide, but judged such “intermittent challenges” were the result of the “practical dynamics” of the drug supply chain.

“We conclude that this information does not undermine or outweigh the evidence demonstrating that Lilly’s supply is currently meeting or exceeding demand and that, based on our best judgment, it will meet or exceed projected demand,” Patrizia Cavazzoni, head of the FDA’s main drug offices, wrote in a declaratory order resolving the shortage.

The FDA plans to give so-called 503(a) pharmacies 60 days from Thursday’s order before it takes any enforcement action and 503(b) pharmacies, which use registered bulk production facilities, 90 days. This “enforcement discretion” will therefore lapse on Feb. 18 and Mar. 19, respectively.

Other GLP-1 drugs, including semaglutide, are still classified by the FDA as being in shortage, although Novo recently reported all dose strengths of semaglutide are now available.

Shares in Hims and Hers Health fell by about 10% in Thursday trading on news of the FDA’s decision.
23Dec
Boags Gets Used to Her New Walkin’ Wheels – Walkin’ Pets

My daughter purchased some doggy “Walkin’ Wheels” from you, for her boxer, Boags, who has degenerative myelopathy. Because Michael lives in the bustling city of Arlington, VA, and works days in DC, she was just about to give up on ever getting Boags acclimated to his new wheels. She’d even repacked them in the box that they’d come in and was going to return them to you. At the last minute, she contacted you to ask for an extension of the trial period so that she could bring the dog to me to work with him. We are so glad that you agreed to that proposal! I just want to thank you for giving her that extension of the trial period!

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23Dec
The 50-Year Surge in Property Prices

Key takeaways

In the last 50 years, house prices in Australia’s capital cities soared by 3,435%.

Meanwhile, wage growth only increased by 1,183%, creating a substantial gap between incomes and property prices.

Decades of low borrowing costs stimulated property demand, pushing prices higher. Recently rising rates have compounded the struggle for new buyers.

Homeownership has become less achievable, especially for young Australians. Many are turning to strategies like “rentvesting” or investing in shares as alternative wealth-building avenues.

The substantial rise in house prices calls for bold reforms to rebalance affordability, especially for younger generations.

The Australian property market sits at a critical juncture where effective change is essential to sustain future homeownership dreams.


The Australian property market has transformed dramatically over the past five decades.

While house price growth has fueled wealth for some, it’s left others grappling with skyrocketing costs and an increasingly elusive dream of homeownership.

According to new analysis from Money.com.au, house prices in Australia’s capital cities have surged by 3,435% in just 50 years, while wage growth, by contrast, lags far behind increasing by only 1,183% in the same timeframe.

Unfortunately, Australia’s housing affordability has reached historic lows, fueling a growing crisis that risks marginalising a large segment of the population.

A half-century of property price explosion

According to Money.com.au, the contrast between 1975 and 2024 is striking.

In 1975, the median house price across Australia’s capital cities was roughly four to five times the median annual wage of $6,700.

Fast forward to today, and that multiplier has tripled, with houses now valued around 12 times the median annual wage of $86,070.

This increase underscores the immense financial pressure Australians face when buying a home.

In Sydney, for example, the median house price has soared by an astonishing 4,645% since 1975.

Back then, a home in the city’s suburbs was valued at about $34,300; today, it’s a whopping $1,627,625, which is approximately 19 times the median wage.

Sydney Median House Prices Vs Wages 1975 2024

Source: Money.com.au

This increase means that even dual-income households find it challenging to afford a typical Sydney home.

Mortgage payments now consume 143% of the national median monthly wage, whereas, in the 1970s, they accounted for just 44%.

Breakdown of capital city price growth

While Sydney’s property price surge is the most dramatic, every capital city has experienced similar growth, further widening the affordability gap.

According to the data from Money.com.au, here’s how this crisis has played out across Australia’s major cities:

Brisbane

With a 3,801% increase since 1975, Brisbane’s median house price now stands at $924,498, about 11 times the median annual wage.

Brisbane Median House Price Vs Wages 1975 2024

Mortgage payments consume 81% of the median monthly wage today, compared to a manageable 31% in the 1970s.

Melbourne

Melbourne’s property prices have surged by 3,496%.

The median house price has breached the million-dollar mark, sitting at $1,032,020, now 12 times the median wage compared to just four times 50 years ago.

Melbourne Median House Prices Vs Wages 1975 2024

Mortgage payments now account for 91% of the median monthly wage, up from 37%.

Adelaide

Known for its steadier market, Adelaide has still seen a 3,351% increase.

With median house prices now at $902,332—10 times the median wage—the city’s mortgage payment burden has risen from 34% to 79% of the median monthly wage.

Adelaide Median House Price Vs Wages 1975 2024

Canberra

Housing in Canberra has climbed 3,024% over the past 50 years, with median prices now at $1,049,719, or 12 times the annual wage.

Monthly mortgage payments have risen from 44% to 92% of the average wage.

Canberra Median House Price Vs Wages 1975 To 2024

This disparity has not only priced out many potential homeowners but has also reshaped the housing market, impacting both first-home buyers and investors alike.

The drivers of Australia’s housing affordability crisis

So what has caused this dramatic surge in house prices over the decades?

No simple answer, but here are some of the key drivers:

1. Decades of low interest rates and easy credit

For much of the past 20 years, Australia has benefited from historically low interest rates, which spurred borrowing and led to a surge in demand for property.

While rates have risen recently, the years of low borrowing costs have contributed to significant property price growth.

With the RBA pushing interest rates up over 2022 and 2023, the situation is even tougher for new buyers, who face not only high prices but also higher loan costs.
23Dec
15 Simple Tips (With Examples)

When your girlfriend is feeling down, stressed, or upset, you might wonder what to say or do to make her feel better. Mastering how to comfort your girlfriend is less about grand gestures and more about showing her you care through small but meaningful actions. Whether she’s had a bad day at work, is stressed about life, or needs some emotional support, this guide will equip you with actionable tips to become her source of comfort. These tips have been curated with the help of a California-based psychiatrist and cognitive behaviour therapist, Dr. Shefali Batra (MD in psychiatry), who specializes in counseling for separation and divorce, breakup and dating, and premarital compatibility issues. 

15 Simple Tips On How To Comfort Your Girlfriend—With Examples

Relationships aren’t just about fun and romance; they’re also about knowing how to emotionally support your partner during tough times. Figuring out how to cheer up your girlfriend can feel daunting, but the key lies in empathy, understanding, and consistency. Let’s dive into the strategies that will help you support her in meaningful ways.

Practice active listening

1. Listen actively

When someone is upset, the most powerful way to help is to truly listen. Being heard can be incredibly comforting. This is the foundation of how to emotionally support your partner. Dr. Batra advises, “Avoid interrupting her or offering solutions right away. Instead, focus on understanding her feelings and validating them. Listening without judgment lets her feel safe to express herself.”

Examples

  • Say, “I’m here for you. Tell me everything.”
  • Use these words to comfort someone who is stressed: “I understand why you feel this way—it’s valid.”
  • Ask open-ended questions: “What happened next?”
  • Avoid phrases like, “Don’t worry about it.” Instead, acknowledge her emotions with, “That must’ve been so hard for you.”

Related Reading: Your Guide To Getting The Fourth Date Right

2. Offer physical comfort

Physical touch is one of the most reassuring ways to provide support. Learning how to reassure your girlfriend often starts with non-verbal cues. A hug, a gentle touch on her hand, or even sitting close can release oxytocin, which lowers stress and promotes a sense of connection.

Examples

  • Wrap her in a warm hug and say, “I’ve got you.”
  • Hold her hand and offer reassuring squeezes
  • Sit beside her silently, letting her lean on you
  • Ask, “Do you want a back rub or a cuddle?” Some people prefer touch only when they’re ready
  • When thinking of how to help your girlfriend on her period, offer a heating pad or a comforting shoulder to lean on
how to be supportive
Offer physical comfort

3. Bring her favorite snacks

Food can lift spirits, especially when it’s her favorite comfort food. Dr. Batra shares, “Surprising her with something she loves is a great romantic gesture and an easy way to show thoughtfulness. Bonus points if you know her go-to snack during tough times!”

Examples

  • Show up with chocolate or her favorite pastry
  • Say, “I remembered you love these,” as you hand her a snack
  • Prepare a meal she loves and set it up for her
  • Bring her favorite tea or coffee and sit with her while she enjoys it
  • For how to help your girlfriend on her period, think of her cravings—ice cream, fries, or spicy treats are often appreciated

Related Reading: 15 Delightful Signs The Talking Stage Is Going Well

4. Validate her feelings

Validating her emotions is crucial in understanding how to comfort your girlfriend. It shows empathy and avoids minimizing what she’s going through. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with her perspective, but you do need to acknowledge her emotional experience. Not sure what to say to your girlfriend when she’s upset with you? Here are some examples:

Examples

  • “That sounds really frustrating. I can see why you’re upset.”
  • Avoid dismissive comments like, “It’s not a big deal.”
  • “I get why you feel this way. Let’s figure it out together.”
  • Show you understand: “I’d feel the same way in your position.”
  • Reassure her with, “Your feelings are completely valid, and I’m here to help however I can.”

This Reddit user shares how her boyfriend comforts when she’s upset. “When I’m crying he validates my feelings and tells me it’s ok to feel sad, when I say that I hate something, he says he hates it too. This way, instead of pushing some toxic positivity on me, he lets me feel angry and sad and shitty so I can pick myself up (and he helps me too) when I’m ready to continue.” 

Related Reading: 25 Bedtime Stories For Girlfriend

5. Be her Netflix buddy

Distractions like watching a comforting show together can shift her focus and lighten her mood. Let her pick what to watch without complaints. Sometimes, all she needs is some quality time and shared moments of relaxation.

Examples

  • Say, “Let’s watch something to take your mind off things—your pick.”
  • If she doesn’t want to choose, offer suggestions like light comedies or a nostalgic series
  • Make it cozy by preparing blankets and popcorn
  • Be attentive, even if it’s a genre you don’t love
how to cheer up your girlfriend
Watch a movie/TV show with her

6. Send thoughtful texts

Knowing how to comfort a girl over text is essential, especially if you’re in a long-distance relationship or simply not physically present at the moment. A kind message shows you’re thinking of her, even if you’re apart. Be genuine and avoid overloading her with advice. 

Examples

  • “I’m here if you want to talk.”
  • “You’re so strong, and I’m so proud of you.”
  • Share a funny meme to make her smile.
  • “Just wanted to remind you how amazing you are.”
  • Offer to call: “Would a quick chat help?”

7. Do something unexpected

Surprises can break the monotony and bring joy when she’s feeling low. It’s not about extravagance but about thoughtful gestures that remind her she’s loved.

Examples

  • Bring her flowers just because
  • Leave her a sweet love note like, “You’re my favorite person.”
  • Surprise her with tickets to her favorite event.
  • Say, “I saw this and thought of you” while giving her a small but thoughtful gift.
  • Send her a video of you saying something funny or heartfelt.

Related Reading: Planning A Commitment Ceremony? Everything You Need To Know

8. Plan a low-pressure activity

Simple, stress-free activities can ease her mind. High-pressure or elaborate plans might overwhelm her, but low-key outings or shared moments can feel restorative.

Examples

  • Suggest a walk in the park
  • Offer to cook dinner together
  • Invite her to a quiet coffee date
  • Play a relaxing game or do a puzzle together

9. Play her favorite music

Know what her jam is? Maybe she’s a fan of country music or a pop person. Whatever it may be, make her a comfort playlist and play it for her. Dr. Batra shares, “Music has the power to heal and comfort.” 

Examples

  • Say, “I made a playlist of songs that remind me of you.”
  • Play relaxing or upbeat music, depending on her mood
  • Play her favorite album as background music while you’re together
  • Sing along with her to lighten the mood
  • In the most formal and sophisticated tone, ask your lady for a dance. A tried and tested way to make her feel special

10. Help her with tasks

When life feels overwhelming, practical help can be the ultimate comfort. Whether it’s chores or errands, taking something off her plate shows you’re a partner she can rely on.

Examples

  • Fold laundry or clean up her space
  • Say, “I’ll handle dinner tonight—take a break.”
  • Run an errand she’s been dreading
  • Offer to organize something she’s struggling with
  • Help her plan her day if she’s feeling overwhelmed

Related Reading: 15 Things to Consider Before Making a Relationship Official

11. Remind her of her strengths

When she’s feeling low, boosting her confidence is a great tip on how to reassure your girlfriend. Highlighting her past successes or strengths reminds her of her capabilities and helps lift her mood. Everyone has moments of self-doubt, but a gentle reminder of her accomplishments can reignite her sense of self-worth. Frame your words positively and make it about her unique qualities.

This Reddit user posted something similar, sharing what her partner did when she was feeling down. “My s/o made a video, it’s about 2 minutes long and it’s just him saying he’s proud of me and he loves me and he’s happy with me. It genuinely makes me tear up every time. Happy tears tho.” Isn’t that sweet?

Examples

  • Say, “You’re amazing, and I’ve seen you handle situations like this before.”
  • These are the right words to comfort someone who is stressed, “I’m so proud of how resilient you are.”
  • Recall a specific instance: “Remember when you aced that presentation? You’ve got this.”
  • Share why you admire her: “I love your determination. It’s inspiring.”
  • Encourage her by saying, “I believe in you 100%.”

Related Reading: Ghosted After First Date? Why It Happens And How To Deal

12. Share your own feelings

Sometimes, vulnerability is the best approach for how to be supportive. Sharing your own emotions with your partner builds trust and helps her feel less alone in her struggles. Sharing your own experiences or admitting your fears can make her feel more connected. It’s a reminder that you’re a team, facing challenges together.

Examples

  • Say, “I’ve been through something similar, and I know how hard it can be.”
  • Admit your feelings about the situation: “I hate seeing you upset because I care so much.”
  • Here’s what to say to your girlfriend when she’s upset with you: “Let’s work through this together. I’m here for you.”
  • Open up about a time you struggled and overcame it, inspiring hope
  • Reassure her by saying, “I know we’ll get through this together.”

13. Respect her need for space

Sometimes, one of the best things to say to your girlfriend is, well, nothing. If she says she wants space, just step back and give her room to process her emotions. Not everyone wants immediate comfort. Respect her need for alone time without taking it personally. Let her know you’re there when she’s ready. Respecting her boundaries shows maturity and trust.

Examples

  • Say, “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
  • Avoid crowding her with constant questions. Instead, check in later
  • Suggest a calming solo activity like journaling or reading
  • Offer quiet support by being in the same space without talking
  • When she asks for space, one of the best things to say to your girlfriend is, “I understand if you want to take some time, and I’m here for you whenever you want to talk.”

Related Reading: How To Break Up With Someone Without Hurting Them: 10 Rules

14. Encourage self-care

One of the most practical ways to comfort her is by gently encouraging her to prioritize her well-being. This is especially useful when you are not physically present with her and looking for tips on how to comfort a girl over text. Sometimes, stress or sadness can make self-care feel like a chore. By stepping in to help or gently nudging her, you can make self-care more accessible.

Examples

  • Say, “Why don’t you take a long bath while I handle things here?”
  • Offer to join her in relaxing activities, like yoga or meditation
  • Encourage her to take a break: “You deserve some rest—you’ve been working so hard.”
  • Prepare something comforting for her, like tea or her favorite meal
  • Wondering how to help your girlfriend on her period? Offer her a heating pad or suggest she relax while you handle errands
More on relationship advice

15. Be consistent

Reliability is key when learning how to be supportive. Showing up consistently, especially during tough times, builds trust and reassures her that she can count on you. Comfort isn’t a one-time act; it’s about building a pattern of care and support. Your consistency shows that you’re a dependable partner through thick and thin.

Examples

  • Follow through on promises, no matter how small, to build trust.
  • Check in regularly: “How are you feeling today?”
  • Say, “You can always rely on me, no matter what.”
  • Create small rituals of support, like a weekly date night or a morning text
  • Be emotionally present every time she needs you, not just occasionally

Key Pointers

  • Listening and validating feelings are important when your girlfriend is feeling upset
  • Small, thoughtful gestures can have a big impact on her mood
  • Respect her need for space and avoid rushing her process
  • Be consistent and dependable in your support
  • A sweet treat is never a bad idea

Final Thoughts

Comforting your girlfriend isn’t about always having the perfect words or solutions—it’s about being present, consistent, and empathetic. Whether it’s giving her space, reminding her of her strengths, or helping her prioritize self-care, these tips ensure that you know how to comfort your girlfriend in any situation. By listening, validating her feelings, and showing small acts of kindness, you’ll not only learn how to cheer up your girlfriend but also strengthen your emotional bond. With time and practice, you’ll become the dependable, supportive partner she needs and appreciates.

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23Dec
Why USC’s win over UConn is so significant: ‘This is what basketball excellence was’

HARTFORD, Conn. — As USC’s bench emptied onto the XL Center floor, with the No. 7 Trojans having defeated the No. 4 UConn Huskies 72-70, JuJu Watkins’ hands shot to the sky. Basking in her 25-point performance that lifted USC past UConn for the first time in school history, Watkins turned to the small section of supporters decked out in red and yellow inside the sold-out arena and acknowledged their support.

“It hit a little different knowing the history from last year and how they sent us home,” Watkins said.

The stakes were different this time. In April, in the Elite Eight, the Huskies knocked the top-seeded Trojans out of the NCAA Tournament. But Saturday night’s 2-point victory was meaningful nevertheless. Not only for Watkins and USC senior transfer Kiki Iriafen, but for their coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, who has long admired the program UConn coach Geno Auriemma has built.

“This is a really significant win, and it’s a really significant win because of the stature of UConn’s program and what Geno Auriemma has done for our sport,” Gottlieb said. “For my entire high school (career) on, this is what basketball excellence was. This is what we saw, and it’s challenged all of us to want to be better, to find players who want to be better and be that elite. And I don’t think that’s gone away.”

Gottlieb is in her fourth season with the Trojans, and she aspires to build a sustained program similar to the Huskies. A season ago, USC won its second Pac-12 tournament title in program history and made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in nearly two decades. Over her brief tenure, she has reminded onlookers not only of USC’s history of success — two national titles and three Final Four appearances in the 1980s, Hall of Fame players such as Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson — but of what it can be in the present. Watkins, last year’s national freshman of the year and a first-team All-American, is at the center of the latest chapter. Victories like Saturday’s help make lofty aspirations feel more attainable.


USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb wants to emulate what Geno Auriemma has built in Connecticut. (David Butler II / Imagn Images)

Gottlieb grew up just outside New York City, but she wasn’t recruited by Auriemma in high school. Nevertheless, when she was 15 or 16, she accompanied one of her friends to one of his camps. UConn was always the local draw, and following Saturday’s win, she recalled a trip she made during her senior year at Brown University, in nearby Providence, Rhode Island, when she and her father drove to Storrs to see UConn take on Tennessee.

“It was sold out,” Gottlieb said, “and I was in that building and saw this atmosphere.”

Saturday was raucous, too. And Watkins, USC’s star guard, said it might have been the largest crowd she has played in front of. Nearly 16,000 people packed inside XL Center, almost all of whom wore navy and white.

Still, Watkins added, “just to see my family here, all the SC fans, it meant the world.”

If anyone needed reminding, the Trojans’ victory reinforced their status as one of this season’s national title contenders. At 11-1, their lone defeat came at home to Notre Dame by 13 points. It would have been easy, Gottlieb said, for those inside the program to blame each other after that November loss — for the Trojans to fracture.

“As long as we stick together, this can make us better,” she said she told them afterward. “And (the loss) has in every way.”

Entering Saturday’s victory, the Trojans sported the country’s third-best defense and No. 15 offense. They convert in transition (nearly 20 percent of their points come in transition) and off turnovers (averaging 28.7 points per game), important measurables that could serve them well in the future. Their victory over the Huskies reinforced that they could come on the road, in one of the most-anticipated games of the season, and punch first. It proved they could surrender a 13-point halftime lead, trail by a point with just under five minutes to play and still recover.

“No one got off the treadmill,” Gottlieb said.

Of course, having a transcendent star like Watkins helps calm any nerves. Not only did she lead the game in scoring, she added six rebounds, five assists and three blocks, including one just before halftime on UConn star Paige Bueckers. Bueckers was prolific in the second half and finished with 22 points, but she also guarded Watkins as the USC star got off to a fast start in the first quarter.

“Every scouting report that you put together or every film that you watch, it’s very evident that one player can’t guard (Watkins),” Auriemma said. “When she gets into a little bit of a rhythm, you have to hope she misses.”

With the score within one possession with only 4:30 to play, Watkins recorded 6 of USC’s 8 points and assisted forward Rayah Marshall on the lone basket she didn’t score.

“A lot of the things she does is super hard, but she makes it look so easy,” Iriafen said. “We all know she is a superstar, so playing with her definitely relieves pressure on everybody else.”

Any remnants of pressure dissipated even further in the postgame locker room. Players doused Gottlieb with water as she entered. They leaped together in celebration.

“For me now to bring a team here, to know we could do it, and then to actually do it is incredibly meaningful,” Gottlieb said. “Really proud of the big win.”

(Top photo of JuJu Watkins driving between Paige Bueckers, left, and Kaitlyn Chen: Joe Buglewicz / Getty Images)
23Dec
3 Apple Visual Intelligence Alternatives for Older iPhones

Apple’s Visual Intelligence in iOS 18.2 is impressive, but it’s only available on iPhone 16 models (and above). If you have an older iPhone, don’t worry—there are great alternatives that offer similar features without requiring the latest hardware.

1

Google Lens

For those familiar with Google Lens, it’s no surprise that it tops this list of best alternatives to Apple’s Visual Intelligence. Google Lens helps you to identify objects using your camera. Whether you’re curious about the name of a gorgeous flower you spotted or need to translate a menu while traveling, Google Lens makes it super easy.

Its shopping assistant features have also gotten better. Google added new AI-powered capabilities to Lens in November 2024, making it the perfect shopping companion. You can use Lens to find deals online by searching for similar items with just a photo.

If you already have Google Photos on your iPhone, you’re halfway there. We previously covered how to use Google Lens features in Google Photos for tasks like visual identification and translation. For real-time searches, download the Google app and tap on the Lens icon to analyze what’s in front of you instantly.

2

ChatGPT

For those who love diving deeper into information and getting detailed responses, ChatGPT is an excellent companion for visual search tasks. While it doesn’t have the same real-time image recognition features as Google Lens or Apple’s Visual Intelligence, it shines when it comes to providing contextual understanding and follow-up information.

You can take a photo of a product and ask ChatGPT for a deeper explanation about its features, benefits, or alternatives. Unlike standard visual search tools, ChatGPT lets you interact with the content you capture.

Once it gives you an answer, you can ask follow-up questions to get even more detail or context. Plus, it works on many iPhones, so you don’t need the latest model to enjoy its features.

3

Claude

claude visual search response

Claude, developed by Anthropic, is another powerful AI tool that can act as an alternative to Apple’s Visual Intelligence, especially when it comes to understanding and interpreting images. While Claude isn’t specifically designed for visual search, its ability to process text and provide in-depth answers can still add value to the images you capture with your iPhone.

With Claude, you can upload a photo or describe what you’ve captured, and the AI will give you a thoughtful, context-driven response. It’s particularly helpful when you need a deeper understanding of the things you encounter in everyday life, like a piece of art, a complex product, or even a piece of text.

Rather than just giving you a one-time response, Claude can engage in a back-and-forth dialogue to clarify questions, offer additional information, or explore related topics. This makes it a great option if you’re after a more thorough, interactive experience.

While Apple’s Visual Intelligence is a powerful feature for the latest iPhone models, there are plenty of fantastic alternatives available for those using older devices. From the tried-and-true Google Lens, which offers a comprehensive visual search experience, to interactive options like ChatGPT and Claude, you can still make the most of your iPhone’s camera capabilities even without the latest hardware.
23Dec
Harbin Ice and Snow World opens with a host of exciting features

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-22/Harbin-Ice-and-Snow-World-opens-with-a-host-of-exciting-features-1zxqYNp1zxe/img/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270/60c5113a9a434383aed1adbbd7dd3270.jpeg'
The Harbin Ice and Snow World is illuminated in the evening in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province on December 21, 2024. /CFP

The 26th Harbin Ice and Snow World officially opened on Saturday in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, offering a variety of attractions in a larger-than-ever setting.

The world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park has expanded to a massive 1 million square meters, the largest scale in its 26-year history, up from 810,000 square meters last year. A total of 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow were used to create this year’s displays.

Themed “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” this year’s park draws inspiration from the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, which are scheduled to take place in the city from February 7 to 14 next year.

Along the central axis of the park stands the main tower, inspired by the official emblem of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Iconic landmarks from the 42 countries and three regions that are members of the OCA have been recreated across the park’s nine main zones.

One of the park’s most popular attractions, the Super Ice Slide, now features 24 lanes. Visitors can also explore new additions such as virtual reality experiences and immersive digital art exhibits, ensuring a memorable experience for all.
23Dec
‘Dune: Prophecy’ finale: Showrunner Alison Schapker on Valya’s secret

The first season of “Dune: Prophecy” came to a close on Sunday with a few gasp-inducing revelations and a lot more questions. HBO’s prequel series, set 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s films “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two,” wove a complex web of storylines over six episodes, culminating in a lengthy finale that reunited sisters Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams).

In the tumultuous episode, flashbacks reveal that Tula gave birth to a secret son, who turns out to be literal fire-starter Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel). We also learn that Valya earned her leadership of the Sisterhood, the forebearers of the Bene Gesserit, through mass murder.

“You want to feel like there were enough answers given,” showrunner Alison Schapker explains of the goals of the finale. “That you’ve been on a journey in Season 1 and you learned things. Then, by the end, everything has changed and you understand who these characters are, what’s between them, what the stakes are and what the truth is in a new way.”

The finale concludes on Arrakis, where Valya has escaped with Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) and Keiran Atreides (Chris Mason) after the death of Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong). It’s become clear that Desmond’s powers have not come from the sandworms, as he claimed, but from another mysterious force.

“It felt very fitting that after being haunted by Arrakis that Valya go back to where this started,” Schapker says. “It will be really interesting to see what she’s going to dig up now that she’s going after a hidden hand.”

Alison Schapker, showrunner of HBO’s “Dune: Prophecy.”

(Luke Fontana)

Schapker, who joined the prequel series in 2022, drew on her extensive career working on shows like “Alias,” “Fringe,” “The Flash” and “Westworld” as she and the writers sculpted the episodes. She admits to feeling some pressure in adapting and expanding the beloved material in Frank Herbert’s “Dune” novels but is proud of how the cast and crew have brought the universe to the small screen.

“It’s a big world to get out on its feet,” Schapker says. “People’s expectations for it were, rightly so, specific and engaged, and I’m so glad we got to tell this story.”

Here, in a conversation edited for clarity and length, Schapker discusses the specifics of the “Dune: Prophecy” finale, as well as her hopes for what’s to come after HBO announced on Thursday that it was renewing the show for another season.

What is your reaction to getting a second season and is there anything you can tease?

I am thrilled that “Dune: Prophecy” has gotten a pickup and that we can continue telling the story of Valya and Tula Harkonnen and the rise of the Bene Gesserit. The opportunity to delve deeper into these characters and their corner of the “Dune” universe is one that I treasure. I am grateful to everyone who watched and invested in our series and made this Season 2 happen. Our writers room is already up and running, and I could not be more excited for what’s coming next.

Did your team have access to the designs from the “Dune” films, for example, for the sandworm we get to see in the finale?

No. But Denis was very generous. One thing that we felt, and Legendary and HBO agreed, was that we wanted to be in the universe of the films. So with the worms, who are such old gods of Arrakis and these ancient creatures, we wanted to use the worm concept that we saw in the films. And Denis was very supportive of that decision. But it’s not that we took his files and used it. We had to make it ourselves. We really wanted to be ambitious in the look of the show, and that just took such tremendous effort. It’s hard on a TV budget and a TV schedule, no matter how generous and how supportive the studio is, to do that.

What was most important for you to do thematically in the finale?

We knew we wanted to bring Valya and Tula together. They’ve anchored the storyline on two separate planets for the season. But it was so important that we reunite them in an explosive way, and I knew the three-act structure we wanted to do that in.

Did you always plan for Desmond to be Tula’s child?

Yes, absolutely.

A man with long hair and a beard in a dark uniform stands in front of an army of soldiers.

In the tumultuous season finale, flashbacks reveal that Tula gave birth to a secret son, who turns out to be fire-starter Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel).

(HBO)

How does Tula know where her son is and what his name is?

She knows he’s on Salusa Secundus. She lands in the space port and hears the whispers of her ancestors telling her Valya is near and that happens to be where he is. I don’t think she knew when she landed at the space port or thought, “I’ll meet him at the space port.” It was a bit of a collision course. She sees Valya with him and I think she understands.

Desmond isn’t in the books. What did you want to achieve with that storyline?

It’s very powerful in the “Dune” universe when a Harkonnen and an Atreides connect, and that’s really part of the longer story we want to tell. I don’t want to speak too much. But you see Valya is saying, “This child has so much potential. He could change worlds.” He has that charismatic potential that makes him a really powerful figure. Valya wants to harness it, and Tula starts to feel that nothing good is going to come of their shaping his life. The question becomes: If they’re not the only ones who understand that about him, who else saw that and how and why was he weaponized? That gives us more questions to guide us in the future.

Did you always plan to thread flashbacks through the entire season?

Yeah, and it’s tough with six [episodes]. The prologue was a flashback, and I wanted to almost come full circle. I was excited to start the finale in the way the prologue started but then add a new layer to it and continue the story so you really understood the past. It felt important to understand the circumstances of Desmond’s conception and what he was born out of, so Episode 3 was a deep dive with the younger time period to set that table so the finale would hopefully land. You also needed to understand that there has been a secret between the Sisterhood this whole time.

It’s very shocking to find out that young Valya and her followers killed so many members of the Sisterhood to get into power.

There is blood on her hands. The things Desmond said to Valya all season turn out to be very true. She rose to power in a violent way. Valya would explain why that was necessary and I have empathy for her decisions. The heart of the show is debating what lengths we would go to in the present if we really believed we were protecting the future. I don’t think Valya killed them for pleasure. I think she felt pushed to against the wall by Dorotea and her followers.

Valya (Emily Watson) "rose to power in a violent way," says Schapker.

Valya (Emily Watson) “rose to power in a violent way,” says Schapker.

(HBO)

Why do you think the acolytes are so quick to follow Dorotea as she reemerges in Lila?

It’s a horrifying revelation that there’s a mass grave at the heart of the Sisterhood, and they have no context to understand it right now other than what Dorotea is telling them. You see Jen wrestling a bit [with] how to process this. I don’t think it’s all over, by any means, but Dorotea picks up where she left off. And she was a zealot. “Dune” is a really big world. It has a lot of players and there are characters that I feel like I have big plans for who just got a table set in Season 1. Like all of those acolytes. We’re focusing on them for a reason, right? The journey they’re on is very essential to the story.

Overall, how much did you end up pulling from the books and how much did you invent?

The characters and scenarios are in the books, so we were definitely inspired by the books and in places we adapted and extrapolated differently, but tried to keep in the spirit of what was laid out in the books. A lot of the Tula and Desmond and Valya stuff in the present is stuff we’ve been developing along with the Herbert estate. I’m really proud of the story between Valya and Tula and where it goes. I was really moved by where we got to with them, and I think there’s a lot of possibility to continue.

How was the Herbert estate involved?

They read the scripts. We could ask them questions. They could ask us questions. They were dialed in to what we were doing. We always appreciated their input. It was a supportive working relationship. What I loved about it was it didn’t preclude us from creating. I felt like we were able to do the work of adaptation and to translate the story to a medium in a way that we were excited about doing, but always from a place of deep respect. The most daunting, but also the most thrilling part of the gig, was getting to be in the “Dune” sandbox, so to speak.

Has Denis seen the show?

I don’t know. I think Denis is very much focused on what he is doing for the movies. But I know he intends to, and I hope to have a conversation about it at some point.

You’ve worked on a lot of shows in the sci-fi and fantasy world. What do you like about that kind of storytelling?

I love the imagination of it. I love the world building of it. I love having to think about all those details. There’s so much room for creativity and wonder and scope if you can get the human story working, which is the most important thing to me.

Before “Dune: Prophecy,” you worked on the final season of “Westworld.” Were there plans for more episodes had it not been canceled?

I definitely feel like Jonathan [Nolan] and Lisa [Joy] have an end to the story that has yet to be told. The world works in mysterious ways and if someday I ever got to see that end, I would be so thrilled. Working on “Westworld,” to me, was another formative experience and a story that I think only is becoming more and more understandable and present.

You also worked on “Alias,” another show with strong women at the forefront and huge scope.

What a gift that was early in my career. I’m always grateful to have come up in the network age because you got to really live in shows for a protracted period of time. I did three years on “Alias.” It was so much fun. I loved the story, too. J.J. [Abrams] had a very dynamic and creative room. It was a show that was reaching to do more with the small screen than had been done, and J.J. really didn’t limit us.

Do you see a commonality through all of the shows you’ve worked on?

Something I absolutely strive for is to find a way to ground things in character so that emotionally you feel like you’ve watched something that makes sense to you on a human level, but at the same time, I like to go to work and think about things that are complex and interesting. I find that working in science fiction has allowed me to not just think about people, which I absolutely love doing, but also think about some of these more abstract ideas, like what is the creation of artificial intelligence going to do? That’s been really gratifying in a lot of the projects that I’ve done.
23Dec
Stellantis Layoffs: Global Automaker Reverses Ohio Jeep Plant Job Cuts After CEO’s Departure

New Delhi, December 23: Stellantis has reportedly reversed its decision to lay off about 1,100 employees at its Ohio Jeep plant. The shift in the decision comes after the resignation of CEO Carlos Tavares. Employees are said to return to work after the new year. Stellantis has now reportedly decided to issue a worker adjustment notice instead, which will allow employees to return to their jobs.

As per a report of Reuters, Stellantis has changed its decision about laying off around 1,100 workers at a Jeep factory in Ohio. The development came after the unexpected resignation of CEO Carlos Tavares. According to reports, the board was not pleased with Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares due to his tough goals for sales and cost reductions, as well as his relationships with the company’s suppliers, dealers, and unions. Google Layoffs: Sundar Pichai-Led Tech Giant Reportedly Announces Jobs Cuts Ahead of New Year 2025, Lays Off 10% of Its Management Positions ‘To Increase Efficiency’.

Last month, Stellantis has revealed its intention to lay off its employees at the Toledo South Assembly Plant, where the Jeep Gladiator is produced. The decision was a part of their strategy to enhance efficiency and lower the amount of unsold stock in their North American operations. The layoffs were supposed to start on January 5, but now they have been put on hold for an indefinite period. Instead of job cuts, Stellantis is said to provide a notice for worker adjustment, and employees will be able to come back to work as expected after the New Year.

Previously, Stellantis announced that 400 employees at an automotive parts plant in Detroit would lose their jobs for an indefinite period. In August, the company stated that it would be laying off as many as 2,450 employees at a factory in Michigan due to the discontinuation of production for the Ram 1500 Classic truck. Tech Layoffs in 2024: KPMG, Intel, Dell, Luminar and Others Reduce Hundreds of Employees This Year, So Far 1.49 Lakh People Affected.

UAW President Shawn Fain has reportedly warned of a potential nationwide strike at various facilities, claiming that Stellantis has not fulfilled the commitments it made to the union. As the company has decreased its salaried workforce through voluntary buyouts, the job losses affecting manufacturing workers who are part of the United Auto Workers union have drawn attention from politicians.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2024 10:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
23Dec
Amazon Warehouse Workers Across US Strike Ahead of Holiday Rush

“These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible,” Teamsters general president Sean M. O’Brien said in a public statement. “Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price. This strike is on them.”

This has been a record-breaking year for Amazon. According to the company’s Q3 earnings report, the profit from July through September rose 55 percent in 2024 compared to the same period last year. In a press release published with the earnings report, Amazon president and CEO Andy Jassy said the company was “excited about what we have in store for customers” for the holiday season. The report anticipated net sales to be between $181.5 billion and $188.5 billion in Q4.

“We haven’t seen any impact on our operations” from the strikes, says Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. “We appreciate all our team’s great work to serve their customers and communities, and are continuing to focus on getting customers their holiday orders.” Nantel also accused the Teamsters of harassing and intimidating Amazon employees.

At DBK4, located in Queens, New York, hundreds of Amazon workers marched on the sidewalk in front of the exit to a parking garage, at times verbally confronting exiting delivery drivers who were crossing the picket line. Many delivery vans blared their horns in unison as they waited in line to get out of the parking garage. Some protesting workers held signs saying “Amazon obey the law.” The marchers included people who came out in solidarity, carrying signs representing the New York State Nurses Association and City University of New York (CUNY) students.

Meanwhile, New York Police Department officers stood in the street, sometimes shouting at and shoving workers who stepped off the sidewalk. Just after 9 am ET, NYPD arrested a delivery driver who attempted to exit his delivery van just outside the parking garage and join the strikers. At around 9:50 am, NYPD announced via loudspeaker that any workers who stood in the road would be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Shortly after, the NYPD placed a Teamsters organizer under arrest, though it’s unclear if they were in the street. Eventually, police set up barricades outside the garage and began personally organizing the delivery vans with non-striking Amazon loss-prevention workers.