Trump, Bitcoin and China: The booms and busts awaiting the ASX in 2025LEE Mack's The 1% Club has returned for a festive special, with Christmas themed questions already catching out contestants. The ITV show sees contestants faced with questions designed to test how their brain works, rather than their intelligence level. 4 The festive special of The 1% Club saw many Christmas themed questions Credit: ITV 4 The second question stumped contestants, with 28 knocked out by the spot the difference Credit: ITV They have to use their logic, reasoning and common sense as they are whittled down to one final question that only 1% of the country can answer correctly. This is all in an effort to try and take home the jackpot prize of up to £100,000. This year's Christmas special featured festive themed questions, but it wasn't long before those trying to win the money were stumped. With the second question focusing on a Christmas 'spot the difference', viewers at home were left stunned to find that 28 contestants had failed to get the answer right. More on The 1% Club SHAPE UP The 1% Club viewers gobsmacked as ‘easy’ question catches out contestants quizzed off 1% Club fans slam ‘trick question’ & insist answer is wrong - could you get it? The question pictured a festive scene where contestants had to spot what was differing between the two, with the answer being a missing pair of Santa's legs. Taking to X, one viewer wrote: " 28 people getting the second question wrong!" Another shared: "28 people. Wow". "What on earth were those 28 people looking at?" asked another baffled viewer. Most read in News TV CHRISTMAS JOY Lorraine Kelly shares sweet snap of granddaughter Billie's first Christmas NO PLACE LIKE HOME Lorraine Kelly shares plans to quit England with her daughter HOLYROOD HONOUR Strictly Come Dancing champion given special honour in Scottish parliament OH MY WORD Scots Countdown contestant is first woman to be crowned champion in 26 years This wasn't the only question that viewers at home were shocked to see the contestants struggling with, as some questioned whether the Christmas special quiz had been made 'easier'. One viewer shared on social media: "these questions are exceptionally easy . how anyone’s getting them wrong i’ll never know." Furious The 1% Club viewers slam show for ‘trick question’ and insist the answer was wrong - would you have got it? Another simply put: "Too easy." The festive special sees comedian Lee Mack back at the helm of the quiz show, which won Best Quiz Game Show for the third year in a row at the NTA Awards. The series has also been recommissioned for a fifth series , with ITV bringing back the show for this festive special and also a charity one for Soccer Aid . A source previously told us: "The show has well and truly proved its popularity with viewers, and so it’s only natural to bring it back for not one, but two more rounds. "This will also include two Christmas specials, which will air on ITV after the main series have run." Previous episodes of The 1% Club are available on ITVX. 4 The answer was Santa's legs were missing in the second image Credit: ITV 4 Lee Mack returned to present the festive special of the ITV quiz show Credit: ITV
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“Remember Michael Jordan Riding a Bus”: Rapper Chuck D Reacts to Bronny James’ G League News Using MJ’s Minor League Baseball ExampleSyrian rebel forces said on Dec 6 their lightning advance reached the central city of Homs, which could position the insurgents to topple another town strategic to President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power. “Our forces have liberated the last village on the outskirts of the city of Homs and are now on its walls,” the Syrian faction leading the sweeping assault said on Telegram. Reuters could not independently confirm the rebels’ claim. If the rebels capture Homs, they would cut off the capital Damascus from the coast, a longtime redoubt of Mr Assad’s minority Alawite sect and where his Russian allies have a naval base and air base. READ MORE HERE A US federal appeals court on Dec 6 upheld a law requiring Chinese-based ByteDance to divest its popular short video app TikTok in the United States by early next year or face a ban. The decision is a win for the Justice Department and opponents of the Chinese-owned app and a devastating blow to ByteDance. The ruling now increases the possibility of an unprecedented ban in just six weeks on a social media app used by 170 million Americans. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court. READ MORE HERE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec 6 slammed Russia and its President Vladimir Putin over two aerial attacks that killed at least 11 people. Moscow has ramped up its strikes on Ukraine as winter sets in, and Mr Zelensky said the attacks showed Russia has no interest in striking a deal to end its nearly three-year invasion. Nine were killed in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, while two were killed in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, officials said. READ MORE HERE An alternative healer was jailed on Dec 6 for 10 years in Britain over the death of a diabetic woman who stopped taking insulin and experienced medical complications at his “slapping therapy” workshop. Xiao Hongchi, 61, of Cloudbreak, California, was convicted in July by a jury in Winchester, southern England, of manslaughter by gross negligence after he failed to get medical help for Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71. He was charged in November 2023, following the death during an October 2016 session to help the victim with her diabetes. READ MORE HERE London’s Metropolitan Police force said on Dec 6 that it had used facial recognition technology to make more than 500 arrests in 2024 for offences ranging from shoplifting to rape. The force uses live facial recognition in specific areas of the UK capital, positioning a van equipped with cameras in a pre-agreed location. The cameras capture live footage of passers-by and compare their faces against a pre-approved watchlist, generating an alert if a match is detected. READ MORE HERE
Jerry Yang didn’t speak English when he started school at L.A. Nelson Elementary. Now, as a Guyer High School sophomore, Yang is a budding teacher, and among 18 Denton ISD students qualified to advance to nationals from their work in Texas Association of Future Educators contests. Yang and his peers are also eligible for the Educators Rising National Conference. How did the high school student go from being a Mandarin speaker in an English as a second language program to a competitive aspiring teacher? Yang credits Denton ISD’s Teach Denton and how it channeled his enthusiasm for learning in elementary school. “I believe it’s because I was not a native speaker,” he said. “And I usually excel more, like faster than others. So then I helped others, and then it clicked for me at the same time.” Guyer High School sophomore Jerry Yang qualified for a national competition for future educators. Yang is a member of both Teach Denton, a Denton ISD program that offers training and development for students who want to be teachers, and his campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Yang said his ESL teacher nominated him for the program. “I was like ‘OK,’” he said. In elementary school classrooms across Denton ISD, teachers notice when some students help their classmates out. They might explain part of a small group activity, or help a friend stand in the right spot. They are eager to learn, too. Since the 2016-17 school year, teachers have tapped those students to join Teach Denton, a program that introduces students — some of them as young as prekindergarten — to teaching. Since its founding, Teach Denton has fed campus chapters of the Texas Association of Future Educators, a three-year education training program at LaGrone Academy that certifies students to work as classroom aides. Teach Denton is also a pathway to LaGrone’s teaching internship, a program that gives students professional development and student teaching experience ahead of college programs. Since the program was founded, 88 of Teach Denton’s alumni have returned to Denton ISD in full-time teaching positions. Denton ISD leaders are proud of that number, and officials from the Texas Education Agency have visited campuses to meet Teach Denton students and the school leaders who are shepherding them toward a career in the classroom or administrators’ offices. “We’re planting these seeds; we’re planting Christmas trees,” said Leah Zavala, the coordinator of Teach Denton. “We’re not going to have all of our vacancies and spots filled tomorrow. But this is that long-term goal. It’s building Rome, you know?” Leah Zavala, Denton ISD’s Teach Denton coordinator, speaks at a event for Teach Denton students in February. Zavala said the program has attracted attention from school districts across the country. The program grew out of a campus improvement plan, a sprawling project that the leaders of each campus complete regularly to align classrooms with everything from state standards to the needs of the regional and national labor market. Zavala said a deputy superintendent likened the initiative to planting trees that would bear fruit generations later. District leaders routinely consider the challenges that face public schools. Texas has been dealing with a teaching shortage for more than a decade, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and political upheavals. Denton ISD has fared better than other Texas schools. It’s a destination district, and boasts an 81.8% teacher retention rate. But the program isn’t about filling vacancies, Zavala said. It’s about connecting students who excel in the classroom and who show leadership traits to a vocation that makes an impact on lives, and on a granular level. Texas public schools act on a 2019 mandate from state lawmakers to make sure students can graduate from high school ready for college, a career or the military. Denton ISD has the typical pathways for students to pursue those outcomes. LaGrone Academy, the district’s advanced technology complex, offers certifications in longstanding trades, such as cosmetology, nursing, auto mechanics and welding. The campus also has a menu of newer certification programs, such as commercial photography, animation, law and forensics. Zavala said the campus improvement plan process sparked conversations about teaching. Every teacher and administrator knows students who are clever, curious and willing to lead. “The questions came up: Why are we not marketing our profession?’” Zavala said. “We have the career-tech complex. We have law enforcement, we have health science. All of these were feeding into a profession. And education is feeding into that same profession, but there was this disconnect with students dropping off and not going into education [in their] postsecondary [education]. And so we started asking, ‘Why are we not doing this?’ “It was really just an idea from [a Denton ISD deputy superintendent] of, like, ‘Hey, why don’t we?’ And if we are in the business of education, why are we not marketing for education?” Zavala said elementary school students and even prekindergarten students who demonstrate empathy can be considered. The youngest students can take part in activities that develop empathy and positive interactions. When they get into kindergarten, Zavala said, they can start attending monthly Teach Denton meetings. Middle and high school students in the program can join their campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Student in the Teach Denton program at Denton ISD are set on education and career paths in teaching, with the ultimate goal of returning to Denton ISD for their careers. Among their peers and with their faculty advisers, those students drill down on teaching and focus on things like differentiation in education, which prepares them for a typical classroom and its varied students and abilities, to classroom management. Yang will compete in the Area 10 TAFE Conference at Texas Woman’s University over the weekend. The conference at TWU, hosted by the College of Professional Education and the Educator Preparation Program, includes students from Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties. Staci Scott, one of the two coordinators of the LaGrone Academy education internship program and campus TAFE chapter, is helping guide 85 students through the internship, which offers dual credit to students who plan to become certified teachers. The program, separate from Teach Denton, starts with five weeks of preparation, and then interns travel to Denton ISD campuses, where they do hands-on work and student teaching with younger students. “The more that I meet other teachers from other districts, I feel like our district is leading the way with this program,” Scott said. “So many districts want to get it going, but they’re not where we are.” Scott is in her third year sharing the helm of the internship, and she said she’s seeing some important things happen for the interns. “I think starting at an elementary level, keeping kids engaged and excited through their entire [school] career matters,” she said. “I think the fact that they are in classrooms actually teaching — it’s not for everyone, right? Teaching? I tell them, ‘This is such an opportunity for you to spend $75 to take this course and get to do what juniors in college do.’ “Because let’s be real, some people make it that far in college and then they do their student teaching and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe this is not the route that I want to take.’ So the opportunity to be able to try it out and see is huge.” She also sees that the internship puts students in the classroom, a challenging place that is changing fast, early. By the time alumni are in collegiate teacher preparation programs, they’ve seen how students learn and interact. They’ve had a front-row seat to the challenges and the triumphs that students start experiencing the moment they start school. Scott said she sees room for growth in Teach Denton. “I think the earlier we can get kids in TAFE, and keep building that, we’ll be even better.” Students as young as pre-K can enter Denton ISD’s Teach Denton program. Many times, teachers notice certain characteristics, like helping others and a passion for learning, and recommend them for Teach Denton. An event in February honored the hundreds of Teach Denton students in the program. Yang is two years from graduation from Guyer High, but he’s already considering teacher preparation programs at the University of Texas and University of California. He’s also thinking of a career teaching high school biology and perhaps trying his hand as a public school administrator or college professor. And when he thinks of the future, he imagines teaching in a public school. Until then, Yang said, he’s going to mentor new TAFE students and continue competing while studying honors courses. As a Teach Denton student, Yang is already thinking about what the classroom will be like when he starts his career. “Our world is changing right now,” he said. “Technologies are more advanced, and new generations are coming up. We have to adapt to like the ever-changing present. I believe we should use resources, like AI, to help us, because that’s becoming a big thing. And I know ... teachers think that AI is cheating or something like that. But I think that in the future, AI is going to become like a useful resource.” Yang said both Teach Denton and TAFE have created a community for its members. Just like in team sports, Teach Denton students forge friendships. The students have built a support system for one another. And Yang said the skills students develop in Teach Denton don’t have to stay in classrooms. “I think a lot of people think that you’re in the program, you’re going to be kind of teacher and stuff, but I don’t think that I think that you’re in the program just to become a teacher,” Yang said. “You can do [work] in the program just to build your relationship with others, and basically strengthen your skills.” Zavala said Teach Denton has attracted attention from districts across the country. “Dr. [Robert] Stewart used to be our assistant superintendent of human resources, and he used to tell me all the time, ‘We’re going to take Teach Denton on the road, we’re going to take Teach Denton on the road!’” she said. “And we essentially have. We have gone to several different states in the U.S and talked about Teach Denton, and helped other education agencies in different states develop their grow your own program. Teach Denton is an exemplar for other districts.” Success! 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Discussion under way over civil disobedience movement: Salman Akram Raja says PTI wants to lead country to path of prosperity and there should be no obstacle in political process ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja Saturday said he could not say anything right now on the call of civil disobedience, as there were no contours of it before him. Talking informally to the media in Lahore, when asked about PTI founder Imran Khan’s decision to begin civil disobedience if his demands were not met, Salman Akram replied, “Look, deliberations are under way and I can’t talk on it right now and will be able talk after the deliberations”. To another query about the possibility of talks with the government, he maintained that discussions were on and all angles were being looked into and there was nothing that they (PTI) reject. “We want to lead the country to the path of prosperity, political process should continue and there should be no obstacle in the political process. Whatever needs to be done for peace and prosperity in the country will be done,” he said.Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away
MILAN — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan's swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season. There's even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world's most expensive retail destination, displacing New York's Fifth Avenue. The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield's annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone's desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands. A man walks past a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The average rent on the Milan street surged to $2,047 per square foot, compared with $2,000 per square foot on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue. Via MonteNapoleone's small size — less than a quarter-mile long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street's key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association. "Not everything can fit, which is a benefit," since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan's Fashion Quadrilateral. Women look a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and longtime tenant Fendi is expanding. The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there's no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue. The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car's limited trunk space notwithstanding. A mannequin is seen Dec. 12 in a shop in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays. A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home. "I got a lot," Chen acknowledged. "It's a fantastic place, a good place for shopping." A man waits for a taxi Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleon street in Milan, Italy. A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, yardslong knit scarf priced at 980 euros. "I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours," Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal. Buildings are decorated Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street's guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone's achievement. "Milan's investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole," said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association. She also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, "we'll be back on top in no time." The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's. After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant contributor to climate change: methane gas. "Greening" the holidays is essential, and one simple tip is to think more about how sustainable the materials are in your decorations, decor, and, of course, gifts. Instead of plastics, you could opt for items that can be reused, are made of renewable materials or natural fibers that boast a smaller environmental impact in both production and durability. Due to consumers' desires for more eco-friendly goods, sustainable materials are among the biggest trends in home decor. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable—and earth-conscious—home goods that make perfect holiday gifts. Made Trade rounded up a list of sustainable home decor trends in 2025 that offer dozens of creative options for holiday gift-giving. Each trend includes examples of great gifts for the home and advice for ensuring items are sustainably produced or can help create a more eco-friendly space. In the depths of winter's gray days, it's a real gift to see a little green, which is why indoor gardening gifts are a wonderful idea. Not only are they eco-friendly and promote sustainability—the more food you can grow yourself, the less you have to buy—they also foster an appreciation of nature and bring the natural world indoors to enjoy. Sprouting kits and microgreens require minimal amounts of space and sunlight, but a sunny, south-facing window will permit a small herb garden or leafy greens for salads. If you're not sure what kind of light your recipient has access to, go with gifting indoor grow lamps along with the plants, or pick a hardy, low-water houseplant—some can act as natural air purifiers too. When buying gifts for the home, consider what materials the items are made from and how far away they come from—not only are natural materials like rattan, jute, palm leaves, clay, organic cotton and linen, and ceramics more sustainable, but if they are being used by a local craftsperson, gifters are also saving on fossil fuels for the transportation. Plus, you're helping the local economy by supporting local craftspeople, so it's a win-win. Natural fiber pillows, sheets, blankets, and even doormats offer comfort and consideration of the environment. The most sustainable and eco-friendly gift is one you already have, so get creative about reusing materials already in or around your home (raid the recycling bin, find nice pieces of wood outside, wash out and reuse glass jars) to fashion them into new, thoughtful goods. Similarly, think vintage and secondhand—what items can you give a second life to by passing them along to someone who will find new meaning in them? Some of the most thoughtful gifts are small heirlooms—pieces of jewelry or a beloved ceramic dish—passed along to the next generation that will appreciate them. Green technology offers ways to reduce our carbon footprint in everyday life, and smart thermostats, solar lights, smart sprinklers, and smart plugs all make great gifts, saving people money and conserving our valuable resources. For those looking into home renovations or updating decor, try a new light fixture paired with smart blubs, or a new window treatment with smart shades. Even something as simple as a rain barrel can reduce energy use—and while the technology for that isn't very sophisticated, it certainly is, like composting, "smart." Integrated outdoor living is the ultimate gift, allowing us to bring the natural world into our homes. However, doing so sustainably takes a little more effort than simply leaving the doors to the deck open all the time. First, find eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor furniture, perhaps thrifting it or buying it used and fixing it up for a one-of-a-kind gift. If you can't go secondhand, choose furniture made of sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic (great for outdoor rugs), or bamboo. For smaller gifts, consider solar lights, a water feature that recycles water, a rain barrel, or even a set of handmade wind chimes made from seashells. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Made Trade and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.After missing two games with a head injury, UConn's Alex Karaban is expected to return to the lineup when the No. 25 Huskies battle the Texas Longhorns on Sunday in Austin, Texas. Karaban was injured against Dayton in the final game of the Maui Invitational. Earlier this week, UConn head coach Danny Hurley said Karaban is feeling better, and he told reporters Saturday that Karaban "should be available" to play against the Longhorns, barring any setbacks. Karaban is averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game. Freshman Liam McNeeley helped fill the scoring void by tossing in 17 points when the Huskies (6-3) beat No. 15 Baylor 76-72 Wednesday in the Big 12-Big East Battle. UConn has won both of its games since going 0-3 in Maui. "I think part of the problem has been me," Hurley said following the Baylor win. "I've coached these guys frustrated, and I've coached them frustrated for too long. This is a team that's going to be a work in progress, and a team that's going to get better and better. And we're relying on a lot of young players and new players. "For us, I have to coach this team with more grace and more building them up and more enthusiasm and more energy. I can't coach them mad because we're not currently playing as well as the last two (UConn) teams have played. And I think, like I said yesterday, there's been some people that have helped me kind of check, whether it is my ego, or just my approach with the team." Texas (7-1) has won seven games in a row since opening the season with an 80-72 loss to Ohio State. The Longhorns are coming off a 63-57 win over host NC State on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Freshman Tre Johnson went 4 of 6 from 3-point range and scored 18 points in the win. He is averaging a team-high 20.8 points per game and is shooting 44.6 percent on 3-pointers (25 of 56). He broke a 57-57 tie with N.C State by making a 3-pointer with 1:43 to play. "Tre Johnson is a big-time player," Texas coach Rodney Terry said. "He makes big-time plays. He works really hard on his defense as well, but he's a guy that throughout the course of the year we'll play through." Arthur Kaluma had 15 rebounds -- one shy of his career high -- against NC State. Kaluma enters Sunday's game as the team's No. 1 rebounder (8.0) and No. 2 scorer (13.6). "I think my team is growing up," Terry said. "We still have a ways to go on our journey, but proud of the way they persevered (against NC State) and found a way to win in a tough environment." Kadin Shedrick is the only other Texas player scoring in double figures at 10.1 points per game. He also leads the Longhorns with 17 blocked shots. An injury prevented Shedrick from playing when UConn beat Texas 81-71 last season. "Back-to-back national champions, what else can I say?" Shedrick said of UConn. "They're really good, and they're going to be hungry coming off their rough week (at Maui). They're going to be locked in when we play them, so we've just got to make sure we're locked in and ready for them to want to throw a punch." --Field Level Media
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In this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we look at Recall arriving to more devices in the latest Windows 11 preview build, Microsoft reiterating the importance of TPM 2.0 for modern computers, Windows 11 version 24H2 arriving to more users, some new known bugs, app updates, and more. Table of contents: Here we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And of course, you may find a word or two about older but still supported versions. December is here, which means it is time to take a look at the latest stats from Statcounter and Valve. in November 2024, while its gaming audience . As for browsers, while Chrome increased its market share. This week, Microsoft published a blog post to detail the importance of the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 requirement in Windows 11. Besides highlighting its features and capabilities, Microsoft stressed that , so do not expect the company to lower Windows 11 hardware requirements. Still, some users found that "officially." In a separate post, Microsoft detailed for compatible Surface devices running Windows 11 version 24H2, which is . Microsoft also published several new support documents, some of which are quite interesting. For one, the company described backup options available to Windows 10 and 11, and one of those options is , which even Microsoft does not recommend using (in other support articles). Another document how to fix issues with Windows 11 using Windows Update. Although Windows 11 24H2 is now available to more customers, the operating system still has a pretty hefty list of known issues. this week, warning users that Outlook might fail to start if Google Workspace Sync is installed. Fortunately, there is a workaround for the problem. On the bright side, preventing gamers from updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 due to incompatibility with certain Ubisoft games. The list of available Copilot+ PCs with ARM processors will soon expand to a new device category. GEEKOM, a popular maker of mini PC, is with a Snapdragon X Elite processor inside. Microsoft is also working on new Copilot+ PCs. A new report emerged and the upcoming devices, like Intel-powered Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, a Copilot+ PC Surface Laptop Studio, and even an 11-inch Surface tablet with "premium materials" and a Snapdragon processor. Sadly, what Microsoft is not working on is apparently the successor to the Surface Studio 2 Plus, which is now killed. The company that its largest consumer computer is no longer in production. If you want one, act fast while stock lasts. Microsoft returned from the Thanksgiving break with a bunch of new Windows 11 preview builds: Some interesting findings in recent Windows 11 preview builds include the ability to and : In addition to new builds, Microsoft released . The latest version makes it easier to update Win32 apps that are "provided and updated" outside the store. The release joined a big list of other improvements and new features that Microsoft implemented in 2024. . This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties. Copilot Vision, a feature that was announced in October 2024, for Copilot Pro users. Microsoft describes Vision as an extra pair of eyes and an assistant that can provide you with additional information about something you are currently browsing. As of right now, Copilot VIsion is only available on a limited set of websites and for a limited set of users in the United States. Microsoft Edge is infamous for aggressively attempting to remain the default browser on Windows, so . In the latest Firefox beta releases, developers implemented a new mechanism to make Firefox the default browser, so watch out. As for Microsoft Edge, version 132 in the Beta Channel . In the Dev Channel, with various improvements and fixes. Other notable updates include the following: . And here are the newest drivers released this week: Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts and more. Playground Games released a new content update. " " brought new high-performance cards, "extreme experiences" on the map, holiday props, and other content. In addition, there are several important fixes and improvements. By the way, you still have a few days to purchase the previous entry, before the delisting on December 15. Hurry up! is also getting a new update. While its details are not revealed yet, Turn10 Studios confirmed that the update will introduce on compatible hardware. Mojang released with a new eery biome, a new hostile mob (the Creaking), and other changes. The update is now available across platforms for and Microsoft announced for Xbox and PC Game Pass subscribers. During this month, subscribers will be able to play and more. Speaking of the biggest launch in December 2024, you can check out ahead of the global launch on December 9 (Bethesda confirmed ). Spoiler alert: they are quite hefty. With 2024 going into the sunset, many services and companies are offering their customers yearly recaps with interesting stats and data. , giving gamers a way to recap their year of gaming with a personalized look at stats and achievements. and . You can grab these games for free until the next Thursday. If you play on Xbox, look out for the upcoming that will let you play over 35 indie games for free next week. As usual, you can find more deals and specials . Other gaming stories include the following: . . . . Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need. will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by , or optionally , along with an option of an ad-free tier.
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Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipCANDID MOMENT Albay Gov. Greco Lagman (left) and former Gov. Noel Rosal in a friendly chat during the press conference in Legazpi City on Thursday where Lagman announces his decision to withdraw from Albay’s gubernatorial race and back the candidacy of Rosal for the post. —MICHAEL JAUCIAN LEGAZPI CITY – Suspended Albay Gov. Greco “Grex” Lagman has withdrawn from the 2025 gubernatorial race to support former Gov. Noel Rosal, setting the stage for a direct contest between Rosal and incumbent Rep. Joey Salceda. At a press conference at the Oriental Hotel on Thursday, Lagman called on his supporters to rally behind Rosal, noting the need to protect Albay from leaders who, he said, “use their positions for personal gain.” “By stepping down, I’ve asked all my leaders and supporters to back Rosal. We need to unite to protect Albay from politicians who use power for personal gain,” Lagman said. The Lagman-Rosal alliance reshapes Albay’s political landscape, paving the way for a tightly contested 2025 gubernatorial race against Salceda, himself a former governor and a seasoned politician, and an economist who has held sway in both national and local political scenes. Both Lagman and Rosal are currently embroiled in legal and political challenges. Rosal, who was elected governor in May 2022, was unseated from his position after the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in November that year, nullified with finality his victory violating the Omnibus Election Code when he and wife Carmen Geraldine, distributed cash assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the election period that year. Carmen, who was running for and eventually won as mayor of the provincial capital Legazpi City in 2022, was also disqualified along with her husband, then the city’s outgoing mayor. READ: Ex-Albay gov withdraws from gubernatorial race, endorses Rosal for 2025 The couple’s disqualification in the 2022 elections was later affirmed by the Supreme Court. But the Rosals legal woes did not end there. In August this year, the Office of the Ombudsman also found Noel and Carmen guilty of administrative charges for reassigning government officers when they took office in 2022—Noel as governor and Carmen as mayor of Legazpi City. In a joint resolution dated Aug. 29, the Ombudsman ordered Carmen’s suspension from her post for one year after she was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Noel was ordered dismissed from service after being found guilty of grave misconduct, oppression and two counts of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Additionally, the Ombudsman imposed a fine on Noel equivalent to one year’s worth of his basic salary, to be deducted from his benefits or leave credits. Despite his dismissal, Noel filed his candidacy for governor for the 2025 elections, having obtained a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court against the Comelec resolution that disqualified Rosal from running in next year’s polls. Lagman, who took over after Rosal’s victory was annulled, also found himself suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman on Oct. 18 this year for allegedly accepting approximately P8.16 million in payoffs from “jueteng,” an illegal numbers game, during his tenure as vice governor of Albay. Lagman’s suspension followed a graft case filed against him related to these allegations. According to Lagman, his decision to step down was a “strategic move, not a concession.” “There is strength in unity. Standing with Rosal affirms that the people—not political tricks—should decide who leads Albay,” Lagman said. He added: “Not everyone has Albay’s best interests at heart. What’s best for Albay transcends personal ambitions. My goal is not just to win, but for Albay to truly succeed.” According to Lagman, by withdrawing from the race, he had not given up on his dreams for Albay. “On the contrary, I want to ensure that our vision for the province is realized through meaningful alliances with those who genuinely care for Albay’s future,” he said. Lagman described his action as “a strategic one aimed at securing Albay’s success.” “By stepping aside, I can now focus on supporting candidates who truly have the people’s best interests at heart,” he said. Rosal expressed his gratitude for Lagman’s endorsement, describing it as a “bold decision and a supreme sacrifice.” “That wasn’t an easy decision for him, but it shows his dedication to the people of Albay,” Rosal said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . He added: “We need real democracy to save our province from corruption.”