Pep Guardiola has pledged to step aside if he fails to turn around Manchester City’s poor run of form. The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”
New book chronicles NASCAR's 'mavericks'
Kansas City Chiefs back to winning ways against Carolina PanthersWhat Black Friday's history tells us about holiday shopping in 2024Southern University Jaguars head coach Terrence Graves shakes hands with Prairie View A&M Panthers head coach Bubba McDowell following Southern's 31-24 overtime victory over Prairie View A&M Panthers in an NCAA football game at Panther Stadium on September 21, 2024. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Prairie View announced Sunday football coach Bubba McDowell won’t return as the Panthers' head coach next season. McDowell, 58, compiled a 17-18 overall record and 14-10 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play over the past three years. He was the defensive coordinator at Prairie View and took over the head coaching reins when Southern hired Eric Dooley in 2022. “Coach McDowell’s commitment to helping our student-athletes succeed in life both personally and professionally is admirable and a true reflection of his character,” Prairie View athletic director Anton Goff said. Assistant head coach Ashton Green will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Goff said the university’s priority will be identifying a head coach who has the vision and leadership skills to move the program into the upper echelon of SWAC and FCS football. PVAMU will begin a national search for its next head football coach immediately. McDowell is a former Houston Oilers and Carolina Panthers safety who played college football at University of Miami. He started his coaching career at Prairie View as defensive backs coach from 2012-18 and became assistant head coach under Dooley from 2019-21 before succeeding him. McDowell had only one winning season of the three, going 6-5 and 5-3 in his first season, sharing the SWAC West Division title with Southern but lost the tiebreaker with Southern to advance to the championship game. Last year, the Panthers won the West title and advanced to the championship game in a tiebreaker with Alcorn State but lost to Florida A&M in the championship game, 35-14. The Panthers finished this season 5-7 and 3-5 in SWAC play, losing their finale at Alabama State, 9-6.
Shiffrin's bid for 100th World Cup win ends in crash
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Andrej Jakimovski hit a layup with 8 seconds left, and Colorado upset No. 2 UConn 73-72 in the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday in Lahaina, Hawaii. Colorado (5-1) rallied from down 11 in the first half to get the win over the two-time defending national champions Huskies. Jakimovski finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Julian Hammond III and Elijah Malone each scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who advanced to the fifth-place game in Maui on Wednesday. Down 72-71, Jakimovski drove the right side of the lane and made a scoop shot as he was falling down. UConn called timeout to set up the final play but Hassan Diarra missed a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left. Liam McNeeley led UConn with 20 points, Solo Ball scored 16 and Diarra finished with 11. The Huskies (4-2) lost two straight for the first time since dropping three in a row from Jan. 11-18, 2023. Colorado trailed by eight at halftime and Diarra hit two 3-pointers early in the second half that made it 46-37. The Buffaloes scored the next 11 points to take a 48-46 lead, their first of the game. Hammond bookended that run with a pair of triples. UConn went back in front 55-52 on Tarris Reed Jr.'s driving layup but Malone's bucket with 8:34 left tied it at 59. McNeeley's hook shot gave the Huskies a 63-60 lead before Jakimovski drained a 3-pointer to tie it again with 5:16 left. Ball hit a 3-pointer and a layup to give UConn a five-point lead but Colorado got within 70-69 on two free throws by Malone with 2:04 left. A putback from Jaylin Stewart made it a three-point game with 1:29 remaining. Malone answered with a layup, Javon Ruffin blocked Diarra's shot and Colorado got an offensive rebound with 24 seconds left to set up the winning basket. McNeeley made his first four shots from deep and had 16 points by intermission to lead the Huskies. Colorado had opportunities to make it a close game by halftime but went just 12-for-19 from the foul line and trailed 40-32. UConn attempted only four free throws in the first half and had five players with two or more fouls, including Reed, who had three. --Field Level Media
Mumbai: India Ranks 6th In Global Deep Tech Ecosystems, IIT-B SINE Boosts Startups With ₹50 Lakh GrantsNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The vehicle leasing market in europe size is estimated to grow by USD 12.17 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. Cost-effective ways of obtaining vehicle is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise in demand for leasing evs to optimize vehicle performance and reduce emissions globally. However, challenge posed by on-demand taxi operators poses a challenge. Key market players include ALD SA , Allane SE, Arval Service Lease, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Central Contract S.O.T Ltd., Central UK Vehicle Leasing Ltd., Deutsche Leasing AG, ExpatRide International Inc., Groupe BPCE, King and Mayr GmbH and Co. KG, LocautoRent S.p.A., Mercedes Benz Group AG, Millennium Leasing sp zoo, PKO Bank Polski, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, PSA Automobiles SA, Rivervale Cars Ltd., Sofina SA, and Stellantis NV, LeasePlan Corporation, Hertz Global Holdings, Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Holdings, Europcar Mobility Group Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Vehicle Leasing Market In Europe Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.5% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 12.17 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.5 Regional analysis Europe Performing market contribution Europe at 100% Key countries UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Rest of Europe Key companies profiled ALD SA, Allane SE, Arval Service Lease, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Central Contract S.O.T Ltd., Central UK Vehicle Leasing Ltd., Deutsche Leasing AG, ExpatRide International Inc., Groupe BPCE, King and Mayr GmbH and Co. KG, LocautoRent S.p.A., Mercedes Benz Group AG, Millennium Leasing sp zoo, PKO Bank Polski, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, PSA Automobiles SA, Rivervale Cars Ltd., Sofina SA, and Stellantis NV, LeasePlan Corporation, Hertz Global Holdings, Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Holdings, Europcar Mobility Group Market Driver The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant trends, with electric vehicles (EVs) leading the charge. E-commerce platforms are transforming the way people lease cars, enabling easy access to leasing companies and their offerings. Big data and IoT technology are revolutionizing the industry, providing real-time diagnostic data for efficient vehicle management. Blockchain technology ensures secure and verified data exchange between sellers and buyers. Customer service is a priority, with automobile leasing companies focusing on providing excellent service to meet the needs of the tourism industry, smart cities, and corporate fleets. Utility trailers, commuter cars, buses, recreational vehicles, and even lease contracts for car equipment rental are available. Finance leasing, mobility solutions, and long-term leasing are popular options. Awareness among consumers about the benefits of EVs, hybrid electric vehicles, and low maintenance vehicles is growing. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and population demand call for efficient transportation systems to combat traffic congestion. Lease cars without driver facilities are on-demand, reducing traveling time and air pollution. Emission norms and carbon emissions are crucial concerns, with IoT technology and machine learning helping to monitor and reduce them. Additional fees, such as gap insurance, are common considerations in the leasing process. The used car industry is also adapting to these trends, with e-commerce platforms and finance leasing options available. The future of vehicle leasing is bright, with a focus on sustainability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. The European vehicle leasing market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs). EVs utilize an electric motor, which features only one moving part, leading to reduced maintenance costs compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. The compact electric motor also contributes to the vehicle's weight reduction, allowing for additional features. The efficiency of the electric motor, with its absence of multiple moving parts, delivers instant torque and high performance. Regenerative braking further enhances the vehicle's range. Air pollution is a pressing concern in political and economic circles, making the environmental benefits of EVs an attractive proposition for businesses leasing vehicles. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This vehicle leasing market in Europe report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Passenger cars- The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth due to the cost-effective nature of leasing cars compared to buying them. Factors such as urbanization and increased Internet penetration are driving awareness about car leasing. Leasing offers customers the flexibility to upgrade to new models and purchase the vehicle at lease end. Car manufacturers, like AB Volvo with Care by Volvo, offer subscription-based leasing programs to boost revenue and brand penetration. The demand for SUVs, hatchbacks, and sedans in Europe is fueling growth in the passenger car segment. Customers' preference for convenience, safety, and modern technologies in vehicles is driving the adoption of advanced features and electrification. These trends, coupled with industry advancements, encourage customers to lease cars, leading to market expansion in Europe's passenger car segment during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the shift towards electric and hybrid electric vehicles. E-commerce platforms are increasingly becoming popular channels for buyers to lease new cars, enabling a seamless and convenient experience. Big data and blockchain technology are transforming the industry by providing insights into customer preferences and streamlining lease contracts. The tourism industry and smart cities are major sectors adopting vehicle leasing for their fleet needs. Automobile leasing companies offer a range of options from commuter cars to buses, recreational vehicles, and utility trailers. Car equipment rental is another growing segment, allowing lessees to customize their vehicles. The residual value of leased vehicles is a key consideration for both sellers and buyers, making the role of a leasing company crucial in determining fair market value. Rapid urbanization and the need for new vehicles continue to fuel the demand for leasing solutions. Market Research Overview The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by various factors including the rise of electric vehicles, e-commerce, and smart cities. Electric cars and hybrid electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular due to awareness among consumers about air pollution and emission norms. The tourism industry and commuters are embracing on-demand mobility solutions, leading to increased demand for lease cars. Big data, IoT technology, machine learning, and blockchain are transforming the industry by providing verified data in real-time, enabling predictive maintenance and efficient transportation systems. Leasing companies offer finance leasing, long-term leasing, and gap insurance to cater to the diverse needs of buyers. The market also includes utility trailers, buses, recreational vehicles, and car equipment rental. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and population demand have led to the adoption of efficient transportation systems and the reduction of traffic congestion. The used car industry is also benefiting from the growth of the leasing market. Additional fees, carbon emissions, and climate change are becoming important considerations for both sellers and buyers. Leasing companies are focusing on customer service, providing diagnostic services for vehicles, and leveraging technology to enhance the leasing experience. The future of the vehicle leasing market in Europe looks promising, with continued innovation and the integration of technology to meet the evolving needs of consumers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vehicle-leasing-market-in-europe-size-is-set-to-grow-by-usd-12-17-billion-from-2024-2028--cost-effective-ways-of-obtaining-vehicle-boost-the-market--technavio-302314999.html SOURCE Technavio
Recently, retrosound77, an Instagram account about interesting vintage stereo gear, posted a video about the Toshiba AS-10, a portable cassette player smaller than an actual cassette. However, for a brief moment, he showed a size comparison to another cassette player that instantly intrigued me: The Spectra LGW-40 is a cheap portable cassette player with a built-in Poker/Blackjack LCD game. As an avid game collector and cassette enthusiast, the device captivated my attention for obvious reasons. The "game" section of the tape player wasn't anything special at all—basically a Tiger LCD game glued onto a cheap walkman. But it was this curious combination that seemed utterly bizarre. Was this the... Lux Sparks-PescovitzAffiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate tax products to write unbiased product reviews. Gift tax may apply to gifts of cash or other property. There are several gift tax exclusions, including gifts between spouses. Every taxpayer can give an unlimited number of people up to $18,000 annually in 2024 (and $19,000 annually in 2025) without triggering the gift tax. Federal gift tax may apply when someone gives a gift — of cash or any other type of property — to someone else and receives nothing in return. In some cases, depending on the gift's size, the use of a property or income from a property could trigger gift taxes. Selling something at a greatly reduced cost compared to its value could also be considered a gift. When gift tax applies, the giver is generally responsible for paying, though the recipient may agree to pay the taxes in some situations. 2024 gift tax exclusions and limits Any gifts given to an individual totaling less than $18,000 are not federally taxable for the 2024 tax year. That means you could give up to $18,000 to as many people as you'd like without triggering gift tax or needing to file a gift tax return. In 2025, the $18,000 cutoff increases to $19,000 annually. For married couples who live in community property states or couples who live in common law states and elect to split gifts, the amount for 2024 is $36,000. These taxpayers must always file a gift tax return, known as Form 709 . Gifts that are exempt from gift tax You generally don't need to file a gift tax return for: Gifts worth less than the annual gift exclusion amount Tuition or medical expenses paid directly to an institution Gifts to your spouse Gifts to a political organization Gifts to organizations deemed exempt by the IRS Gifts to a 529 college savings plans in which the contribution is front-loaded and spread over five years When do you need to file a gift tax return? If your gift is larger than $18,000 or $36,000 for a married couple in 2024 and doesn't meet one of the exceptions, then you need to file Form 709 to report it. Married couples cannot file a joint gift tax return even if gifts are split. Each spouse should file a separate return if they make any taxable gifts that exceed the annual exclusion, even if they won't have to pay taxes on them. In 2024, individual taxpayers have a $13.61 million lifetime exemption, up from $12.92 million in 2023. The amount of the gift that exceeds the annual limit each year reduces your lifetime exemption amount. The gift tax return is filed as a record of that reduction. Gifts of real estate, vehicles, cash, stock, or other valuable investments are situations where you may exceed the annual exclusion. Filing Form 709 also helps you establish the cost basis in the gifted property, which will be necessary to determine if you have a gain or loss if you dispose of it in the future. If you do trigger the gift tax, rates start at 18% and go up in increments based on the size of the gift above the annual $18,000 limit. The highest gift tax rate is 40% for taxable gifts over $1 million. Note: In 2026, the lifetime exemption amount will revert to its pre-2018 level of $5 million, adjusted for inflation, unless Congress passes a new tax law. A successful businesswoman gives her niece a $36,000 car for college graduation. What a lucky niece! In this case, a gift tax return would need to be filed, as it is above the $18,000 annual exclusion. There probably won't be any gift taxes due. Chances are, the woman hasn't used up her lifetime exemption. If she had used up her lifetime exemption, she would pay an 18% tax rate on the first $10,000 and a 20% rate on the next $8,000. That's a total of $3,400 in gift tax. Strategies to minimize gift tax If you prefer to make gifts directly to friends and family (other than your spouse), be sure to stay at or below the $18,000 annual limit. If you give more than that to any recipient, you will be required to file a gift tax return to report your reduction in your lifetime exemption. Married couples can take advantage of gift splitting if they file a joint tax return, effectively doubling their annual gift limit to $36,000. For example, say a married couple gifts $35,000 cash to their adult daughter for her thirtieth birthday. In this case, the couple can take advantage of the total gift tax exclusion afforded for spouses and won't owe any gift tax, but they will still need to file Form 709 with their tax return. One way to bypass the annual gift limit is to give directly to medical or educational institutions on behalf of another person. For example, if you want to pay for your grandchild's college tuition but the annual amount far exceeds $18,000, you can pay the school directly and avoid having to file a gift tax return. Note that expenses paid for books, supplies, and room and board are not eligible. Gift and estate taxes can get complicated at higher levels. If you're concerned about triggering gift taxes or minimizing tax on your estate, consult a tax advisor . FAQs on the gift tax No, you don't need to pay taxes on gifts you receive. If gift tax is due, it is the giver's responsibility to pay. Gift taxes are progressive, just like income taxes. Rates range from 18% to 40%, with the top bracket applying to taxable gifts of $1 million or more. Gifts exceeding the annual $18,000 per person limit, or $36,000 for married couples, will reduce the giver's lifetime exemption amount. For example, if a single filer gives $25,000 cash to a friend, $7,000 will be considered taxable. But since the giver has a $13,610,000 million lifetime exemption, the $7,000 gets subtracted from that amount, leaving them with an exemption of $13,603,000. If they make no more gifts until they die, the exemption amount will fully apply to their estate. Real estate/mortgages Taxes Retirement planning Small business finances Banking Budgeting
The world's most climate-imperilled nations stormed out of consultations in protest at the deadlocked UN COP29 conference Saturday, as simmering tensions over a hard-fought finance deal erupted into the open. Diplomats from small island nations threatened by rising seas and impoverished African states angrily filed out of a meeting with summit hosts Azerbaijan over a final deal being thrashed out in a Baku sports stadium. "We came here to this COP for a fair deal. We feel that we haven't been heard," said Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). An unpublished version of the final text circulating in Baku, and seen by AFP, proposes that rich nations raise to $300 billion a year by 2035 their commitment to poorer countries to fight climate change. It is up from $100 billion now provided by wealthy nations under a commitment set to expire. COP29 hosts Azerbaijan intended to put a final draft before 198 nations for adoption or rejection on Saturday evening, a full day after the marathon summit officially ended. Sierra Leone's climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai, whose country is among the world's poorest, said the draft was "effectively a suicide pact for the rest of the world". In a statement, Schuster said AOSIS and the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have found themselves "continuously insulted by the lack of inclusion" at COP29. Schuster said that without an inclusive process, "it becomes very difficult for us to continue our involvement here at COP29". But negotiators from AOSIS, the LDCs and wealthy nations met later with the COP29 presidency. "We're doing our utmost to build bridges with literally everyone," EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said in a statement. "It is not easy," he said. "There is no alternative to do whatever we can." An earlier offer from rich nations of $250 billion was slammed as offensively low by developing countries, which have demanded much higher sums to build resilience against climate change and cut emissions. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the revised offer of $300 billion was "a significant scaling up" of the existing pledge by developed nations, which also count the United States, EU and Japan among their ranks. Harried diplomats ran to-and-fro in the stadium near the Caspian Sea searching for common ground. "Hopefully this is the storm before the calm," said US climate envoy John Podesta in the corridors as somebody shouted "shame" in his direction. Panama's negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, said delegates could not go home without a deal and repeat the failure of COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009. "I'm sad, I'm tired, I'm disheartened, I'm hungry, I'm sleep-deprived, but there is a tiny ray of optimism within me because this cannot become a new Copenhagen," he told reporters. Wealthy nations say it is politically unrealistic to expect more in direct government funding. Donald Trump, a sceptic of both climate change and foreign assistance, returns to the White House in January and a number of other Western countries have seen right-wing backlashes against the green agenda. The draft deal posits a larger overall target of $1.3 trillion per year to cope with rising temperatures and disasters, but most would come from private sources. Ali Mohamed, the Kenyan chair of the African Group of Negotiators, told AFP: "No deal is better than a bad deal." South African environment minister Dion George, however, said: "I think being ambitious at this point is not going to be very useful." "What we are not up for is going backwards or standing still," he said. "We might as well just have stayed at home then." A coalition of more than 300 activist groups accused historic polluters most responsible for climate change of skirting their obligation, and urged developing nations to stand firm. A group of developing countries had demanded at least $500 billion, with some saying that increases were less than met the eye due to inflation. Experts commissioned by the United Nations to assess the needs of developing countries said $250 billion was "too low" and by 2035 rich nations should be providing at least $390 billion. The US and EU have wanted newly wealthy emerging economies like China -- the world's largest emitter -- to chip in. China, which remains classified as a developing nation under the UN framework, provides climate assistance but wants to keep doing so on its own voluntary terms. The EU and other countries have also tussled with Saudi Arabia over including strong language on moving away from fossil fuels, which negotiators say the oil-producing country has resisted. "We will not allow the most vulnerable, especially the small island states, to be ripped off by the new, few rich fossil fuel emitters," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. bur-np-sct-lth/givUpdate 11/25/24: This starts our coverage of deals in the mid-tier giftable range. Our team will continue to monitor sales and add gift options to this list throughout the sale event. This was a particularly satisfying list to put together, and we even included some things you might even want to gift yourself to expand on other products you already own. In case you weren’t aware, Black Friday, this biggest sale event of the year, is coming up, taking place on November 29th only. As the tradition goes, it’s the best time of the year to shop and score major savings, making it the perfect time to get gifts for everyone on your list. The best part? You can start shopping and saving right now, as most retailers and manufacturers know that modern consumers don’t really think of Black Friday as a single holiday anymore. The bad news, however, is that if you are to look at the best early Black Friday deals , most of the focus is going to be on big-ticket items. But we know that you want to buy some things for yourself that don’t break the bank or to use this time to stock up on reasonably-priced gifts. Here, everything is $50 and under, making it a perfect gift list for people who are our typical Digital Trends readers. Keurig K-Express Essentials Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker — $49 $59 17% off One of the best early Black Friday Keurig deals , if you want to just make a single cup of coffee for yourself here and there, this has to be one of the most convenient ways to do so. Note that this has an iced coffee button, too, so this can roll around to be your summer go-to as well. JBL Clip 5 — $50 $80 38% off If you want an easy way to add some Bluetooth speakers to your belt loop, backpack, purse, or just about anywhere else, the JBL Clip 5 has become a great way to do so while it is $30 off. It even has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing your giftee to withstand pretty much anything it faces. BLACK+DECKER 12V Max Cordless Drill/Driver — $36 $40 10% off This is an affordable drill/driver (meaning it both drills and drives screws in) that can help you assemble any gifts you have, put up mounts for monitors and more. Compare it with other cordless drill early Black Friday deals if you intend to do more than just the occasional bit of work. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $40 $60 33% off You may know about Fire TVs already, but you can make just about any device a Fire TV with this stick. Our Fire TV Stick 4K Max review marks the little device as a high-value-for-the-money product that gets the job done. JBL Tune 520BT — $40 $50 20% off The JBL Tune 520BT is a budget pair of headphones with foamy earpads and a 57-hour battery life. These are a great alternative pickup for those who care more about getting the sound in their ears than the equalizer settings and ANC quality, or just a good second pair of headphones you don’t have to worry so much about on a daily basis. Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Security Camera — $40 $100 60% off Get this cam by itself, or go with your existing Blink system. It works with your Alexa devices to give you a live view, or you can store event clips locally or to the cloud (with a subscription). If you want to add a bit of security to your life, now is the time to do so while you can get $60 off. Gran Turismo 7 (PS5) — $41 $70 41% off If you own a PS5 and have been complaining about a lack of games recently, this could be a good solution. With great haptic feedback and a delightful view of the road, this is the driving/racing game for those of us who want a simulation and not a cartoony world. Grab it now while it is $29 off. Xbox Wireless Controller — $44 $60 25% off If you own an Xbox or even picked up one of these early Black Friday gaming laptop deals , you already know that you can’t have enough controllers. Either get one for your single-player adventures or pick up a second (or third, or fourth!) to bring someone extra along for the ride. Lego Marvel Dancing Groot — $36 $45 20% off This 459-piece Lego playset builds Groot, and he dances! There’s a built-in rotating spinner in the back that controls his movements. This is fun for those who like Marvel as well as those interested in tinkering with moving parts to see how things work, and it is a great gift for a variety of people. Ticket to Ride — $44 $55 20% off Ticket to Ride is the classic set collection and route-planning board game where you compete to create routes across the US and score big. Also featured in our best early Black Friday board game deals collection, this one is a certified modern classic. How to choose items under $50 on Black Friday Black Friday is a great day for big-dollar items, but what about small and lower-priced items? At first thought, you might consider it a wasted moment to spend your dollars on something cheaper when the big stuff is on sale. However, when you think about it, it does come down to percentages. If you buy 10 items where you save $10 each, that’s the same as buying one item and saving $100. As a result, we consider this also a great time to buy gifts, stock up on stocking stuffers, and get accessories for products that you already love. How we chose these items under $50 for Black Friday We know a bit about what the typical Digital Trends reader likes by now. Of course, that’s partially because these are the types of things we like and write about, and you come along for the ride. As a result, generally speaking, the items above should reflect some of your interests. Zooming out further, the deals above also reflect a sense of the time of year and the goals of people looking for items under $50 — they’re largely good gifts or things that will fit in with what you currently have. Finally, we put the effort into finding products that were actually good deals and items that were at low prices.
Opposition leaders blame BJP, its 'politics of hatred' for Sambhal violenceVietnam Retail Market to Expand by USD 226.4 Billion (2024-2028), Driven by Rising Demand for Convenience Foods, AI Driving Market Transformation - Technavio
Gov.-elect Mike Braun is planning to celebrate his incoming Indiana administration with three days of events and activities in January leading up to his swearing-in ceremony. The inauguration of the new Republican governor, along with Lt. Gov.-elect Micah Beckwith and Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Region time Jan. 13 at the Hilbert Circle Theater, a few blocks east of the Statehouse, in Indianapolis. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Though the Braun transition team is asking guests to RSVP online at brauntransition.com/inauguration . Prior to the inauguration, the wife of the governor-elect, Maureen Braun, will host a breakfast event for individuals who purchase tickets or sponsorships. The new governor's inauguration weekend begins Jan. 11 with a ticketed evening gala, featuring separate VIP and sponsor receptions, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, owned by Merrillville's White Lodging, in downtown Indianapolis. On Jan. 12, the Brauns plan to attend mass at 9 a.m. Region time at SS. Peter & Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, and then host a free Hoosier Heritage Family Day at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. Braun, who currently serves in the U.S. Senate, was elected by Hoosiers Nov. 5 to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb as Indiana's chief executive.For more than a century, Atlanta beverage giant Coca-Cola has released holiday ads that have closely shaped much of the imagery associated with Christmas. Think Santa Claus and polar bears. This year, some of Coca-Cola’s holiday ads airing on TV look a little different. They’re generated by artificial intelligence. In what is the company’s largest push into using AI in advertising, Coca-Cola partnered with generative AI companies to make new iterations of its classic 1995 ad “Holidays Are Coming.” Shots of lighted Coca-Cola trucks on snowy roads and mountains, smiling townspeople and Christmas trees rising above an idyllic village, among other familiar holiday imagery, were all rendered using AI models. In a statement, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola said the company is “always exploring new ways to connect with fans and experiment with different approaches” and dedicated to “creating the highest level of work at the intersection of human creativity and technology.” Silverside AI, one of the firms commissioned by Coke, provided further detail about the project on their website. A project of the same scale as the holiday ad would typically take more than 12 months, Silverside wrote on its website. But using both proprietary technology and market AI tools, Silverside produced the ad in two months with a team of 40 people, “showcasing that AI, combined with human creativity, can elevate storytelling to new heights.” The campaign immediately received backlash, with critics saying the ad deceives consumers and strips the holiday campaign of its creativity. On the other side of the spectrum, some called it a bold innovation and a new approach to visual storytelling. The controversy indicates that the argument over advertisers incorporating AI into campaigns is far from settled. Tim Halloran, a professor at Georgia Tech who spent 10 years working with Coca-Cola’s brand management division, said the new ad campaign was a violation of Coca-Cola’s brand promise. “As a brand, you always want to establish a relationship with consumers built on authenticity and realness and being true. That’s where the fallacy of this is, especially for a brand like Coca-Cola. For years, a core crux of that brand has been the idea of authenticity. After all, Coke was ‘The Real Thing,’” Halloran said, referring to the brand’s iconic campaign from the 1970s. To keep up with the pace of innovation in an ever-changing advertising market, Coca-Cola, along with thousands of other companies, are reckoning with the fast-improving technology. Generative AI can automate time-consuming or labor-intensive tasks involved in producing ads, cutting down on time and costs. But there are concerns it has the potential to limit the need for human workers involved in the craft. In a study gauging awareness and acceptance of AI within the advertising industry by Yahoo and public relations company Publicis Media from earlier this year, about 77% of surveyed advertisers had a positive sentiment toward AI. Consumers only had a 38% positive sentiment. The holiday ads are not Coca-Cola’s first foray into using generative AI. In 2023, the company debuted a tool built partly by OpenAI that generates artwork from imagery within its archives. Later that year, it allowed users to generate holiday cards. To the untrained eye, the computer-generated graphics may look identical to real images. But it has the uncanny look of much of the AI-generated content that has flooded the internet in recent years. Halloran, who played the ad in front of his graduate students not long after it had released, said it looked like a poorly done version of the 2004 animated film “The Polar Express,” which was the first film shot entirely using motion capture technology. The problem with AI, Halloran said, is that it can’t replicate human emotion, an element that makes so many advertising campaigns successful, Coca-Cola’s holiday ads included. Consumers typically look forward to Coca-Cola’s yearly ads and think back to older campaigns with nostalgia. To use this campaign as its largest-scale experimentation with AI yet seems to be a statement, Halloran said. “A brand like Coke needs to have one foot in being technologically savvy and understanding how technology is changing,” Halloran said. “You don’t want to seem baked in the past, but you have to stay true to what the brand means to people.”Jones accounts for 4 TDs, defense adds two TDs, NC Central swamps Delaware State 52-10New Delhi: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the PAN 2.0 Project of the Income Tax Department. The financial implications for the PAN 2.0 Project will Rs.1435 crore. The PAN 2.0 Project enables technology driven transformation of Taxpayer registration services and has significant benefits including: i. Ease of access and speedy service delivery with improved quality; ii. Single Source of Truth and data consistency iii. Eco-friendly processes and cost optimization; and iv. Security and optimization of infrastructure for greater agility. PAN 2.0 Project is an e-Governance project for re-engineering the business processes of taxpayer registration services through technology driven transformation of PAN/TAN services for enhanced digital experience of the taxpayers. This will be an upgrade of the current PAN/TAN 1.0 eco-system consolidating the core and non-core PAN/TAN activities as well as PAN validation service. The PAN 2.0 Project resonates with the vision of the Government enshrined in Digital India by enabling the use of PAN as Common Identifier for all digital systems of specified government agencies.