Global Headlight Market on Track to Hit $12 Billion by 2031 Amidst Rapid Technological Advancements | AMR
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman's Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union's executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November's election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!” Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Landstar System, Inc. (NASDAQ-LSTR), a technology-enabled, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation logistics services, announced that on December 9, 2024, its Board of Directors has declared a special one-time cash dividend in the amount of $2.00 per share, payable on January 21, 2025, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 7, 2025. “Landstar’s strong balance sheet and free cash flow generation enable us to continue to return value to our stockholders,” said Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro. The Company purchased a total of 452,019 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of approximately $82.1 million during the first 11 months of its 2024 fiscal year. The Company also returned $120.5 million to stockholders in the form of cash dividends paid on shares of its common stock during the 2024 fiscal year. As previously reported, as of September 28, 2024, the Company had $531 million in cash and short-term investments. The Company intends to continue to use its available free cash flow to opportunistically purchase its stock under its stock purchase program. About Landstar: Landstar System, Inc., is a technology-enabled, asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions delivering safe, specialized transportation services to a broad range of customers utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity providers and employees. Landstar transportation services companies are certified to ISO 9001:2015 quality management system standards and RC14001:2015 environmental, health, safety and security management system standards. Landstar System, Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Its common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol LSTR. Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer: The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this press release that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar’s business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intention,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; the impact of the Russian conflict with Ukraine on the operations of certain independent commission sales agents, including the Company’s largest such agent by revenue in the 2023 fiscal year; decreased demand for transportation services; U.S. trade relationships; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems; cyber and other information security incidents; dependence on key vendors; potential changes in taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; regulations focused on diesel emissions and other air quality matters; regulations requiring the purchase and use of zero-emission vehicles; intellectual property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2023 fiscal year, described in Item 1A Risk Factors, and in other SEC filings from time to time. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.Trump's tariff plans may 'derail' US inflation progress: Yellen
FAU 86, Oklahoma St. 78Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. A pepper grinder, really? Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. To build a fire Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The place for a ladle is on the pot The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. Up your birdwatching with this feeder The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Printing old-fashioned photos via Bluetooth Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Houseplants don't get much easier than this The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. Making your own (plant-based) milk If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. The perfect temperature for 350,000-plus wines For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Casting light on the grill after dark This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Satisfy your cravings With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.
Pathstone Holdings LLC cut its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF ( NYSEARCA:EWJ – Free Report ) by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 93,929 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock after selling 403 shares during the quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $6,720,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 71.1% in the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 751 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Sachetta LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 665.0% during the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 941 shares of the exchange traded fund’s stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 818 shares in the last quarter. iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock opened at $67.95 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $69.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.63 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a fifty-two week low of $60.62 and a fifty-two week high of $73.24. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF ( NYSEARCA:EWJ – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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Whether you’re after a big ticket tech item for under the tree this year, or a just looking for a stocking stuffer for a gadget-obsessed loved one, here are some of our favourite bits of kit that could make for great presents. Gadgets and smart home Clockwise from top: Blink Outdoor 4, Adventures with Interactive LEGO Peach, Google TV Streamer, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. Google TV Streamer There are now heaps of options for updating a TV with new smarts via a set-top box or HDMI stick, but Google’s latest could just be the best value out there (assuming you’re not already wedded to the Amazon or Apple ecosystems). At around $150 it has all the major apps covered in up to 4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, it connects to Matter and Thread smart home devices to keep your tech co-ordinated, and the remote is practically unlosable since you can ask Google to make it ring (or press a button on the Streamer). Blink Outdoor 4 As far as security cameras go, Blink’s aren’t super powerful or sophisticated. But they work well and are comparatively cheap. The Blink Outdoor 4, which is $150 but currently going for much less, is great for viewing live on your phone and alerting you when it detects motion. You do need to pay a $50 yearly subscription for it to record clips, but you have the option of backing them up automatically to a USB drive so you won’t lose the clips if you unsubscribe. Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses A regular pair of glasses that also contain a camera, microphones, earbuds and buttons, these specs let you take photos and videos, listen to music, answer calls and even stream your point of view, all while leaving your phone in your pocket. You can also talk to the built-in AI to send messages or ask about what you’re looking at. They start at around $450 (it will be extra if you need prescription lenses put in). Adventures with Interactive LEGO Peach / Mario / Luigi I’ve been hesitant to embrace Lego sets that have a bunch of tech and batteries and screens, especially for kids, as regular plastic bricks remain such an engaging toy for unstructured play. But the Lego Mario sets – where you build courses and then run through them with a battery-powered character that reacts to your creations – have proven it can be done right. There are loads of sets that add obstacles and enemies, but any of the three starter sets for this year (going for around $65 each) would be a perfect place to start. Cleaning and fitness From left: Garmin Fenix 8; Dyson WashG1; TP-Link Tapo RV30 Robot Vacuum & Mop; Xiaomi Smart Band 9. Dyson WashG1 At first glance a mop might not sound like the most exciting Christmas gift, but this one has had a decidedly hi-tech upgrade thanks to Dyson. The $849 WashG1 is easy to set up – and far more convenient than readying a bucket and mop – and removes both liquid and dry debris before smartly self-cleaning on its charging dock. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Robot Vacuum & Mop Pretty much since their inception, robot vacuums have by and large felt better in theory than in reality. No longer. The TP-Link has a ticket price of $800 but is less than $400 on sale, offering great value and plenty of smarts to boot. The RV30 uses LiDAR technology to map out your house in minutes and avoid repeated cleaning, and its 5000 mAh battery is good for five hours of continuous cleaning. Oh, and it cleans pretty darn well, too. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 For a low-cost, high-value stocking stuffer it’s hard to go past Xiaomi’s $60 Smart Band, which is probably the cheapest fitness tracker money can buy. While lacking some of the features of rivals from Apple and Fitbit, Xiaomi’s wearable offers sleep tracking, step counting, heart rate monitoring, and calorie counting, which are all reasonably accurate. As a gift for someone’s first fitness tracker, Xiaomi’s gadget is an easy recommendation. Garmin Fenix 8 At the total other end of the spectrum is Garmin’s latest effort, the $1850 Fenix 8, which is targeted at serious athletes (and wannabe athletes). Boasting some significant hardware upgrades from its predecessor – a new speaker and microphone let you take calls while you’re on run – the watch has had a user interface overhaul, including revamped icons, widgets and settings. Its battery lasts for weeks, not days, and when Garmin calls its device the “ultimate GPS smartwatch” it’s hard to disagree. Sound and audio From left: Apple AirPods 4 with ANC; Sonos Ace; Shokz OpenRun Pro 2; KZ EDX Pro. Sonos Ace When Sonos released its first portable headphones in the $700 Ace earlier this year, it also added a whole host of bugs and issues to its app, which have frustrated customers to no end. Thankfully, most of those problems are now resolved, and what we’re left with are some of the highest quality Bluetooth headphones that cost under $1000. Featuring superior noise cancellation, excellent sound quality and a TV audio swap feature for Sonos soundbar users, the Sonos Ace is an impressive piece of kit. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone conduction technology sounds rather threatening, but the concept is pretty simple: headphones that sit next to your ears, rather than in them. They wrap around the back of your head and are ideal for runners and swimmers, given they let you hear your surroundings including sirens and oncoming traffic. Perhaps the best of the bunch is the OpenRun Pro 2, from Shokz, which somehow manages to offer strong sound quality and 90 minutes of battery life with just a five-minute charge. You can find them for around $200. Apple AirPods 4 with ANC Even if you don’t like invasive silicon ear tips, or the idea of paying $400 for earbuds, Apple’s latest non-Pro AirPods give you a taste of noise-cancelling goodness. The $300 AirPods 4 with ANC have an open design, like the non-ANC version, but they do a pretty good job at blocking out most sounds. You can also turn on transparency mode to amplify ambient noise, or adaptive mode to hide droning background sound while letting speech through. They’re also all-round great earbuds, with a water resistant design, long battery life and support for Spatial Audio. KZ EDX Pro You can’t get much more wallet-friendly than the KZ EDX Pro in-ear monitors, which offer incredible bang for buck at less than $10 if bought through AliExpress or Temu, or about $27 through Amazon. For those who like their music bassy, these small but muscular in-ear headphones offer plenty of punchy punch, and pair great with an iPhone (just remember to also buy one of those 3.5mm adapters to be able to plug them in). Some prefer wired earbuds to Bluetooth, and these offer stunning sound at a puny price point. Tablets and e-readers From left; Kobo Clara Colour; Amazon Kindle; Apple iPad; Google Pixel Tablet. iPad The standard iPad (10th Gen) is a wonderful tablet from $600 and will be more than enough for most people. Its A14 chip (from the iPhone 12) is getting a bit long in the tooth but still delivers plenty of power. Stepping up to the iPad Mini ($800) or Air ($1000) will get you a nicer screen, more performance, Apple Intelligence and support for the fancier Apple Pencil. For a less expensive option you can find the 9th Gen iPad for less than $400, just be aware it has an old Lightning port (instead of USB-C) if you’re also picking up accessories. Pixel Tablet Google’s entry is the best all-round Android slab on the market. It won’t win against-high-end Samsungs in terms of spec, but it looks great and is filled with useful Google software thanks to the AI-forward G2 chip it shares with the Pixel 8 phones. You can also buy it in a bundle with a magnetic stand that charges it, gives its audio a bassy boost and allows it to act as a smart home display. The recommended price is $900 with the stand or $730 without, but you can currently find it pretty deeply discounted. Kindle If it’s been a while since your book-loving giftee has updated their Kindle, now is a great time. Amazon’s newest $200 entry-level model is quite small with a 6-inch screen, but it has the sharp 300dpi screen and built-in light that you used to have to pay extra for. One step above that, the $300 Paperwhite has adjustable colour lighting for late-night reading, a larger 7-inch screen and a waterproof body. Or there’s the $550 Kindle Scribe, which is much bigger (but not waterproof) and comes with a pen you can use to mark up books or keep your own digital notepads. Kobo If someone doesn’t have an e-reader at all or is open to changing brands, I tend to recommend Rakuten’s Kobo . While the Kindle is more or less locked to Amazon’s services, the Kobo has a comparable store and also works with ebooks from other retailers, digital files from the internet and many local libraries via the Overdrive service, meaning cheap or free access to books. The Clara has a 6-inch screen, adjustable colour light and is waterproof, available with a regular black and white screen for $240, or a new colour screen (which makes book covers and magazines pop) for $260. Consoles and video games From left: Xbox Series X; Nintendo Switch OLED; PlayStation 5 Digital Edition; Astro Bot. PlayStation 5 The standard PS5 goes for $800, though you also have the option of a digital version for $680 (meaning you can’t play games from discs) or a pro version for $1200 (more storage and better performance on 4K TVs). Most major games come out for PS5, including some key titles that are exclusive to the platform, making it very popular. For existing PS5 owners, the $330 PlayStation Portal could be a good upgrade; it’s a handheld device that streams games from the console so users can play away from the TV. It does require a very strong Wi-Fi network to work well though. Xbox The Series X is also $800, though you can once again save some money by dropping the disc drive (with the digital version going for $700). Most of the new games available on Xbox are also sold on other platforms, but it remains a very strong console with a lot of older games available as well, plus it’s the best place to play games from Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service. Another option is the less-expensive Series S ($500 or $550 depending on storage size). It has no disc drive and isn’t powerful enough for 4K graphics, but it plays all the same games as its bigger sibling. Switch Nintendo’s console is old and due to be superseded next year, but anyone who doesn’t have one yet will still love it. The standard model can play on the TV or as a handheld and goes for $450, while the nicer OLED screen model is around $500. The cute Switch Lite is cheaper at $300 but does not connect to the TV. A good option to go with a Switch is a $100 Pro Controller (for TV compatible systems) or a nice case to keep it safe (from around $25). There are plenty of gift card options too, including for the Switch Online service that provides access to a library of classic games. Games Gift cards for digital stores are the best option, but if you prefer to go physical here are some guaranteed hits from 2024. On PS5, the best recent exclusive games are Astro Bot (G, $100) and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (M, $70). On both PS5 and Xbox, some other great new games are Star Wars Outlaws (M, $100) and Dragon Age: The Veilguard (MA15+, $100). For new Switch exclusives, you can’t go past The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (PG, $80) or Super Mario Party Jamboree (G, $80). And on all platforms I’d also recommend P rince of Persia: The Lost Crown (M, $50) and Sonic X Shadow Generations (PG, $80) from this year. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Gadgets Home tech Video games Wearables Tim Biggs is a writer covering consumer technology, gadgets and video games. Connect via Twitter or email . David Swan is the technology editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. He was previously technology editor for The Australian newspaper. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Technology Loading
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Troubled regional airline Rex has been accused of misleading and deceptive conduct by the corporate regulator. or signup to continue reading The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is taking the carrier to the NSW Supreme Court, after further alleging Rex contravened its continuous disclosure obligations. The commission is pursuing former executive chair Lim Kim Hai over the disclosure breach, claiming Mr Lim and board members John Sharp, Lincoln Pan and Siddharth Khotkar contravened their directors' duties. "Our case will allege serious governance failures at Rex," commission chair John Longo said in a statement on Wednesday. "Rex's directors had a responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure the company complied with the law and we will seek to hold them to account. "We will allege four of Rex's directors breached their duties because they failed to take steps to ensure the market had accurate information about the company's financial performance." The regulator is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties and disqualification orders against Mr Lim, Mr Sharp, Mr Pan and Mr Khotkar. Rex entered voluntary administration in July, with its businesses around $500 million in debt across the five groups in the organisation. Nominally a regional carrier, the airline made an aggressive push to compete on key capital-city routes against industry heavyweights Qantas and Virgin in 2021. It has struggled financially since, reporting a bottom-line net loss of $3.2 million for the first half of the 2023/24 financial year. Its expansion included competing on Sydney-to-Melbourne flights, one of the busiest routes in the world. The consumer watchdog found average fares on city routes went up 13 per cent in the two months after Rex stopped those services. Ernst & Young Australia were appointed administrators but are yet to find a buyer and at least 600 workers have been made redundant. Rex was given a $80 million loan facility from the federal government to keep the vital regional carrier operating. The airline scrapped all capital city flights when it entered administration but has continued servicing regional routes. Formed in 2002, Rex is Australia's largest independent regional airline and makes about 1050 flights a week on 45 routes. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementStarmer’s lead EU negotiator opens door to a major concession in Brexit reset talks