We may earn a commission from links on this page.We're now all the way up to the 11th version of the Microsoft Surface Pro: The tablet-laptop hybrid made its first appearance in 2013, and we've seen plenty of tweaks and changes to the device since then. This latest 2024 version brings with it a couple of notable internal upgrades, together with a familiar design.The Surface Pro 11 is the first to run a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, with ARM architecture that isn't quite as widely supported as Intel's x86 platform. Thanks to that chip, it's also the first Surface Pro with an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which means much better on-board AI processing. Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1 Laptop/Tablet (2024) $1,499.99 at Amazon $1,799.99 Save $300.00 Shop Now Shop Now $1,499.99 at Amazon $1,799.99 Save $300.00 I've been using the new Surface Pro 11 for a couple of weeks now, to see if the potential benefits of Qualcomm and ARMbetter power efficiency, less heat, better battery lifeactually work out in real-world testing. Here's what I found, and how you can tell whether or not the Surface Pro 11 is for you.Hardware and design In tablet mode, with the kickstand. Credit: Lifehacker While the shift to Qualcomm chipsets is significant, on the outside there's not a lot that's new with the Surface Pro 11: My review model brings with it a 13-inch touchscreen OLED display, running at a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels (an LCD version is also available). As with Surface Pros past, it's a fantastic screen, bright and sharpand personally I'm a fan of the 3:2 aspect ratio, as it works well for reading documents and websites.If you've never used a Surface Pro before, these are not particularly thin and light tablets. This model is 9.3 mm (0.37 inches) thick and weighs in at 895 g (1.97 lbs)compare that to the 5.1 mm (0.2 inches) and 582 g (1.28 lbs) of the 13-inch iPad Pro launched in 2024. Unlike the iPad Pro, however, you do get a built-in kickstand, so you can easily prop it up for making video calls and watching movies.And it is, of course, thin and light if you think of it as a laptop rather than a tablet, and assuming you're ready to pay another $140 at least for a Surface snap-on keyboard ($449 if you want the latest Flex keyboard, and the stylus as well). With a keyboard attached, it works fine as a laptop, but you do need a deskit's not easy to use on your lap, due to the kickstand design, which can be an annoyance if you're using it on the couch or sitting at an airport or train station. This model unit is in Sapphire Blue. Credit: Lifehacker Various configurations are available, and my review model came fitted with a 12-core Snapdragon X processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. There's no discrete graphics processor, but the Snapdragon chip comes with both a GPU and the aforementioned NPU built in, and it's very capable overall. As yet there's no cellular option, so it's just Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.Connectivity is covered by two USB-C ports with support for USB 4 and DisplayPort 1.4a, and the standard Surface charging port is here as well (though you can charge via USB-C as well). There are two 2W stereo speakers that produce sound that's merely OK, two mics that work in sync, a 10MP camera on the back, and what Microsoft calls a "Quad HD" selfie camera for video calling and Windows Hello facial recognition.This new Surface Pro follows its predecessors in feeling well put together, made of premium materials and with a good amount of heft to it. Typing away on a device this size is inevitably going to feel a little cramped, but I didn't have any problems using it for extended periods of time (including typing out several parts of this review).Software and performance It's not the lightest or thinnest tablet around. Credit: Lifehacker Windows 11 is Windows 11, and needs little introductionexcept it does, because this is Windows 11 for ARM, so applications need to be coded for the different architecture. Native software support remains a work in progress, though the computer does a decent job of emulating x86 processor architecture for apps that need it. Programs such as Google Chrome and Adobe Photoshop are now available in ARM versions, but it may be worth checking that your most vital apps (including VPNs and messaging tools) will work.I like what Microsoft has done with Windows 11 in recent years, on the whole. It feels like a modern operating system, with configuration settings that are a lot easier to get around than they used to be, and plenty of help in terms of program management, personalization, and notification settings.Performance on the Surface Pro 11 is impressive for day-to-day computing tasks, but with the Snapdragon chip and the thin-and-light form factor, there isn't enough oomph here for serious graphics work or for high-end gamingthat said, if those are priorities for you, you're not going to be shopping for devices like the Surface Pro 11 anyway. As on previous models, the OLED screen is outstanding. Credit: Lifehacker You can game on the Surface Pro 11, but not to any advanced levelbut you wouldn't expect this thin slate to match a bulky Nvidia graphics card in terms of performance, especially with the x86 emulation going on. You can play older premium games at lower settings, and simpler, less demanding games (such as puzzlers), but performance is an issue on demanding titles such as Cyberpunk 2077.There was very little in the way of lag or slowdowns when switching between apps or managing multiple tabs in a web browser. For me, having access to a desktop operating system, and specifically a desktop browserwhich you don't get on an iPadmakes a huge amount of difference in terms of what I can get done on the go. From Slack to Google Docs to Photoshop, I'd much rather be using the full desktop experience than the equivalent iPadOS apps.As for battery life, I found I regularly got around 12-13 hours between charges, though obviously there are lots of variables involved in terms of how bright the screen is and how many demands you're putting on the processor. While that's not stellar battery life for a tablet or a laptop, it will comfortably get you through a working day (and perhaps a bit more) without you having to worry about recharging.AI features Copilot comes included with Windows 11. Credit: Lifehacker This is a Copilot+ PC, which means you get built-in help from Microsoft's AI assistant, as well as access to tools such as Studio Effects and Cocreator. (There's also Windows Recall, though that remains in testing for now.) If you invest in one of the new keyboard attachments made by Microsoft, you'll find it has a dedicated Copilot key too.Your mileage will vary when it comes to these AI features, but they're not something I find particularly useful. Studio Effects adds a few neat tricks to your video calls (like background blur), and Cocreator in Microsoft Paint lets you produce AI-generated picturesand they work well; they're just not features I need.Copilot is the same AI assistant as you get on the web, and while it has some clever capabilitiesinventing alternative endings to movies or thinking up ideas for a birthday party, for exampleI can't say it's something I turn to a lot. It's no secret that AI hallucinates and makes mistakes, and I'd rather trust other sources for my information. But if you're an AI enthusiast, go for it.Verdict The Surface Pro 11 isn't for everyonebut it's perfect for some. Credit: Lifehacker The 11th edition of the Surface Pro doesn't really alter who this device is going to appeal to. It's still very much for those people who need the flexibility of both tablet and laptop form factors, with access to a powerful desktop computing environment and good-enough performance to carry out most tasks well. If you just need a tablet, or just need a lightweight laptop, then there are better options out there.If you are in the target demographic for the Surface Pro, however, this is the best combination of the benefits of a tablet-plus-laptop that Microsoft has managed yet. Performance is noticeably better; battery life is noticeably better; and the solid build quality and superb screen remain (as do little annoyances like not being able to use it comfortably on your lap).Pricing starts at $1,000 for the base model Surface Pro 11, and that can quickly go up for higher-spec versionsand even more so if you're buying a keyboard and stylus as well. It's definitely not cheap, which unfortunately puts it out of the budget of a lot of users. Perhaps that's something Microsoft can look to change with the Surface Pro 12.

Netflix has inked a deal with FIFA to snag exclusive US broadcasting rights to the next two Womens World Cup tournaments, according to a report by ESPN. This contract covers both the 2027 and 2031 events.Neither entity has described the financial value of the deal, but it has been reported to be the most significant contract that FIFA has ever signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it a landmark moment for sports media rights and a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women's football.This happened because FIFA unbundled the media rights for the womens event for the very first time, which goes into effect after Fox airs the next Mens World Cup in 2026. The 2027 Womens World Cup is being held in Brazil. The 2031 event doesnt have a home yet, but the US is expected to make a bid.This is a fairly big deal for Netflix, given that FIFA reported that a full 1.12 billion people watched the 2019 Womens World Cup, which the US won. This is a global number, of course, but the 2023 tournament recorded the highest-ever US domestic viewership. The sport is certainly catching on over on this side of the pond.Netflix has been making big moves into the world of live sporting events as of late. There was that utterly ridiculous Jake Paul/Mike Tyson fight, but the platform will soon be home to the weekly WWE Monday Night Raw broadcast.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-scores-the-broadcasting-rights-to-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-174017963.html?src=rss

The big ticket tech gifts may get the lion's share of attention during the holidays, but it's surprising how much people appreciate small and thoughtful accessories and gadgets. We picked out a dozen such stocking stuffers for under $50 perfect for a little something extra for a loved one or a welcome gift for a coworker. Just be sure to check the shipping windows to make sure these handy gizmos will arrive in time. Here are some of our favorite techie gift ideas come in at $50 or less. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-best-stocking-stuffers-for-50-or-less-130049421.html?src=rss

We're less than a week from Christmas, and if you haven't finished your holiday shopping, well, you should probably get on that. While it's likely too late to get most items shipped by Wednesday morning, there are still tons of decent tech deals available for those you're seeing after the holiday or if you just want to treat yourself. For one, Sony's WF-1000XM5, our pick for the best wireless earbuds, is down to an all-time low of $198, while the 10th-gen iPad is back at its best-ever price at $250. Several other gadgets we recommend are similarly discounted, including the PlayStation 5, Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Apple AirTags. Here are the best tech deals from this week you can still get today.Sony WF-1000XM5 for $198 at Amazon ($102 off MSRP): The XM5s are the top pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds, offering exceptional noise cancellation, a warm yet customizable sound, 8-12 hours of battery life and loads of handy bonus features. The design may not fit everyone's ears comfortably, but it's slimmer and lighter than previous versions. This discount matches the lowest price we've seen and undercuts the pair's Black Friday deal by $30. Also at Target and Best Buy.Apple iPad (10th gen) for $250 at Amazon ($99 off): This matches the best price we've seen for the budget pick in our iPad buying guide. Just note that it only applies to the silver model, and you'll need to clip an on-page coupon to see the full discount at checkout. While the entry-level iPad lacks the laminated display, faster chip and wider accessory support of the iPad Air, it gets close enough to be a strong value for casual web browsing, reading and gaming.Roku Streaming Stick 4K for $29 at Amazon ($21 off): A pick from our guide to the best streaming devices, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is snappy and easy to navigate, with support for all the major HDR formats, streaming apps (Twitch aside) and Apple AirPlay. Its search function isnt as comprehensive as some competing streamers, however, and the UI isn't the most exciting to look at. This deal ties the price we saw on Black Friday; it's a few bucks above than the stick's all-time low but still $5 off its typical going rate in recent months. Also at Target and Best Buy.The Roku Streaming Stick 4K.Will Lipman Photography for EngadgetPlayStation 5 (slim) for $424 at Amazon ($76 off): This 15 percent discount has been live since before Black Friday, but Sony says it'll end on December 24, so consider this a last call. While it's not the best price we've seen, larger drops have still been uncommon over the last year. This bundle throws in a few Fortniteskins and V-Bucks, while the console alone is available for the same price. You can also pair it with the RPG Dragon Age: The Veilguard or an EA sports game for $450 at Walmart and Best Buy. Also at Target, GameStop and PlayStation Direct.PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (slim) + NBA 2K25 for $374 at GameStop ($76 off): If you don't care about owning physical media, you can still save an extra $50 upfront by getting the all-digital PS5. This bundle includes the latest NBA 2K game, though the Fortnite bundle noted above and the standalone console are each available for $375 too. Also at Target, Best Buy and PlayStation Direct.$100 PlayStation Store gift card + $15 Target gift card for $100 at Target ($15 off, Target Circle only): If you pick up a digital PlayStation gift card worth $100 or more at Target, the retailer will toss in its own $15 e-gift card with your purchase. The catch is that you need a Target Circle membership to take advantage, though it's at least free to sign up for that. If you often shop at Target and planned to pick up some PlayStation credit anyway, it's hard to complain about bonus money either way. The same offer is available for Xbox gift cards as well. Target says both promos will expire on Friday.The Sony PlayStation 5 (left) and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.PlayStationApple AirTags (4-pack) for $70 at Amazon ($29 off): Apple's Bluetooth tracker is our top pick for iPhone users, unsurprisingly, as it accurately locates tagged items right from the Find My app. Its waterproof design and replaceable battery are nice, too, though you'll need to grab a holder or case if you want to attach one to your keys. This deal isn't quite an all-time low for a four-pack, but it beats the street price we've seen for most of the past month by a couple bucks. Also at Best Buy.Apple Pencil (2nd gen) for $80 at Amazon ($49 off): This discount comes within a dollar of the best price to date for Apple's second-gen Pencil stylus, which remains an accurate tool for sketching and notetaking. To be clear, though, you should only get it if you have an older iPad Air, Pro or mini and don't plan on upgrading anytime soon. Otherwise, go for the Apple Pencil Pro, which works with the newer models and adds built-in Find My support, among other conveniences. Also at Target.LG B4 OLED TV (48) + $50 Best Buy gift card for $600 at Best Buy ($250 off): The B4 is LGs entry-level OLED TV for 2024. It gets you the core benefits of any good OLED set excellent contrast with deep black tones, wide viewing angles, fast motion, etc. but its not as bright as some upper-tier OLEDs, so its better off in a darker room. That said, this is a stellar value if you dont mind a smaller panel. This offer ties the largest cash discount we've seen and, unlike the deal we saw on Black Friday, it also includes with a $50 digital gift card.The Apple AirTag.Photo by Chris Velazco / EngadgetHalf-Life: Alyx for $20 at Steam ($40 off): In case you missed it, Valve kicked off its annual Steam Winter Sale yesterday, bringing its usual buffet of PC game discounts along with it. There are simply too many deals to list everything here, but this one ties the lowest price to date for Half-Life: Alyx, which remains a must-try FPS for VR newbies. A few other quick-hit highlights: Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10, The Orange Boxfor $2, Grand Theft Auto IV(plus DLC)for $6, Titanfall 2 for $3, Pizza Tower for $13 (trust me on this one) and The Witcher 3: Wild Huntfor $8. Valve says the sale will last until January 2.Super Mario RPG for $30 at GameStop ($30 off): The SNES classic Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars didnt really need a Switch remake, but it got one last year anyway. Thankfully, the new version keeps the originals oddball spirit intact as it spruces up the visuals for true 3D. If you're in the mood for a lighter RPG, this price is an all-time low.Backbone One (2nd gen) for $50 at Best Buy ($50 off): The Backbone One is a comfy mobile gamepad that connects directly to your phone's USB-C port and makes playing console-style games feel a little more natural. This matches the all-time low for the most recent model.The Keychron Q3 Max mechanical keyboard.Photo by Jeff Dunn / EngadgetAnker Soundcore Space A40 for $45 at Amazon ($40 off): The Soundcore Space A40 is the longtime top pick in our guide to the best budget earbuds. While it can't match the Sony XM5s in terms of sound quality and noise-canceling strength, it gets admirably close for way less cash. Wireless charging, multipoint connectivity, 8-10 hours of battery life and a compact design all help, though call quality is mediocre, and there's no auto-pausing when you remove an earbud. This is the same deal we saw on Black Friday; outside of a couple drops for Costco members, it ties an all-time low. Also at Anker with an on-page coupon.JLab Go Air Pop for $10 at Target ($15 off): The Go Air Pop is another pair we highlight in our budget earbuds buying guide. It's about as basic as the price would suggest, with no active noise cancellation (ANC), an all-plastic design and a relatively boomy sound. JLab released a new ANC version in October. That said, the older model's audio quality is still passable, its built-in touch controls actually work and it gets a solid 8-9 hours of battery life. If you just want a competent pair for as little money as possible, it's hard to beat $10. This deal ties the Pop's all-time low.Keychron Q3 Max for $182 at Keychron ($32 off): The Keychron Q Max series is the top pick in our guide to the best mechanical keyboards, pairing an upscale (if heavy) aluminum case with a delightful typing experience and deep customizability. This ties the all-time low we saw on Black Friday for the tenkeyless model, but other sizes are discounted as well. Also at Amazon for $188, but only for Prime members.The Google Pixel 8a.Photo by Sam Rutherford/EngadgetBeats Pill for $100 at Amazon ($50 off): We gave the latest Beats Pill a score of 83 over the summer and currently recommend it in our Bluetooth speaker buying guide. It's not the best pure value, and it struggles at maximum volume, but in general it pumps out strong bass without sounding imbalanced. A clean, water-resistant design, ample battery life and wired audio support over USB-C add to the appeal. This deal ties the speaker's all-time low. Also at Target and Walmart.Samsung Pro Plus (512GB) for $38 at Amazon ($38 off): The Pro Plus is the top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards. It's not the cheapest option, but it was faster than most in our benchmark tests, with a particular edge in random performance. That helps it play a bit nicer in a portable gaming PC or a device like the Raspberry Pi, where itd more frequently have to access smaller bits of data in random locations. The 512GB model here has previously sold for less, but this discount marks its lowest price since March. Also at Samsung and B&H.Google Pixel 8a for $399 at Amazon ($100 off): This is the second-best price we've seen for an unlocked Pixel 8a, which we consider the best midrange phone for Android fans. It has most of the headline features you'd get from a flagship Pixel phone excellent cameras, a crisp 120Hz OLED display, clean software with updates through 2031, solid performance and battery life only it puts them in a slightly cheaper plastic frame with slower charging speeds. At this price, though, that should be easier to live with. Also at Target and Best Buy.The Anker Prime Power Bank.Photo by Amy Skorheim / EngadgetAnker Prime Power Bank for $78 at Amazon ($52 off): The Anker Prime is the premium pick in our guide to the best power banks. It may be overkill for most, but its hefty 20,000mAh capacity and pair of 100W USB-C ports mean it can recharge multiple laptops let alone mobile devices at full speed. There's a 65W USB-A port as well, plus a handy display that keeps you updated on the battery's status. This deal ties the lowest price we've seen. Also at Anker with an on-page coupon.Anker 525 Charging Station for $30 at Amazon ($26 off, Prime only): We recommend this 67W desktop charging station in our remote worker gift guide. It's not the fastest model around, but it packs four USB ports (two USB-C, two USB-A) and three AC outlets in a design that's compact enough to fit on a crowded desk. This deal is another all-time low, though it's only available to Prime members.Twelve South AirFly Pro for $40 at Amazon ($15 off): Another holiday gift guide recommendation, the AirFly Pro is a Bluetooth transmitter that lets you pair up to two sets of wireless headphones to an inflight entertainment system, older treadmill or most other devices with a 3.5mm jack. This discount marks the lowest price we've seen in a couple of years. Also at Best Buy.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/our-favorite-sony-earbuds-hit-an-all-time-low-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-173211089.html?src=rss

Thanks to news of Valve attending a CES 2025 event, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 will most likely have SteamOS instead of Windows 11.

Two prominent Chinese companies have been dropped from the Department of Defenses concerning companies list.

This was not a ransomware attack, BeyondTrust confirms, but users should still be wary.

Pastry chef Arnaud Delmontel rolls out dough for croissants and pain au chocolat that later emerge golden and fragrant from the oven in his Paris patisserie.The price for the butter so essential to the pastries has shot up in recent months, by 25% since September alone, Delmontel says. But he is refusing to follow some competitors who have started making their croissants with margarine.Its a distortion of what a croissant is, Delmontel said. A croissant is made with butter.One of lifes little pleasuresbutter spread onto warm bread or imbuing cakes and seared meats with its rich flavorhas gotten more expensive across Europe in the last year. After a stretch of post-pandemic inflation that the war in Ukraine worsened, the booming cost of butter is another blow for consumers with holiday treats to bake.Across the 27-member European Union, the price of butter rose 19% on average from October 2023 to October 2024, including by 49% in Slovakia, and 40% in Germany and the Czech Republic, according to figures provided to The Associated Press by the EUs executive arm. Reports from individual countries indicate the cost has continued to go up in the months since.In Germany, a 250-gram (8.8-ounce) block of butter now generally costs between 2.40 and 4 euros ($2.49-$4.15), depending on the brand and quality.The increase is the result of a global shortage of milk caused by declining production, including in the United States and New Zealand, one of the worlds largest butter exporters, according to economist Mariusz Dziwulski, a food and agricultural market analyst at PKO Bank Polski in Warsaw.European butter typically has a higher fat content than the butter sold in the United States. It also is sold by weight in standard sizes, so food producers cant hide price hikes by reducing package sizes, something known as shrinkflation.A butter shortage in France in the 19th century led to the invention of margarine, but the French remain some of the continents heaviest consumers of butter, using the ingredient with abandon in baked goods and sauces.Butter is so important in Poland that the government keeps a stockpile of it in the countrys strategic reserves, as it does national gas and COVID-19 vaccines. The government announced Tuesday that it was releasing some 1,000 tons of frozen butter to stabilize prices.The price of butter rose 11.4% between early November and early December in Poland, and 49.2% over the past year to nearly 37 Polish zlotys, or $9 per kilo (2.2 pounds) for the week ending Dec. 8, according to the National Support Center for Agriculture, a government agency.Every month butter gets more expensive, Danuta Osinska, a 77-year-old Polish woman, said while shopping recently at a discount grocery chain in Warsaw.She and her husband love butteron bread, in scrambled eggs, in creamy desserts. But they also struggle to pay for medications on their meager pensions. So the couple is eating less butter and more margarine, even though they find the taste of the substitute spread inferior.There is no comparison, Osinska said. Things are getting harder and harder.The cost of butter in Poland has become a political issue. With a presidential election scheduled next year, opponents of centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk are trying to blame him and his Civic Platform party. Other Poles want to blame the national banks governor, who hails from an opposing political camp.Some consumers decide where to shop based on the price of butter, which has led to price wars between grocery chains that in some cases kept prices artificially low in the past to the detriment of dairy farmers, according to Agnieszka Maliszewska, the director of the Polish Chamber of Milk.Maliszewska thinks domestic, EU-specific and global issues explain butter inflation. She argues that the primary cause in Poland is a shortage of milk fat due to dairy farmers shutting down their enterprises because of slim profit markets and hard work.She and others also cite higher energy costs from Russias war in Ukraine as impacting milk production. There is some debate about the potential effect of climate change. Maliszewska doesnt see a link.Economist Dziwulski, however, thinks droughts may be a factor in reducing production. Falling milk prices last year also discouraged investments and pushed dairy producers in the EU to make more cheese, which offered better profitability, he said.An outbreak of bluetongue disease, an insect-borne viral disease that is harmless to humans but can be fatal for sheep, cows and goats, may also play a role, Dziwulski said.The U.S. saw a butter price spike in 2022, when the average price jumped 33% to $4.88 per pound over the course of the year, according to government data. Dairy farmers struggled with feed costs and hot temperatures.U.S. butter prices fell in 2023 before rising again this year, hitting a peak of $5 per pound in September. Higher grocery prices in general weighed on U.S. voters during the presidential election in November.Southern European countries, which rely far more heavily on olive oil, are less affected by the butter inflationor they just dont consider it as important since they consume so much less.Since last year the cost of butter shot up 44% on average in Italy, according to dairy market analysis firm CLAL. Italy is Europes seventh-largest butter producer, but olive oil is the preferred fat, even for some desserts. The price of butter therefore is not causing the same alarm there as it is in butter-addicted parts of Europe.Delmontel, the Paris pastry chef, said the rising costs put business owners like him under pressure. Along with refusing to switch out butter for margarine, he has not reduced the size of his croissants. But some other French bakers are making smaller pastries to control costs, he said.Or else you squeeze it out of your profit margin, Delmontel said.Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland. Colleen Barry in Milan, Raf Casert in Brussels and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed.Vanessa Gera and Alex Turnbull, Associated Press

President Joe Biden is abandoning his effort to cancel student loans for more than 38 million Americans, the first step in an administration-wide plan to jettison pending regulations to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from retooling them to achieve his own aims.The White House expects to pull back unfinished rules across several agencies if there isnt enough time to finalize them before Trump takes office. If the proposed regulations were left in their current state, the next administration would be able to rewrite them and advance its agenda more quickly.Even as the Biden administration moves to pull back the rules, it pushed ahead with cancellation through other avenues on Friday. The Education Department said it was clearing loans for another 55,000 borrowers who reached eligibility through a program known as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which was created by Congress in 2007 and expanded by the Biden administration.As the pending Biden regulations are withdrawn, nothing prevents Trump from pursuing his own regulations on the same issues when he returns to the White House, but he would have to start from scratch in a process that can take months or even years.This isnt the way I wanted it to end, said Melissa Byrne, an activist who has pushed for student debt cancellation. Unfortunately, this is the most prudent action to take right now.She blamed Republicans for putting the Biden administration in this position. Its a bummer that we have a GOP that is committed to keeping working-class Americans in debt, Byrne said.In documents withdrawing the student loan proposals, the Education Department insisted it has the authority to cancel the debt but sought to focus on other priorities in the administrations final weeks. It said the administration will focus on helping borrowers get back on track with payments following the coronavirus pandemic, when payments were paused.The department at this time intends to commit its limited operational resources to helping at-risk borrowers return to repayment successfully, the agency wrote.The withdrawals are beginning as Washington braces for a potential government shutdown that could further complicate efforts by the Biden administration to tie up loose ends.Another proposed rule that could face withdrawal is a measure that would have prevented schools from issuing blanket bans against transgender athletes. Trump could recast the pending modification to Title IX to forbid transgender athletes from playing in girls sports, one of his campaign promises.An administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the administration still supports the goals of its regulatory proposals. However, the process can be lengthy because it requires legal reviews and collecting input from the public.Federal agencies are now analyzing which rules to finish and which to pull back before the end of Bidens term, the official said.In recent years, presidents have tended to rely more on executive orders and federal regulations to sidestep gridlock in Congress. However, the rulemaking process can be less durable than legislation, leaving policies more vulnerable to shifts between administrations.There are dozens of other pending regulations across the Education Department and other agencies, ranging from relatively trivial updates to sweeping policies that carry weighty implications for the nations schools and businesses.If a rule has already gone through a public feedback process under Biden, Trump could simply replace it with his own proposal and move straight to enacting the policy, effectively bypassing the comment period.The pair of student loan proposals expected to be withdrawn Friday represented Bidens second attempt at widespread debt cancellation after the Supreme Court rejected his first plan.One of them is a proposal from April would have provided targeted debt relief to 30 million Americans. It laid out several categories of borrowers eligible for relief. Borrowers who saw their balances balloon because of interest would have had their accrued interest wiped away. Those who had been repaying loans for 20 years or more would have gotten their loans erased.That proposal was halted by a federal judge in September after Republican-led states sued, and it remains tangled in a legal battle.The second rule being withdrawn is a proposal from October that would have allowed the Education Department to cancel loans for people facing various kinds of hardship, including those struggling with steep medical bills or child care costs.Although Biden never achieved the sweeping loan cancellations that he initially promised, his administration has forgiven an unprecedented $180 billion in federal student loans through existing programs.Because of our actions, millions of people across the country now have the breathing room to start businesses, save for retirement, and pursue life plans they had to put on hold because of the burden of student loan debt, Biden said in a statement.On Friday, officials announced they were erasing debt for another 55,000 workers including teachers, nurses and law enforcement officialsthrough Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The program promises to cancel loans for borrowers who spend 10 years in government or nonprofit jobs.The $4.28 billion in relief is expected to be the final round of public service loan forgiveness before Biden leaves office in January.Bidens rule on transgender sports was proposed in 2023 but was delayed multiple times. It was supposed to be a follow-up to his broader rule that extended civil rights protections to LGBTQ+ students under Title IX.The sports rule would have barred schools from banning transgender athletes outright while allowing limits for certain reasonsfor example, if it was a matter of fairness in competition or to reduce injury risks.It sat on the back burner through the presidential campaign as the issue became a subject of Republican outrage. Trump campaigned on a promise to ban transgender athletes, with a promise to keep men out of womens sports.The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian, Associated Press

Packaged foods in the U.S. will have to follow new rules in order to call themselves healthy, according to changes finalized Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration.Its an update of the agencys definition originally devised 30 years ago. The move is aimed at helping Americans navigate food labels at the grocery store and make choices that are aligned with federal dietary guidelines in hopes of reducing rates of diet-related chronic disease, the FDA said.Under the rule, products that claim to be healthy must contain a certain amount of food from one or more food groups such as fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein. And for the first time, the rule sets certain limits for added sugars. Foods must also limit sodium and saturated fat at levels that depend on the type of product, the FDA said.The change banishes foods such as sugary cereals, highly sweetened yogurts, white bread and some granola bars from bearing a healthy label, while allowing foods such as avocados, olive oil, salmon, eggs and some trail mix to use it. Even water can now be labeled as healthy, the agency said.Its critical for the future of the country that food be a vehicle for wellness, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement. Improving access to nutrition information is an important public health effort the FDA can undertake to help people build healthy eating patterns.The new rule will take effect within two months and food manufacturers will have until February 2028 to comply. A label that designates certain foods as healthy is still being developed, FDA officials said. Under the previous rule, about 15% of products were eligible for the healthy designation, but only 5% made the claim.First proposed in 2022, the change is a much-needed update to horribly outdated guidance, said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University.Big picture, this is a huge improvement from a 30-year-old outdated definition based on 40-year-old science, he said.The new rule acknowledges that dietary and nutrition knowledge has progressed over three decades and that the previous definition didnt jibe with dietary guidelines that are the cornerstone of federal programs and policies.Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, said that the new rule stands to exclude some packaged foods, despite countless years of industry innovation to provider healthier options.Sarah Gallo, an official for the group, said it is concerned the new rule is not based on clear and unambiguous scientific evidence and doesnt fully consider the full potential economic impact on consumers.The updated criteria are based on data that could improve public health, including diet-related chronic ailments such as heart disease and diabetes, the FDA said.More than three-quarters of Americans have diets low in vegetables, fruit and dairy, according to the FDA. Nearly 80% exceed limits on saturated fat, more than 60% exceed limits on added sugars and about 90% exceed limits on sodium that can reduce chronic disease.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Jonel Aleccia, AP Health Writer