Biden's administration posted notices to withdraw its broader student-loan forgiveness plans.The Education Department wrote that it still stands by the legality of the debt relief among lawsuits.The plans aimed to cancel some student debt for over 38 million borrowers.President Joe Biden's administration has officially scrapped its unfinished rules for broad student-loan forgiveness.The Education Department posted notices to withdraw its plans to cancel student debt for over 38 million borrowers. The withdrawal notices were for two of the department's unfinished debt relief rules. The first rule was Biden's Plan B for broader debt relief after the Supreme Court struck his first plan down in the summer of 2023. The second rule was a proposal to provide relief to borrowers facing financial hardship.In the notices to withdraw the unfinished rules, the Education Department said it is focused on helping student-loan borrowers manage the remaining elements of the return to repayment that began last year following the pandemic pause.The department said that withdrawing these regulations will give future stakeholders the flexibility to craft new forms of relief, especially with the uncertainty the incoming administration brings. Trump has previously criticized broad relief and is unlikely to continue Biden's efforts.The department also said that the withdrawal of these rules is not a result of the questions surrounding their legality, saying that it believes the relief "is authorized by the Secretary's longstanding and existing authority" under the Higher Education Act.Biden's Plan B for student-loan forgiveness would have benefited over 30 million borrowers. It proposed full or partial relief for categories including borrowers with unpaid interest and those who have made at least 20 years of payments. While the rule was never finalized, a group of GOP-led states filed a lawsuit in September to block its implementation.Meanwhile, the Education Department proposed a separate rule in October to provide relief to 8 million borrowers facing financial hardship. Those categories would have included borrowers facing challenges with childcare or medical expenses.The Education Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider on the debt relief withdrawals.Biden is still pursuing other avenues for debt relief before his term is up. On Friday, his administration announced an additional $4.28 billion in debt relief for 54,900 borrowers in Public Service Loan Forgiveness a result of ongoing improvements to the program. Despite not being able to pass broad relief, Biden, over the course of his term, has provided relief to nearly 5 million borrowers through changes to various programs.Some Republican lawmakers lauded the withdrawal of the plans. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate education committee, said in a Friday statement that Biden's "student loan schemes were always a lie."At the same time, some advocates criticized the GOP-led challenges to Biden's relief efforts. Persis Yu, deputy executive director of the advocacy group Student Borrower Protection Center, said in a statement that Biden's plans "would have freed millions from the crushing weight of the student debt crisis and unlocked economic mobility for millions more workers and families.""We are deeply grateful to President Biden for the work he did to fight for the 40 million borrowers trapped in student debt," Yu said.

This week, were getting a potent reminder of what legislating looked like under President Donald Trump and the turmoil we can soon expect in his new term. Trump, along with his ally, Tesla CEO and Elon Musk, upended a bipartisan spending deal on Wednesday, just days before government funding is set to expire. That agreement would have kept the government open until March 14, bundling $100 billion in disaster aid with $10 billion to assist farmers, and a slew of other measures. Following grumbling from Musk about the size of the legislation, Trump called for Republicans to negotiate a new agreement that both addresses the debt ceiling and strips the deal of so-called Democrat giveaways. House GOP leaders tried to do so, presenting a new bill Thursday. Unsurprisingly, that version of the bill hasnt been able to garner the votes that it needs to pass leaving lawmakers once again scrambling with a shutdown deadline looming Friday night.RelatedTrumps 11th-hour decision to get involved in negotiations, weighing in via social media (and seemingly without coordinating with congressional allies), is reminiscent of his first-term approach to Capitol Hill, when he regularly blew up funding talks and directly caused the longest government shutdown in US history. As such, this weeks chaos is both a callback and preview of the tumult thats yet to come. Trumps history of blowing up deals, briefly explained During Trumps first term, he repeatedly called for Republicans to shut the government down in order to put pressure on Democrats to back his priorities, and also proved to be a mercurial negotiator. In his first year as president, Trump began urging a shutdown as early as August, attacking members of his own party and emphasizing his willingness to endure a stoppage if it meant securing funding for a border wall. He went out of his way, too, to needle Democrats on Twitter ahead of a funding negotiation meeting that November, prompting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to not attend. And as a shutdown loomed in January 2018, Trump further helped to scuttle a potential spending deal by throwing in extraneous border security demands. That month, Trump and Schumer famously met for cheeseburgers and appeared to reach an agreement, according to the Democratic lawmaker. That agreement would have included Democratic backing for increased military spending and potential funding for a wall, in exchange for legislation that created a path to legal status for DACA recipients (a category of undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children). After the meeting, however, Trump reportedly pushed for more hardline immigration measures including policies to enforce illegal immigration across the country ultimately killing the deal. In the week that followed, Democrats withheld their votes on a funding bill in an attempt to force the inclusion of DACA protections, leading to a brief shutdown. That didnt wind up working, however. The shutdown ended when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised Democrats a vote on an immigration bill, which later failed to pass. Perhaps most notably, Trump went on to cause a 35-day government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, after he panned a bipartisan funding deal that lawmakers had already agreed to. His statements prompted House Republicans to pass a different version of the spending bill that included more than $5 billion in funding for construction of a border wall, which Democrats balked at supporting. Because the House and Senate couldnt find a version of the bill they could both pass, the funding deadline came and went, and the government entered a shutdown.After more than a month, Trump caved on his demands when it was apparent that he and his Republicans allies didnt have the votes for the border wall funding and the effects of the shutdown on government services were becoming untenable (his approval rating also suffered noticeably as the shutdown wore on). He ended up signing a short-term funding bill that reopened the government but did not include his requested border wall funds, though he later declared a national emergency in a second, more successful, attempt to secure wall funding.Even after leaving the White House in January 2021, Trump has continued to meddle with funding bills. Just this past fall, he again called for Republicans to reject funding legislation and shut down the government if Congress didnt pass a bill to curb noncitizen voting, which is already illegal. A return to the chaos of Trumps first termThis weeks developments are yet another indication that Trumps disruptive style hasnt changed particularly with the vocal backing of new allies like Musk. Trump and Musks shared approach to governance by tweet (or Truth Social post) could well amp up the chaos and pressure that Republicans lawmakers will face in the president-elects second term. Neither has been shy about making threats in order to bully people into acquiescing. Musk, for example, has said hell financially back primary challengers against senators who dont support Trumps Cabinet picks. And Trump has his own history of pushing for primaries against lawmakers who dont do his bidding, a tactic he reprised this week. While Republicans will again control both chambers of Congress next year, as they did during the first two years of Trumps first term, they will hold narrow majorities that pose their own challenges. House Speaker Mike Johnson will need to keep a fractious coalition fully unified or rely on Democrats to get anything done. Already this year, Johnson has had to rely on Democrats to help pass multiple funding bills, a dynamic thats garnered ire from his right flank and could fuel challenges of his leadership in the new term. Even after lawmakers resolve this funding fight, Johnson wont have long to rest; the likely next deadline, in mid-March, will be an early test for the return of unified Republican governance. If this week is any measure, GOP leaders will have their work cut out for them and its likely Trump and Musk will throw a few more grenades into the process along the way.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More: Politics

Support independent journalism that matters become a Vox Member today.President-elect Donald Trump didnt even wait to start his second term before throwing Congress into chaos, sinking a bipartisan spending deal and making his own demands as a government shutdown looms at midnight.In one sense, this is just the latest installment of a very familiar story involving House Republican dysfunction over spending battles, and Trumps willingness to embrace chaos and throw things into disarray.The surprising aspect to the current showdown, though, is just what, exactly, Trump has chosen to pick this fight over: He wants to suspend, or even eliminate, the debt ceiling. Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social early Friday morning. Without this, we should never make a deal.The debt ceiling is the limit set in law of how much new debt the US government can issue. If it is not raised or suspended in time, the country would default on its debt; it is widely believed economic turmoil would then ensue. Republicans have used the threat of a debt default to try to force Democratic presidents into policy concessions, and Trump fears Democrats will try something similar against him in 2025. So he wants the debt ceiling suspended right now or even abolished entirely.This was an unexpected turn of events because the initial bipartisan deal just didnt address the debt ceiling at all: It merely funded the government for three more months, as well as included several other provisions that had won bipartisan backing.When, on Wednesday, billionaire Elon Musk started publicly attacking the deal, he complained about the bills overspending and also made sometimes-inaccurate claims about those add-on provisions. But he said nothing about the debt ceiling which would, if suspended, allow Trump and Republicans to spend more freely.Then, in a Wednesday afternoon statement denouncing the deal, Trump suddenly put the debt ceiling on the agenda. Increasing the debt ceiling is not great but wed rather do it on Bidens watch, he posted on Truth Social, calling Republicans foolish and inept for not dealing with this issue earlier and complaining that the Debt Ceiling guillotine was coming up in June.On Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson scrapped the bipartisan deal, dropping several of the add-on provisions and, in accordance with Trumps wishes, adding a debt ceiling increase. Some conservatives who had cheered on Musks criticism of the initial deals big spending are now horrified at this turn of events, believing the debt ceiling is a crucial tool to help restrain spending. More than three dozen House Republicans broke with Trump to vote against the new bill Thursday evening, and since nearly every House Democrat also opposed it, it failed.But Democrats are still weighing how they should handle this unexpected turn of events. Democratic wonks have long hated the debt ceiling, believing irresponsible Republicans used it to take the economy hostage to extort Presidents Obama and Biden, and many would happily see it abolished. However, the partys congressional leaders may hope to preserve it as leverage against Trump and are ill-inclined to give in to Trumpian demands issued from on high if theres a deal, they want to be part of that deal.This situation is still in flux and we dont yet know how it will end. But already there are a few telling aspects to whats happened.First: Though some claim Musk killed the initial bipartisan deal and Trump and Republicans are simply puppets dancing on the strings of the worlds richest man, that does not seem like what is actually happening.It is not clear why exactly Musk went so hard against the bill, or whether he was freelancing or working in coordination with Trump. In addition to making complaints about too much government spending, Musk made various false claims about what was in the bill, including that the bill included a 40 percent pay increase for members of Congress (it was a 4 percent increase), and that it included $3 billion for a Washington, DC, NFL stadium (not at all true). Some have pointed out that the bill also included restrictions on tech investments in China, where Musk has business interests, wondering whether that was his true motive in coming out against it. (That provision was then dropped from Johnsons revised bill.)Whatever Musk wanted, once Trump got involved, he turned out to want something entirely different: a debt ceiling increase. And Musk fell behind his strategy.Second: Congressional Republicans are not in lockstep behind Trump on matters of policy, and the internal tensions that have made the party dysfunctional on spending issues still exist. Trump praised Johnsons revised bill as a very good Deal, but 38 House Republicans then voted against it. Trump angrily threatened to support a primary challenger to one such Republican, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), but Roy was unmoved.Roy is part of a group of several dozen House Republicans that has long been hostile to any bipartisan spending deal with Democrats and that has long made absurdly unrealistic demands for spending cuts. Their unwillingness to back Republican leaderships proposals means that, in practice, GOP leaders have to rely on Democratic votes to pass government funding bills. Trump has not yet figured out a way around this dynamic.Third: Trumps willingness to defy conservative dogma presents opportunity and peril for Democrats.Democratic wonks believe abolishing the debt ceiling would be a great thing for the country and would ultimately benefit future Democratic presidents by removing this tool for GOP hostage-taking. However, the party is wary that doing Trump a favor like this will make it easier for him to enact an agenda they fear and oppose.The path of political least resistance would be for Democrats to simply oppose everything Republicans do and maximize the squirming in the fractious GOP coalition. However, it is also possible that, if they negotiate effectively and think about the long term, theres an opportunity for serious policy wins. Imagine a world with no more debt ceiling no more phony crises, no more risk of default, no more hostage-taking. It would be nice! Can they make it a reality?Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Destiny 2's Exotic vendor, Xur, is back again this week here's how to find him, what he's selling, and whether we recommend his offerings before he vanishes againTech16:45, 20 Dec 2024Updated 17:03, 20 Dec 2024What is Xur selling this week?(Image: Charleen Bougourd/Bungie Inc.)Destiny 2's Christmas event, The Dawning is well underway, and Xur is back to spread more good cheer, too.Yes it's Friday, which means longtime exotic merchant Xur is back for his last appearance before Christmas and he'll bring a whole host of weapons and armour for players that have enough strange coins saved up from their exploits.This year's Final Shape expansion mixed things up for the tentacle-faced NPC, meaning Xur can now sell a much more varied list of items, and he's only ever found in one spot. Luckily for you, we'll cover where he is, and what he has, for December 20 - 24.Here's what Xur is offering for Guardians this week in Destiny 2(Image: Bungie Inc.)While Xur used to appear in multiple places, hopping between planets, he can now be found at Destiny 2's main social space, The Tower.Head to Cayde's ramen shop, and down the alley next to it to find Xur. He only appears from 5PM GMT/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT on Friday to 5PM BST/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT on Tuesday .Struggling to find him? Check out our screenshot below for his exact location on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.Here's where Xur can be found post-Final ShapeAs of 5pm GMT, he's selling:Borealis Catalyst - 71 Strange CoinsJade Rabbit Catalyst - 71 Strange CoinsThe Sixth Coyote (Hunter) - 41 Strange CoinsAn Insurmountable Skullfort (Titan) - 41 Strange CoinsAstrocyte Verse (Warlock) - 41 Strange CoinsExotic Class Item - 41 Strange CoinsThe Xurfboard (Skimmer/Sparrow) - 97 Strange CoinsA 66 roll on The Sixth Coyote is a big step up from last week, but still nothing to write home about.He was also selling these weapons:Hawkmoon (with Opening Shot) - 23 Strange CoinsArbalest - 23 Strange CoinsRiskrunner - 23 Strange CoinsThe Prospector - 23 Strange CoinsDestiny 2's famous exotic seller, Xur, is back again.(Image: Bungie Inc.)Xur will also sell materials, including Engrams, via the More Strange Offers section, while he also has the following Legendary Weapons which cost 17 Strange Coins each.Dire Promise (Hand Cannon)Enigma's Draw (Sidearm)Hollow Words (Fusion Rifle)Death Adder (SMG)Seventh Seraph Saw (Machine Gun)Semiotician (Rocket Launcher)Quickfang/Crown-Splitter/Eternity's Edge (Class Swords)As of the Final Shape expansion, Xur has his own reputation system, similar to what you've likely seen with the Gunsmith and other vendors.By ranking up his reputation rank, you can earn the following from him:Rank 4: Enhancement Core x 7Rank 7: Enhancement Prism x 3Rank 10: Exotic Engram x 2Rank 13: Ascendant ShardRank 16: Ascendant AlloyReset Rank: Exotic CipherOnce you've reset the rank, these change to the following:Article continues belowRank 4: Enhancement Core x 3Rank 7: Enhancement PrismRank 10: Exotic Engram x 2Rank 13: Enhancement Core x 5Rank 16: Enhancement Prism x 2Reset Rank: Exotic CipherFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

If you were worried about the way your console might handle Monster Hunter Wilds when it launches next year, Capcom has confirmed a PS5 Pro patch is coming at launchTech16:14, 20 Dec 2024Monster Hunter Wilds could be one of 2025's biggest games(Image: Capcom)When I tested the PS5 Pro when it launched last month, I mentioned that it was struggling to justify its existence somewhat.It's the most powerful console you can buy right now, but it feels like driving a sports car to the shops there's no real chance for it to show what it can do until developers start releasing PS5 Pro patches.We've had a few great ones so far, but Monster Hunter Wilds might mark the first big new game that's going to be getting one on Day One, and that might just have me picking it up on console instead of PC.Speaking on a developer livestream this week, Capcom confirmed that a PS5 Pro patch is expected to arrive on launch day.With Sony promising that the PS5 Pro should end the choice between frame rate and resolution, this is its chance to prove that.The PS5 version of the game is targeting 3072x1728, which upscales to 4K at 30fps, while a framerate mode renders at 1080p and is upscaled to 4K at 60fps.Monster Hunter Wilds looks ambitious(Image: Capcom)If Capcom and Sony can work some magic to get a relatively high resolution that takes advantage of the PS5 Pro's PSSR upscaling tech and hits a steady 60fps, it could be transformational.With that said, it won't be easy. Capcom said on the stream they're not yet ready to reveal the full PC system requirements, but the developer is considering releasing a benchmarking tool to help users size up their rigs.PC gamers will have to wait a while to see if they can run Wilds(Image: Capcom)With a steady frame rate being so important to Monster Hunter, I think it'll end up swaying me away from playing it on PC. It's also looking like it could push the Steam Deck to its limits, and maybe beyond them, which definitely has me angling towards PS5 Pro.It's not great news for Xbox Series S players, though. While the console can reach 1440p, Capcom says it's aiming for 1080p and 30fps on Microsoft's cheaper console, while Series X will target the same output as the base PS5.Need something to tide you over? Be sure to check out Dauntless, which just got a huge 2.0 update dubbed 'Awakening'.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Apparently the Pro Controller is getting extra buttons (Nintendo)A known insider claims to know details around the Nintendo Switch 2s reveal date, along with some Pro Controller news.Nintendo Switch 2 leaks have become practically a daily occurrence over the past few weeks, as the before April reveal window from Nintendo itself gets ever narrower.Weve seen a slew of leaks from accessory manufacturers, with mock-up images appearing to show the console and the new seemingly magnetic Joy-Con controllers. One person has even claimed to have the final unit, with promises of more details to be released on Christmas Day.An insider who previously shared drawings of the alleged Switch 2 dock earlier this year has now posted some additional information, including about the buttons on the controllers.According to NinSpider on Famiboards, the Switch 2 version of the Pro Controller the more traditional gamepad that works similarly to those for PlayStation and Xbox will have two new buttons on the back, although they dont share specifics on what theyll be used for.The insider claims the previously leaked back button on the Switch 2 Joy-Con will also likely be used for input rather than release. It was previously speculated the back pedal would be some kind of release for the magnetic sliders to detach the Joy-Cons from the console itself.If it is used for some kind of button input in-game, that suggests its tied to some new feature which will be unique to the Switch 2.This isnt the only mystery button causing speculation headaches. Some people believe an extra button on the right Joy-Con controller, labelled as C in mock-up images, is a potential cast button to beam your gameplay wirelessly to the TV that or a voice chat function.In the same post, NinSpider also claims the week after the Japanese New Year (w/c January 6) may be the time when the Switch 2 is revealed, although they heavily couch this by saying it could instead be new information about the Switch port of Xenoblade Chronicles X.While this might sound like a cruel joke at the height of Switch 2 anticipation, this would track with Nintendos incredible run of borderline troll announcements over the past few months, where instead of a new console its instead focused on very minor reveals from the Alarmo clock to a Nintendo music app.Several insiders have suggested January will be when the console is unveiled though, and while that would make a lot of sense its probably best to remain sceptical for everyones sanity.More TrendingNintendo has not confirmed anything about its next console, aside from it being backwards compatible and that it will be announced before April. Super Mario Party Jamboree will be playable on Switch 2 (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The UK still loves football, it turns out (EA)EA Sports FC 25 is the best-selling game of 2024 in the UK, but the majority of the top 10 consists of games from previous years.Gaming has been dominated by Call Of Duty and sports games for decades in the West, but this years list of best-sellers paint a particularly bleak picture for the industry at large.Theres already data to show live service games like Fortnite and Roblox are limiting the time people spend playing new games, and it seems that is partly impacting, in certain territories at least, the overall sales of new games in 2024.According to figures compiled by Nielsen from December 31, 2023 to December 7, 2024, there are only four new games released in 2024 in the UKs top 10 best-selling games of the year and two of those are from established yearly franchises.Unsurprisingly, EA Sports FC 25 was the best-selling game of 2024 on these shores, with the only other new games in the top 10 being Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 at number three, The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom at nine, and Super Mario Party Jamboree at ten.The rest, meanwhile, is made up of games from previous years, including Hogwarts Legacy, EA Sports FC 24, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Minecraft, and Nintendo Switch Sports.According to GamesIndustry.biz editor Christopher Dring, it was a similar picture across the whole of Europe. Overall, video game sales across Europe were relatively robust in 2024, he wrote on X. But it was a brutal year for new releases.UK top 10 best-selling video games of 2024 EA Sports FC 25Hogwarts LegacyCall Of Duty: Black Ops 6EA Sports FC 24Mario Kart 8 DeluxeSuper Mario Bros. WonderMinecraftNintendo Switch SportsThe Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of WisdomSuper Mario Party JamboreeDring states there were only three new games inside the top 10 for Europe: EA Sports FC 25, Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Helldivers 2. The closest contenders were Warhammer: 40,000: Space Marine 2 at number 12 and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero at number 13.Games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Star Wars: Outlaws, Dragon Age: The Veilguard are all outside the top 30, he added.While the growth of live service titles is one reason for the lack of new games in the top 10, the fact new games often cost upwards of 70 is probably the other especially as you can usually wait for a few months and pick them up at a much cheaper price.As for the best-selling games in the US, it was a marginally better picture for new titles. EA Sports College Football 25 was the top-seller, ahead of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, Helldivers 2, and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. The rest of the top 10, however, was mostly dominated by sports titles like Madden NFL 25, EA Sports FC 25, and last years Call Of Duty.If you want to see the clear difference in tastes between the West and Japan, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake topped that countrys list, followed by Super Mario Party Jamboree, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, with no Call Of Duty in sight.US top 10 best-selling video games of 2024 EA Sports College Football 25 not a hit in Europe (EA)EA Sports College Football 25Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6Helldivers 2Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZeroCall Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3Madden NFL 25EA Sports FC 25EA Sports MVP BundleElden RingDragons Dogma 2The problem of no-one playing new game is present on PC as well, as can clearly be seen from Steam stats. The Steam end-of-year review shows only 15% of users total play time was spent in games that launched in 2024, 47% of the time was in games which are up to seven years old, while 37% was spent in games that are over eight years old.While this doesnt look great, there is actually a silver lining on the PC front. The 15% figure is, believe it or not, an increase on the 9% playtime spent on new games in 2023; although it is still lower than the 17% of time spent in 2022.According to GamesIndustry.biz, global game revenue grew by 0.2% in 2024 over the previous year, to $184.3 billion. This minor growth was carried by mobile games, which grew 2.8%, while console and PC games were down 4% and 0.2% year-on-year.More TrendingIf 2024 was a somewhat flat financial year for the industry, analysts are expecting next year to be significantly bigger, due to the expected launch of GTA 6 and Nintendos next console.Japan top 10 best-selling video games of 2024 Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake big in Japan (Square Enix)Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D REMAKESuper Mario Party JamboreeMario Kart 8 DeluxeSuper Mario Bros. WonderMomotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyu wa Kibo de Mawatteru!Final Fantasy 7 RebirthAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsPowerful Pro Yakyu 2024-2025The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of WisdomMinecraft: Switch EditionEmailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

By Ed Cara Published December 20, 2024 | Comments (0) | A Great Pyrenees/Lab Mix dog laying on a rug. KJG Photography, Kim Guisti via Getty A popular arthritis drug for dogs may be riskier than we knew. This week, the Food and Drug Administration reported the emergence of several serious adverse effects and deaths associated with the recently approved medication Librela. On Monday, the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a letter to veterinarians detailing the results of their investigation into Librela. The FDA identified numerous serious adverse effects linked to its use, including seizures and a loss of muscle function; several dogs also reportedly died or were euthanized due to these complications. The agency is recommending that the drugs maker update its labeling to include these potential side effects, and is advising vets and the public to report any adverse events linked to its use. Librelas active ingredient, bedinvetmab, is a lab-made antibody developed by the company Zoetis. In 2023, the FDA approved it to treat osteoarthritis in dogs. The drugdelivered via injection once a monthtargets and inhibits a protein involved in pain regulation called canine nerve growth factor (NGF). The drug is designed to tamp down levels of NGF, which tend to be higher in dogs with osteoarthritis. Its the first monoclonal antibody-based drug ever approved in dogs, and the second ever approved for pets. At the time of its approval, some of the most common side effects associated with Librela were certain kinds of infection (UTIs, bacterial skin infections), rash, vomiting, and weight loss. As is standard with every approved drug, the FDA has been monitoring reports of adverse events associated with Librela filed to it by patients and doctors. And some dog owners have reported very seriouseven fatalsymptoms in their pets after they started taking Librela.According to the FDA, there have been 3,674 adverse event reports involving Librela, as of March 2024. These adverse events have been more common among older dogs, which makes sense given that age is a common risk factor of osteoarthritis. The FDA identified many potentially serious adverse events currently not included in the drugs labeling as a possible side-effect. These include ataxia (poor muscle control), seizures, diarrhea, and paralysis. In some cases, dogs died or were euthanized soon after they developed these severe events. In one case report, for instance, a 10-year-old Great Pyrenees developed ataxia an hour after taking Librela. Within a day, the dog developed incontinence and hindlimb lameness, which eventually spread to the dogs forelimbs. Within two days, the dog had become paralyzed. Four days after taking the drug, the dog died.The FDA is careful to note that these adverse events have not been conclusively tied to Librela as of yet. At the same time, the agency dismissed the notion, brought up by Zoetis, that the large number of reports tied to the drug was simply caused by negative publicity on social media. There is no evidence that the cases being reported are not true cases associated with Librela, the agency wrote in its review of these reports.Zoetis issued a statement following the FDAs letter. The company criticized some media coverage for purportedly mischaracterizing the FDAs communication as a warning, rather than an informational update meant to educate veterinarians and the public. The company also argued, based on data from the European Union, that any identified adverse event associated with Librela is likely to be rare. We remain confident in Librelas safety and effectiveness and are committed to supporting veterinarians and pet owners in helping dogs live with less pain and greater mobility, the company said in its statement.It will take more time and research to confirm these serious side effects. But in the meantime, the FDA has recommended that Zoetis update its labeling of Librela to mention these potential adverse events (the Center for Veterinary Medicine itself cannot mandate safety-related labeling changes). While Zoetis is standing by its drug, it did state it was discussing possible labeling changes with the FDA. The FDA is also advising dog owners and vets to continue reporting adverse events associated with the drugs use.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Isaac Schultz Published December 6, 2024 By Isaac Schultz Published December 4, 2024 By Margherita Bassi Published December 4, 2024 By Ed Cara Published December 2, 2024 By Ed Cara Published November 28, 2024 By Lucas Ropek Published November 20, 2024

Rumblings about a new Anaconda movie have been around since at least 2020, and in August we learned that Paul Rudd and Jack Black had signed on for a meta-sounding take on the 1997 creature feature starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, an outrageously campy Jon Voight, and an even more outrageously enormous snake. And today: surprise! Its getting Christmas Day release in 2025! This announcement from Sony Pictureswhich describes the new Anaconda as a reimagined comedywas accompanied by a video featuring a jubilantly giddy Rudd and Black, who co-star in the movie from director and co-writer Tom Gormican (The Incredible Weight of Massive Talent). Theres gonna be a big fuckin snake, and its gonna rip! Black promises.Back in August, the plot was teased as being about agroup of friends facing mid-life crises who are remaking their favorite movie from their youth. They head to the rainforest, only to find themselves in a fight for their lives against natural disasters, giant snakes and violent criminals. That definitely sounds like a reimagined comedy rather than a remake of the original, which follows a documentary crew that heads to the Amazon to track down an elusive giant snakebut realizes that a human-shaped foe (Voight doing a hilarious accent) with a Moby Dick-style fixation might be the biggest danger in the jungle. Its since become a cult classic. Gormican, who knows a thing or two about meta-comedies thanks to The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (starring Nicolas Cage as a version of himself, and Pedro Pascal as Nick [sic] Cages biggest fan), feels like just the right creative talent behind the scenes for this new Anaconda. He also co-wrote this years Eddie Murphy Netflix comedy Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.And, if Rudd and Black bring half the energy to the film itself that they display in this promo, itll be a ripping good time indeed. Christmas is traditionally one of the biggest release windows of the year, so for Sony to stake its claim on the date for a giant snake comedy is a promising sign indeed. Anaconda hits theaters next Christmas: December 25, 2025. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

In a world of $1000+ smartphones, Motorola continues to prove that you dont need to empty your wallet for a capable device. And it also reminds us that there are more phones beyond what Apple and Samsung have to offer. The Moto G 5G packs premium features into an affordable package, and right now, its even more budget-friendly than usual.Amazon has slashed the price of the Moto G 5G to just $150, down from its regular $200. Thats a solid 25% discount, putting $50 back in your pocket while delivering a phone that punches well above its weight class.See at AmazonPowerfully portable at an affordable priceThe Moto G 5G brings some serious specs to the table, starting with its smooth 6.6-inch display running at up to 120Hz the kind of refresh rate you typically find on much pricier phones. Paired with Dolby Atmos audio, it turns your everyday phone into a proper entertainment device whether youre gaming or streaming your favorite shows.Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the 50MP camera system with Quad Pixel technology, which delivers sharp, clear photos even in challenging light conditions. The included Macro Vision lens lets you get creative with extreme close-ups, adding versatility to your shooting options.Under the hood, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor keeps things running smoothly while enabling 5G connectivity for faster downloads and streaming. A massive 5000mAh battery means you can actually use all these features without constantly hunting for a charger, and when you do need to power up, TurboPower charging gets you back in action quickly.But one of the most important parts of this deal is the fact that youre getting all of these things for such a great price that you really cant go wrong. Whether you just need a new phone or you want to give a memorable gift this year, Motorola has you covered. It can multitask, it can help you watch your favorite shows and movies, it can help you stay productive while on the go, and it can even make you the envy of all your friends. Because you can almost guarantee no one will know what phone youre using but theyll want to find out.At $149.99, the Moto G 5G is all about great value for anyone looking for a capable smartphone without the premium price tag. Whether youre upgrading an old device, need a reliable backup phone, or just want a solid daily driver that wont break the bank, this Motorola phone is a great contender.See at Amazon