It's safe to say that both Nintendo and the Metroid franchise are gearing up to have one of the biggest years in their history. On top of finally getting a reveal trailer and release window for the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it's all but confirmed that the Switch 2 will be arriving sometime in 2025. Together, the resurgence of a beloved franchise and the launch of a new system position the Big N to have one of its most exciting years in a while, but there's another somewhat-forgotten series that should be included in all the excitement: Kid Icarus.

The wait for the release of Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World season 3 is agonizingly close, with the recent Re:Zero trailer marking the start of one of Re:Zero's most epic and intense story arcs, with Subaru Natsuki and Emilia yet again set to take the main stage in this enthralling anime. Filled with familiar faces such as Reinhard van Astrea and Garfiel Tinzel, Re:Zero's assortment of characters stands at the forefront of the isekai genre, with the Crunchyroll fan favorite ranking as one of the best anime franchises of its generation.

It's the start of a new year, which means a fresh crop of creative works have entered the public domain. Today, many materials that were copyrighted in 1929, along with sound recordings from 1924, become fair game to freely adapt, reuse, copy and share. The Center for Public Domain at Duke Law School collected some of the more notable properties that entered public domain with the start of 2025.This is a big year when it comes to film, with several seminal directors debuting their first projects with sound, such as Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail and Cecil B. DeMille's Dynamite. 1929 was also the year when Walt Disney directed the iconic Skeleton Dance short animated by Ub Iwerks, as well as when Mickey Mouse starred in his first talkie. The intrepid Tintin and original Popeye characters have arrived in the public domain as well.The compositions for several great songs joined the public domain today. There are memorable show tunes like Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris alongside jazz standards Ain't Misbehavin' and (What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue and classical hits like the masterwork Bolro. On the recording side are tracks like George Gershwin's beautiful Rhapsody in Blue and the legendary singer Marian Anderson's take on My Way's Cloudy.Finally, several authors had titles in the Duke Law roundup. Noir fans will be happy to see Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon and Red Harvest here. Other notable literary works now in public domain include A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway, Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie and The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. And for the verse lovers, the original German version of Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet is also on the list.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/thanks-to-public-domain-tintin-can-now-skeleton-dance-to-rhapsody-in-blue-230014559.html?src=rss

VR headsets have jumped into a whole lot of homes these past few years, primarily due to Metas regular releases, Sonys PSVR 2 and PC-adjacent products from HTC, HP, Vive and others. Many of these headsets are great on their own, but they really shine when outfitted with accessories. However, the industry is squarely in its wild west phase right now, so it can be tough to know whats worth buying and whats likely to end up tucked away in a closet within a week. Thats where Engadget comes in. Here are the best VR accessories to pair with a modern headset.We tried to keep these picks as universal as possible, to suit the various VR ecosystems out there. However, some of the best VR accessories only work on certain platforms and well note this stuff as we go. We also stayed away from experimental and expensive add-ons, like treadmills and force feedback clothing, to keep you from bankruptcy. Best VR controller accessories Best VR headset upgrades Best VR fitness accessories Best VR cables, chargers and batteries FAQs What equipment do you need for VR? What you need depends on the VR headset you buy. Some devices, like the Meta Quest 3, are entirely standalone, which means you don't need anything but the headset itself to use it. Other VR headsets need to be connected to a system from which it can draw power and run software. Some systems, like the HP Reverb G2, must connect to a PC, while others like the PS VR2 can connect to gaming consoles like the PS5. Most VR headsets come with the basic controllers you'll need to control actions and movement in virtual worlds. What's the difference between PC VR, Smartphone VR and Gaming Console VR? The main difference between those three VR systems is the main machine that allows the VR headset to run. PC VR headsets require a PC, like a gaming laptop or desktop, to run, while smartphone and gaming console VR systems require smartphones and gaming consoles, respectively, to work. Do all VR headsets need a phone? No, not all VR headsets need a phone to work. Many VR headsets have build in displays that sit in front of your eyes and basically act as your window into the virtual world.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/best-vr-accessories-150021126.html?src=rss

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.

A looming TikTok ban could affect the millions of small businesses that use the short-video social media app to help them grow their business.Desiree Hill, owner of Crowns Corner Mechanic in Conyers, Georgia, started her business solo as a mobile mechanic. Sharing videos of her work on TikTok helped spread the word and she became so popular she was able to open a 9,000 square foot brick and mortar shop with five employees 18 months ago.Every day I get at least two to three customers that have seen me on TikTok, watched my videos, and wanted to become a customer, she said.Though TikTok has been around only since 2016, small business owners use the platform in a variety of ways, from growing a customer base to advertising and marketing, as well as selling goods directly from the site.According to TikToks own estimates, small businesses on TikTok would lose more than $1 billion in revenue in a single month if the ban goes into effect.The Justice Department ordered the apps China-based parent company, ByteDance, to sell TikTok or face a U.S. ban by Jan. 19, citing security concerns. The Supreme Court will take up the matter in January. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, has asked the Supreme Court for a delay.If a ban does occur, small businesses will have to migrate to other platforms to find their customers. Instagram Reels, SnapChat, and YouTube Shorts are alternatives. The good news is brands likely already have a presence there. But it may be harder to reach teens that have made TikTok their preferred social media app.Another alternative is to build a strong database of customers that opt in to providing contact emails or phone numbers. That lets owners reach out directly to customers with promotions and other marketing messages.But Crown Corner Mechanics Hill said she is worried that other sites may not have the reach that TikTok does. She has a presence on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, but its not the same, she said.I am worried because there is no preparation for this, she said. It holds such a significant place in regards to my customer base and how I reach customers that if I lose TikTok, I will lose a large part of my business or I will lose my ability to grow anymore.Crystal Lister is the owner of Mommy and Me: The Listers, in Cypress, Texas, which offers interactive workshops about STEM education. Shes working on pivoting to YouTube for videos and Instagram Reels for teasers to direct people to YouTube, but said TikTok is easier.It is going to be a challenge if TikTok is banned because were losing kind of all the functionality you wantthe ability for a video creation, the ability to spread the word via social media, she said. So well have to use many other platforms to supplement what TikTok did in one.By Mae Anderson, AP Business Writer

Wednesday, January 1, is New Years Day 2025. Unlike New Years Eve, New Years Day is an official federal holiday, meaning most government offices and services will be closed. But what about banks, stock markets, and stores?Heres whats open and closed on New Years Day 2025.Are banks open on New Years Day?No. Most banks will be closed on New Years Day including major ones like Chase Bank and Bank of America. However, just because physical bank branches will be closed on New Years Day doesnt mean you cant access banking services. Online banking should still be available via the banks website and smartphone apps.Are ATMs open on New Years Day?Yes. Though banks will be closed, ATMs should be operarting as normal. But note that with New Years Eve celebrations and crowds last night, some ATMs could be out of cash.Is the post office open on New Years Day?No. New Years Day is a federal holiday, so the United States Postal Service (USPS) is not operating, and USPS stores will be closed.Is mail delivered on New Years Day?No. The USPS will not be making deliveries on New Years Day.Are FedEx and UPS operating on New Years Day?According to FedExs holiday schedule, most FedEx delivery services will be closed on New Years Day with the exception of its FedEx Custom Critical service.UPS says it will not be operating pickup or delivery services on New Years Day; however, its UPS Express Critical service is available.Is the stock market open on New Years Day?No. Major U.S. stock markets will be closed on New Years Day. This includes the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq.Are schools open on New Years Day?No. Public schools and nearly all private schools will be closed on New Years Day.Are restaurants open on New Years Day?Many should be. Major chains like McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, and Chipotle should be open. However, note that some franchise locations could be closed.Many sit-down restaurants will be open, but its always best to call ahead to see if your favorite eatery is operating today.Are retail stores open on New Years Day?A majority of big-box retail stores will be open. These include major chains like Walmart and Target.Are pharmacies open on New Years Day?That depends on the pharmacy. As noted by USA Today, CVS pharmacies will be operating on New Years Day, but they may have reduced hours depending on location.Despite Walgreens stores being open, many of its pharmacies may be closed with the exception of its 24-hour locations and other select locations.Rite Aid pharmacies will be closed.Before going to a pharmacy, its best to call ahead to see if its open.Are grocery stores open on New Years Day?On New Years Day, many regional grocery store chains should be open; however, they may be operating with reduced hours.But a few big-name chains will be closed. Costco says it is closed on New Years Day, and Aldi says its stores are also closed on New Years Day.

Duck and Cover is a 1951 American civil-defense animated and live-action social guidance film, directed by Anthony Rizzo. Often mischaracterized as propaganda, it has similar themes to more adult-oriented civil-defense training films. It was widely distributed to schoolchildren in the United States in the 1950s, and teaches students what to do in the event of a nuclear explosion. The film starts with an animated sequence showing Bert, an anthropomorphic turtle, who is attacked by a monkey holding a lit firecracker or stick of dynamite on the end of a string. Bert ducks into his shell as the charge goes off; it destroys both the monkey and the tree in which he is sitting, but Bert is left unharmed. The film then switches to live footage as a narrator explains what children should do when they see the flash of an atomic bomb while in various environments. It is suggested that by ducking down low in the event of a nuclear explosion, such as crawling under desks, children would be safer than they would be standing. In 2004, Duck and Cover was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".Film credit: Anthony RizzoRecently featured: EarthShah Jahan MosqueBathymetryArchiveMore featured pictures