Streaming Wars is a weekly opinion column by IGNs Streaming Editor, Amelia Emberwing. Check out the last entry: Is Wicked Rushing Its Home Release?Its the last day of 2024 and, like most, Im feeling all of the introspection that comes along with the closing of a chapter. There are, of course, countless reasons to be anxious about the next one but, for now, Im choosing reflection. And, of course, putting off all of the food prep I need to do for tonights New Years Eve festivities.Putting together my annual Top 10s a practice most film and television critics do out of habit at this point was difficult this year, particularly for television. Both sides of the industry have been in flux for some time, but television feels closer to a snapping point than ever. As storytellers get pushed farther and farther from the actual format, were seeing more and more 8-hour movies. Readers of this column have long known my feelings on the misguided practice, but the issues facing television right now feel bigger than that. Still, I am choosing optimism. Which is, to be frank, quite out of character for me. That optimism is due to a couple of things. Most prominently, the industry wasnt going to rebound overnight after the strikes. I believe we will continue to see positive changes over the next few years, even if we all wish that things would happen faster. That being said, the bulk of my optimism is actually backed by data. Television will eventually snap back to being television again because, consistently, that is what viewers go back to. PlayGo take a look at the Nielsen charts, Samba TV, or any other ratings tracker, and youll see the same things over and over: Streaming originals see immediate pops, but its long-form legacy shows that continue to top the charts month after month. That isnt because streaming shows are of a lesser on-screen quality its because theyre being made differently. Viewers turn to television because they want to fall in love with characters. Eight episodes every 2-3 years? It just doesnt cut it.But Im not really saying anything I havent said before. And, like always, all of those critiques and frustrations come with the caveat that there are still plenty of shows that I quite enjoy, even if streamers do need to get their houses in order when it comes to television production. With that in mind, here are my Top 10 shows of 2024.10. The Acolyte9. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power8. Fallout7. Knuckles6. Agatha All Along5. The Legend of Vox Machina4. Hazbin Hotel3. Shrinking2. Interview with the Vampire1. ShogunSome of those require no explanation. Shogun and Interview with the Vampire are unquestionably the most remarkable shows of the year, featuring incredible ensembles, stunning visuals, and impeccable stories. Knuckles made me belly laugh, as did Shrinking (though with a side of ugly crying). Ive long been an advocate of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and will continue to be until they make a season that I dont care for. Meanwhile, The Acolyte had its issues but was new, refreshing, and engaging enough that I simply didnt care. What all of these shows have in common is that despite the fact that they fall into modern-day television pitfalls sans Shogun, which operated exactly as it should have as a limited series (before getting shifted to an ongoing one) they all did something unique or had a spark about them that was enough to make them memorable. Additionally, theres only one show that continued to resonate with me by the end of the year that didnt drop weekly (Knuckles). Knuckles GalleryFilm, as mentioned, is a different story. While the format is currently experiencing its own issues the mid-budget theatrical film seems to be close to extinction, release windows are short or muddled, bloated budgets, etc. it doesnt seem to be as close to its proverbial crossroads as television from where Im sitting. What I will say, though, is that 2024 ended up being a year of surprises for me. First, my Top 10 films: 10. Oddity9. Abigail8. A Quiet Place: Day One7. The First Omen6. Rebel Ridge5. The Wild Robot4. Twisters3. Kill2. Wicked1. Sing SingLet me be clear: no one was meaner about the idea of The First Omen than me. The second that film was announced I relentlessly bullied it, even as a frequent lover of prequels. In my mind, there was simply no way that an Omen prequel was going to be able to justify its existence. Then along comes writer/director Arkasha Stevenson with one of the most feminist films of the year, knocking my socks all the way off. Similarly, I wasnt sure that A Quiet Place: Day One was going to have it. I think Lupita Nyongo can do no wrong as a performer, but I wasnt sure if that Joseph Quinn fella had the juice or if he was just trendy casting due to his popularity after playing Eddie Munson on Stranger Things. Mea culpa, Mr. Quinn, you absolutely have the juice. PlayAbigail and Twisters earned their spots by being solid flicks that also made me laugh a lot, Rebel Ridge wowed me in every way, and Wicked, of course, blew me away. The performances, the direction, the choreography; everything about it was a joy. It was Sing Sing that won out for top spot this year, though. I could write thousands of words about what is remarkable about this film, from the performances of the former inmates to Colman Domingos unshakable presence. But I want anyone who hasnt seen it yet to go in as blind as I did, so I will leave you with this: Sing Sing leveled me. I cannot recommend enough that you allow it to do the same to you. Before I go, I also need to sing the praises of Kill, an absolute triumph of an Indian film that was unfortunately buried at the U.S. box office after Lionsgate paid out the ass for distribution rights. Three days before the films release in July, the production company announced that they would be developing an English remake of the film, destroying any chances the movie had when it comes to casual viewers spooked by subtitles. But, as someone who thinks American cinema could never literally every time she watches an Indian film, let me assure you that nothing Lionsgate produces will be half as remarkable as Nikhil Nagesh Bhats absolute banger of an action flick. And yes, Lionsgate produces the John Wick franchise. Currently, Kill is only available for rental or digital purchase online (or DVD/blu, which I highly recommend). It is worth your hard-earned cash. And with that, my watch has ended. Ill be back a few weeks into January but, in the meantime, thank you so much to everyone who continues to take the time to read this column. It challenges me in new ways about once a quarter (did you know that a weekly column is actually kinda hard to maintain?) and I find myself quite proud of it. Im so grateful to everyone who takes the time to engage thoughtfully, and I hope you all have a safe New Year.

Happy new year and best wishes from World Architecture Community! We wish you all a healthy, creative, hopeful, and prosperous year in , full of hope and endless readings on design and architecture.Meanwhile, take a look at our annual review of ',...

Our Experts Written by Joseph Kaminski Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Our Picks Aventon Soltera 2 Best e-bike overall View details $999 at Aventon View details Engwe L20 2.0 Best budget step through electric bike View details $799 at Engwe View details Lectric XP 3.0 Best for heavy cargo View details $999 at Lectric View details Gotrax V14 Electric Balance Bike Best electric balance bike for kids View details $380 at Gotrax View details Tenways CGO600 Pro Best for a traditional bicycle experience View details $1,599 at Tenways View details Woom Up5 and Up6 Best for young riders View details $3,799 at Woom View details Fiido X Best for short commutes (and small spaces) (Update: Discontinued) View details $800 at Fiido View details Async A1 Pro Best for full-time throttle use (Update: Discontinued) View details See at Async View details Electric bikes have become super popular over the last few years thanks to their speed and user friendliness. But with so many choices on the market, it can be hard to know which to choose. Electric bikes can be found in every flavor: mountain bikes, fat-tire bikes, beach cruisers, cargo bikes and folding bikes. You name it and an option with motor power probably exists. To create this list, CNETs experts focused on commuter e-bikes, ideal for smooth rides on paved roads. Weve tested e-bikes from top brands like Rad Power, Aventon, Lectric, Fiido and Ride1Up on daily commutes through midtown Manhattan, Central Park and the West Side Highway bike path. For some models, we also tested suburban commutes and light off-road use, though not on rough trails. We evaluate overall handling, motor performance, range, safety features and value.Read more: Best Christmas Gifts: Clear Your List With These 61 IdeasWhat is the best e-bike overall?CNET's editors have crowned the Aventon Soltera 2 as the best overall e-bike. The Soltera 2 offers an affordable price, a lightweight (41 lbs) bike frame and a seven-speed cassette, alongside iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills. But there are plenty of other good options for those specifically after a folding e-bike, one that can carry heavy cargo or something for kids and teens rather than full-grown commuters and you'll find the full suite of our favorite electric commuter bikes below.Best Electric Bikes for 2024 $999 at Aventon The entire Aventon lineup offers affordability and versatility. The $1,799 Abound is a cargo bike suitable for carrying passengers or groceries, while the $1,799 Aventure 2 is a multifaceted fat-tire bike ideal for all-terrain riding in any season. The Soltera 2 is more of an everyday e-bike that's great for commutes, with a seven-speed cassette and a weight of just 41 pounds. Like the other Aventon bikes, the Soltera 2 features a sleek, detailed display, integrated signal lights, iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills. $799 at Engwe The Engwe L20 2.0 is the updated version of the L20 I previously reviewed and loved. The update has changed some things that have improved it, like the ability to fold the bike away and a more powerful 1000W motor to make acceleration smoother. The downside of having the fold in the center is the weight limit is reduced so I wouldn't recommend riding with a baby seat like I used to on the 1.0 version. Aside from that the L20 2.0 is a great fat tire bike that my wife uses every day to ride around the neighborhood. -- James Bricknell Watch this: Best E-Bikes for Weekend Warriors and Daily Commuters 05:41 $999 at Lectric The Lectric XP 3.0 fat-tire folding bike is great for its portability, foldability and impressive capabilities. It's robust and versatile, with a total payload capacity of 330 pounds, including a rear rack that supports up to 150 pounds. Furthermore, it offers a range of useful accessories and a key ignition, making it less attractive to thieves. The XP 3.0 also comes in a step-thru version for getting on and off of it easily. The XP was also tested in South Carolina and proved to handle well due to its 20-by-3-inch tires and front suspension fork. In addition to being foldable and durable, the XP 3.0 can hit a top speed of 28 mph, powered by a 500-watt motor. $380 at Gotrax My 6-year-old and testing partner has really enjoyed her time with the Gotrax V14 balance bike. It's helped her learn how to balance correctly and she can zip around at an average speed of about 11mph. Every day we ride down to get her bus to school as well as ride to the local parks. The Gotrax is incredibly sturdy and easy to use with excellent braking and a simple electric on/off that my daughter picked up immediately. I would have liked it if the bike had two speed settings, low and full, so the kids can handle the acceleration better when they are starting out, but I would still recommend this for anyone who wants to use their electric bike with their child riding beside them. -- James Bricknell

Our Picks Best plant-based protein shake Owyn View details $7 at Walmart View details Best overall whey-based protein shake Premier Protein View details $31 at Amazon View details Best tasting plant-based protein shake Ripple View details $32 at Amazon View details Table of Contents Your diet is as crucial as your workouts when it comes to fitness goals, and protein plays a big part in it. Whether your goal is to build muscle or maintain a healthy diet, proper protein intake can support a healthier body. But it's not easy to get all the protein you need. That's where protein powders can help, but not everybody likes the taste or texture you get from mixing them at home. Premade protein shakes can help there, but picking the right one can be difficult. If you've been struggling to find a non-clumpy protein powder or need to take your protein on the go, we've found the best protein shakes on the market. These are our top protein shake picks. Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNETThere are two common types of protein shakes: whey-based and plant-based. We've tested many protein shakes for taste and nutritional value to help you determine which ones are worth your money.If protein powders are more up your alley,these are some of our favoritesfor mixing at home. Owyn, pronounced "oh-win," stands for Only What You Need and is a plant-based protein shake that is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. Besides gluten and dairy, it's also free of the rest of the top eight allergens like soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish. I first tried Owyn about a year ago and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor and quality of the beverage. I tried it again recently and dark chocolate is still one of my favorite flavors because it tastes like a chocolate dessert without having a lot of sugar or the bad aftertaste some protein beverages can have.If you're vegan, then you know you have to put in a little more effort to meet your protein requirements. Owyn's standard protein shakes have 20 grams of protein, but it also has a line of Pro Elite High Protein Shakes, which have 35 grams of protein per bottle. These are a good option if you're looking for a midday snack or when you need a quick protein source after a workout. I'm lactose intolerant and can have a sensitive stomach when trying new supplements, but I had no issues with Owyn. It should be a safe choice if you're sensitive to dairy or have gluten or nut allergies.ProsCreamy and full-bodied flavorNo bad aftertasteVariety of flavorsConsIt's expensive for a 12-pack online or on AmazonThere aren't as many flavor options under the Pro Elite High Protein line Editor's note, Aug. 1, 2022:Premier Protein's parent company Lyons Magnus voluntarily recalled some lots of its chocolate, vanilla and cafe latte cartons.See the details of the recall.Premier Protein has made itself a household name and is probably one of the most popular brands you'll see on store shelves. This shake is whey-based and contains 30 grams of protein per serving. If you are sensitive to whey protein, I would opt for a plant-based protein shake or powder instead. I didn't have any gastric issues when I tested Premier Protein, but I could see someone with a more acute case of lactose intolerance or someone sensitive to certain artificial sweeteners potentially experiencing some discomfort.My favorite flavor from this line was a chocolate peanut butter protein shake because it tastes like Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in liquid form. The flavor profile tastes rich enough that you feel like you're drinking a sugar-packed dessert, but in reality, it has only one gram of sugar.I've used Premier Protein as a protein shake to hold me over in between meals, and it gets the job done thanks to its protein profile.ProsA quick way to get protein while on the goVarious flavor optionsTastes like dessertConsArtificial sweeteners could potentially upset some stomachsThe carton's construction could be more durable $32 at Amazon If you're looking for a plant-based protein shake that has a smooth profile and is creamy and flavorful, then you'll love Ripple's protein shakes. It's available in vanilla, chocolate and coffee flavors and features 20 grams of protein per bottle. Ripple's vegan protein comes from pea protein, and compared to other plant-based proteins on this list is slightly higher in calories (200 calories per serving) and sugar (9 grams per serving).I tried each of the flavors Ripple has available and I was pleased with the way the brand managed to make an on-the-go plant-based shake that doesn't have a gritty texture or lingering aftertaste. Even some plant-based powders I've tried in the past had a less impressive profile than the shakes Ripple has to offer. The sweetener used in this shake is derived from monk fruit, which surprised me because I wouldn't have known had I not read the nutritional label. I've tried other products that include the same sweetener and it's more detectable.I would love to see Ripple expand its plant-based shake selection by adding ones that have extra protein and new flavors. Although it's more of a challenge to have high-protein options with plant-based protein, it's still possible as Huel has figured out how to do it.ProsPerfect on the goFlavors are creamy and richAvailable through third-party retailersConsOnly three flavors are availableSugar is a little high side for a protein shake Other protein shakes we tried Kate FarmsEditor's note, Aug. 11, 2022:Kate Farms parent company Lyons Magnus voluntarily recalled some of its pediatric, standard beverages and nutrition shakes.See the details of the recall.Kate Farms uses organic yellow pea protein in its plant-based shakes that are free of gluten, soy, dairy and artificial sweeteners. I loved how creamy and delicious these protein shakes were. They're higher in calories (330 calories), which isn't a problem since it's considered a meal replacement beverage, not just a protein shake. This product almost made the best list, but it fell short in one important area: It only has 16 grams of protein per serving compared to the other plant-based brands, which have at least 20 grams of protein. If Kate Farms reworked its formula to include 20 grams or more of protein, it would've easily made the best list.Orgain Organic Nutrition ShakeI'm familiar with Orgain's plant-based protein powders because I've had them in the past. I had never tried its shakes before, and they fell short for me. I really wanted to like them, but they had an aftertaste that their powders normally don't have, and even the creamy chocolate fudge flavor (that I usually like) didn't taste the same to me. If it were up to me, I'd stick to Orgain in powder form and mix it with my dairy-free milk of choice as I normally do.Iconic Life Protein DrinkThis whey-based protein shake was not a hit for me as I could not get past the artificial taste. I often enjoy vanilla flavors, but I was not a fan of this version of vanilla protein. The chocolate flavor was slightly better, but ultimately the mix of sweeteners was not the right fit for me.

How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Tuesdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Its fitting that the very first day of the year should also be Wordle Wednesday, the day of the week where we spice things up with an extra riddle or brain-teaser to solve. Heres your first riddle of the year:It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt.It lies behind stars and under hills,And empty holes it fills.It comes out first and follows after,Ends life, kills laughter.Ill post the answer here tomorrow. In the meantime, Happy New Years!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: The audacity!The Clue: This Wordle has a double letter.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainPlay Puzzles & Games on ForbesWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. I opened with YEARS for obvious reasons and it wasnt terribly by any means. 54 words remained and I had a green and a yellow box. MERIT only slashed that number to 7, but I got lucky with my thirdand finalguess. NERVE for the win!Competitive Wordle ScoreI get 1 point for guessing in three and another point for beating the Bot, who took four tries today. Huzzah! 2 points to end the year!How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word "nerve" comes from the Latin nervus, meaning "sinew" or "tendon," which also referred to strength, vigor, and the physical cords in the body. This, in turn, traces back to the Greek neuron (), meaning "sinew, tendon, or cord," and later, "nerve" in the anatomical sense.The metaphorical use of nerve to signify courage or boldness (e.g., "having the nerve") emerged in the 18th century, evolving from the association of physical strength to inner fortitude.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Calvin Kattar (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWho said New Years Eve was an off day for combat sports news?On Tuesday, we saw a steady flood of information roll in on fights scheduled for the first quarter of 2025. A few of these bouts will likely be main or co-main events for upcoming cards.Youssef Zalal is getting an opportunity to take a huge step toward title contention in the UFCs featherweight division. On Tuesday, he was a guest on the Jaxxon podcast and confirmed his next fight is against No. 10-ranked Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 102 on February 15.Few fighters in the featherweight division have been as hot as Zalal.After failing in his first stint with the UFC back in 2020, Zalal has rebounded with an impressive streak. Hes won six fights in a row, with the last three coming in the UFC. He now draws the veteran Kattar, who is in desperate need of a victory.Kattar has lost three in a row and four of his last five fights. A loss to Zalal may not push Kattar out of the rankings, but it will put him on the cusp of becoming unranked. Also on the UFC Vegas 102 card, Andre Petroski announced via his Instagram account that he will face Rodolfo Vieira.MORE FOR YOUMoving into March, UFC 313 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will feature Armen Petrosyan facing Brunno Ferreira in a fight likely destined for the prelims.The bout will be Petrosyans first since he was knocked out by Shara Magomedovs double spinning backfist in November at UFC 308. Ferreira and Petrosyan share something in common: both were stopped by someone named Magomedov at UFC 308. Ferreira fought valiantly on the same card but lost via submission to Abus Magomedov.Later in March, on the 29th at UFC Mexico, Joe Pyfer will clash with Kelvin Gastelum in what could be an explosive middleweight encounter. After another unsuccessful attempt at welterweight, Gastelum is coming back up to middleweight for the fight with Pfyer.Pyfer and Gastelum are among the most dangerous strikers in the division. The winner of this bout could earn Performance of the Night honors and secure one of the biggest early moments of the year.On the undercard, Yazmin Jauregui will face Dione Barbosa in a strawweight battle. Both women are coming off losses in their last fights. However, both still have an opportunity to move toward a ranking at 115 pounds.The winner will remain in the advancement section of the UFCs matchmaking. The loser will likely find themselves falling in the eyes of the promotions matchmakers.The MMA community is still awaiting some major details on the futures of Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Jon Jones, Belal Muhammad, Valentine Shevchenko, Alexandre Pantoja and others.For now, the fights that leaked on New Years Eve mixed with what we already know about UFC 311 and UFC 312 provide even more excitement for the promotion heading into the New Year.

Life on the International Space Station (ISS) is anything but ordinary. The microgravity conditions mean you spend most of your time floating around the place, and the views from the windows are special, to say the least. Popping outside requires donning protective clothing, and going to the bathroom is a more complicated process than back on terra firma.And due to the ISS orbiting Earth at around 17,000 mph, astronauts stationed there witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in every 24-hour period. So how will the current crew NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit, and Nick Hague, together with Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner know when to celebrate the arrival of 2025?Recommended VideosAs 2024 comes to a close today, the Exp 72 crew will see 16 sunrises and sunsets while soaring into the New Year. Seen here are several sunsets pictured over the years from the orbital outpost. pic.twitter.com/DdlvSCoKo1 International Space Station (@Space_Station) December 31, 2024Please enable Javascript to view this contentWell, when earthlings began living aboard the space station nearly a quarter of a century ago, space officials spent some time thinking about this very issue before settling on a solution. They decided to setthe clocks aboard the ISS to the Universal Time Clock (UTC), a time standard thats closely related to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone in London.RelatedIt means that a new year officially begins aboard the space-based laboratory at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) on January 31, which is midnight UTC/GMT. So as you read this, its already 2025 aboard the space station!Its true that each crew member may want to see in the new year according to the time zone of their home on Earth. But considering the U.S. and Russia have a total of 17 time zones between them, this could make for one very long party.What usually happens is that the astronauts select an agreed time and meet up for a celebration inside one of the stations many modules. Theyll enjoy some special food treats, though a champagne celebration is out of the question as alcohol isnt allowed on the ISS.Two astronauts who earlier this year never imagined theyd be in orbit on this special evening are American astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. The pair arrived at the ISS in June on the first crewed flight of the Starliner spacecraft. But several technical issues with the Starliner meant that for safety reasons, the vehicle had to return home without them. Williams and Wilmore are now expected to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in March. Its been quite an adventure for the pair, and seeing in a new year 250 miles above Earth will be surely be a memory theyll cherish forever.Editors Recommendations

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Given existing tariffs and whats in store from the Trump administration, youd be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.Recommended VideosIts still noteworthy to know that should Chinese giant BYD sell its most affordable EVs stateside, they would still be the least expensive EVs on the U.S. market, being priced under $25,000, even after the tariff.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThat makes the announcement from Faraday Future all the more exciting: The California start-up firm says it will provide a business update on two prototypes of its FX brand, the FX 5 and FX 6, at CES 2025.RelatedBack in September, Faraday told investors that the FX 5 would be priced somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000.Depending on the actual price, and the fate of existing federal tax credits, the FX 5 could effectively become the least expensive EV sold in the U.S.Currently, the Nissan Leaf EV, with a starting price of $28,140, remains the least expensive EV available stateside. Its also still eligible for a federal tax rebate of $3,750, bringing its effective price closer to $25,000, at least until January 20.The next-least-expensive EV is the 2025 Chevy Equinox, priced at $34,995 for the LT model with front-wheel drive (FWD). The Equinox EV qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which can bring the price down to $27,495.Tesla has also recently joined the fray toward affordability, with the automaker signaling the 2025 launch of a new sub-$30,000 model, including federal subsidies.However, the incoming Trump administration is reportedly planning to end the tax incentives on EVs.All these expected developments leave some wiggle room for Faraways FX 5 to offer the lowest price point to win the title of most affordable EV in the U.S.And if the FX 5 were to be priced at or below $25,000, it could even rub shoulders with BYDs least expensive EVs.Editors Recommendations

This summer, controversies around 'It Ends with Us' overshadowed the film's press tour.Fans criticized Blake Lively's promotion methods and speculated she and costar Justin Baldoni had fallen out.Four months later, Lively filed a sexual-harassment complaint against Baldoni.The "It Ends With Us" press tour this summer was overshadowed by rumor and speculation.Ahead of the film's release in August, fans suspected a feud between lead star Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, her costar and director.Some blamed Lively without knowing what caused their apparent falling out and criticized her on social media.The film survived the backlash and became one of the biggest hits of the summer, grossing $350 million worldwide.Over the weekend, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni.Here's everything we know about the situation.Baldoni did not interact with other cast members at press events. Blake Lively with Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Tammy Reynolds, and Brandon Sklenar at the New York premiere of "It Ends With Us." John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images Fans suspected that something was amiss when Baldoni and Lively didn't interact during the press tour, despite playing partners in the film.Lively teamed up with costars Brandon Sklenar and Isabela Ferrer for press events and with Colleen Hoover, the author of the book the film is based on, for interviews and TV spots. Meanwhile, Baldoni did a lot of solo press.Even when they both attended the New York premiere on August 6, they were not photographed together.Lively posed with her castmates, Hoover, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman, his "Deadpool & Wolverine" costar. Meanwhile, Baldoni was only photographed with his wife and some of the other producers who worked on the film.While speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the carpet at the New York premiere, Baldoni explained why he was stepping back from the limelight. Justin Baldoni did not pose for photographs with his castmates at the New York premiere of "It Ends With Us." He skipped the London premiere altogether. John Nacion/Getty Images "This isn't my night this is a night for all the women who we made this movie for," he said." This is a night for Blake, this is a night for Colleen. I'm just so grateful that we're here, five years in the making."Regardless of his comments, fans theorized about the potential drama between the two on social media.This speculation intensified after a user on the r/ColleenHoover subreddit posted on August 6 that Lively and Hoover do not follow Baldoni on Instagram. Fans also noticed that the film's other stars, including Sklenar, Ferrer, and Jenny Slate, Justin Baldoni and Colleen Hoover seemed to be on good terms during the movie's production in 2023. Jojo Whilden/Sony Pictures Ent. Business Insider could not verify whether they previously followed him.For his part, Baldoni followed all of them except Hoover.Fans wondered if the apparent beef was one-sided or if Baldoni was at the center of a wider fracture, especially since, during pre-production, Hoover and Baldoni appeared on each other's Instagram feeds multiple times.Adding to this theory was a clip of Slate seemingly sidestepping a question about Baldoni at the movie's New York premiere. Asked about having Baldoni as both a scene partner and a director, she responded by not mentioning Baldoni and instead speaking about how "intense" it must be to do both jobs.News reports fueled the speculation. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni filming a scene from "It Ends With Us" in May 2023. Gotham/GC Images/Getty Images The Hollywood Reporter on August 8, citing unnamed sources, reported that the feud on set originated when two movie cuts emerged during the postproduction process.Multiple sources told the outlet that Lively commissioned one of the cuts to be done by "Deadpool & Wolverine" editor Shane Reid.However, the film's final cut was credited to editors Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan.It's unclear if Reid's cut was used in the film version that showed in theaters, but according to one source who spoke to THR, the team agreed on the final cut.A day later, Page Six reported, citing an anonymous source, that the two stars didn't see eye-to-eye while shooting the movie. Page Six reported that one source said Baldoni made Lively feel "uncomfortable" about her postpartum body during filming."It's not just Blake. None of the cast enjoyed working with Justin," the source was quoted as stating. "They certainly didn't talk to him at the premiere."On August 13,Peoplereported that a source close to the set said, "All is not what it seems," and that the principal cast and Hoover didn't want anything to do with Baldoni.Fans turn on Lively. Blake Lively at the New York Premiere for "It Ends With Us." Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images Many fans blamed Lively for the feud, accusing her of trying to take over the film.This theory was supported by Baldoni and Lively's interviews in the lead-up to the movie's premiere.On August 9, Baldoni told Today that Lively and Reynolds, who was not a producer on the film, contributed significantly to it."You can't summarize Blake's contribution in a sentence, because her energy and imprint is all over the movie and really, really made the film better, and from beginning to end," Baldoni said.Baldoni also said he struggled to balance allowing collaboration and having his voice drowned out entirely.He said: "You don't have to listen to everybody, and that didn't happen all the time, but there were just moments where I would get out of the way too much."Baldoni said Lively should take over as director to adapt the sequel to the "It Ends With Us" novel, "It Starts with Us."Meanwhile, Lively told E! News on August 7 that Reynolds helped pen the opening scene of "It Ends With Us."The film's screenwriter Christy Hal told People a day later that she wasn't aware that Reynolds had written some of the dialogue used in the final version of the script."When I saw a cut, I was like, 'Oh, that's cute. That must have been a cute improvised thing,'" Hall said. "So if I'm being told that Ryan wrote that, then great, how wonderful."Fans' other grievance was about how Lively promoted the movie.The film is about a florist whose husband becomes abusive, and fans criticized Lively for speaking about the film's romantic elements during the press tour and less about the domestic abuse plot. This was in line with the film's marketing.Baldoni was the only cast member who consistently spoke about the domestic abuse element.Baldoni recruited a PR crisis manager who represented Johnny Depp against Amber Heard.The Hollywood Reporter reported on August 13 that the actor hired veteran PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan, who represented Johnny Depp during the Amber Heard trial in 2022.Nathan launched her agency in 2024, specializing in crisis communications and reputation management.A clip of Lively acting hostile toward a reporter in a 2016 interview resurfaced amid the 'It Ends With Us' drama.Journalist Kjersti Flaa released a clip of an interview with Blake Lively on August 10, titled "The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job.""It actually took me a while to get over the experience," Flaa told Business Insider in an email on August 19."Every time I entered a room after this I got nervous that something similar might happen again," she wrote.Lively's costar put out a statement asking people to stop focusing on 'what may or may not have happened.'Sklenar, who plays Lively's other love interest in "It Ends With Us," spoke out about the backlash toward the film in an Instagram post on August 20."Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about," he said."This film is meant to inspire. It's meant to validate and recognize," Sklenar added. "It is not meant to once again, make women the 'bad guy,' let's move beyond that together."Representatives for Baldoni, Lively, Reynolds, Hoover, and Sklenar did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment. Blake Lively at the 2024 Beauty Inc Awards held in December 2024. Katie Jones / Beauty Inc via Getty Images On December 20, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, inflicting "emotional distress," and conspiring to damage her public reputation.The complaint also named Wayfarer Studios, Baldoni's production company, and Jamey Heath, the company's CEO, as two of the 11 defendants in a legal complaint.In the complaint, Lively said an all-hands meeting about Baldoni and Heath's behavior on set was held in January 2023. She accused him of showing her nude videos and images of women, improvising kissing scenes or intimate scenes, and entering her trailer while she was naked.Lively said she held the meeting for all the female cast members and requested that an intimacy coordinator be hired.Lively said Heath and Baldoni responded by orchestrating a "multi-tiered" plan to "destroy" her public reputation and stop her or anyone else from speaking out about what happened on set.Lively said Baldoni hired the crisis PR, Nathan, and a Texas-based contractor named Jed Wallace, both defendants in the complaint, ahead of the film's premiere to carry out this plan. She said it involved feeding theories on social media to shift the narrative against Lively.She also claims in the complaint that the cast agreed to a marketing plan created by the film's distributor, Sony Pictures Entertainment, to avoid talking about the sad parts of the movie, which Baldoni broke away from."What the public did not know was that Mr. Baldoni and his team did so to explain why many of the Film's cast and crew had unfollowed Mr. Baldoni on social media and were not appearing with him in public," the complaint said.Baldoni's attorney said Lively blamed Baldoni in the hope of improving her reputation. Justin Baldoni in August 2024. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios, told BI in a statement: "It is shameful that Ms. Lively and her representatives would make such serious and categorically false accusations against Mr. Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and its representatives, as yet another desperate attempt to 'fix' her negative reputation, which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film; interviews and press activities that were observed publicly, in real time and unedited, which allowed for the internet to generate their own views and opinions."Freedman said Nathan was hired because Lively made multiple demands and threatened not to show up to set or promote the film if they were not met.A representative for Lively referred BI to a statement shared with The New York Times on Saturday: "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted."In the following days, Hoover and other stars react to the lawsuit.Lively's costars from 2005's "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel shared a joint statement supporting Lively after she made the complaint.Hoover and Sklenar, who worked on "It Ends With Us," seemed to both throw their support behind Lively by sharing her links to her allegations on their Instagram stories."@blakelively, you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met," Hoover wrote in her story post. "Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt."The complaint has affected Baldoni's career. Justin Baldoni's Voices of Solidarity Award has been rescinded. Bryan Bedder / Getty Images for Vital Voices Global Partnership On Saturday, The New York Times reported that Ari Emanuel, chief executive of the parent company that owns Baldoni's talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, said the agency had stopped representing him.On December 9, before the complaint was released, Vital Voices, a nonprofit organization that supports women leaders, awarded Baldoni the Voices of Solidarity Award to honor his advocacy work for women.On December 23, Vital Voices said in a statement on their website that they had rescinded the award."The communications among Mr. Baldoni and his publicists included in the lawsuit and the PR effort they indicate are, alone, contrary to the values of Vital Voices and the spirit of the Award," the statement read.Baldoni's lawyer said the actor plans to file a counter-suit that will 'shock everyone.' The attorney Bryan Freedman is representing Justin Baldoni. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images On Saturday, The Daily Mail reported that Baldoni and Heath, the Wayfarer Studios CEO, and publicists identified in Lively's complaint planned to file a countersuit on January 2. The outlet reported the countersuit would claim that Lively's PR team in fact smeared Baldoni, and WhatsApp messages used in the complaint were taken out of context.Leslie Sloane, founder of Vision PR that represents Lively, told Deadline: "It's clear that Mr. Baldoni and his Wayfarer Associates are suggesting that I originated press stories about HR complaints on set, which is false. Please read Ms. Lively's Complaint and the Complaint filed by Jonesworks LLC and Stephanie Jones, which provides the details of the campaign against my client."Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney, told Deadline on Saturday: "I am not going to speak to when or how many lawsuits we are filing but when we file our first lawsuit, it is going to shock everyone who has been manipulated into believing a demonstrably false narrative."It will be supported by real evidence and tell the true story. In over 30 years of practicing, I have never seen this level of unethical behavior intentionally fueled through media manipulation."Freedman and Sloane did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.Baldoni and others filed a lawsuit against The New York Times Baldoni and others filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times. Araya Doheny/Variety via Getty Images Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, and others mentioned in a New York Times story that detailed Lively's accusations against Baldoni filed a lawsuit against the newspaper on December 31, Variety first reported.The lawsuit, which was obtained by BI, said the Times' story, which was published December 21, "relied almost entirely on Lively's unverified and self-serving narrative." It also accused the Times of "disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives."The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, contained screenshots of messages that it said contradicted the Times' reporting.In a statement provided to BI, a Times spokesperson said the paper stood by its reporting and would "vigorously defend against the lawsuit.""Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and at length in the article," the statement said.The spokesperson also said Baldoni and other subjects of the article "have not pointed to a single error" and that the outlet published their full statement responding to the allegations.In a statement provided to BI after Baldoni's lawsuit was filed, Freedman, the plaintiffs' lawyer, said Lively had orchestrated a "vicious smear campaign" and that the Times "cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful 'untouchable' Hollywood elites."Freedman also said that in addition to the Times they would sue "those individuals who have abused their power to try and destroy the lives of my clients."In a statement provided to BI about Baldoni's suit against the Times, lawyers for Lively said: "Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything about the claims advanced in Ms. Lively's California Civil Rights Department Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today."Lively filed her own lawsuit in New York Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, The Hollywood Reporter said. ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images The same day Baldoni filed his lawsuit against the Times, Lively filed a lawsuit against him, Wayfarer, and others in New York federal court, The Hollywood Reporterfirst reported.Representatives for Lively said the lawsuit, which was obtained by BI, was based on the legal complaint Lively previously filed with the California Civil Rights Department. The lawsuit accuses Baldoni and his PR team of engaging in a campaign to retaliate against her for speaking out about sexual misconduct."Unfortunately, Ms. Lively's decision to speak out has resulted in further retaliation and attacks," her lawyers said in a statement provided to BI. "As alleged in Ms. Lively's federal Complaint, Wayfarer and its associates have violated federal and California state law by retaliating against her for reporting sexual harassment and workplace safety concerns."Representatives for Baldoni and Wayfarer did not address the lawsuit filed by Lively when reached by BI.

Yung-Yu Lin uses Google Search alerts to stay informed about company news before interviews.Sarra Bounouh suggests making separate lists of questions for the hiring manager and team leader.Anthony Mays advises creating unique project portfolios to stand out.In his two-decade tech career, Yung-Yu Lin worked in Taiwan and the US, in hardware, software engineering, and product management roles.Through career and company changes, preparing for interviews has been key, the senior product manager at Google told Business Insider."When you get to the interview, people always get nervous it doesn't matter who you are," Lin said. "The only thing you can control is just trying to practice and get yourself a little bit more familiar with the interview process."He and two other tech employees from Meta and Google shared their top tips to prepare before heading into an important Big Tech interview:Mock interviews Yung-Yu Lin worked at Yahoo, Meta, and PayPal before moving to Google. Yung-Yu Lin Lin said that one of his top strategies is to do mock interviews with peers.He uses career-building platforms such as"I scheduled four different mock interviews with other candidates also trying to apply for jobs at Google," Lin said.Lin said it was helpful because he not only got a second opinion on his own answers, but also learned from his partner.Subscribe to company newsTo have a good discussion, and to be able to ask informed questions at the end of his interviews, Lin said he sets up Google Search alerts for the company at which he is interviewing."Before the interview, I would take a look at whatever happening in the past week and if there is any significant or big change, I ask interviewers or ask recruiters what does that mean for the company or for the industry," he said.That shows you are interested in both the company and trends in the domain, Lin added.Plan a list of questions Sarra Bounouh joined Meta earlier this year. Sarra Bounouh Sarra Bonouh, a product manager at Meta who has worked at Accenture, Microsoft, and Snap, said that she prepares a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview.Her questions change based on whether the interviewer is in a leadership position or a hiring manager.For a leader:What is the strategy of the team and the company? How do this team's objectives and key results fit into the overall mission and strategy of the company?What do you have in mind for the team in the next six months and the next 12 months?What would make the person in the role that you're hiring for stand out?For a hiring manager:Who are the people someone in this role will be working closely with?What does success mean for this role?Tell me about a project the team worked on recently and the impact it had?"I like this question a lot because it helps me evaluate the scope of work that the team has," she said about the last question. "This one I ask actually to all of the hiring managers."Prepare a portfolio Anthony Mays worked at Google for eight years before starting his own consultancy. Anthony Mays Anthony D. Mays, who worked at Google for eight years before becoming a tech career consultant in 2022, said that it's key to prepareHe said there'saHe suggests creating a portfolio of coding projects on Github or other platforms that emulate what the role entails in real life and talking about them in interviews."Pretend that you're working for a real company with a team of other engineers," he said. "Nowadays, I encourage my clients to build portfolio projects in pairs or with a team of other people, and to think about how you build within a team, because that is the thing that hiring managers and recruiters are looking for."