FalcomTable of ContentsTable of ContentsThe Ys impactMore than a new coat of paintIn the late 1990s and early 2000s, Nintendo dominated the handheld gaming landscape with its Gameboy and DS hardware lines. Sony entered the fray with the formidable PlayStation Portable in 2004. The handheld received robust first-party and third-party support during its lifespan, and its power meant it could handle games that Nintendo couldnt.Amid that development craze, Sonys handhelds received a handful of games that were surprisingly crucial spinoffs to larger franchises. Imagine playing Final Fantasy VII Remake, seeing the black-haired Zack Fair, and not knowing who he is because you never played the original PlayStation Portable game where he was the protagonist, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. With the PSP long dead, leaving so many games stuck on unsupported hardware, important pieces of franchise history have been lost to time.Recommended VideosThankfully, thats changing. In recent years, many Japanese developers have been porting their old PSP games to modern platforms. That included a remaster of Crisis Corethat bridged the gap between Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. This year, the PSP revival will continue with multiple ports, but a big one for RPG fans kicks off 2025. Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana brings a PSP remake of a classic action-RPG back to modern consoles. Its not just a win for fans of Falcoms niche series; its a way to keep another chapter of a long-running story from getting lost.Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana follows a young man named Adol Cristin who journeys across the world in search of new adventures. Apart from the first two games in the series, which are direct continuations of each other, the other Ys games are self-contained and scattered out of chronological order. For example, The Oath in Felghana is the third game in the Ys series, but the sixth chronologically (out of 11 so far). It sits between Ys IV: Memories of Celceta and Ys V: Kefin, the Lost Kingdom of Sand.FalcomWhile its not too important to play the Ys games in chronological order, its still helpful to know the timeline for other details. For example, Adols friend, Dogi, accompanies him on most of his adventures. But hes not present in Ys V. Why? Well, the ending of The Oath in Felghana explains that exact context. In fact, Ys V is the only game in the series that hasnt gotten an official localization so far. If it ever gets one, then that makes Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana even more important as a remaster to all fans, both old and new.Another one of Falcoms franchises, Trails, previously suffered from a timeline issue. The Crossbell Duology was integral to the series canon, as characters from it appeared in later entries, and new players were often confused as to who they were. Falcom finally remastered the two games 11 years after the original PSPs release date. Now, Trails players dont have to miss any story context as they play subsequent entries in the series.The Ys series is often credited for pioneering the action-RPG genre in Japan back in the 1980s. But how come it doesnt have the same amount of popularity as other franchises that debuted back then, like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest? One of the many explanations is the franchises fragmented platform distribution, especially on consoles and handhelds.Modern mainline Final Fantasy games have always found their homes on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, while Ys games jump all over the place. All of them are on PC, while some are on PSP, Vita, PS4, PS5, and Switch. The only Ys game that the Xbox has is the prequel. For those who want to get into the Ys series, youll need a chart, which can be intimidating for new fans.FalcomBy releasing remasters of older games onto more platforms, that increases the accessibility of the series and lessens the confusion over which games are available on which platform. The PSP digital storefront was shut down in 2021, and only a few select digital PSP games are backward compatible on the Vita. So the ease of access that Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana provides cant be understated.Along with providing extra story context to an ongoing series, the remasters of these PSP games are another chance to add new gameplay features, quality-of-life changes, and accessibility features.One of the reasons why I was excited for Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana and other PSP ports like Crisis Core Reunion was the inclusion of Trophies on PlayStation. PSP games dont have Trophy support, so thats why when I played the original, I was fine with just a single playthrough. I saw the story to the end, and there was nothing left for me to experience. The Memoire version, however, adds difficulty-related Trophies for me to unlock, encouraging me to do multiple playthroughs.While the Trophy list is just the same as the PC achievements list on Steam, Memoire also adds a new Turbo Mode which dramatically speeds up the game so that I can blaze through dungeons Ive already completed during my first playthrough, decreasing the time needed to complete subsequent runs.FalcomThe PSP era was a time where larger developers could create smaller and more creative spinoff games of their iconic console franchises. But for smaller developers like Falcom, it was a home where they could cultivate an audience for their games that didnt necessarily fit anywhere else. But in the modern era, PSP games serve a different purpose as theyre necessary to understand the lore of fabled franchises, thus facilitating their remasters.With the release of Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana, Im hoping the other Ys games on PSP will get the Memoire Treatment as well. Id love to play Ys Seven with Trophy support, and I certainly dont want to shell out exorbitant eBay prices for a UMD (universal media disc) of Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim.Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana launches on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on January 7.Editors Recommendations

Weve been talking about Samsung Galaxy S25 rumors for months and months. Now, we finally have some official news from Samsung about its latest smartphones.Today, Samsung confirmed that its next Unpacked event will take place on Wednesday, January 22, in San Jose, California. Samsung doesnt mention the Galaxy S25 series by name, but it does confirm that itll announce the new Galaxy S series at this months Unpacked.Recommended VideosThe invite reads: Get ready for AI that is more natural and intuitive. The next evolution of Galaxy AI is coming and its going to change the way you interact with the world every day. The new Galaxy S series is about to set the bar once again for mobile AI experiences now and into the future.Please enable Javascript to view this contentSamsung has also shared its official event invite photo, as seen below. It appears to show the corners of four phones touching each other, potentially hinting at the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the fabled Galaxy S25 Slim. Rumors have been hit or miss about whether well see the S25 Slim at this Unpacked or if itll be revealed later in the year, but this event invite seems to suggest well at least get a tease of the phone this month.SamsungWere expecting pretty tame upgrades for the S25 and S25 Plus. The S25 Ultra is expected to get a slightly refreshed design, though nothing too groundbreaking. The Galaxy S25 Slim stands to be the most interesting of the bunch, creating a fourth entry in Samsungs S25 family with an emphasis on an ultra-thin design.RelatedIn typical fashion, this Unpacked event will be live-streamed on Samsungs website and YouTube channel, kicking off at 10 a.m. PT on January 22.Starting today, Samsung is also opening its Reserve promotion to help you get a head start on your Galaxy S25 shopping. Now through January 22, you can visit Samsungs website and enter your email address to get a $50 credit toward the Galaxy S25 if you preorder it later this month. Additionally, youll be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 Samsung gift card.Editors Recommendations

Grimmis being resurrected at Peacock. Per Deadline, the streamer is developing a movie reboot of the NBC series Grimm, a drama that combined elements of a fantasy series with a police procedural.Drop Dead Diva creator Josh Berman is writing theGrimmreboot and producing alongside the original series creative team of David Greenwalt, Jim Kouf, Sean Hayes, and Todd Milliner. Plot details about the Grimmmovie are being kept under wraps. Deadlines report states the movie will have ties to the series for diehard fans and introduce new characters and mythology. If the movie becomes a success, it could launch a franchise.Recommended VideosIn the series, David Giuntoli starred as Nick Burkhardt, a Portland detective who discovers he comes from a long line of hunters known as Grimms. As a Grimm, Nicks job is to defend his world from mythological creatures known as Wesen. Nick must keep the balance between the real world and the supernatural community. Nick relies on his police partner, Detective Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby), and a Wesen named Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell).Grimm - Season 1 TrailerGrimms ensemble also starredAdalind Schade, Bitsie Tulloch, Sasha Roiz, Reggie Lee, and Bree Turner.Please enable Javascript to view this contentGrimmwas developed for television by Stephen Carpenter, Greenwalt, and Kouf. The series was inspired byGrimms Fairy Talesby the Brothers Grimm. The series premiered in 2011 and ran for six seasons on NBC. Grimm became a reliable show for the network as one of the highest-rated series on Friday night during its run. The series ended in 2017 after 123 episodes.Stream Grimm on Prime Video and Peacock.Editors Recommendations

Lots of noise Controversial fluoride analysis published after years of failed reviews 70 percent of studies included in the meta-analysis had a high risk of bias. Beth Mole Jan 6, 2025 7:07 pm | 7 Credit: Getty | MediaNews Group Credit: Getty | MediaNews Group Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreFederal toxicology researchers on Monday finally published a long-controversial analysis that claims to find a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and slightly lower IQs in children living in areas outside the US, mostly in China and India. As expected, it immediately drew yet more controversy.The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, is a meta-analysis, a type of study that combines data from many different studiesin this case, mostly low-quality studiesto come up with new results. None of the data included in the analysis is from the US, and the fluoride levels examined are at least double the level recommended for municipal water in the US. In some places in the world, fluoride is naturally present in water, such as parts of China, and can reach concentrations several-fold higher than fluoridated water in the US.The authors of the analysis are researchers at the National Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. For context, this is the same federal research program that published a dubious analysis in 2016 suggesting that cell phones cause cancer in rats. The study underwent a suspicious peer-review process and contained questionable methods and statistics.The new fluoride analysis shares similarities. NTP researchers have been working on the fluoride study since 2015 and submitted two drafts for peer review to an independent panel of experts at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2020 and 2021. The study failed its review both times. The National Academies' reviews found fault with the methods and statistical rigor of the analysis. Specifically, the reviews noted potential bias in the selection of the studies included in the analysis, inconsistent application of risk-of-bias criteria, lack of data transparency, insufficient evaluations of potential confounding, and flawed measures of neurodevelopmental outcomes, among other problems.After the failing reviews, the NTP selected its own reviewers and self-published the study as a monograph in August.High risk of biasThe related analysis published Monday looked at data from 74 human studies, 45 of which were conducted in China and 12 in India. Of the 74, 52 were rated as having a high risk of bias, meaning they had designs, study methods, or statistical approaches that could skew the results.The study's primary meta-analysis only included 59 of the studies: 47 with a high risk of bias and 12 with a low risk. This analysis looked at standardized mean differences in children's IQ between higher and lower fluoride exposure groups. Of the 59 studies, 41 were from China.Among the 47 studies with a high risk of bias, the pooled difference in mean IQ scores between the higher-exposure groups and lower-exposure groups was -0.52, suggesting that higher fluoride exposure lowered IQs. But, among the 12 studies at low risk for bias, the difference was slight overall, only -0.19. And of those 12 studies, eight found no link between fluoride exposure and IQ at all.Among 31 studies that reported fluoride levels in water, the NTP authors looked at possible IQ associations at three fluoride-level cutoffs: less than 4 mg/L, less than 2 mg/L, and less than 1.5 mg/L. Among all 31 studies, the researchers found that fluoride exposure levels of less than 4 mg/L and less than 2 mg/L were linked to statistically significant decreases in IQ. However, there was no statistically significant link at 1.5 mg/L. For context, 1.5 mg/L is a little over twice the level of fluoride recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency for US community water, which is 0.7 mg/L. When the NTP authors looked at just the studies that had a low risk of biasseven studiesthey saw the same lack of association with the 1.5 mg/L cutoff.The NTP authors also looked at IQ associations in 20 studies that reported urine fluoride levels and again split the analysis using the same fluoride cutoffs as before. While there did appear to be a link with lower IQ at the highest fluoride level, the two lower fluoride levels had borderline statistical significance. Ten of the 20 studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias, and for just those 10, the results were similar to the larger group.CriticismThe inclusion of urinary fluoride measurements is sure to spark criticism. For years, experts have noted that these measurements are not standardized, can vary by day and time, and are not reflective of a person's overall fluoride exposure.In an editorial published alongside the NTP study today, Steven Levy, a public health dentist at the University of Iowa, blasted the new analysis, including the urinary sample measurements."There is scientific consensus that the urinary sample collection approaches used in almost all included studies (ie, spot urinary fluoride or a few 24-hour samples, many not adjusted for dilution) are not valid measures of individuals long-term fluoride exposure, since fluoride has a short half-life and there is substantial variation within days and from day to day," Levy wrote.Overall, Levy reiterated much of the same concerns from the National Academies' reviews, noting the study's lack of transparency, the reliance on highly biased studies, questionable statistics, and questionable exclusion of newer, higher-quality studies, which have found no link between water fluoridation and children's IQ. For instance, one exclusion was a 2023 study out of Australia that found "Exposure to fluoridated water during the first 5 [years] of life was not associated with altered measures of child emotional and behavioral development and executive functioning." A 2022 study out of Spain similarly found no risk of prenatal exposure."Taking these many important concerns together, readers are advised to be very cautious in drawing conclusions about possible associations of fluoride exposures with lower IQ," Levy concluded. "This is especially true for lower water fluoride levels."Another controversial studyBut, the debate on water fluoridation is unlikely to recede anytime soon. In a second editorial published alongside the NTP study, other researchers praised the analysis, calling for health organizations and regulators to reassess fluoridation."The absence of a statistically significant association of water fluoride less than 1.5 mg/L and childrens IQ scores in the dose-response meta-analysis does not exonerate fluoride as a potential risk for lower IQ scores at levels found in fluoridated communities," the authors argue, noting there are additional sources of fluoride, such as toothpaste and foods.The EPA estimates that 40 to 70 percent of people's fluoride exposure comes from water.Two of the three authors of the second editorialChristine Till and Bruce Lanphearwere authors of a highly controversial 2019 study out of Canada suggesting that fluoride intake during pregnancy could reduce children's IQ. The authors even suggested that pregnant people should reduce their fluoride intake. But, the study, also published in JAMA Pediatrics, only found a link between maternal fluoride levels and IQ in male children. There was no association in females.The study drew heavy backlash, with blistering responses published in JAMA Pediatrics. In one response, UK researchers essentially accused Till and colleagues of a statistical fishing expedition to find a link."[T]here was no significant IQ difference between children from fluoridated and nonfluoridated communities and no overall association with maternal urinary fluoride (MUFSG). The authors did not mention this and instead emphasized the significant sex interaction, where the association appeared for boys but not girls. No theoretical rationale for this test was provided; in the absence of a study preregistration, we cannot know whether it was planned a priori. If not, the false-positive probability increases because there are many potential subgroups that might show the result by chance."Other researchers criticized the study's statistics, lack of data transparency, the use of maternal urine sampling, and the test they used to assess the IQ of children ages 3 and 4.Beth MoleSenior Health ReporterBeth MoleSenior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technicas Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 7 Comments

RIP The end of an era: Dell will no longer make XPS computers Dell won't make Precision or Inspiron PCs anymore, either. Scharon Harding Jan 6, 2025 2:45 pm | 48 A Dell XPS. Credit: Scharon Harding A Dell XPS. Credit: Scharon Harding Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAfter ditching the traditional Dell XPS laptop look in favor of the polarizing design ofthe XPS 13 Plus released in 2022, Dell is killing the XPS branding that has become a mainstay for people seeking a sleek, respectable, well-priced PC.This means that there won't be any more Dell XPS clamshell ultralight laptops, 2-in-1 laptops, or desktops. Dell is also killing its Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision branding, it announced today.Moving forward, Dell computers will have either just Dell branding, which Dells announcement today described as designed for play, school, and work, Dell Pro branding for professional-grade productivity, or be Dell Pro Max products, which are designed for maximum performance." Dell will release Dell and Dell Pro-branded displays, accessories, and "services," it said. The Pro Max line will feature laptops and desktop workstations with professional-grade GPU capabilities as well as a new thermal design.Dell claims its mid-tier Pro line emphasizes durability, withstanding three times as many hinge cycles, drops, and bumps from regular use as competitor devices. The statement is based on internal analysis of multiple durability tests performed" on the Dell Pro 14 Plus (released today) and HP EliteBook 640 G11 laptops conducted in November. Also based on internal testing conducted in November, Dell claims its Pro PCs boost "airflow by 20 percent, making these Dells quietest commercial laptops ever.Within each line are base models, Plus models, and Premium models. In a blog post, Kevin Terwilliger, VP and GM of commercial, consumer, and gaming PCs at Dell, explained that Plus models offer the most scalable performance and Premium models offer "the ultimate in mobility and design.By those naming conventions, old-time Dell users could roughly equate XPS laptops with new Dell Premium products.The Dell portfolio will expand later this year to include more AMD and Snapdragon X Series processor options," Terwilliger wrote. "We will also introduce new devices in the base tier, which offers everyday devices that provide effortless use and practical design, and the Premium tier, which continues the XPS legacy loved by consumers and prosumers alike."Meanwhile, Dell Pro base models feel like Dells now-defunct Latitude lineup, while its Precision workstations may best align with 2025s Dell Pro Max offerings.Dell will maintain its Alienware line of gaming PCs and peripherals (Dell acquired Alienwarein 2006).Dells reasoningIn a press release, Dell looked to explain the changes, arguing that more unified branding will make it easier and faster to find the right PCs, accessories, and services.The new marketing tactics also align with Dell's (and virtually every other PC brands) efforts to push so-called AI PCs onto consumers. Per Terwilliger:The AI PC market is quickly evolving. Silicon innovation is at its strongest and everyone from IT decision makers to professionals and everyday users are looking at on-device AI to help drive productivity and creativity. To make finding the right AI PC easy for customers, weve introduced three simple product categories to focus on core customer needsKeen eyes may have seen this coming. In addition to overhauling the XPS lineup to a polarizing designincluding a borderless haptic touchpad, lattice-free keyboard, and capacitive touch function rowin early 2024, Dell also discontinued the XPS 17, XPS 15, and XPS 2-in-1 detachable last year. The 2024 XPS laptop lineup: 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch. Credit: Scharon Harding The 2024 XPS laptop lineup: 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch. Credit: Scharon Harding On the other hand, Dells XPS lines, as well as its business lines, have become popular go-tos for consumer and business users seeking reliable performance and pricing. For the unaffiliated, it may not have been immediately obvious why one should buy an XPS over a Latitude. But after a small amount of research and years of Dell pushing these differentiated lines, many technologists had become well accustomed to Dell's branding, what each line broadly represented, and the type of users each line targeted.The new product line names are also pretty similar to one another and to the naming of the sub-tiers. Moving to Standard, Pro, and Pro Max branding with Base, Plus, and Premium sub-tiers may not immediately convey which products are for consumers versus businesses, creative professionals, budget shoppers, or big spenders.Its also hard to immediately see how this new branding would help clarify the AI capabilities of computers. Simultaneously, people remain skeptical about the need for AI features in their computers at all. For example, a survey of 6,000 people in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom that Intel conducted in November found that 44 percent of respondents see AI PCs as a gimmick or futuristic technology," and 53 percent believe that AI PCs "are only for creatives or technical professionals. New, less imaginative branding is unlikely to clear those doubts.Scharon HardingSenior Technology ReporterScharon HardingSenior Technology Reporter Scharon is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer gadgets and services. She's been reporting on technology for over 10 years, with bylines at Toms Hardware, Channelnomics, and CRN UK. 48 Comments

Is this sparkling water, in the spirit of Dry January or something harder?Brent Hofacker/AlamyDry January, the challenge of going without alcohol for a month, is proving to be more popular than ever as millions sign up. Alcohol Change, the charity responsible for the campaign, hopes that people will reflect on their relationship with drink and go on to reduce their consumption beyond this month.But despite Dry January having run for more than a decade, there has been little independent evaluation of its effectiveness. For example, we dont know what happens when people reach the end

Perceptions of weakness dogged Jimmy Carter's presidency and legacy.Carter inherited a struggling economy and a US military adrift after Vietnam.But his administration played key parts in countering the Soviets and rising extremism.When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the man who received the most credit was Ronald Reagan. The Republican president's bellicose policies and tough rhetoric he called it an "evil empire" were seen as ultimately forcing the Soviets into an arms race they couldn't afford. And Reagan seemed particularly strong compared to his predecessor, Jimmy Carter.Almost from the start of his Democratic administration in 1977, Carter was criticized for being weak on national security. Never mind that he was an Annapolis graduate who served as a US Navy submarine officer, including being selected for duty on new nuclear-powered submarines. But these perceptions of his supposed weakness bear revisiting after his December 29 death, as Carter played key roles in countering the Soviets and Islamist extremists in the Middle East.Carter along with his predecessor Gerald Ford had the misfortune of inheriting a national security mess. The US military of the late 1970s was called the "hollow force:" Strong on paper but crippled by poor readiness, racial tensions, and unmotivated recruits who dabbled in drugs as the armed forces shifted to an all-volunteer force.Battered by inflation, soaring gas prices, and the lingering trauma of Vietnam, the American public was not inclined toward more war or defense spending. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union appeared to be at the height of its power, as Moscow fielded new missiles and tanks, and Soviet and Cuban forces intervened in the Angolan Civil War.Carter entered the White House with a moralist vision of foreign policy, the polar opposite of Richard Nixon's and Henry Kissinger's realpolitik. He wanted to emphasize human rights and international cooperation. But like previous high-minded presidents such as Harry S. Truman, he evolved into more of a hawk.Though he had campaigned in 1976 on a pledge to cut the defense budget, Carter oversaw a defense buildup that by 1980 called for a 14% annual budget increase (actually closer to 5% after inflation). This included new M1 tanks, cargo planes, a new ICBM (the MX, which was eventually canceled), and higher pay for military personnel.He also canceled what he saw as boondoggles, such as the B-1 bomber. He also ended the controversial neutron bomb project, a small nuclear weapon that produced more radiation than blast, and which detractors saw as the ultimate capitalist weapon (it "seems desirable to those who worry about property and hold life cheap," warned science-fiction author Isaac Asimov).In the pre-green energy days of the 1970s, securing the West's oil supply was paramount. Worried that 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan created a springboard for a Soviet invasion through Iran and Afghanistan to the oil-rich Persian Gulf, Carter laid down the "Carter Doctrine.""Let our position be absolutely clear," Carter warned in his State of the Union address on Jan. 23, 1980. "An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force." Carter's presidency and reelection campaign was dogged by the taking of American hostages at the US Embassy in Tehran. Most were held for 444 days. UPI via Getty Images The Carter administration created the Rapid Deployment Force, which could be dispatched to any crisis zone in the world (though it was really aimed at the Persian Gulf). On paper, it seemed a powerful force: the 82nd Airborne and 101st Airmobile Divisions, a Marine division and "light" Army divisions, all backed by Navy carriers and Air Force fighter wings. Yet critics questioned how rapid the RDF could be given limited transport capacity, and wondered how lightly armed paratroopers and Marines would fare in the desert against Soviet armor.Carter sought strategic arms control through the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union (he asked the Senate not to ratify the treaty after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan). Yet after Moscow deployed SS-20 intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Eastern Europe, Carter responded by calling for both diplomacy and US Pershing II missiles to be stationed in Western Europe.Carter's critics lambasted his emphasis on human rights, such as the Helsinki Accords, as hopelessly naive. Yet a focus on human rights spurred dissidents, such as the Solidarity movement in Poland, that ultimately weakened the Soviet empire. The Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt, dampened Soviet influence in the Middle East and turned Moscow's former client Egypt into an American ally.In the end, Carter fell victim to the perception that he was a weak president. His biggest albatross was Iran's 444-day seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran: even when Carter authorized a risky rescue mission, the botched operation to free 52 Americans failed.Against a vigorous and masterful communicator like Ronald Reagan, who touted military strength and confrontation with the Soviet Union as more than a necessity but a virtue, Carter appeared lacking. He was defeated by a landslide in the 1980 election.There were many reasons why the Soviet Union collapsed. The biggest cause was the decrepit Soviet economy; Mikhail Gorbachev and the new generation of Soviet leaders recognized it was not sustainable, but failed to reform it in time.To say that Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan were instrumental by themselves in defeating the Soviet Union would be an exaggeration. It is more accurate to say that Carter continued a tradition dating back to Truman and the early days of the Cold War of confronting the Soviet threat. Carter doesn't deserve all the credit, but he deserves his share.Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Norovirus cases are surging in the US at some of the highest levels in over a decade.More people are gathering together post-COVID, leading to a rise in cases from past years.Staying hydrated is the most important thing to do if you become sick.Norovirus, commonly called the stomach flu or the 24-hour bug, is on the rise across the US this winter.And Norovirus outbreaks which are most common from November to April have reached one of their highest levels from any time in the past 12 years, according to data from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.In its most recent data available, the CDC reported 91 norovirus outbreaks across the US for the first week of December the highest number of outbreaks for the same week since 2012, and the fourth-highest number of outbreaks recorded in any week of the year since 2012. The CDC defines an outbreak as "an occurrence of two or more similar illnesses resulting from a common exposure that is either suspected or laboratory-confirmed to be caused by norovirus."Here's what you need to know about norovirus:Norovirus symptoms, treatment, and preventionNorovirus presents itself much like food poisoning with a rapid onset of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain that generally lasts between one and three days. But there are a few key differences between the two.How it spreads: Once someone becomes exposed to norovirus which is spread through direct contact and can linger on surfaces for days or even weeks they can become infected within a day or two. The symptoms of food poisoning, on the other hand, will typically present much faster than that, in a matter of hours, said Dr. Shruti Gohil, a professor and the associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at the University of California, Irvine's School of Medicine.How to treat: Though the treatments for both might be similar drinking water, eating bland foods, taking anti-diarrheal medication Gohil told BI that when in doubt, you should act as if you have norovirus. That's because of how highly contagious norovirus is compared to food poisoning. Norovirus is one of the most contagious infections we know of, and to help prevent its spread, you need to be vigilant about washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces, she said.The most important thing to do if you're experiencing symptoms is to stay hydrated. When you're losing so much fluid, particularly if you can't keep any fluids down, there's a risk of dehydration, which can become life-threatening, Gohil said.Look for these symptoms as warning flags: If you reach the point of dizziness or light-headedness, Gohil said, then you may be dangerously dehydrated, and that's when you need to get yourself to an ER. When you get a headache, that's an early warning sign of dehydration and an indicator that you need to increase your fluid intake, she added.People who are very young, very old, or immunocompromised can have infections that last longer, and they may be at higher risk of dehydration.Pay special attention: Gohil also mentioned a few signs of dehydration to look out for in people who can't speak for themselves, like babies and nonverbal seniors. And that's if they cannot form tears, if their mouth looks dry, if they're despondent, or if they're not really reacting to you.Why norovirus is so bad this yearIn terms of the total number of norovirus outbreaks, Gohil said it's pretty bad this year.One of the main reasons for that, she said, is that more and more people are gathered together for the holiday season this year than they did in the last few years when COVID-19 was a more immediate concern."We've got more outbreaks, people are unmasked, people are engaging with each other, they're not cleaning their hands, clearly," Gohil said. "Cleaning and disinfection and all that stuff is down. And we need to shore those practices back up."Before the pandemic, there were also years when norovirus outbreaks spiked just like they are now, and fluctuations like this are normal, Gohil said.Everyone has an important role to play in helping prevent the spread of norovirus, Gohil said."You could literally, just by being careful yourself, save other people's lives indirectly. That's really, really important for people to understand, that you live in a community, " she said, "and that you have a responsibility to care, and to keep yourself clean, and keep others safe."In other words, wash your hands.

"Wolf Man"Julia Garner as Charlotte and Christopher Abbott as Blake in "Wolf Man." Universal Pictures Release date: January 17, 2025Universal is continuing to reinvent its vault of classic horror monsters with the "Wolf Man" remake.The first trailer for the film sees Blake (Christopher Abbott) move his family to his childhood home after his father's disappearance.Once they arrive, the family locks themselves inside the home after Blake gets attacked by a creature outside. He then begins to change into you guessed it a werewolf.It sounds pretty predictable, but director Leigh Whannell managed to weave a haunting level of relevance into "The Invisible Man" back in 2020, so we'll see if he has something special up his sleeve for "Wolf Man." "Companion"Sophie Thatcher stars in "Companion." Warner Bros. Pictures Release date: January 31, 2025The trailer for "Companion" is creepy and vague, giving virtually no indication of what the movie is about (other than a promise that it's "a new kind of love story"). That secrecy has certainly piqued interest in it.On top of the minimal plot details (a tactic that worked incredibly well for "Longlegs" at the box office), the pedigree behind this title is a big draw. It was produced by the filmmakers behind the buzzy 2022 horror hit "Barbarian," including director Zach Cregger, and stars "Yellowjackets" breakout Sophie Thatcher (also known for her horror roles in "The Boogeyman" and "Heretic") and "The Boys" actor Jack Quaid. "The Monkey"Theo James plays twin brothers in "The Monkey." Neon Release date: February 21, 2025After the unexpected success of "Longlegs" at the box office, fans don't have to wait very long for director Osgood Perkins' follow-up. He's re-teaming with again Neon (who snagged the film in a reportedly competitive deal) on "The Monkey," about twin brothers Hal and Bill (Theo James in dual roles) who are terrorized by their father's old toy monkey after finding it in the attic.As if the excitement over Perkins as a rising horror icon isn't enough, the movie is also an adaptation of a Stephen King story. "Sinners"Michael B. Jordan and Miles Caton in "Sinners." Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Release Date: March 7, 2025Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's names alone should be enough to get anyone excited for "Sinners."Throw in the creepy trailer set in a small, seemingly post-WWII town beset by an evil force, plus Jordan playing a pair of twin brothers next to Hailee Steinfeld and Wunmi Mosaku, and the film easily earns its place on this list.It's rumored to be a vampire movie, but the footage cleverly hides its fangs if that's the case. "Sinners" seems to be a mystery box of sorts, considering that at the end of the trailer, a DJ and a boom-box can be seen in the crowd which obviously don't match the rest of the old-timey setting. "28 Years Later"Aaron Taylor Johnson and Alfie Williams in "28 Years Later." Sony Pictures Releasing Release date: June 20, 2025As the title might suggest, "28 Years Later" takes place several decades after Danny Boyle's game-changing "28 Days Later," which delivered a pulse-pounding vision of a modern zombie apocalypse.The haunting first trailer showed a rural community that survived the virus by living on an isolated British island. Two of those survivors are played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and teenage star Alfie Williams.In October, actor Ralph Fiennes teased that the film follows a young boy in northern England who goes looking for a doctor who can help his dying mother. "M3GAN 2.0"M3GAN in "M3GAN 2.0." Geoffrey Short/Universal Pictures Release date: June 27, 2025Get ready for more viral dances and brutal violence, because everyone's favorite killer robot toy is back in "M3GAN 2.0."Plot details are scarce, but Allison Williams and Violet McGraw are reprising their roles as Gemma and Cady, the aunt and niece who faced off with the malevolent doll in the first movie.Presumably, it'll involve M3GAN trying to replace Gemma as Cady's guardian following the violent ending to the first film. Regardless, Amie Donald is also returning to physically play the android, and Jenna Davis is voicing her again. "I Never Forget What You Did Last Summer" (rumored title)Jennifer Love Hewitt in "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Columbia Pictures Release date: July 18, 2025"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is getting a follow-up nearly 30 years after its release.The 1997 slasher followed four teens (played by '90s icons Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.) who are stalked by a hook-wielding killer a year after they seemingly killed a man in a hit-and-run accident.The not-good sequel released a year later ("I Still Know What You Did Last Summer") took the murder-y action to the Bahamas. It was later followed by the (also not good) direct-to-video "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" in 2006, which had nothing to do with the previous two movies. Neither indicated a promising future for the franchise.The upcoming movie, expected to be a direct follow-up to "I Still Know," has had an interesting journey. Mike Flanagan was originally set to reboot the first movie, but those plans were eventually canned. After years of languishing in development hell, the fourth film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson was officially announced.There are no plot details yet, but original stars Hewitt and Prinze Jr. are both set to reprise their roles. Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, and Jonah Hauer-King also star, according to Deadline. "The Conjuring: Last Rites"Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in "The Conjuring." Warner Bros. Release date: September 5, 2025The highest-grossing horror movie franchise of all time is back for one final face-off with the forces of darkness.The franchise, which kicked off in 2013 with the first film directed by James Wan, stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, famed paranormal investigators. Each film took its inspiration from a real-life case the Warrens were involved in. Its success even spawned multiple other offshoot series within the shared "Conjuring Universe," including the "Annabelle" and "The Nun" movies.Plot details are scarce, but it's being billed as a finale of sorts, meaning Ed and Lorraine's story is likely to come to an end. Whether that means one or both of them die in the process remains to be seen. "The Bride!"Jessie Buckley as the Bride in "The Bride!" Nico Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures Release date: September 26, 2025The first of the two "Frankenstein" movies on this list is Maggie Gyllenhaal's "The Bride!" This one isn't a direct adaptation, though it's a horror musical set in 1930s Chicago and stars Christian Bale as Frankenstein's monster and Jessie Buckley as the bride of Frankenstein's monster.Yes, that's right: a horror musical.Penelope Cruz, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annette Bening, Peter Sarsgaard, and John Magaro also star. "Saw XI"Tobin Bell as John Kramer aka the Jigsaw Killer. Lionsgate Release Date: September 27, 2025Love them or hate them, it's hard to deny that any new "Saw" movie is an interesting idea purely because it's hard to imagine how someone will be able to top the previous chapter."Saw XI" will be directed by Kevin Greutert. Greutert previously helmed the 2023 prequel "Saw X," which followed John Kramer (Tobin Bell) as he tortured a group that cons cancer patients.Producer Oren Koules told GamesRadar+ that "Saw XI" might be a direct sequel to "Saw X.""Cecilia is still alive and Tobin and Shawnee are in a foreign country still," he said. "So that, to me, would be the natural place to take at least the next one." "The Black Phone 2"Ethan Hawke in "The Black Phone." Universal Release Date: October 25, 2025Scott Derrickson is calling up some scares again with "The Black Phone 2." It's a direct sequel to the 2021 movie, which starred Mason Thames as a young boy who gets kidnapped by The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and finds that the ghosts of the serial killer's past victims are trying to help him escape.Hawke's terrifying performance (and that incredibly creepy mask) make the idea of a sequel very tantalizing.Derrickson and his co-writer, C. Robert Cargill, have yet to reveal what will bring The Grabber back to the big screen, but both Hawke and Thames will reprise their roles. "Five Nights at Freddy's 2"Foxy, Chica, Freddy Fazbear, and Bonnie in "Five Nights at Freddy's." Patti Perret/Universal Pictures Release date: December 5, 2025The "Five Nights at Freddy's" follow-up might be one of Blumhouse's biggest hits of the year, if the success of the first film is any indication.The first movie, an adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name, was a surprise hit at the box office when it was released in 2023. It focused on Mike (Josh Hutcherson), a security guard with a dark past who ends up facing off with animatronics possessed by dead kids (and William Afton, the serial killer who murdered them) at a Chuck E. Cheese-like pizza restaurant.Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard, who played Afton, are both set to return for the sequel. "Frankenstein"A photo of Oscar Isaac in "Frankenstein" via Vanity Fair. Ken Woroner/Netflix/Vanity Fair Release date: TBD 2025A Guillermo del Toro horror movie is always something of an event. (See: "Blade II," "Hellboy," "Pan's Labyrinth," and "Crimson Peak," for example.) In 2025, he'll deliver his version of "Frankenstein" for Netflix, featuring a monstrously talented cast.Most importantly, "Dune" star Oscar Isaac will play Victor Frankenstein opposite "Euphoria" actor Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein's monster.They're joined by Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Ralph Ineson, Lars Mikkelsen, and David Bradley.Given the director's love of practical effects and creature design, this take on the well-trodden "Frankenstein" could be something truly special.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today that hed step down as head of the countrys Liberal Party, after weeks of speculation that his time in leadership was coming to an end.In Canada, the head of the party with the highest number of seats in Parliament leads the country. Though Trudeau will no longer be the Liberal Party leader, hell remain prime minister until his party chooses a new leader, likely in the next two months. Canada must also hold a general election by October to choose a new government.I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process, Trudeau who has led the Liberal Party since 2013 and been prime minister since 2015 said in a press conference Monday morning. Trudeau and his party were initially popular: He had a 65 percent approval rating shortly after taking office nearly a decade ago. But theyve suffered following a cost-of-living crisis due to inflation in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as criticism about the governments immigration and environmental policies.The end of Trudeaus tenure as party leader and as prime minister was all but sealed last month after his one-time deputy Chrystia Freeland announced her departure from her post as finance minister. Her scathing resignation letter included criticisms about Trudeaus ability to navigate the incoming Trump administrations proposed tariffs on Canadian goods. Mondays announcement prompts serious questions about what comes next for a post-Trudeau Liberal Party and also for Canada. Trudeaus resignation is no surpriseVoters around the world including in the US rejected incumbents in elections last year. In recent months, polls have indicated that Canadian voters are also ready for a change. Trudeaus popularity has decreased fairly steadily over the past year; he now has only a 22 percent approval rating, his lowest ever. In some ways, its not surprising that Canadians are just kind of fed up with the government, because you get to a certain point in your tenure where youve been in there for so long that its easy to look around and blame everything thats wrong on the guy whos been in charge for 10 years, Elizabeth McCallion, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, told Vox in a December interview. Were reaching that limit where many Canadians dont want Trudeau around anymore.The rejection of incumbents coincides with real issues in Canada, including the cost-of-living crisis and an affordable housing crisis brought on by the limited supply, population growth, and decades of divestment in social welfare for housing. Debate over the wisdom of the Liberal Partys welcoming immigration policy and a carbon tax to reduce the countrys emissions has also escalated ahead of national elections.Theres a cost-of-living issue, and thats affected lots of Western countries, Andrew McDougall, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, told Vox in December. Thats something that theyve had to deal with. Housing has obviously been a big part of that for a lot of Canadians, and the immigration file has been one that [Liberals] have been harshly criticized recently on [for] allowing that situation to get out of control, and seeing a backlash in Canada.Conservatives, notably party leader Pierre Poilievre, have also linked the carbon tax Trudeaus signature environmental policy achievement to the economic crisis, though the Liberal Party has disputed that the two are connected.Rival parties political attacks on Liberals and their record have already proved potent, with Trudeaus party losing what should have been safe seats in recent special elections. Hes been going through sort of a string of setbacks over the last couple of months, including losing strongholds in Toronto and Montreal, McDougall said. If you cant win there, you really cant win anywhere, was the suggestion.Freelands December resignation only renewed and intensified calls for Trudeau to resign, with some of those calls coming from members of his own party. Its unusual for members of Parliament and government ministers to speak out against their party leadership, McCallion and McDougall explained, and Freelands departure showed just how unstable Trudeaus party unity actually is. Conservatives are expected to make major gains in this years elections.Where do the Liberals and Canada go from here?It seems unlikely that the Liberals can win the next national election, no matter who they choose for their next party leader. Thus far, no one has stepped up to replace Trudeau, although Freeland has been floated as a possible candidate. She is currently the frontrunner among Liberal voters and held a number of posts in Trudeaus cabinet including foreign minister, trade representative, and most recently finance minister. Dominic LeBlanc, a Trudeau ally juggling multiple cabinet roles, is also a potential leader, and Transportation Minister Anita Anand, as well as former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, have also been discussed as replacements.Whoever wins, its a period of reflection and reinvention for the party, McCallion said. I think parties often have these kinds of reckonings its kind of a cyclical thing, Who are we? What does our party stand for, and who is the best person to lead us in that fight? she said. I do not think the entire Liberal Party is going off the cliff, in the sense that theyll never come back from this, because the Liberal Party has been known as the natural governing party of Canada. Thats because, McCallion added, they tend to tailor their policies to what the median voter wants, and theyre really good at reinventing themselves and readjusting depending on what most Canadians are interested in at the time.The Liberals have until the end of March to find a new leader. That person will be elected by Liberal Party members throughout the country, and will represent the party in national elections, which, according to McDougall, could actually be called before the official October date.Canadian general elections must occur at least every four years but can be triggered if the ruling party loses a no-confidence vote in Parliament. The opposition parties [the Conservatives and New Democratic Party] have said that they want to bring down the government and trigger an election at the first opportunity, McDougall said. The New Democratic Party has called for a no-confidence vote, and the Liberals are likely to lose it. Perhaps the most pressing question in that election is who is best positioned to take on US President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened tariffs of up to 25 percent on Canadian imports.[Conservative Party Leader] Poilievre has said he would fight [the tariffs] and he seems aligned with the provincial premiers, many of whom are conservative, in saying that they will make sure Canada holds its own and not bow to or fold under any 25 percent tariffs, McCallion said. But members of the Trudeau government, notably Freeland, successfully negotiated a major trade deal with the US under the first Trump administration.That experience, however, may not be enough to convince voters that the Liberals should stay in power, given the obstacles theyre facing.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: