Subscribe to the Wake Up, cleveland.com’s free morning newsletter, delivered to your inbox weekdays at 5:30 a.m. The devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires is staggering, with more than 10,000 structures damaged or destroyed. Even before the fires, though, insurance companies ended thousands of home insurance policies in fire-prone neighborhoods, according to the L.A.…
The phone calls began streaming in to immigration lawyers in Polk County soon after November’s presidential election. “So, I did have a lot of people calling right after the election — very worried, very scared,” said Ivelisse De la Fe, a Lakeland lawyer. “It was very sad, just hearing these people crying, ‘What is going…
Travel across Spain for tourists is about to get much easier as Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, has announced plans to create a fixed-price public transport pass that will work across every corner of the country.The all-purpose monthly transport pass will work for trains, buses, metros, trams and bicycles across Spain’s 17 regions from 2026.Spain’s “billete único” will replace the current state-subsidised free and discounted train and bus tickets and is being compared to other European countries’ schemes, including Germany’s Deutschlandticket (£49) and Austria’s “climate ticket” (£67).While the price for Spain’s potential “single pass” has not yet been announced, local media suggested it could cost somewhere between £25 and £41.”The goal and the challenge is to implement the single ticket in Spain, something that Germany has, with its advantages and disadvantages, which will allow us to learn from it,” Puente said on Thursday at an event at the Nueva Economía Fórum.This new scheme will likely be seen as good news to all tourists set on exploring the country’s best destinations in 2025, which is set to welcome even more tourists after a record-breaking 94 million foreigners last year.A similar ticket already exists in the capital, Madrid, where for a currently state-subsidised price of £27.45 a month you can take all public transport within the region, including Renfe commuter trains, although medium-distance and high-speed trains are not included. Without the discount, this ticket costs £69.26.Spain’s current train and bus discounts will apply during the first half of 2025, but from July the discount will be reduced.The government first introduced these measures in 2022 in an attempt to lessen the effects of inflation following the pandemic and war in Ukraine.“I hope that in 2026 we will transition to that measure that allows for a better distribution of resources, making it easier for transport users,” added Puente, “but above all helps us focus our efforts on the quality of public transport”.The biggest obstacle to the nationwide implementation of the scheme is due to the fact that the Transport Ministry only owns the Cercanías commuter train services and regional, medium and long-distance trains.The rest of the country’s public transport network is managed either by city councils or by consortia that have agreements with regional governments.
Whether you’re heading to a ski resort or a cosy winter retreat, mismanaging your cash can quickly lead to additional, avoidable expenses.That’s why travel money expert Mario Van Poppel from Leftover Currency has issued a warning to help holidaymakers save money and avoid unnecessary stress during their winter getaways.According to Van Poppel, with just a bit of planning, you can avoid these pitfalls and make your trip more affordable.He explained: “It’s not always easy to know how to get the most from your money when you are travelling abroad and exchanging currencies. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll save yourself stress and money.”Being mindful of when and how you exchange your currency, as well as staying aware of hidden fees abroad, can keep your winter holiday within budget and free from financial worries.Leaving currency exchange until the last minuteAirport exchange kiosks may seem convenient, but they come with a significant price tag.“Airport exchanges often charge a premium of up to 15 percent compared to the mid-market rate,” said Van Poppel. By preparing in advance and exchanging money online or at your bank, you can secure better rates and avoid the last-minute scramble for cash upon arrival.Assuming cards are accepted everywhereIn more remote areas, cash is still king, so you should make sure to research local practices and carry some local currency to avoid surprises when tipping or making small purchases.“Winter travellers often assume their cards will work everywhere, but some destinations, particularly in lesser-travelled areas, still rely heavily on cash,” Van Poppel explained.Paying in your home currency abroadWhen using a card, you might be offered the option to pay in your home currency instead of the local one.This option, known as “dynamic currency conversion”, may seem like a convenient choice, but it often comes with hidden costs.“Dynamic currency conversion can add as much as 10 percent to your transaction,” warned Van Poppel.To avoid these extra charges, always opt to pay in the local currency for the best exchange rate.Overpaying at resort ATMsSki resorts and popular tourist destinations are notorious for having limited ATM options, many of which charge high fees.“Standalone ATMs in resort areas often leave travellers with little choice but to pay high withdrawal fees,” says Van Poppel. To save money, try withdrawing cash from ATMs operated by major banks or exchanging your currency before you arrive.Forgetting to prepare for weather delaysWinter travel can be unpredictable, with snowstorms and transport disruptions often leading to unexpected costs.“Having a small reserve of local cash is crucial,” Van Poppel advised. A little extra cash can be a lifesaver if weather delays affect your plans or if card machines are temporarily out of service.
Cleanroom Technology Market Expected to Achieve a Strong 6.80% CAGR, to Reach USD 12.49 Billion by 2032 – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
A new Netflix film featuring a major Hollywood star’s first appearance in over ten years disappointingly fails to meet expectations.The action-filled comedy teams up the renowned actress with another top-tier actor, but the result has been met with lukewarm reviews since its release on the streaming platform this Friday (January 17).Cameron Diaz last graced the big screen in 2014, appearing in a series of moderately successful yet criticised comedies; The Other Woman, Sex Tape and a reimagining of the classic musical Annie.She subsequently took a hiatus of several years to prioritise her family, leaving countless cinema enthusiasts speculating about her potential return.The star of The Holiday is now officially making a comeback, preparing for a new venture with Keanu Reeves, the forthcoming thriller Outcome, and set to reprise her memorable role as Princess Fiona in the eagerly awaited Shrek 5, reports the Mirror US.However, until then, her first film in 11 years, Back in Action, is currently available on Netflix. But what’s the consensus?In this comedic family thriller, Diaz portrays retired secret agent Emily who, along with her husband Matt (played by Jamie Foxx), leave their super-spy careers behind upon learning she’s expecting.Fast forward 15 years, an old mission resurfaces to threaten them and they’re compelled to flee with their two children, defiant teenager Alice (McKenna Roberts) and introverted son Leo (Rylan Jackson).Even with the excitement of seeing the Charlie’s Angels lead tackle another action-packed role, consensus among critics suggests that Back in Action hasn’t quite hit the mark, languishing with a lacklustre 24 percent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.The Guardian lamented: “Combined star power only takes this overfamiliar caper so far, let down by an unfunny script and a lack of originality.”Their critique goes on: “It’s an easy way back in,” adding that “A low-effort comeback vehicle quite literally called Back in Action, but the film is only a half-victory at best. While it might prove that Diaz still possesses that same particular magic, it also shows that she should be far more discerning with how she chooses to share it.”Collider offered an acknowledgment of Diaz and Foxx’s efforts, conceding they “do their best with what they’re given”, yet bemoaned that “the dull, exposition-heavy script never gives them the chance to flex any of their dramatic muscles, and they rarely get to be truly funny either.”Further commentary included: “The adolescent characters are too one-note and underdeveloped to be engaging for a younger crowd, so while it’s technically appropriate for family movie night, I wouldn’t count on them staying engaged. Consequently, the action and romance are too tame and watered-down to make it a good choice for date night.”However, IndieWire offered a glimmer of hope, pointing out that the two leads “have just enough charm to prop up a paper-thin spy comedy.”However, they clarify: “All of which is to say that preexisting goodwill makes Back in Action more watchable than it has any right to be.”The uninspired script drags in all the wrong places and the set pieces fail to dazzle, ensuring that the film succeeds as neither an action movie nor a comedy.”But Foxx and Diaz would have been charismatic and attractive enough to carry the film on their shoulders under normal circumstances, and the fact that the film is hitting Netflix after we faced the prospect of never seeing them act again covers a multitude of creative sins.”Is the star power of Foxx and Diaz sufficient to save Netflix’s latest action-comedy?Back in Action is available to stream on Netflix.
David Lynch, the acclaimed surrealist film director, sadly died aged 78 on Wednesday, leaving behind half a century of incredible work. His most famous and celebrated movie of all has to be 2001’s Mulholland Drive.Oscar-nominated for his direction, the neo-noir mystery arthouse film stars Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Ann Miller and Robert Forster. Set in Hollywood, the story follows an aspiring actress new to Los Angeles.Befriending a woman suffering from amnesia after a car crash, she sets off to uncover the mystery of her identity as they encounter bizarre events stuck somewhere between dream and reality.Considered one of the best movies ever made, Mulholland Drive was voted the greatest film of the 21st in a 2016 poll.The BBC asked 177 film critics from 36 countries around the world to submit their Top 10 films released since the year 2000.Lynch’s masterpiece managed to beat the likes of In the Mood for Love, There Will Be Blood and Spirited Away.Mulholland Drive (Remastered) is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video in UHD, or you can start a 7-day free trial on the streaming service’s subsidiary StudioCanal Presents.
AI-assisted summaryTravel scams are increasing in 2025, with criminals using AI to create fake websites, listings, and social media profiles.One common scam involves fake vacation rentals that are nonexistent or significantly different from their advertised appearance.Travelers should be cautious of phishing emails and text messages that appear to be from legitimate travel companies but aim to steal personal information.A few weeks before his flight from Minneapolis to Florence, Italy, Scott Mayer received an email from United Airlines that said his flight had been canceled and that he owed $600 in “cancellation” fees.Just one problem: United says it didn’t send it.Mayer, an event producer from Minneapolis, had been contacted by a scammer who was trying to prod him into sharing personal information – his address, birthday, and credit card number.Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn’t want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don’t tell anyone!Travel fakes like this appear to be on the uptick in 2025. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to create fake websites, listings and social media profiles designed to separate you from your money. No one keeps statistics on travel scams like these. However, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that the problem is getting worse.But you don’t have to become a statistic.I travel nonstop:Here are 5 places you can’t miss in 2025Plane seats are too small:Airlines continue to prioritize profit over comfort, safetyA fake United email – and a fake call centerMayer says he called “United” and was transferred to someone who claimed to work for the airline.Although Mayer refused to pay the $600 – which was the right call since United doesn’t charge a cancellation fee for flights it cancels – his flight somehow got canceled, anyway. (It appears someone using his reservation number canceled the flight.) He had to pay $1,596 for a ticket on another airline.But when Mayer called United to get this resolved, the airline offered him neither an explanation nor a refund. “I would like to be reimbursed for my canceled flights,” he told me. I asked United to take a closer look at Mayer’s cancellation.”Unfortunately, we believe this customer fell victim to a scam,” United spokeswoman Erin Jankowski told me.The airline refunded his flight – a rare happy ending. Jankowski noted that contacting it directly via United.com or the United mobile app for any booking or reservation changes would prevent future scams. Perhaps. But the scammers are smart.Here’s what else is out there:▶ Fake vacation rentals. You find the perfect beach house, but when you arrive, it’s a run-down shack. Or worse, the property doesn’t exist.“It’s so frustrating to arrive at your vacation accommodation and discover it looks nothing like how it was advertised,” said Don Jones, managing director of Andrew Harper, a travel company. “This happens all too often.” How to avoid being burned? Do a reverse image search to see if the property photos are legit. Also, cross-check listings on multiple platforms. “Listings with no reviews may be a red flag,” advises Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research at cybersecurity company McAfee. “In addition, try to validate the site exists by checking to see whether it has been referenced in legitimate media outlets.”▶ Fake airline and travel agency websites. These sites look real, but they’re designed to steal your credit card information. Often, they offer fares that are too good to be true. If you’re tempted by an unbelievable deal, chances are you’re looking at a bogus site.“Make sure the company you found online really exists by cross-referencing it against reliable third-party sources,” said Chris Pierson, CEO of BlackCloak, a cybersecurity company. “These could include legitimate travel directory listings, chambers of commerce, or official visitors guides.”One strain of fake sites is particularly worrisome. It fools search engines into thinking it’s the correct phone number for a travel company. People will Google phrases like, “How to talk to a human at (insert name of airline)” – and up pop the scammers. Scammers wait for you on the other end of the line, waiting to collect your personal information. Never search for company information like that – always go to a trusted source or directly to the company.▶ Fake emails. Phishing scams are also a problem. You get an email or text message that looks like it’s from your airline, but it’s actually from a scammer trying to steal your personal information. Be careful about clicking links in unsolicited messages, even if they look official.“The proliferation of AI is an impending threat to travel due to tech-scams including deepfake cons, identity impersonation, or misleading travel advice from bots,” said Harding Bush, an associate director of security for Global Rescue. “That puts travelers at risk of fraud, misinformation, or malicious intent when booking trips or managing itineraries.”Speaking of AI, criminals are also using AI to generate fake reviews and articles. And it’s almost impossible to spot a fake. “In the old days, it was common to find basic mistakes in fake or impersonated websites, such as (irregular) language, spelling and grammar errors, odd word choices and low-quality copied images and logos,” added Pierson of BlackCloak. “However, with the advent of generative AI, this is no longer the case.”As before, you can usually ferret out a fake with a simple sniff test: If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.However, there are other ways of finding fraud online.Travel shamingTravel shaming has reached epidemic proportions. But what’s the cure?Attention, passengers:Bratty kids aren’t the problem. Bad parents are.How to spot a fake when you’re booking travelHere’s how to stay safe:Book through a legit source. This includes airlines, hotels, and tour operators with a proven track record. “Stick to well-known and reputable travel websites and service providers,” advised Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If a deal seems unrealistic, it probably is. “Given the rise in phishing in the travel industry, offers that sound too good to be true should be a warning sign of potential fraud,” said Rishika Desai, a threat researcher at Bfore.AI, a predictive security firm.Double-check everything. Verify your reservations and payments. “Double-check booking confirmations and payment receipts, and look for reviews on multiple platforms to validate the service or accommodation,” Harrison said.Be safe out there. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Don’t recycle your passwords. And be extra careful when using a public Wi-Fi network. “Public networks are often unencrypted, meaning that cybercriminals can intercept data transmitted over these networks, putting your information at risk of being compromised,” warned McAfee’s Karnik. If you must use public Wi-Fi, get a virtual private network (VPN) to protect yourself.Story continues below.This problem is going to get worse in 2025I have a prediction: In 2025, this problem will get worse – much worse. In fact, it would not surprise me if, at the end of 2025, I wrote a story declaring that this was the year of the travel fake.Why? First, travel is expensive and that means people are desperate for deals. That’s fertile soil on which criminals can cultivate their fraud. Second, AI is so advanced that scammers can easily create sites or call centers that would fool even the most sophisticated traveler. (And before you ask – yes, I’ve almost been duped by it). Finally, I have seen how these scammers operate when they try to place their fraudulent numbers on my online directory of company executives, and I’m impressed – not in a good way – with their determination and creativity. Cases like Mayer’s represent only a fragment of the real problem. It’s hard to tell the real thing from a fake anymore. We’re traveling in dangerous times. Be careful out there, my friends.Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He foundedElliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishesElliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and theElliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you canreach him here or email him at [email protected].
8K Technology Market Size to Surpass USD 102.7 Billion at a CAGR of 33.08% by 2032 | Report by SNS Insider – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
Welcome back to Lately, The Globe and Mail’s weekly tech newsletter. If you have feedback or just want to say hello to a real-life human, send me an e-mail.In this week’s issue:↪️ Canadian tech leaders pivot to the Conservatives👋 American TikTok users say farewell in the most TikTok way🧨 Los Angeles fires fuel conspiracy theories on social media🎙️ On the Lately podcast: Victoria’s Secret and selling sexy in the age of wellnessPOLITICSCanadian tech leaders throw support behind PoilievreCanadian tech leaders who were once hopeful that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals would deliver an ambitious agenda are now actively expressing support for a new, Conservative-led government. As innovation reporter Pippa Norman writes this week, several investors, entrepreneurs and tech executives have denounced the Liberals’ economic policies. On X, Shopify chief executive and co-founder Tobi Lütke decried Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament, while Boris Wertz, one of the country’s most successful venture capitalists, posted that he’s excited to work with a new government led by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.Some leaders in the tech industry say it’s not surprising that the Conservatives are gaining traction within the sector. Part of the reason is because the Conservatives are speaking about taxation reform and using technology to make the government run more effectively, issues of interest to the industry. The other reason is just the sheer disillusionment with the Liberals. “The technology community today has never been so united in their disappointment,” said John Ruffolo, founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity.Are you reading this newsletter on the web or did someone forward the e-mail to you? If so, you can sign up for the Lately newsletter.SOCIAL MEDIAWith a TikTok ban days away, American users say goodbye with memesWith a TikTok ban in the United States set to take effect on Sunday, American users are saying goodbye with montages, memes and jumping on what could be the app’s final trends. One of those trends is users posting videos saying farewell to their “designated Chinese spies,” mocking the national-security concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership. A clip of an emotional scene from Big Hero 6 is captioned, “Me on January 19th leaving my Chinese spy who’s been with me since 2019.”Although YouTube Shorts and Instagram’s Reels are likely to be the largest beneficiaries of a potential ban, a legion of TikTok users are moving to a different Chinese-owned, short-form video app called Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. Many users have made TikTok videos about their own exodus to Xiaohongshu, noting the irony that a law motivated by Chinese national-security concerns has inadvertently pushed them to another Chinese-owned app. A video of a woman pulling a suitcase is captioned, “Me because I’d rather move to China than Instagram reels.”MISINFORMATIONLos Angeles wildfires fuel conspiracy theoriesOpen this photo in gallery:A social post falsely claiming a house survived the L.A. wildfires.The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have become a focal point for conspiracies and misinformation online, with false claims including firefighters using women’s purses filled with water to put out fires or that diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were partly to blame for the response. AI-generated images claiming to be of the fires are also getting amplified on X, including one of a pristine house on a shoreline surrounded by burned buildings. However, a reverse image search shows that it’s actually from the fires in Hawaii in 2023. The Globe’s Patrick Dell, who covers misinformation, fact checks the most prevalent false claims circulating on social media.VIDEO GAMESNintendo officially announces Switch 2Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will be released in 2025. In a video teaser released on Thursday, the hybrid handheld console looks pretty similar to the original, except with a larger screen. The company said it’ll announce more details at the next Nintendo Direct event on April 2, so until then, perhaps it’s time I revisit my pandemic-era Animal Crossing island. If you don’t hear from me next week, I’m deep into redecorating my island to finally get that five-star rating.What else we’re reading this week:She is in love with ChatGPT (The New York Times)Fake reviews have become the internet’s perfect crime (The Walrus)TikTok users are searching for a new home. Are there any good ones left? (The Atlantic)SoundbiteWhat’s so tricky about this moment for a company like Victoria’s Secret is that sexiness is fragmented. What replaced the traditional idea of selling exclusivity in fashion is this wellness idea of selling a better version of yourself. That concept is probably a successful place to invest in, but they still have to contend with what is the beauty standard that they represent.—