Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images Google took a page out of a familiar playbook in court this week, defending itself from claims of anticompetitive conduct by raising security concerns. While the government argues it locked up the ad tech market to make more money, Google’s witnesses say that a more closed ecosystem is often safer for users — echoing a defense both it and Apple have made of their mobile app stores. Google’s attorneys have spent the last few days mounting its defense against the Department of Justice. The company argues that conduct the Department of Justice paints as anticompetitive — like locking customers into its services and exerting control over the rules of the industry through its dominance — actually has justifiable business purposes. The point... Continue reading…

The standard PS5 Pro may not look as cool as its 30th anniversary counterpart, but it will likely be much easier to get your hands on. | Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge We’re inching ever closer to a mid-cycle refresh for the PlayStation 5, as the PS5 Pro’s staggered preorder schedule is beginning. The $699.99 console is about to be available to preorder in the US at 10AM ET / 7AM PT through Sony’s PlayStation Direct storefront, so if you want to secure one ASAP, you’ll want to jump in line at Sony’s site (be sure to have your PlayStation Network login info handy). Also going up for preorder at the same time are Sony’s retro-styled 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro bundle ($999.99), PS5 Digital Edition slim ($499.99), PlayStation Portal ($219.99), DualSense ($79.99), and DualSense Edge ($219.99) — these prices have been reported on social media, but not by Sony itself. We’ll update this article if we hear any... Continue reading…

Image: Hugo Herrera / The Verge California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law (AB 2426) to combat “disappearing” purchases of digital games, movies, music, and ebooks. The legislation will force digital storefronts to tell customers they’re just getting a license to use the digital media, rather than suggesting they actually own it. When the law comes into effect next year, it will ban digital storefronts from using terms like “buy” or “purchase,” unless they inform customers that they’re not getting unrestricted access to whatever they’re buying. Storefronts will have to tell customers they’re getting a license that can be revoked as well as provide a list of all the restrictions that come along with it. Companies that break the rule could be fined for false... Continue reading…

Here’s an example of what the new screensaver ads look like. | Image: LG Ad Solutions LG’s smart TVs are starting to display full-screen ads before the conventional screensaver kicks in when entering idle mode. The native screensaver ads started rolling out to LG’s smart TVs earlier this month, including OLEDs like the new G4 model and will appear across the home screen, content store, and LG channels. The feature will advertise both LG’s own products — with FlatpanelsHD reporting it saw a muted ad for the LG channels streaming service — and those from third parties which may be unrelated to TV or entertainment entirely. In a press release, LG Ad Solutions’ technology chief, Dave Rudnick, said that the ads were effective in testing and “present a valuable opportunity for brands to be front and center on the largest screen... Continue reading…

Hamburger Vegetable Soup is a hearty, comforting soup made with pantry staples, frozen veggies and ground beef- ready in less than an hour! A FILLING EASY SOUP RECIPE This Hamburger Vegetable Soup is definitely a favorite for us. I love it for many, many reasons. It’s truly so easy to make. It can be made any time of the year. Leftovers are incredible. It freezes well to have on hand for later when you don’t feel like cooking- just thaw and reheat it! Plus, it’s a great soup for way to feeding many people while stretching a pound of ground beef, which is especially helpful nowadays. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  Why use vinegar in this soup? I added the vinegar because I just love it in vegetable or bean soups, it just gives an extra little pop of flavor without tasting any vinegar flavor. Can I make this a little lighter on the tomatos? If you don’t want it so tomato-y you can just add 2 cups extra beef broth in place of the tomato sauce but I would recommend low sodium if you’re adding more so it doesn’t get too salty.  What else can I add to this soup? You can add any leftover meat or add other veggies you enjoy. You can change up the veggies too. This is a great way to stretch this soup even further. What to serve with Hamburger Vegetable Soup? Serve this with your favorite salad for the perfect soup and salad combo meal. Don’t forget the Breadsticks or Garlic Bread. How to store leftover soup? Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container or bag. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) lean ground beef– I used 80/20 lean ground beef but you can use ground beef, turkey or even venison. sweet onion cloves garlic – I will always prefer fresh, the flavor just can’t be beat and you get a stronger garlic taste. However, you can use the jarred stuff if you prefer it. beef broth – if you’re concerned at all about sodium levels, this is a good one to substitute with low or no sodium (unsalted). petite diced tomatoes – if you want a small kick of heat, try using Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles). tomato sauce – this is another ingredient that you can purchase unsalted. medium russet potatoes Worcestershire sauce red wine vinegar – I know this sounds strange but this bit of acid really adds to the overall flavor without it tasting vinegar-y. dried Italian seasoning creole seasoning – you can use salt if you don’t want to use this. bay leaf – I know some people say that they don’t think bay leaf adds anything to soups and stews but I’ve made this with and without it and I will tell you, that while it is not a strong flavor, it does make a difference in the depth of flavor. But if you don’t have this on hand, just leave it out. frozen mixed vegetables – I prefer frozen vegetables. They are picked at the peak of freshness then frozen so they still retain all those valuable nutrients. HOW TO MAKE HAMBURGER VEGETABLE SOUP In a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the onion, breaking up the beef into crumbles. Cook until there is no pink left and the onions have softened, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the garlic until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, creole seasoning, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Stir in the frozen veggies. Bring back to a simmer and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Serve immediately. CRAVING MORE RECIPES?  The Best Cheeseburger Soup Slow Cooker Hamburger Potato Soup Creamy Hamburger Hash Soup Crock Pot Potato Soup Crock Pot Vegetable Soup Print Hamburger Vegetable Soup A super simple, flavorful soup made on the stove with ground beef and vegetables. Course SoupCuisine American Prep Time 15 minutes minutesCook Time 40 minutes minutesTotal Time 55 minutes minutes Servings 8 Calories 203kcal Author Brandie @ The Country Cook Ingredients1 pound lean ground beef1 medium sweet onion, finely diced4 cloves garlic, minced minced3 cups beef broth (can use low or no sodium if needed)28 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained15 ounce can tomato sauce2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and small-diced1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning½ teaspoon creole seasoning (or salt)½ teaspoon black pepper1 bay leaf1 pound frozen mixed vegetables InstructionsIn a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the onion, breaking up the beef into crumbles. Cook until there is no pink left and the onions have softened, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.Stir in the garlic until fragrant, 30 seconds.Add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, creole seasoning, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Stir in the frozen veggies. Bring back to a simmer and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Serve immediately. Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. NutritionCalories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 824mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g

NEW YORK—In a shocking display of federal overreach that surprised absolutely no one, the Biden/Harris administration’s DOJ has officially indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams for the newly invented crime of “Unauthorized Complaining About Federal Immigration Policy.” The move comes after Adams dared to express mild discontent with the administration’s flawless and infallible border strategy, which has so far turned New York City into a sanctuary sardine can. “Mayor Adams’s reckless actions have crossed a line,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “He has repeatedly made unauthorized statements that question our sacred, chaotic, and unregulated approach to migration. This kind of unauthorized complaining threatens the very fabric of our democracy.” According to the indictment, Adams’s illegal griping included dangerous acts like publicly stating that the city’s resources were “overwhelmed,” suggesting that maybe someone—anyone—should do something, and worst of all, expecting the federal government to have an actual plan. “This is the kind of inflammatory rhetoric that keeps us up at night,” Garland said. “What’s next? Mayors suggesting the federal government do its actual job? We can’t have that.” The indictment further details that Adams’s whining posed a direct threat to the Biden-Harris agenda of “Unlimited Entry, Unlimited Problems.” His crime? Trying to slow the runaway train of open-border policies by raising “unpatriotic concerns” about housing, services, and basic common sense. “This indictment is just the first of many,” Blinder continued. “We can’t have local leaders undermining our strategy of importing new voters—I mean, welcoming migrants—by recklessly calling for ‘help’ or ‘resources.’ It’s subversive and unacceptable.” Sources close to Adams say the Mayor was blindsided by the charges. “I never thought I’d be indicted for pointing out the obvious,” Adams reportedly said, scratching his head. “I didn’t realize that expressing basic frustration with a policy designed by bureaucrats who’ve never set foot in a major city was a federal offense. I should’ve kept my mouth shut and handed out sleeping bags instead.” The White House has firmly supported the DOJ’s actions, with Press Secretary I.C. Spinn addressing the media: “This is not about stifling free speech—this is about protecting our carefully crafted narrative. Unauthorized complaining undermines the message that everything is going perfectly, even when it isn’t. We simply can’t allow reality to interfere with our talking points.” Critics have blasted the indictment as a blatant attempt to silence anyone who dares to acknowledge the mess that’s become of immigration policy. “They’re charging Adams because he broke the unspoken rule of this administration: never, ever admit the emperor has no clothes,” said one anonymous former official. “Next, they’ll be indicting people for rolling their eyes during press briefings.” At press time, Mayor Adams was seen consulting with his legal team while filling out his transfer request to a state with a less Orwellian approach to unauthorized opinions. Meanwhile, White House insiders have reportedly started drafting legislation to make “complaining without authorization” a federal crime punishable by indefinite re-education seminars with Kamala Harris. The post BREAKING: Feds indict NYC Mayor Eric Adams for ‘Unauthorized Complaining About Federal Immigration Policy’ appeared first on Genesius Times.

Catherine Zeta-Jones had the internet gushing with her celebratory post, which was a tribute to her husband Michael Douglas’ 80th birthday, and her 55th. She had no clothes on but wore a pair of strappy heels as she provocatively leaned onto a bathroom counter. Accompanying the black and white photo was the caption which reads, “In my birthday suit! After over 25 years of sharing my birthday day with my husband, I am running out of gift ideas! This is gift option two, golf balls being option one of course.” Fans react to Catherine Zeta-Jones’ birthday suit photo   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) Catherine’s post soon got attention from Instagram users, who flocked to the comments to wish her and her husband a happy birthday, but not without commending her hot look. “Beauty of a Lady, everything you do, you do it super well, hug bella,” someone wrote. Another joked that Michael’s birthday must be a daily affair if Catherine looked that hot. The birthday boy also made a post of his own, featuring a black and white shot of Catherine, whom he called his birthday sister. “I love you with all my heart! May your new year be the best!” he wrote. Michael Douglas Catherine Zeta-Jones/ImageCollect Among the many compliments were a few critical comments from trolls, who found Catherine’s nude post disappointing. Thankfully, fans came to her defense, saying a near-perfect body like hers at 55 is meant to be flaunted. “She does like showing off a little,” someone remarked. Michael Douglas Catherine Zeta-Jones/Instagram Speaking of controversies, Catherine and Douglas’ relationship has stood the test of time amid talks about their 25-year age gap, scandals, and divorce rumors. The duo share two adult children, Dylan and Carys, in addition to Michael’s son Cameron from his previous marriage to Diandra Luker. Next up: Anna Nicole Smith Used To Medicate Herself To Connect With Late Son During Final Days The post Catherine Zeta-Jones Bares It All For Michael Douglas’ 80th Birthday appeared first on DoYouRemember? - The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Peace A

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