Author: MNK News
The best TV shows of 2024.Credit: Netflix / Apple / Hulu My taste in television is wide and varied, but I hew toward mysteries, character dramas and comedies, fantasy and science-fiction. You’ll see what I mean as you scroll the list below. It’s very difficult to do a Best Of list when it comes to something like TV, because there are so many shows to choose from and so little time in the day. Scrolling through my own list below, it certainly seems as though I watched a lot of TV in 2024, but I missed a lot also. There…
A slowdown in trucking M&A was met by interest rate cuts for the first time in more than four years in 2024. The anticipation of lower lending rates fostered more constructive transaction dialogues during the year, but deal count across the industry was still off 5% from 2023, according to data compiled by the research team at Left Lane Associates.The supply chain M&A advisory firm said there is noise in the number as some deals were paused until after the election, which pushed closings into the first quarter of 2025.“We are seeing a lot of positive M&A momentum leading into…
Net neutrality may have hit its final roadblock. In a new decision filed today, the Sixth Circuit US Court of Appeals has ruled that the FCC does not have the “statutory authority” to implement net neutrality rules. The court first blocked the rules in August 2024 when the lawsuit at the center of today’s ruling was filed.Net neutrality broadly seeks to prevent internet service provides (ISPs) from giving preferential treatment to specific users or content. That prevents things like a service provider charging a streaming service for faster speeds, or the throttling of a specific website. Every app, website, and…
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s backing is a boost for Ben Wikler, who has yet to reveal his level of support among the Democratic National Committee members who will actually elect the next chair. ALLISON ROBBERT/Getty ImagesSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) endorsed Ben Wikler’s bid to lead the Democratic National Committee on Thursday morning.In a series of social media posts announcing the endorsement, Schumer cited Wikler’s achievements as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin since 2019.Wikler “possesses all the qualities Democrats across the country are looking for in our next DNC Chair,” Schumer wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “He’s a…
Workout like an A-lister: a new six-week challenge pulls from Aniston’s life-changing Pvolve workout Pvolve is off to a strong start in 2025 with “Strength Redefined,” a six-week challenge modeled by Pvolve devotee and brand ambassador Jennifer Aniston’s personal fitness program.Running from January 6 through February 17, the challenge features the workouts Aniston credits for achieving her strongest self. Participants will tackle four new workouts each week, which tap into Pvolve’s three signature class types under the guidance of Aniston’s training team, including NASM-certified Dani Coleman, Pvolve’s training director.Pvolve director of training Dani Coleman (Credit: Pvolve)“This challenge was so much…
Nick Clegg, the former British deputy prime minister turned Meta executive, is leaving after a seven-year stint with the social media company. Clegg announced his departure in posts on X and Threads, saying that “this is the right time for me to move on from my role as President, Global Affairs at Meta.”Clegg will be replaced by Joel Kaplan, a longtime policy executive and former White House aide to George W. Bush known for his deep ties to Republican circles in Washington. As Chief Global Affairs Officer, Kaplan — as Semafor notes —will be well-positioned to run interference for Meta…
South Korean game developer Wemade wants to bridge gaming and blockchain by introducing new decentralized communities in 2025. South Korean gaming giant Wemade apparently has big plans for 2025, focusing on new blockchain services and social communities. In an interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, Wemade’s chief executive officer Park Kwan-ho called 2025 a potential “turning point” for the firm, seeking to merge gaming and blockchain in a way that opens “new possibilities” in the global market. Park once again praised blockchain, saying its “transparency and inoperability of data” make the technology perfect for building trust in virtual services. “We will…
Fitness Business, Industry News Credit: Karolina Kaboompics from Pexels The future of fitness is defined by technological advancements and the growing demand for connected fitness experiences. From hybrid workout models to data-driven personalization, the fitness industry is embracing innovations that enhance the member experience globally. Here’s a snapshot of the key stats and trends shaping the “Gym of the Future” in 2024 and beyond.Quick Stats and Facts:Hybrid Fitness Growth: The number of consumers using hybrid fitness routines (a combination of in-gym and at-home workouts) grew by 41% between 2020 and 2022, with 45% of consumers expected to prefer hybrid models…
A high-level delegation from Syria’s transitional government visited Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking their first foreign trip and signalling a warming of ties with the oil-rich monarchy.The team, including Syria’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, the defence minister and intelligence chief, landed in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night, according to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency SPA.On Thursday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhat received al-Shibani in Riyadh prior to their talks, the Saudi state news television al-Ekhbariya reported without giving further details.Al-Shibani said on the social media platform X that he hopes the trip would “open a new and bright…
A days-long resurgence of interest in so-called “grooming gangs” — a polite newspeak for racist child rape gangs — in the UK has seen horror and outrage reignited and X-platform owner Elon Musk weigh in, amplifying the already surging discussion. UK social media has been dominated over New Year’s by attention to the decades-long scandal, but really only made public in the past ten years, of gangs of predominantly but not entirely Pakistani men sexually abusing young English children. In the parlance of the UK media, these gangs are called ‘grooming gangs‘ as a polite shorthand, because the girls are…