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In a new interview tied to The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim that ends up being mostly about Succession (perhaps unsurprisingly), Brian Cox spoke about what it was like to be the guy who played Hannibal Lecter on screen first… a few years before Anthony Hopkins’ Oscar-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs made everyone think he’d originated the role.
The veteran actor, who since 1986 has carved out his own share of legendary performances, has made peace with what could’ve been an epic thespian feud. “Well, it’s a different character,” he told the Hollywood Reporter. “I mean, it’s like playing Hamlet. Everybody’s going to have their own Hamlet. I chose to play it the way the director Michael Mann and I decided to play it. Tony played it brilliantly. I mean, I had to go to Paris to see it because I couldn’t bring myself to see it in London.”
Asked for clarification on the last part of his answer, Cox explained, “Because people knew that I was the other Hannibal, and I was worried about them saying, ‘You’re comparing Hannibal Lecters’ and all that. But we played it the way we played it. Tony decided to take it down another route. And of course, Tony’s was a huge success, and he got the Oscar and he made a lot of money out of it. I made something like 10 grand.”
But the one rule that’s stuck with both, apparently, is that Cox and Hopkins do not talk about Hannibal Lecter. “I did an interview with a newspaper, and the headline in the newspaper was that I was the first Hannibal Lecter. Well, that was true, but it sounded like I was boasting about it and I wasn’t. And then I woke up one afternoon and the phone started ringing and all hell broke loose … Tony’s then-missus rang my agent and said, ‘Tony’s a bit upset about that.’ So I rang my agent and I said, ‘Look, I apologize.’ Tony and I have worked together a couple of times since. We never talk about it. And that’s a rule that we never would.”
For those wondering, THR didn’t bring up Mads Mikkelsen’s take on the character on the TV series Hannibal—so we’re still wondering what Cox thought of that version of the sophisticated serial killer. With that in mind, you can head to THR to read the full interview.
Watching videos on the is one of the few use-cases early adopters have found for the VR headset, but Apple’s produced only a handful of immersive videos to watch on it. Blackmagic’s new camera could change that. The is the first camera that can shoot in Apple’s Immersive Video format, and it’s available to pre-order now for $29,995 and shipping in “late Q1 2025.”
Blackmagic it was working on hardware and software for producing content for the Vision Pro at . As promised then, the camera is capable of capturing 3D footage at 90 fps, with a resolution of 8160 x 7200 per eye. Blackmagic says the URSA Cine Immersive uses custom lenses that are “designed for URSA Cine’s large format image sensor with extremely accurate positional data.” It also has 8TB of network storage built-in, which the company says “records directly to the included Blackmagic Media Module” and can be synced live to a DaVinci Resolve media bin for editors to access footage remotely.
Blackmagic Design
Along with the URSA Cine Immersive, Blackmagic is also updating DaVinci Resolve Studio to work with Apple’s Immersive Video format, and including new tools so editors can pan, tilt, and roll footage while they edit on a 2D monitor or in a Vision Pro.
The whole package sounds expensive at nearly $30,000, but you’re getting a lot more out of the box than you normally would with one of Blackmagic’s cameras. A normal 12K URSA Cine camera costs around $15,000, but doesn’t include lenses or built-in storage. Those come standard on the URSA Cine Immersive.
Apple filmed several short documentaries, sports clips, and in its Immersive Video format, but hasn’t released a camera of its own for third-party production companies to produce content. And while any or can capture 3D spatial videos, they can’t produce Immersive Video, which has a 180-degree field of view. Blackmagic’s camera should make it possible for a lot more immersive content to be created for the Vision Pro and other VR headsets. Now Apple just needs to make a Vision product more people are willing to pay for.
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A second Donald Trump presidency will definitely affect the housing market, but the question is, how exactly? While much is speculation, we can look at his past policies and campaign promises to get a better idea of what might happen. For example, Trump has talked about lower mortgage rates, yet for rates to drop to 3%, there would need to be a serious economic downturn — something no one wants.
Throughout my over twenty years of experience in real estate, I’ve seen how White House policies can impact affordability, lending and inventory. Some of the incoming administration’s potential moves might help buyers, while others could create new hurdles.
Here’s what the next administration’s policies could mean for you as a homebuyer or homeowner.
Can Trump’s policies help the housing market?
Here are some ways Trump’s policies might give the housing market a boost:
Lower taxes: Trump’s previous tax cuts under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 gave many US households more money back while raising taxes for others. However, it’s not quite that easy. If he extends or expands those cuts, it could help families save for a down payment. Changes to the SALT cap (state and local tax deductions) could also bring tax relief to homeowners in high-cost states. But smaller tax receipts for the US government can increase the federal deficit.
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Deregulation: Trump has a history of cutting regulations, and we might see more of that in housing and lending. Less red tape could make it easier to qualify for a loan, but don’t expect overnight changes — these things take time to trickle down.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform: Trump has talked about privatizing these government-backed institutions. Supporters say it could make the mortgage market more competitive, but removing the government guarantee could also raise rates.
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Infrastructure investment: Improving infrastructure could create jobs, stimulate local economies and open up new housing markets. However, this depends on how effectively these investments are implemented.
Cab Trump’s policies hurt the housing market?
While some policies might help, others could make things tougher:
Labor shortages from deportations: Stricter immigration policies could reduce the labor force in construction, leading to higher building costs and slower new home development. Areas like Texas and Arizona, with booming new construction, could be hit the hardest.
Higher tariffs: If Trump imposes tariffs on imported building materials, like drywall or lumber, the cost of building homes could rise. Builders aren’t likely to eat those costs — they’ll pass them on to buyers.
Stronger growth equals higher rates: Trump is pro-business and pro-growth, but a stronger economy often means higher inflation. If that happens, the Federal Reserve may have to slow or stop interest rate cuts, which keeps borrowing costs higher.
How can Trump influence the Federal Reserve?
The president doesn’t control the Federal Reserve, but the economy does influence the central bank’s policy decisions. Mortgage rates are unlikely to drop significantly unless the economy slows down or we enter a recession — and no one wants that trade-off.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently said that monetary policy depends on « the totality of incoming data. » If Trump’s policies stimulate economic growth and keep inflation high, the Fed may have to pump the brakes on rate cuts.
Does a stronger economy make things better for homebuyers?
A stronger economy has pros and cons. On one hand, higher wages and job growth can help buyers save for a home and qualify for a mortgage. On the other hand, strong demand can push home prices higher, especially with inventory still tight.
This is where it gets tricky. A better economy might help your paycheck, but it could also make finding an affordable home even harder.
Can you have lower taxes and lower interest rates at the same time?
The idea of lower taxes and lower interest rates sounds great, but it’s tough to pull off. Lower taxes often stimulate the economy, leading to inflation. When inflation rises, the Fed typically increases interest rates to cool things down.
It’s a balancing act, and historically, you can’t have both at the same time. So if taxes go down, don’t hold your breath waiting for mortgage rates to follow.
The truth is that waiting for the perfect market conditions doesn’t always pay off. If mortgage rates drop significantly, more buyers will jump in, creating competition and driving up prices.
If you’re in a good financial position — you have savings, solid credit and stability in your life — 2025 could be the right time to buy. Focus on what you can control, like your budget and finding the right home for your needs. Remember, it’s less about timing the market and more about timing your life.
You won’t need to search for another app to make an EOY recap for Instagram
The app is rolling out a new Collage type for Stories to create your own
There are new secret effects for DMs and more ‘Add Yours’ stickers
Between Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay, it’s a reminder that 2024 is coming to a close, and that might have you thinking about making end-of-year recaps for Instagram. But, rather than searching for the best collage apps to download, like Top 9 or whatever the latest craze is – maybe a new CapCut template? – Instagram’s going to do some of the heavy lifting this year.
That’s right – Instagram is rolling out a new Collage style for Stories, which will let you recap your year with the right style. It’s an “EOY-themed Collage” and will be an easy way to share your top moments with friends, family, and the rest of your followers.
Judging from the example photos shared of the new Collage, you should be able to freely place several images on one Story slide and choose from themed fronts. For instance, there’s a neon “How 2024 Started” that can be paired with “How 2024 Ended” and a smaller, just as spicy “HNY.” There is even a countdown sticker type, which looks similar to the reminder functionality currently available in Instagram Stories.
(Image credit: Instagram)
To encourage others to share their favorite moments of the year, Instagram will debut four new “Add Yours” stickers. You can also theme your DMs for New Year’s Eve with lasers, but there are more festive ones, including a Mariah Carey Christmas.
(Image credit: Instagram)
You also might want to try sending “Happy New Year” or “Hello 2025” in an individual DM or a group chat, as it will cause a new special effect on-screen.
As with most Instagram updates, these are a gradual rollout – so that’s beginning today and it’s wise to make sure your app is up to date and keep checking back, as it should hit most users by the end of the week and will stick around until the beginning of January 2024.
Of course, while Instagram is hoping you won’t be reaching for another app – and since I have a crowded home screen – if these end-of-year collages don’t fit the bill, rest assured there will be alternatives off the app. We’ll just need to wait and see.
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When someone had the idea to turn a sandworm into a bucket of popcorn they had no idea what they were Dune. Did they create a singularly hilarious internet sensation? Yes. But they also set off a trend that saw people go to movie theaters not just for the movies or the snacks, but for a cool collectible too.
For years movie theaters have been looking for new, unique ways to get people to the theater: IMAX, 4DX, 3D, etc. In 2024, they found an answer with the emergence of the popcorn bucket: a limited edition collectible that, in theory, could be used to hold popcorn but is really just something fun for fans to buy and enjoy as a keepsake. Popcorn buckets aren’t a new thing in theaters, nor are they new in other places, but 2024 kind of brought them into the spotlight and it all started with Dune: Part Two.
The Dune: Part Two popcorn bucket was just supposed to be a sandworm. But very quickly the internet realized it looked like a sex toy, and, well, no one would shut up about it, ourselves included. That meant while other studios surely had popcorn buckets in the works for films like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, a brand new light was shined on them.
Image: AMC/Warner Bros.
Image: AMC
A few weeks later, Marvel Studios announced that the always-offensive Deadpool had designed his very own popcorn bucket for Deadpool & Wolverine and the Merc With the Mouth did not disappoint. Soon after, it was revealed that Wolverine’s head, with a very suspiciously wide open mouth, was coming out and all bets were off.
And while the Deadpool & Wolverine bucket was probably the most famous of the summer, personally we preferred the one Disney released for Alien: Romuluswhich was big and thick and… just the head of an alien.
As tends to happen, summer turns to fall, fall turns to winter, and since movie studios now had several months to think about popcorn buckets for their end-of-the-year releases, the buckets just kept on coming. Gladiator II gave us a Roman Colosseum with an AR component. Nosferatugave us a popcorn coffin. And even Sonic the Hedgehog got on board, with maybe the only bucket that feels relatively normal.
Image: Regal
Image: Focus
Image: Cinemark
The change by the end of the year is the buckets were no longer only for your basic blockbusters. Now we’re doing gothic horror movies. Now we’re doing Oscar fare. And that’s just a sampling. Basically, as the title of the article states, 2024 was the year of the popcorn bucket. The only question is, can 2025 raise the stakes, or will they get back to being lame?
NASA says it was able to use the James Webb telescope around ancient stars that challenge theoretical models of how planets can form. The images support that haven’t been able to be confirmed until now.
The new Webb highly detailed images were captured from the “Small Magellanic Cloud,” a neighboring dwarf galaxy to our home, the Milky Way. The Webb telescope was specifically focused on a cluster called NGC 346, which NASA says is a good proxy for “similar conditions in the early, distant universe,” and which lacks the heavier elements that have traditionally been connected to planet formation. Webb was able to capture a spectra of light which suggests protoplanetary disks are still hanging out around those stars, going against previous expectations that they would have blown away in a few million years.
ASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Olivia C. Jones (UK ATC), Guido De Marchi (ESTEC), Margaret Meixner (USRA)
“Hubble observations of NGC 346 from the mid 2000s revealed many stars about 20 to 30 million years old that seemed to still have planet-forming disks,” NASA writes. Without more detailed evidence, that idea was controversial. The Webb telescope was able to fill in those details, suggesting the disks in our neighboring galaxies have a much longer period of time to collect the dust and gas that forms the basis of a new planet.
As to why those disks are able to persist in the first place, NASA says researchers have two possible theories. One is that the “radiation pressure” expelled from stars in NGC 346 just takes longer to dissipate planet-forming disks. The other is that the larger gas cloud that’s necessary to form a “Sun-like star” in an environment with fewer heavy elements would naturally produce larger disks that take longer to fade away. Whichever theory proves correct, the new images are beautiful evidence that we still don’t have a full grasp of how planets are formed.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to one of our editors’ favorite Android phones, then going for one of Samsung’s models just makes sense. Not only is the flagship Galaxy S24 an excellent device, but there are also other options, like our editors’ favorite Samsung foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip 6. It made our list of the best phones of 2024, and you can save some big money on it using one of the many deals going on now.
Below, Adrian Marlow — one of CNET’s dedicated deals writers — has rounded up some of the best Z Flip 6 deals out there at the moment. You’ll find both straightforward discounts on unlocked models, as well as more significant discounts that require a trade-in or activation of a new line. And we’ll continue to update this page as offers come and go, so be sure to check back often.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers quite a few perks. It has a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, along with a 6.7-inch AMOLED main screen and a 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen. If you take a lot of photos and videos, you’ll love that the Z Flip 6 has a 10-megapixel front camera and a rear dual camera setup, with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera. The phone comes with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. According to Samsung, with wired charging, you should be able to get the 4,000-mAh battery up to a 50% charge in about half an hour. The Z Flip 6 comes equipped with the latest version of the company’s software, known as One UI 6.
Watch this: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6: My First Impressions
What is the best Galaxy Z Flip 6 deal right now?
If you’re just looking for a straightforward discount, Samsung is offering the best deal at the moment. You can currently save $200 on all configurations, with no trade-in or new line required. If you need a new line or have an old phone to trade in, however, T-Mobile is offering the most significant savings right now. Those on the Go5G Next plan can get the phone for free, and even those on other plans can still score hundreds off.
You can save up to an extra $750 if you have an old phone to trade in. The latest Samsung devices will net you the biggest discounts, but you can still save hundreds in exchange for your old Apple or Google devices.
T-Mobile is offering some serious bargains on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 right now. People on a Go5G Next plan can get the phone for just $100 when either adding a new line or trading in an eligible device. Other trade-in discounts include $800 off for those on a Go5G Plus plan, $300 off on a Go5G, Magenta or One rate plan and $200 off if you’re on any other qualifying service plan. If you’re looking to add a new line, you’ll save $800 if you’re on a Go5G Plus plan or $600 if you have a Go5G, Magenta or One rate plan.
You can save $100 on the Z Flip 6 at Best Buy right now. The retailer is also offering extra discounts when you add a new line or account at either AT&T or Verizon. Best Buy also has its own trade-in program where you can save up to $460 in exchange for your old phone, though that amount is only for the most recent models. Realistically, your trade-in will likely net you closer to $300 in savings, which is still a decent discount.
Those on an eligible unlimited plan can trade in their old device for up to $1,000 off the Z Flip 6 at AT&T. You’ll have to purchase the phone on an installment plan, and the discount will be applied as bill credits over a 36-month period. You’ll get the full discount for any trade-in valued at just $95 or more, and even older and damaged devices valued at just $35 will still net you $800.
New customers can save $830 on the Z Flip 6 when trading in an eligible device at Xfinity Mobile, adding a new line and choosing an Unlimited Plus Plan. Existing customers can save $700 when they trade in their old devices and upgrade their line.
You’ll have to meet some requirements to get this deal, but Verizon is offering up to $1,000 off the Z Flip 6 right now. To take advantage of these savings, you’ll need to trade in an eligible device and activate a new line of service on an Unlimited Ultimate plan. That drops the price down to just under $3 per month for 36 months.
Verizon is also offering a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Samsung Watch 7 for free with the purchase of a qualifying Android phone. You must get an eligible line for each device and sign up for AutoPay.
How we choose Galaxy Z Flip 6 deals at CNET
Many of our deals experts here at CNET have provided coverage for deals on top tech for over five years, including cell phone deals from popular brands like Samsung, Apple, Google and more. Our combined experience has helped us learn how to discern standout deals from trustworthy retailers and carriers so that you can take advantage of the best offer. Whether there are direct discounts, trade-in offers or other bonuses on deck, we help you compare the best deals for both unlocked and carrier phones to help simplify your phone buying experience and avoid lackluster deals and online shopping scams.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,100 for the basic model with 256GB of storage, or you can upgrade to 512GB configuration for $1,220.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has four basic color variants — mint, yellow, silver and blue. There are also black, peach and white variants, which are only available when you purchase it from Samsung directly.
Samsung released its last generation of foldables in July of 2024, so we expect that the new Z Flip model will likely be released in July of 2025, but we will keep you posted as we hear official word on the next generation.
If you want to gift one of Dell’s best-selling laptops or start the year with a new machine, you’re in luck. Dell has a huge last-minute sale on its best-selling laptops, with up to $600 in savings on Inspiron, XPS 13, and Alienware.
I’ve listed Dell’s best last-minute deals below, which start at just $249.99 and arrive before Christmas. Dell has a wide range of laptops on sale, all of which include impressive discounts and qualify for free shipping and extended holiday returns.
28 Weeks Later is also widely available, if your hunger for millennial zombies remains insatiable.
Maybe it was the sheer amount of fans who had the 28 Years Later trailer on repeat to try and discern whether or not that was Cillian Murphy playing a zombie (turns out, it was not), but the spot has racked up a jaw-dropping number of views since its release last week. In fact, the numbers were so high for the Danny Boyle-Alex Garland three-quel that it’s inspired Sony to give a major push to the original film in the series, 2002’s 28 Days Later.
According to Deadline, “not only was the 28 Years Later trailer the most watched horror trailer in 2024 at 60.2M global views, but it’s also the second biggest trailer of all-time behind It Chapter Two (96M views, $91M opening). Currently, the 28 Years Later trailer has racked up 146.1M global views.” That’s a lot of non-rotting eyeballs! The views do not include TikTok, the trade notes, since TikTok viewership numbers can be skewed by movie-studio advertising—a bit of inside baseball that means probably even more people have watched the dang trailer even more times than has been reported.
At any rate, Sony—which has 28 Years Later coming out under its umbrella in June 2025—is seizing the zombie zeitgeist and bringing back 28 Days Later, the first in the series that also includes 2007’s 28 Weeks Later; the films were “released respectively by Searchlight Pictures and Fox Atomic labels at the former 20th Century Fox,” per Deadline. Sony’s 28 Days Later release will be available for purchase and rental December 18, a joyous day for zombie fans who’ve been dying to revisit the long-unavailable (physically or digitally) title.
Good news if you want to make it a double feature: you can stream 28 Weeks Later on a variety of platforms, including Disney+ and Prime Video. 28 Years Later hits theaters June 20, 2025.
Snap is its program that allows creators to make money from shortform videos. The company announced a new monetization program that will allow the app’s influencers to make money from Spotlight videos that are one minute or longer by earning a share of their content’s ad revenue.
The change will streamline Snap’s monetization features across Spotlight, its in-app , and Stories, where Snap first launched its feature. It also means the company its Spotlight Reward Program, the creator fund-like arrangement that paid creators directly. That program will be discontinued January 30, 2025, with the new monetization arrangement taking effect February 1.
Snap announced the update as TikTok moves closer to an outright ban in the United States. The ByteDance-owned service is currently facing a January 19, 2025, deadline to sell or be banned f doesn’t intervene. In its announcement, Snap notes that Spotlight viewership is “up 25% year-over-year” and that “there is a unique and growing opportunity for creators to monetize this format in the same way they do with Stories.”
Under the new “unified” program, creators are eligible to earn money from Spotlight videos or Stories if they meet the following requirements:
-Have at least 50,000 followers.
-Post at least 25 times per month to Saved Stories or Spotlight.
-Post to either Spotlight or Public Stories on at least 10 of the last 28 days.
-Achieve one of the following in the last 28 days:
-1 million Spotlight views
-12,000 hours of view time
Some of those metrics are a bit higher than Snap’s previous for Stories, which set the bar at only 10 Story posts a month. But, as TechCrunchnotes, the new threshold is much higher for Spotlight creators, who could previously earn money from the company’s creator fund with only 1,000 followers and 10,000 unique views. The change also pushes creators to make longer content for Spotlight as they can no longer be paid for videos shorter than one minute.
If TikTok does end up being banned, Snap will be one of several platforms trying to lure creators to its product. And while the app is known primarily for its private messaging features, the company says that the number of people posting publicly has “more than tripled” in the last year, and that it will be “evolving and expanding the total rewards available to creators” going forward.
