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Employment is soaring but growth is tepid, so what should we make of the state of the UK economy?

Employment is soaring but growth is tepid, so what should we make of the state of the UK economy?

Employment is soaring but growth is tepid, so what should we make of the state of the UK economy?

AirPods 2 have arrived and you might be surprised at what Apple did and did not upgrade from the original AirPods...

What Disney's takeover of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox means for the industry - in charts.

What Disney's takeover of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox means for the industry - in charts.

What Disney's takeover of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox means for the industry - in charts.

A leading transplant surgeon says that services are struggling to keep up with demand.

While some groups have confirmed their reunion, some others are still teasing their fans who have been wishing for a reunion for so long.

Atlus has been teasing something called "Persona 5 R" for some time, but their latest teaser trailer gives us a bit more info the title.

Now titled Persona 5: The Royal, it's not clear whether this is a sequel, expansion, or updated version of Persona 5, but I'd lean toward the latter. The Royal takes place in the same locale as Persona 5 and introduces a new red-headed character, who doesn't seem to be into the methods of the Phantom Thieves (according to a translation from Gematsu) and would rather solve her problems on her own. Whether they'll be an ally, foe, or (in a longshot guess here) a new playable character remains to be seen.

It isn't a ton of info to go on, but don't worry; Atlus also announced we'd be getting more info on April 24, the date of the "Persona Super Live" concert in Japan.

Click here to watch embedded media

Filed under: Mazda,First Drives,Hatchback,Sedan

Mazda does things differently. That's why the 3 AWD is so intriguing.

Continue reading 2019 Mazda3 AWD First Drive Review | Unconventionally incredible

2019 Mazda3 AWD First Drive Review | Unconventionally incredible originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Mar 2019 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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During our First Drive of the 2019 Mazda3, we praised the car’s agile handling and superbly executed interior. Now that we’ve driven the new all-wheel-drive variant, we’re happy to report that the sporty compact car is even better to drive with four-wheel traction. The 2019 Mazda3 AWD handles better in all weather conditions, turning it into a sophisticated all-weather driver’s car that puts entry-level offerings from luxury brands on notice.

At a drive event for the 2019 Mazda3, we started the day on a snow course and an icy slalom section. We jumped into a front-drive 2019 Mazda3 sedan first and instantly found it lacked the traction to get up inclines without momentum. All-wheel-drive-equipped cars breezed through the course from a standstill. Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system sends torque where it’s most needed and works with G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC+) to maintain traction, taking into account weather and road conditions.

In the snow, the all-wheel-drive system and GVC+ keeps the Mazda3 sure-footed in the slush by reducing engine torque ever so slightly and applying small amounts of braking to shift weight and power around to keep the car stable. With GVC+ disabled, you immediately notice you’re steering more to keep the car from getting unwieldy. The lack of stability instantly became obvious on a slalom course where a 20-mph lane change easily caused the car’s rear end to step out, forcing the driver to counter the skid with lots of steering input.

On pavement, the all-wheel-drive system makes the 2019 Mazda3 feel predictable when driving enthusiastically. Torque sent to the rear wheels pushes the car out of corners, minimizing understeer and allowing it to rotate. Superbly controlled body motions keep the Mazda3 neutral, and the sharp, communicative steering tells you exactly what the front wheels are doing. The Mazda3’s brilliantly tuned chassis soaks up broken pavement beautifully without disconnecting the driver from the road, making you question the need for adaptive dampers and suspensions on some cars that aim to improve handling without sacrificing ride comfort.

The carryover 186-hp 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I-4 happily revs to redline; however, you feel it working hard at higher elevations. Mazda’s six-speed automatic upshifts quickly but takes a second or two to kick down. Sport mode offers quicker rev-matched downshifts and holds gears longer. We also drove a front-drive Mazda3 hatchback with the six-speed manual and found it to be the liveliest of the bunch. The free-revving four-banger works with the slick shifter and communicative clutch admirably to provide plenty of smiles behind the wheel.

Mazda’s interiors continue to move upmarket, and the 2019 Mazda3’s cabin easily matches those in entry-level luxury vehicles, especially with the two-tone options. Everything you touch from the dash to the armrests feels expensive, and the infotainment controls click and turn with a satisfying sound. Even harder plastics in the rear wouldn’t look out of place in a car donning a three-pointed star or a stylized “L.” Save for some road and tire noise at highway speeds on uneven surfaces, the 2019 Mazda3’s cabin is nearly vault-like. Complementing the spiffy interior is a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system that provides a crisp listening experience and just enough bass to satisfy audiophiles. The latest iteration of the MazdaConnect interface is easier to use but still falls behind Hyundai/Kia’s Blue Link/UVO, Subaru’s Starlink, and FCA’s UConnect.

All-wheel drive should make the 2019 Mazda3 more appealing to consumers living in four-season states, but that’s only one part of the equation. Four-wheel traction along with GVC+ also improves the Mazda3’s driving characteristics on pavement. When combined with its elegant interior, the Mazda3 turns into an entry-level luxury car in disguise. A Signature trim and the CX-9’s 2.5-liter turbo-four are the final pieces that can turn the Mazda3 into a nearly perfect package: fun, chic, and eye-catching.

The post 2019 Mazda3 AWD First Drive: All-Weather Sophistication appeared first on Motortrend.

<p>Traveling with your favorite wireless headphones is about to get even easier.</p><p>AirPods are one of the most coveted, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-accessories/travel-friendly-headphones" target="_blank">travel-friendly wireless headphones</a> for people who are constantly on the go. While they have always been innovative, offering a few blissful hours of talk time and music play, they’ve still had some drawbacks (namely battery life for those power-users out there).</p><p>But according to Apple, that’s all about to change.</p><p>The company <a data-ecommerce="true" href="http://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/03/airpods-the-worlds-most-popular-wireless-headphones-are-getting-even-better/" target="_blank">announced on Wednesday</a> that the newest generation of AirPods are going to improve user experience immensely thanks to the new H1 chip the company has developed.</p><img alt="Apple airpods "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1553264912/apple-air-pods-PODS0319.jpg?itok=zdMklwuL"><p>The introduction of the chip into the new AirPods means that users get 50 percent more talk time (about an hour more), faster connect times, at least 24 hours of music listening, and hands-free operating using the new “Hey Siri” feature, according to the announcement.</p><p>Users can also buy their new headphones with a wireless charging case that makes it even easier to stay at 100 percent all the time. Which means your headphones won’t suddenly go dead when you’re 30,000 feet in the air. It’s a dream come true.</p><p>“AirPods delivered a magical wireless experience and have become one of the most beloved products we’ve ever made,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing in the announcement. “The world’s best wireless headphones just got even better.”</p><p>The new Siri feature lets users change songs, make a call, or even adjust the volume just by saying “Hey Siri.” Say goodbye to fumbling between your headphones, ticket, passport, and suitcase. That’s one less thing to worry about, anyway.</p><p>The new AirPods can come with a standard charging case for $159 or a wireless case for $199. Or, anyone can order a wireless case by itself for $79.</p><p>The new AirPods are available on the Apple Store app and <a data-ecommerce="true" href="https://www.apple.com/airpods/" target="_blank">Apple website</a> now and will be in Apple Stores beginning next week.</p><p>More information can be found on the <a data-ecommerce="true" href="https://www.apple.com/airpods/" target="_blank">Apple website</a>.</p>

<p>Our April cover takes us to the remote, rugged Caribbean island of <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/the-caribbeans-secret-dominica" target="_blank">Dominica</a>, where writer Gina DeCaprio Vercesi <a href="http://travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/voluntourism-hurricane-recovery-secret-bay-dominica" target="_blank">reports from a trail-clearing trip</a> to <a href="https://secretbay.dm/" target="_blank">Secret Bay</a> resort — examining how properties on the island are encouraging travelers to take part in hurricane recovery efforts. </p><p>For the first time in many issues, April has two covers: one which you'll see on newsstands around the country, the other exclusively for subscribers. Both were shot by New York-based photographer <a href="https://noedewitt.com/" target="_blank">Noe DeWitt</a>, who was just back from the British Virgin Islands on assignment to capture the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/photography/travel-leisure-cover-noe-dewitt-february-2019" target="_blank">dreamy cover of our February issue</a>.</p><p>His next trip, though, won't be to the Caribbean. After the March 26 release of his book with Anthony Iannacci, <em><a aria-describedby="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/new-york-design-at-home_9781419734465/" target="_blank" title="(opens new window)">New York Design At Home</a> </em>(Abrams, $60), he's headed to Italy for a spring break with family. "These trips are the ultimate photograph sessions with my children," he says.</p><img alt="View from Secret Bay, in Dominica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1553207401/view-from-secret-bay-dominica-APRCOVER0419.jpg?itok=7W8ssOrw"><p>T+L recently spoke with the photographer about his trip to Dominica, the best time of day for photographing perfectly turquoise water, and how he got to the beach where "Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed: </p><p><strong>T+L: Had you ever traveled to Dominica before? Any first impressions?</strong></p><p><strong>Noe DeWitt: "</strong>This was my first trip to Dominica. It is extremely lush with vegetation, so flying over the island was incredible. <br />There are dramatic mountains, and the jagged coastline along the northern Atlantic side of the island is intense. Reminded me a bit of Jurassic Park. The island has many first-class dive spots, with giant rock formations under crystal clear blue water — if I had more time there, I would definitely put my PADI [Professional Association of Diving Instructors] certification to the test." </p><img alt="View from Secret Bay Resort in Dominica, on the April 2019 cover of Travel + Leisure magazine "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1553207401/secret-bay-cover-dominica-APRCOVER0419.jpg?itok=UC0sAXo_"><p><strong>The newsstand cover was shot at Secret Bay, a resort on the island. What was it like shooting there?</strong></p><p>"Secret Bay is intimate, peaceful, and beautifully designed. You can truly 'check out' while staying there. It is very photogenic, but shooting was a bit challenging in that most of the resort is on a very steep hill. The villas are perched on cliffs, allowing for incredible views of the mountains and sea. Roaming the property for 'the shot' was quite fun — climbing around the grounds, walking along the cliffs. We even photographed the resort from a hired boat to get as many options as possible." </p><p><strong>Can you describe where you were when you took this cover? (I love the interesting focus, and how it feels like you were surrounded by plants.)</strong></p><p>"I took this photo from the path to my villa. Throughout my stay, I kept photographing this same view, over and over, at different times of day. I loved the layers between the foreground, mid-distance, and the horizon of the sea. Just below the frame is a cliff down to Secret Bay Beach — which you can only access by boat." </p><img alt="Batibou Beach, in Dominica "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1553207401/batibou-beach-cover-dominica-APRCOVER0419.jpg?itok=nEdGcVVQ"><p><strong>Where were you when you took the beach picture on the subscriber cover? How did you get that overhead shot?</strong></p><p>"This is Batibou Beach, where many of the beach scenes in "Pirates of the Caribbean" were filmed. Most people get here by driving down a long dirt road through a private coconut palm farm. However, I decided I wanted to hike in and walk through the coconut grove. I parked on the main island road and hiked about a mile and a half. For this picture, I was probably about 500 feet above the beach, on the side of a dirt road, photographing as the sun ducked in and out of the clouds." </p><p><strong>What times of day did you take both pictures? What type of equipment did you use?</strong></p><p>"The newsstand cover was taken at the end of the day, just before total sunset. The Batibou Beach shot was around 11:00 AM — just before high noon, which is generally not an ideal time to take photographs, but great for capturing the bluest water. I used my trusty Canon 1-DX Mark II Camera with a Canon 50mm L-series fixed lens for both covers." <br /> </p>

More than 1,000 people are being evacuated by helicopter from the cruise ship Viking Sky on the Norwegian coastline today. The ship has run into problems in high winds on a notorious stretch of water known as Hustadvika in Møre og Romsdal county.

The 'Forever' hitmaker 'feels disrespected' by the 'Wild 'N Out' host, whom Chris considers a friend, after Nick's trying to hit on his ex Rihanna.

Filed under: Etc.,Rumormill,Chevrolet,GM,Coupe,Future,Luxury,Performance

Corvette Forum member says he specced the car at his local dealer.

Continue reading Alleged C8 Chevrolet Corvette order guide leaks

Alleged C8 Chevrolet Corvette order guide leaks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Mar 2019 11:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The TV star previously revealed that she's pregnant with twins, though she kept details about her daughter's daddy under wrap.

Manual-first, then automation.

Jordan Peele's R-rated horror flick just earned the biggest opening day ever for a live-action original.