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Discovering Nature on Tokyo’s Izu Islands

Just south of Tokyo, the Izu Islands, a chain of nine volcanic islands that are part of Tokyo, feel worlds apart from the city. Every year, visitors are drawn to their peculiar geological landscapes, rich flora and fauna, and crystal-clear seas, making the islands a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty close...

Don’t Buy Galaxy S25 Ultra Yet: Here’s Why Leaked S26 Ultra Might Be Worth the Wait

As tempting as the Galaxy S25 Ultra may look on paper, all signs point to its successor, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, being the real flagship to wait for. With launch expected in February 2026, the S26 Ultra is shaping up to be Samsung’s most refined and forward-thinking phone in years. The leaks make a compelling case for patience.

Refined Design

For the first time since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung is rethinking the visual identity of its top-tier phone. The Galaxy S26 Ultra may ditch the signature floating camera rings in favor of a cleaner, pill-shaped camera island. This move aligns it more with the Galaxy Fold series. It could make the S26 Ultra feel like a more cohesive and premium device in hand, especially as it also gets rounder corners and a slimmer frame at just 7.9mm thick. The rear camera bump may grow in height, but that is likely to accommodate new sensors.

Samsung is also reportedly using a next-gen Gorilla Armor glass with improved anti-reflection and durability, along with a 15% larger vapor chamber for better cooling. These tweaks might not sound revolutionary, but they point to a phone that will feel cooler, sharper, and more balanced to use, especially during long gaming or video editing sessions.

Smarter Display

Leaked details suggest the S26 Ultra’s 6.9-inch AMOLED screen will be backed by a new CoE depolarizer layer that improves brightness and efficiency by letting more light through the panel. There is also talk of AI Magic Flex Screen technology, where AI dynamically adjusts pixel angles to create built-in privacy filters. Think of it as smart screen dimming that kicks in only when needed.

And yes, the S Pen is still here, though it is now more of a writing tool than a full-blown remote. Rumors suggest this might be the last Ultra phone to feature the built-in stylus before Samsung turns it into an external accessory.

Subtle But Crucial Camera Upgrades

Samsung isn’t doing a complete camera overhaul this year. The S26 Ultra will likely retain the 200MP ISOCELL HP2 main sensor but bump the aperture from f/1.7 to f/1.4 for significantly better low-light shots. There are whispers of improved coatings on the lenses and possibly a new 12MP telephoto camera, though you should not expect a zoom revolution.

The real game-changer could be Samsung’s AI-enhanced imaging. Plus, the debut of APV Codec, a rival to Apple ProRes, could turn the Ultra into a mobile filmmaking machine.

Hardware Improvements

Unlike the S25 Ultra, which came exclusively with a Snapdragon chip, the S26 Ultra could split between the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2600 depending on the region. Early benchmarks suggest both are powerful, with Samsung’s 2nm GAA Exynos chip possibly more efficient on paper.

Paired with up to 16GB RAM (no small commitment in today’s memory market), a massive vapor cooling system, and faster storage, the S26 Ultra should feel significantly more responsive, especially with heavy multitasking and Galaxy AI features that benefit from more memory headroom.

Faster Charging

Where the S25 Ultra capped out at 45W charging, the S26 Ultra is rumored to support up to 60W or even 65W. That would be a long overdue upgrade. If the leaks are accurate, Samsung is also embracing Qi2 wireless charging, enabling MagSafe-style accessories. You may lose reverse wireless charging, but for many, the trade-off will be worth it.

So Should You Wait?

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is a great phone, but if you’re buying now, you’re likely committing to a device that could feel outdated in just a few months. With the Galaxy S26 Ultra poised to bring a sleeker body, more intelligent display, faster charging, enhanced AI software, and serious camera refinements, it makes sense to wait.

February 2026 isn’t that far away, and based on what we’ve seen so far, the wait will be worth it.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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The post Don’t Buy Galaxy S25 Ultra Yet: Here’s Why Leaked S26 Ultra Might Be Worth the Wait appeared first on Gizmochina.

RISE Gymnastics prepares for upcoming season | Sunday’s mock meet included five top 10 Nationally ranked athletes including a National Champion

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Rise Gymnastics was founded in 2019 and six years later Owner and Founder Kevin Kirkland has continued his goal of helping shape young athletes, through hard work, dedication and their faith.

Rise Gymnastics on Sunday hosted a mock meet in preparation for the upcoming season. In attendance were five top 10 ranked athletes including a National Champion from last season, Swayzie Galvan. We caught up with Swayzie’s mother Miranda to talk about her daughters journey in this sport, as they gear up to defend her title, even moving up a class this year.

The season starts January 9th, with the National Championship taking place in June and July.

Sights and sounds from Sunday’s Mock meet | includes videos and images:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.

KLST Season Pass | Week 16 | Dec. 8th – Dec. 14th | Wall Hawks State Semifinal game | ASU Athletics Fall/Winter sports weekly recap

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Season Pass episode 16 is here as High School football 5th round playoff action has concluded. Angelo State athletics coverage also highlighted this evening with ASU athletics on a break for a week before two more games before their holiday break officially starts soon. Here’s your Concho Valley sports recap from Season Pass!

This week’s episode includes:
-High school football playoffs State Semifinals
-Angelo State Athletics fall/winter sports update, including our ASU weekly recap | ASU Volleyball | ASU Men’s hoops | ASU Women’s hoops
– Dallas Cowboys keys to the game before SNF
– And a look at a few other sports stories including the College football playoffs , the Heisman race and Rise Gymnastics.

High School football week 16 recap | Class 3A | State Semifinal:

High School basketball week 16 local recap:

Angelo State Athletics weekly recap:

NFL & College Football updates: Dallas Cowboys, Heisman race, CFP playoff

Army/ Navy game prep | Rise Gymnastics:

Next week is the final episode of Season Pass before the two week holiday break.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.

Kansas soccer head coach Nate Lie joins K-Nation

LAWRENCE (KSNT) – Kansas soccer head coach Nate Lie joins this week’s episode of K-Nation.

Lie talks about the success of his team in his second year with the program, continued growth and what he wants from his squad in year three.

“It’s always sad to end a season with a group of people whom you admire and respect. When you find success, it hurts to end,” Lie said. “I’m really proud of what we did this season.”

You can watch the full interview above or on Sunday’s episode of K-Nation.

For more sports news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.

Carnival Horizon Sets Sail with More Hurricane Relief Supplies for Jamaica

Carnival Cruise Line sent another shipment of hurricane relief supplies today to Ocho Rios, Jamaica aboard the Carnival Horizon. The latest delivery includes 24 pallets weighing more than five tons of critically needed supplies, including hygiene kits, medical items and other essential goods, coordinated in partnership with Direct Relief, the Miami HEAT, and the Micky...

Stop the insanity: Penguins game 31 vs. Mammoth preview

This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-8) set a low-water mark Saturday when they squandered a 5-1 third-period lead and lost in overtime to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, 6-5. The loss mystified coach Dan Muse and players alike, and Muse stepped forward to point the first finger of blame at himself. The Penguins get another crack at victory this weekend when they host the Utah Mammoth at PPG Paints Arena.

Saturday was a jaw-dropping spectacle of lost leads befitting a spot in a Ripley’s museum. The Penguins led 5-1 with 13 minutes remaining. They led 5-2 with six minutes remaining, yet their extraordinary struggle against the extra attacker was their undoing, and San Jose scored a pair of goals with an empty net to tie the game.

Emergency call-up Sergei Murashov is expected to start Sunday if newly acquired Stuart Skinner is not yet available due to immigration visa issues.

Defenseman Brett Kulak is also awaiting his visa after being acquired with Skinner from Edmonton on Friday.

Click here to read more from PGHHockeyNOW.com.

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Xceptional Athlete: Manitowoc Lincoln’s Ella Zutz redefines balance

MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – In a sport defined by precision and balance, Manitowoc Lincoln senior gymnast Ella Zutz is redefining what’s possible and showing how sports can truly change a life.

Gymnastics demands total body awareness, yet Zutz competes at a high level on one foot. It’s a reality she has lived with since childhood. But what could have been a limitation became a foundation for confidence, resilience and self-belief.

“I had a foot accident when I was two years old,” Zutz said. “I was taken to the Children’s Hospital, where I had surgeries every day for two weeks.”

Long before she ever stepped onto a competition floor, Zutz was learning how to navigate daily life differently. Those early challenges shaped her mindset, but gymnastics, in particular, helped transform adversity into strength.

“After I learned to re-walk, my parents put me in gymnastics just to help me get going,” Zutz said.

Now a senior, Zutz is a key part of a small Lincoln gymnastics team where every ounce of effort and attitude matters.

“What keeps me motivated is how far I’ve come,” Zutz said. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d get to do this, but I worked hard to get here.”

Gymnastics has given Zutz confidence, especially on the floor exercise, where she says she feels the most free and powerful.

“Seeing her growth on floor from freshman to senior year is just really fun to see,” teammate Khloe Jalbert said.

With a limited roster, Zutz’s energy and determination lift the entire team. Head coach Jacque Bartow described her as someone whose attitude elevates the gym.

“For us, it’s like, ‘Oh, Ella doesn’t have a foot,’” Bartow said. “When we go to other gyms and spaces, all eyes are on her. Then you sit back and realize what she is doing is truly amazing.”

Zutz says that after everything gymnastics has given her, she hopes others facing adversity can find strength through sports as well.

“There are going to be mean people and people who tell you that you can’t do things,” Zutz said. “But just trust yourself and know that you can.”

Bartow says Zutz’s impact stretches beyond gymnastics itself and will continue to shape the program for many years to come.

“It’s that whole idea that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it,” Bartow said. “In the future, when we hold youth clinics and kids see Ella out there doing these things, it’s incredibly inspiring.”

From the gym to everyday life, Zutz shows that limits exist only if you let them. Through determination, courage and the lessons learned on the mat, she proves that challenges don’t define you — your attitude does.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.

GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Gaming Smartphones

GizmoChina Best Gaming Smartphones of 2025

As mobile gaming continues to surge in popularity, 2025 has emerged as one of the strongest years yet for gaming-centric smartphones. With powerful chipsets, high-refresh displays, advanced cooling systems, and massive batteries, the latest flagships aren’t just phones anymore; they are pocket-sized gaming rigs. Whether you’re into competitive shooters, open-world RPBs, or intense battle royales, there’s plenty of great gaming smartphones to choose from.

GizmoChina Best Gaming Smartphones of 2025

So here’s our list of the best gaming smartphones of 2025.

Red Magic 11 Pro+

There are only a few brands that have a pure gaming pedigree, like Red Magic. So if you want a phone built from the ground up for performance and long gaming sessions, look no further than the Red Magic 11 Pro+. Unlike modern flagships that aim to offer a balanced experience, the Chinese brand goes all in on gaming.

ZTE nubia Red Magic 11 Pro Plus
Red Magic 11 Pro+

It features a tall 6.85-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate for an immersive gaming experience. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it pairs up to 24GB LPDDR5T RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, more than enough for even the most demanding mobile titles. But what truly sets it apart is the dual cooling system. Not only does it have an active cooling system with a physical RGB fan, but it also features a vapor chamber liquid cooling. You can even see this system in the words as the liquid moves around in the pipes on the back.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

While Apple isn’t known to brand any of its devices as a gaming phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a premium phone that delivers true flagship performance. Not only can you play some of the most intense mobile game titles, but Apple has also ported actual console-level games to its iOS platform.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

So you can play popular games like Resident Evil 4, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and many more. So you have access to an impressive catalogue of games without relying on any particular streaming service.

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

iQOO 15

If you want flagship-class power without the premium flagship price, the iQOO 15 emerges as one of the best value flagships for gamers in 2025. It ships with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that brings cutting-edge performance. Pair this with a tall 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and you get a smooth gameplay experience.

iQOO 15

One of its highlighting aspects is the massive 7,000mAh battery pack that promises long, uninterrupted gaming sessions. While it may lack some of the dedicated gaming-phone trappings like active cooling or shoulder triggers, its value-for-money positioning makes it attractive for casual and competitive gamers who don’t want to overspend.

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

OnePlus 15

The OnePlus 15 strikes a sweet balance between raw performance, everyday usability, and gaming-ready hardware. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as well, but it pairs it with an even higher 165Hz refresh rate. The smooth display kicks in while you run certain titles, which brings an advantage in various competitive games.

OnePlus 15
OnePlus 15

This model outshines the iQOO 15 with its gigantic 7,300mAh battery pack that supports 120W wired fast charging as well as 50W wireless fast charging. It even supports bypass charging, which allows the device to run on a wired connection to prevent any overheating, so the battery doesn’t get damaged, and there is no performance throttling.

Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Honor GT Pro

Rounding out the list is the Honor GT Pro. A device that often flies under mainstream headlines but deserves attention if you’re serious about mobile gaming. While not always hyped, the Honor GT Pro has built a reputation for balancing performance, display quality, and capable cameras.

Honor GT Pro
Honor GT Pro

Just like the rest of Android flagships in this list, you get the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite and a huge 7,200mAh battery pack. Honor announced this model earlier in the year, so it arrived ahead of the current flagship generation. However, the brand marketed this as a dedicated gaming smartphone since it packed the Leading Edition variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite along with a three stage cooling system that includes a 3D vapor cooling chamber, thermal conductive adhesive, and AI powered temperature control system.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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The post GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Gaming Smartphones appeared first on Gizmochina.

GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Foldable Smartphones

GizmoChina Best Foldable Smartphones of 2025

If 2024 was a year of incremental updates, 2025 was the year the foldable form factor truly matured. We moved past the era of engineering curiosity and fragility into a time where these devices stood confidently alongside and often surpassed traditional flagship phones.

From Samsung’s meticulous refinement of its ecosystem to Huawei and Oppo pushing the physical limits of camera optics and hinge mechanics, this year’s lineup proved that foldables are no longer just experiments. They are now among the very best smartphones money can buy.

GizmoChina Best Foldable Smartphones of 2025

Here are our picks for the best foldable smartphones of 2025.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung’s seventh-generation book-style foldable feels like the device the series was always destined to be. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 eliminates previous compromises, most notably in its weight; at just 215g, it is the lightest Fold yet, thanks to a new titanium-backed display and slimmer FlexHinge. The viewing experience has been significantly upgraded with an 8-inch main display featuring thinner bezels and the removal of the under-display camera, which has been swapped for a sharper 10MP sensor.

However, the headline feature is the camera system. For the first time, Samsung has integrated a 200MP flagship-grade sensor, allowing the Fold 7 to capture images that rival the best slab phones on the market. On the software front, the device acts as a premier mobile workstation. Running One UI 8 and Android 16, it leverages Galaxy AI for seamless multitasking, such as side-by-side editing and context-aware interactions with Gemini Live.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung also elevated its Flip line this year, turning the clamshell form factor into a productivity tool. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduced the biggest and brightest cover screen ever seen on the series, a 4.1-inch FlexWindow that genuinely feels like a standalone phone. This expanded real estate allows users to reply to messages, run full apps, or interact with Gemini Live without ever needing to unfold the device.

Beyond the screen, the Flip 7 is a powerhouse in its own right. It is the first in the series to support Samsung DeX, allowing it to double as a desktop computer, and it packs a larger 4300mAh battery despite being slimmer than ever. This combination of portability and power ensures that the Flip 7 offers a premium flagship experience that goes far beyond simple nostalgia.

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Huawei Mate X7

Huawei-Mate-X7

While others focused on refinement, Huawei chose to experiment with aggressive hardware. The Mate X7 turned heads with its unique Yun Brocade Collector’s Edition design, but it is the camera system that truly sets it apart. It features a 50MP main sensor with a variable aperture, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and Huawei’s Red Maple color sensor, all of which combine to deliver stunning results in any lighting condition.

The display technology is equally impressive, with a foldable OLED screen that reaches a peak brightness of 2500 nits. Running on HarmonyOS, the device makes excellent use of this extra screen real estate with improved multitasking features and satellite messaging support. To top it off, the 5600mAh battery and titanium-reinforced body make the Mate X7 one of the most rugged and longest-lasting foldables released this year.

Oppo Find N5

Oppo Find N5

If Samsung and Huawei aimed for raw performance and camera versatility, the Find N5 focused on ergonomic perfection. This was arguably the most comfortable and polished foldable to hold in 2025, featuring a crease so shallow it is barely noticeable. This is made possible by an aerospace-grade titanium hinge that is both lighter and tougher than anything Oppo has shipped before.

The experience is just as premium on the inside. The 8.12-inch LTPO inner display supports stylus input, while the outer display has been upgraded for higher brightness. The Hasselblad-powered triple camera system, which includes a 50MP periscope lens and 6x optical zoom, holds its own in low-light and portrait scenarios. Furthermore, Oppo addressed battery anxiety by packing a massive 5600mAh silicon-carbon battery into the device, complete with fast wired and wireless charging, features its predecessor sorely lacked.

Huawei Pura X

Huawei Pura X

Huawei’s Pura X took the idea of a flip phone and flipped expectations. The device features a unique 6.3-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a rarity in foldables, while the 3.5-inch outer OLED is a perfect square, giving the phone a distinctive, mirror-like aesthetic. Both screens are top-tier, supporting high-frequency PWM dimming and full 120Hz LTPO refresh rates.

Unlike many flips that compromise on cameras, the Pura X is a serious imaging device. It houses a 50MP RYYB main camera, a 40MP ultra-wide, and a 3.5x telephoto lens, offering flagship versatility in a playful form factor. When you add in IPX8 water resistance, satellite communication support, and a 4720mAh battery with 66W wired charging, the Pura X stands out as a flip phone that feels like a true flagship.

In related news, we recently covered the best global smartphones of 2025. You can check them out as well.

For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.

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The post GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Foldable Smartphones appeared first on Gizmochina.

Rivermen blank Knoxville 5-0 on Teddy Bear Toss night

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – The Peoria Rivermen won 5-0 at Carver Arena Saturday night for Teddy Bear Toss night.

Fans braved the sub-zero wind chill and six inches of snow that fell hours before puck drop to participate in the toss.

Garrett Devine scored a short-handed goal roughly eight minutes into the game and the Rivermen never looked back. Thousands of teddy bears were dropped onto the ice after the win.

It was Devine’s first of two goals on the night.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.

Marc Kazlauskas Named President of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today named Marc Kazlauskas as president of Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian), effective Jan. 19, 2026, according to a press release. He joins the company with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across sales, operations, and innovation in the global travel industry. Kazlauskas most recently served as CEO of Avoya...

Mystic Signs Cruise Newbuild Deal in China

China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Corporation has announced that it signed a deal with Mystic Cruises to build one cruise ship with an option for three additional ships. The deal was signed at a ceremony in China last week, with Mario Ferreira, president of Mystic Cruises, signing the agreement along with Mei Zhonghua, vice general manager...

MSC: New Family Activities at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

MSC Cruises has revealed a new list of entertainment activities at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island in the Bahamas, which will be rolled out from January 2026. The additions will complement the existing offerings of snorkeling, paddleboarding and jet skiing at the island. The company said in a press release that...

Disney Treasure Completes First Year of Service

The Disney Treasure recently completed its first year of service for Disney Cruise Line after being handed over on October 24, 2024. As the second ship in the company’s Wish class, the LNG-powered vessel was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Following its delivery, the Treasure made a technical call to Portugal’s...

Azamara Celebrates Record Bookings from Cyber Monday

Azamara Cruises has announced that Cyber Monday 2025 delivered the strongest booking day in the company’s history, with new bookings up approximately 5 percent over its previous record. The broader multi-week Black Friday Sale also ranked among the top five best booking periods in Azamara Cruises’ history. “Cyber Monday blew past every expectation,” said Dondra...
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