Nintendo is being pretty tight lipped about its new games console, dubbed the Switch.
We know it has on the go gaming as well as a dock for playing on your TV and it comes with some dinky controllers which can be detached from the main screen. Other than that, it's a bit of a mystery, and Nintendo doesn't plan to confirm anything else until January 2017.
But that can't stop the leaks from happening! Toys R Us in Canada apparently had a price listed on their site of 329 Canadian Dollars. At today's rate, that's under €240, though prices in Europe are generally higher.
For a console launch it's a pretty tasty price, and you should be able to get one with a game packed in for only a little more. Nintendo's new console caters to a different market to the likes of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One S so that lower cost will be a definite advantage.
Of course, Nintendo isn't admitting to anything yet, but hopefully the rumour turns out to be true. The reveal is coming to happen early in the morning of the 12th of January, 2017.
After the issues around the launch of the Galaxy Note 7, which sometimes went a little bit on fire when it was charging, all eyes will be on what Samsung does next.
And it's pretty clear that's going to be the launch of the Galaxy S8. It's one of the most popular premium smartphone ranges in the world, and it's also the ideal way for the company to start restoring the faith of its millions of customers.
We've already heard that they could be bringing forward the release date of the handset to early in 2017, and the rumour mill is already grinding out potential specs. The latest whisper is that we could be seeing some new screen sizes next year.
Previously the regular S7 had a 5.1 inch screen while the Edge variant measured 5.5 inches. The word is that the new phones will start at 5.7 inches and go all the way up a 6.2 inches.
A very thin bezel was already rumoured and this would keep the handset dimensions from getting too much bigger - and the larger phone could have a truly edge to edge display. It might be called the Galaxy S8 Plus.
Right now these are just rumours but expect to hear about the new phones early in 2017.
Skinny folk with an infuriating ability to eat anything they want may not be as fortunate as they seem.
For some, the excess calories that appear to vanish like magic could be increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Scientists have identified a number of gene variants that both increase diabetes susceptibility and prevent the growth of fat under the skin – especially below the waist.
Drinking more than two sugary or artificially sweetened soft drinks per day greatly increases the risk of diabetes, research has shown (Anthony Devlin/PA)
The discovery could explain why some slim people develop Type 2 diabetes even though the disease is strongly associated with being overweight or obese.
Despite appearances, these individuals do not burn up extra calories from fattening food. Nor do they store the calories “safely” as peripheral fat. Instead, they transfer them to organs such as the liver and pancreas where they can do harm, it is claimed.
Lead researcher Dr Luca Lotta, from Cambridge University, said: “Our study provides compelling evidence that a genetically-determined inability to store fat under the skin in the lower half of the body is linked to a higher risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
The new research shows that obesity does not have to be the main cause of type 2 diabetes (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
“Regardless of their body weight, if people don’t burn these excessive calories, even if they don’t seem to be putting on a lot of weight, they may still be at risk.
“This doesn’t mean that being obese is a good thing. It does mean that if you eat too much and you don’t do enough physical activity you have an excess of calories you have to store somewhere.
“Not all individuals are predisposed to safely store those calories in peripheral fat tissue.”
Diabetes sufferers have to test their blood sugar levels at regular intervals (Mike Watson Images/Thinkstock)
The international team studied more than two million genetic variants in almost 200,000 people to look for links to insulin resistance. The condition, marked by a decreasing ability of the body to respond to the hormone insulin, can pave the way to full-blown diabetes.
Co-author Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, also from Cambridge University, said: “We’ve long suspected that problems with fat storage might lead to its accumulation in other organs such as the liver, pancreas and muscles, where it causes insulin resistance and eventually diabetes, but the evidence for this has mostly come from rare forms of human lipodystrophy.
“Our study suggests that these processes also take place in the general population.”
A suicide bombing in Iraq has targeted the Shiite sacred city of Karbala, killing at least six civilians, in the latest attempt by the Islamic State group to distract from the government forces' offensive on the IS-held northern city of Mosul.
According to Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan, six suicide bombers tried to sneak into Karbala from its western outskirts earlier in the day but security forces detected and killed five of them.
The sixth attacker broke into a house in the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighbourhood, where he detonated his suicide vest, killing six people and wounding another six.
The attack came as hundreds of thousands of faithful Shiites have been walking to Karbala to commemorate the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson and an iconic Shiite martyr.
A man has been found guilty of murdering a police officer in the UK and, inspired by TV show Breaking Bad, trying to dispose of his body with acid.
Stefano Brizzi will be sentenced next month for killing Gordon Semple during a sex game at his London flat.
Gordon Semple
Jurors convicted him after 30 hours deliberating over the gruesome evidence.
Stefano Brizzi
Sky's Laura Bundock's has the details: "None of his family nor his long-term partner were here to hear the verdict today, they’ve not been present throughout the case.
“They have though issued a statement which said, ‘we were devastated when the news broke of Gordon’s murder and the circumstances which are still incredibly hard to deal with’.”
A US judge has ordered the release of Making A Murderer's Brendan Dassey, whose homicide conviction was overturned in a case profiled in the Netflix series, while prosecutors appeal.
US magistrate judge William Duffin ordered Dassey's release from prison contingent upon him meeting multiple conditions.
Brendan Dassey
The judge ruled in August that investigators tricked Dassey into confessing he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape, kill and mutilate photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005.
Major League Soccer has a reputation for being the retirement home of some of Europe’s top footballers, but one of England’s senior residents has just announced he’s leaving the league for pastures new.
Former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has decided his New York City FC career is over, and he leaves with his head held high.
If ever you were wondering what Conor McGregor’s feelings were on Donald Trump, we’ve got the answer. The Dubliner was spotted dancing enthusiastically to a song dedicated to the president-elect, endearingly titled “F**k Donald Trump.”
After making history over the weekend, becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously following his second-round knockout of Eddie Alvarez, McGregor celebrated his achievement at Marquee New York Nightclub.
The Formula One championship is heading for a season decider in Abu Dhabi a week on Sunday following Lewis Hamilton’s third consecutive victory at a chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix.
But what else did we learn from a day of racing in Sao Paulo? Well, a few things actually…
1. Don’t be fooled by Hamilton downplaying brilliance in Brazil.
(Andre Penner/AP)
As the chaos unfolded around him, Hamilton kept his cool in the treacherous conditions to deliver one of his finest performances in recent years.
Hamilton downplayed his masterclass – his first victory at the home of his boyhood hero Ayrton Senna – afterwards by claiming it was one of the easiest wins of his career. But do not be fooled. Yes, Hamilton has the best car, but at one stage of the race he was more than 25 seconds clear of team-mate Nico Rosberg.
And while Rosberg, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel and even Max Verstappen all lost control of their cars, Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, crashed out and Jenson Button, usually a master of the inclement conditions, plodded home in last, Hamilton did not endure one scare.
A brilliant effort from the Englishman, who can now boast 52 victories in the sport.
2. Verstappen’s the real deal.
(Leo Correa/AP)
The only other driver on the same level as Hamilton on Sunday was Verstappen, and his outstanding performance has rightly drawn comparisons with some of the best wet weather performances in F1 history.
Verstappen, still only 19, passed Rosberg, Raikkonen and left Vettel on the grass, in a thrill-a-minute display which had his boss Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, purring. “Max was in a league of his own,” Horner said following Verstappen’s remarkable comeback drive from 14th to third in just 15 laps. “You don’t often witness a motor race like that, and what we saw was something very, very special.”
3. Not a great day for other Britons.
(Ricardo Mazalan/AP)
Outside of Hamilton’s rip-roaring display, it was an afternoon to forget for the other British drivers. Button, who will head to Abu Dhabi for what is likely to be his last race, finished last, while Jolyon Palmer crashed out after colliding with Daniil Kvyat.
“There is definitely something wrong as I don’t think I have forgotten how to drive in the wet,” said Button, who often revels in the inclement conditions.
Palmer, who also failed to make the finish in the rain at Monaco earlier this year, added: “I just couldn’t see anything. Kvyat, in front of me, was slower and I hit him.”
4. Tears flow for Felipe Massa.
(Paulo Whitaker/AP)
There was not a dry eye in the house after Felipe Massa crashed out of his final Brazilian Grand Prix. Massa, draped in his national flag, was in tears as he took the acclaim of the home fans before he was given a guard of honour by rival teams up and down the pit lane as he made his way back to the Williams garage.
“It was heartbreaking because I didn’t want it to finish like this,” Massa, who will compete in his 250th and final grand prix in Abu Dhabi before retiring from the sport, said.
“I wanted to finish with a good result for the fans, for Brazil, for my team, for me. Unfortunately I couldn’t. I had an amazing feeling with the fans and I couldn’t stop crying.”
5. Hamilton calls for Interlagos to stay on F1 calendar.
(Leo Correa/AP)
Interlagos threw up another fine race on Sunday, however Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s 86-year-old chief executive, has warned that it may not be on the calendar next year.
But Hamilton, who sported a crash helmet in tribute to Senna here this weekend, said: “This is a grand prix that must stay. It’s a part of Formula One’s heritage, and it’s one of those original circuits which we can’t lose.”
Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has held talks with the Chicago Fire about a move to the MLS club.
Schweinsteiger is yet to play a single minute under Jose Mourinho in the Premier League this season and he met Chicago head coach Veljko Paunovic in Manchester on Friday.
Press Association Sport understands negotiations with the former Germany captain are still at an early stage and nothing has been formally agreed.
The regular MLS season concluded at the end of last month and Paunovic has been in England as part of a European scouting tour.
Schweinsteger is understood to be keen on a switch to America and now considering his options, with Chicago not the only club to have expressed an interest in the 32-year-old.
Paunovic, however, wants to have his squad assembled in time for pre-season, which will begin at the end of January ahead of the new season starting in March.
Schweinsteiger would certainly represent a major coup for Chicago, who finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last term.
The club's former signings include Mexico midfielder Blanco, Sweden's Freddie Ljungberg and German defender Arne Friedrich.
Schweinsteiger has returned to first-team training at United after initially being told by Mourinho to train with the reserves.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder does not appear to have a future at Old Trafford but has not given up hope of playing in the Premier League again.
"I'm trying to keep myself fit for the situation in which I am needed," he said in a video produced during an advertising shoot with German snacks manufacturers Funny Frisch.
"Hopefully I will be given a chance. I look forward to training every day, and being able to train with the team. I don't know if I will get a chance, but I hope so.
"I still feel fit at 32 and certainly want to play more years at the top level and of course I want to win things.
"We won the FA Cup last year and that was also one of my aims. Of course it would be great to play for United in the Premier League and perhaps win it.
"If I am needed, I will give everything - I am ready."
It has been a difficult few months for Schweinsteiger.
The 2014 World Cup winner was given an emotional testimonial by Germany after announcing his international retirement but has not been given a chance for his club.
"I'm not one to think of burying my head in the sand - I've always been a positive person and still am now," Schweinsteiger said.
"My rhythm is good - of course it's different when you play each weekend compared with when you are only training - but I enjoy my football."
Schweinsteiger joined United from Bayern Munich in July 2015. He has made 31 appearances and scored one goal for the club.
Chris Brunt admitted his return to the international scene after 13 months away was virtually perfect as he starred in Northern Ireland's 4-0 triumph over Azerbaijan in Belfast.
Knee ligament damage had kept West Brom's Brunt, 31, out from February to October, meaning he was restricted to a watching brief at Euro 2016, but he made up for lost time with a fine performance as Michael O'Neill's men moved second in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Brunt defied an early head injury and demonstrated his brilliance from set-piece situations by delivering the ball which Gareth McAuley nodded home, and he was credited with rounding off the night by scoring the fourth, though his captain Steven Davis may have got a decisive touch before the ball nestled in the net.
Northern Ireland's Chris Brunt after the match. Picture: Inpho
Either way, Brunt was delighted to mark his Northern Ireland return with such a convincing victory over a nation that had not conceded in their previous three qualifiers.
advertisement
"It couldn't have gone much better for me and the team," he said.
"The result was obviously the important thing and then the fact we kept a clean sheet. Azerbaijan were coming here on the back of not conceding a goal in three games so it was important for us to put them on the back foot and try and score some goals.
"We obviously did that and to come away with a 4-0 win is great. In the second half they may have had a bit more of the ball but I don't really recall Michael McGovern having to make more than one save throughout the game."
Brunt's road to rehabilitation, which his club had chronicled on social media recently, had seen him lifting the equivalent of 40 elephants.
Such physical excursions were also accompanied by mental deliberations of whether there would ever be a place in O'Neill's team once more.
"I must admit I did sit and think about playing international football while I was out," Brunt added. "A lot of the time you are just working hard to get fit but it did cross my mind.
"I've played a few games for West Brom over the last few weeks and coming here was going to give me another chance to get 90 minutes under my belt - if selected. Thankfully I was and able to play my part in the win.
"I played the whole game and was a bit tired towards the end but that is to be expected considering I've hardly played. To be involved in a couple of goals just made the night for me."
Whether he can stake a legitimate claim to being the scorer of the fourth goal remains uncertain, even after replays, though Brunt is happy for others to decide if he should be credited with his second international goal, and his first in seven years.
"I'm not too sure what actually happened," he admitted. "At first I thought it did hit off Davo so it was his goal. But if he is giving it to me, then I'll gladly take it. It doesn't really matter who scores the goals, it's just important we win.
"The shot was on target so that was the main thing from my point of view. I'm sure it will be debated on TV and the pundits will decide. But the important thing is it went in and completely killed them off."
Martin O'Neill has told his players their World Cup destiny will not be decided whatever happens in Vienna this evening.
Victory over Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium would give Ireland a six-point advantage over one of their Group D qualification rivals, while defeat would drag Marcel Koller's men back into the thick of the race.
However, just as was the case during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, O'Neill believes Ireland's fate will be sealed during the second half of the campaign.
Asked if he would take a point, he said: "Us remaining unbeaten, let's say over the Christmas period and into March, would naturally give us a boost, there's no question about that, and any point away from home in international football or club football or European football is still considered, even by the very best sides, to be a good result.
advertisement
"Our destiny, though, will be decided in 2017. By tomorrow, we will have played three games away from home and we will only level that up some time in June.
"This is still a very important game, don't get me wrong, and our intention is very much to go out and be on the front foot."
Ireland have a poor record against Austria - they have won only two of the 14 previous meetings between the sides and lost 1-0 on their last visit to Vienna in a World Cup qualifier in September 2013.
Just three places separate the sides in FIFA's current rankings with Austria having slipped to 30th from a high of 10th, which was their reward for reaching the Euro 2016 finals with a haul of 28 points from a possible 30, although they finished bottom of their group in France with just a single point.
Victory in Georgia got their bid for a trip to Russia off to a good start but a home draw with Wales and defeat in Serbia have rather taken the gloss off that.
O'Neill said: "I think they are a very good side. They have come home from the Euros very disappointed because they would have expected to do a lot better than they did - but having said that, they did draw with the side that went on to win it.
"I think they will be there or thereabouts at the end."
Four people have been killed after an explosion at a US airfield in Afghanistan.
US army general John Nicholson said another 14 people were wounded in the attack inside Bagram Air Field in Parwan province, north of Kabul.
He said the blast was caused by an "explosive device," and the incident is still under investigation.
An earlier statement from Nato's Resolute Support mission said the blast happened around 5.30am local time (1am Irish time) and that "force protection and medical teams are responding to the situation".
advertisement
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which it said was carried out by a suicide bomber inside the base.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group, said the attack had been planned for four months.
The Taliban regularly fires rockets at Bagram from outside its perimeter.
Abdul Wahid Sediqqi, a spokesman for the governor of Parwan province, where the air field is based, said he had received reports of four dead and around 18 wounded in the attack.
Labourers employed at the base line up at the gates around dawn, he said, adding that an attacker could have been among the men entering the facility.
There was no immediate word on the nationalities of those killed and wounded.
