free website hit counter USA Update – Page 524 – Netvamo

USA Update

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

Amazon replaces cheapest Fire TV Stick with a brand new model – but the biggest difference is hidden in the box

AMAZON has launched a brand new Fire Stick device in its latest product shake-up.

The move comes as the retail giant just announced new Kindles too, including the company’s first ever colour e-reader.

a black fire tv remote next to a black fire tv stick
Can you notice the difference on the new Fire Stick HD?

But for those who want to stream TV without breaking the bank they will now have to turn to the new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD.

It replaces the existing Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite.

On first look, you may struggle to notice anything different at all.

The stick itself looks exactly the same as before, in a black rectangular form.

And although “HD” has been added to the name, it’s still 1080p Full HD – which was what the previous models were capable of.

They appear to have the same processing power and storage capacity, 8GB, too.

But in the box there is a small change for the Lite version at least.

The controller has been upgraded to the recent one released this year.

Again, most people may struggle to notice the difference.

However, there are some new buttons compared to the one previously included with the Lite version.

It now provides full controls for your TV as well as the Fire Stick, so you can adjust the volume and mute without needing to use your TV’s main remote.

This can be used for soundbars too.

According to TechRadar, it’ll be priced at $34.99 / £39.99.

Get more out of your Amazon Fire Stick

Try some of these top tips to improve your Amazon Fire Stick instantly.

Read More »

I hit the jackpot after finding a vintage shirt from Goodwill for just $7 – and I knew two details made it worth $647

SHOPPING at Goodwill can be a bit of a gamble, but one fashion fan it the jackpot on her recent trip.

Grace Andrews wasn’t exacting much when she began trawling through the packed rails, but things started looking up when she began spotting some pricey brands.

The savvy shopper bagged a bargain in her local Goodwill
TikTok/@grace.andrewsss
TikTok/@grace.andrewsss
The designer top caught her eye and was added straight to her cart[/caption]
Getty
The designer top wasn’t the only posh item she found on her trip[/caption]

From some stunning cargo pants, to a trendy mini skirt, the fashion fan quickly began to fill her cart with bargains.

Grace showed off “the best treasure” she managed to snap – a designer top for a seriously discounted price.

The 90s vintage Vivienne Tam sheer top

“I remember thinking this top looked and felt too nice to only be $7,” Grace explained in the TikTok clip.

And she was so right.

After a quick online search, she realised the garment can fetch $600 online.

“I swear I started shaking,” she said.

In a follow-up clip, Grace tried on the designer top, which fit her perfectly.

Despite it’s worth, Grace revealed she has no plans to resell it though and “can’t wait” to make the most of it in her closet.

Other shoppers were stunned by her amazing find and couldn’t believe how lucky she got.

“I never find anything at Goodwill,” one said

“Wow. Great haul,” another chimed in.

Meanwhile, other Goodwill fans shared some of the bargains they managed to snap up from the retailer.

“I found Roger Viver heels for $25,” one shopper commented on the clip.

Another hit the jackpot when they bagged a Jill Sander T-shirt, and someone else found a massively reduced designer blazer from Oscar De La Renta.

This isn’t the first time someone has been extremely lucky with their thrifting finds though, one shopper revealed they found the deal of the century at their local Goodwill.

They took to Reddit to explain how they got their hands on a vintage Hermes scarf.

“Nothing like a mint-condition Hermes scarf for 50 cents, amirite?” they wrote in the caption.

The silk vintage item was 34” x 34” and designed by Frenchman Francoise de la Perriere.

The nautical-themed accessory is retailing for $499.89 on the reseller site 1stDibs.

According to the site, it was probably designed in the 1960s.

After snagging it for only 50 cents, that is close to a 1,000% markdown.

“Wow, you were the Thrift Gods’ favorite today! Congratulations, it’s lovely,” another Redditor wrote.

Valuable thrifting finds revealed

Here are some of the best thrift store finds:

Read More »

Police reveal minute-by-minute breakdown over Liam Payne’s death from first 911 call to tragic third-floor fall

LIAM Payne fell to his death just minutes after hotel staff made a panicked call to police.

The former One Direction heart-throb, 31, died instantly after tragically plunging from his third-floor balcony on Wednesday.

a tv screen shows a picture of liam payne
Liam was photographed by a lift in the hotel lobby about half an hour before he fell
a box of dove soap sits on a messy table
White powder and burnt aluminium foil was allegedly pictured inside Liam’s hotel room
a sign that says liam payne 1993 is surrounded by flowers and candles
Reuters
Tributes left outside the hotel in Buenos Aires[/caption]
a man with a tattoo on his arm that says dcxviii
Getty
Liam, 31, was confirmed dead at the scene in Argentina[/caption]
an aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by buildings
AFP
The singer fell from his third-floor balcony into the hotel’s inner courtyard[/caption]

At 4.26pm, Liam was pictured by another guest laying on a sofa in the lobby on his laptop.

Two minutes later he was snapped by a lift in the CasaSur Hotel lobby in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Concerned hotel staff then dialled 911 at 5.01pm asking for police to be sent.

The head of reception said they needed “urgent assistance” to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.

He added: “He is destroying the entire room. We need you to send someone please.”

At 5.04pm, officers were assigned to go to the scene and a minute later at 5.05pm a patrol car arrived at the hotel.

But they were faced with a grisly scene when they found Liam had fallen from his balcony into the hotel’s inner courtyard.

At 5.07pm, police reported a person had plunged from the third floor and urgently requested an ambulance.

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 5.11pm local time (9.11pm UK time), and Liam was tragically pronounced dead.

It is unclear exactly what time dad-of-one Liam fell.

Witnesses have since claimed Liam was seen arguing with a mystery woman just three hotels before his death.

Michael Fleischmann, who was also staying at the hotel, claims the star was “very upset” as he argued about money in front of other guests.

Another guest said Liam displayed “disturbing” behaviour shortly before he died.


It comes as…


Investigators are now trying to piece together what happened to Liam before his fatal fall.

At least three hotel staff and two women who saw Liam the day he died have been spoken to by cops.

Police said they found his room in “complete disarray” with various items smashed and medication scattered around.

They said the circumstances surrounding Liam’s death were suspicious and possibly involved drugs.

They insisted there was no sign of third party involvement, however.

a broken sony tv is sitting on a wooden shelf
A smashed up TV and champagne glasses were also pictured
Clarin

Buenos Aires police said they found packs of a prescription drug, energy supplements and other over-the-counter medications strewn about his belongings.

The Argentine public prosecutor said there also appeared to be alcohol and narcotics in the room.

An autopsy revealed internal bleeding and 25 traumatic injuries to his skull, limbs and abdomen, which were enough to cause his death.

The lack of defensive injuries on Payne’s hands indicated that he may have fallen into a state of unconsciousness, the public prosecutor said.

Results of toxicology tests are pending and could take weeks to become public.

Hotel reception head's call to 911

911 operator: “What is happening sir?”

Reception head: “We have a guest drunk with drugs and alcohol. When he [them, gender not clear in conversation] is conscious, he is breaking everything in the room.”

911 operator: “You said alcohol and drugs…”

Reception head: “This is correct.”

911 operator: “You said Costa Rica intersecting where?”

Reception head: “Costa Rica 6032.”

911 operator: “Repeat.”

Reception head: “Costa Rica 6032.”

911 operator: “What is the hotel called?”

Reception head: “CasaSur Palermo. We need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with balcony, and we are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”

911 operator: “How long has he been there? Is it a long-stay hotel?”

Reception head: “(The guest) has been for the past three days.”

911 operator: “You don’t any other information because you can’t get in. Right?”

Reception head: “No.”

911 operator: “We are also notifying SAME (Medical Emergency Attention Service).”

Reception head: “We are asking to send someone with urgency because…”

911 operator: “We are doing that. Any other data to give me. Who are you?”

Reception head: “I’m the desk manager.”

911 operator: “Person in charge of the place.”

Reception head: “Yes.”

911 operator: “It has been notified. What is your name, sir?”

Reception head: “Esteban.”

911 operator: “Thanks for calling. Be online.”

Reception head: “Are you sending police too.”

911 operator: “Police from the delegation… Let me confirm.”

Reception head: “No, no, only SAME, only SAME (Medical Emergency Attention Service).”

911 operator: “Don’t worry because they have already been notified.”

Reception head: “Because as you said he is under the influence of alcohol and drugs, SAME personnel can’t enter alone.”

911 operator: “You can ask that to the police, but if SAME needs them, they will notify you.”

Reception head: “Good, OK, perfect.”

911 operator: “Have a good day.”

Reception head: “Thanks, you too.”

Read More »

Pizza Hut to test new ‘personal’ walk-up restaurant – it’s first-of-its-kind in US and reservation only

PIZZA Hut is set to open a brand-new restaurant next week – in a first-of-its-kind venture for the chain.

But pizza lovers will have to be quick, as the new Pizza Hut restaurant will only be open for a limited time.

Getty
Pizza Hut is set to open a brand-new restaurant in New York[/caption]

The Personal Pan Pizza will be open on Wednesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 23 in Queens, New York.

As its name suggests, the restaurant will allow customers to fully customize their own pizzas – with a choice of over 20 toppings, including brand-new sauces.

The unique fast food will open at 3 pm on October 22, closing at 5 pm that afternoon.

It will reopen from noon to 7 pm on October 23 – customers’ last opportunity to craft their unique pizza.

Reservations opened this Thursday, October 17 – and will be required to eat at the restaurant.

They are available on a first-come, first-served basis – while there will also be a waitlist for walk-in hopefuls.

After news of the opening spread on social media, users rushed to Facebook to express their doubts.

IN THE COMMENTS

One wrote: “So Pizza Hut wants to put a pizzeria in the a part of the world that arguably has the best pizza and food lol.”

Another echoed: “Why would you eat at Pizza Hut in NYC?”

A third said: “If you are excited about pizza Hut, chances are you aren’t a NYer.”

The opening comes just months after the popular fast-food chain was forced to close eight stores in two states, leaving fans devastated.

In happier news, the franchise introduced a limited-time buffet deal in April – meaning kids could eat for free.

The multinational chain, which has more than 6500 branches in the US, also launched a controversial new dish in May this year – a cheeseburger-flavored pizza-burger mashup.

FAST FOOD NEWS

Wendy’s fans are confused after the burger chain appeared to suspend its new Boo! Bag.

The chain was supposed to launch the Frosty Frights Kids’ Meals and Boo! Bags on October 14.

Restaurant closures in 2024

BOSSES at major dining chains have announced a series of restaurant closures. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of the chain's affected.

  • Cracker Barrel: Stores in Medford, Oregon, Columbia, South Carolina, and Sacramento, California, have closed.
  • Mod Pizza: Bosses dramatically shuttered 27 shops in April, including some in the state of California.
  • Frisch’s Big Boy: Restaurant chiefs confirmed the closure of a restaurant in Covington, Kentucky in April.
  • Outback Steakhouse: The chain will shutter 41 ‘underperforming’ locations this year.
  • Two Bucks: Four restaurants in Ohio closed in April.
  • Chili’s: A restaurant in Port Arthur, Texas, has shut permanently as well as one in Irvine, California, and one in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
  • Friendly’s: Bosses confirmed an establishment in Ronkonkoma, Long Island will close.
  • Pizza Hut: A restaurant in Glen Falls, New York, closed at the end of March, followed by four in Ohio in June and 15 in Indiana. This was followed in July by a bankruptcy filing from its parent company which announced the closure of 150 locations.
  • Carl’s Jr.: The first Boise, Idaho location has closed.
  • In-N-Out: An Oakland location closed earlier in the year due to crime in the area.
  • Cheesecake Factory: The chain is set to shutter a location in Memphis, Tennessee in July.
  • Applebee’s: Announced the closure of between 25 and 35 locations this year.
  • Red Lobster: The seafood chain filed for bankruptcy in May and shuttered over 100 locations.
  • Taco John’s: Shuttered a restaurant in Minnesota and put the building up for sale in May.
  • Frisco’s Chicken: The poultry restaurant shuttered all of its locations over the summer
  • Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Has announced the closure of 48 locations in California after filing for bankruptcy.
  • Burger King: Shuttered a location in California in June after 30 years.
  • Foster’s Freeze: Shuttered a location in California after five decades in business due to financial struggles.
  • Chicken Salad Chick: After nine years the restaurant shuttered one location in Jacksonville, Florida, with no reason given.
  • México Lindo: The New York City-based restaurant announced its final day after 52 years and finally shuttered its doors for good on July 31.
  • American Dream Pizza: Closed all of its locations in Oregon in July.
  • Tender Greens: The Southern California-based chain filed for bankruptcy.
  • Lefty’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Hoagies, & Grill: Abruptly shuttered 18 locations in July due to a family feud.
  • Firehouse Subs: Shuttered a location in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State over the summer citing “unforeseen circumstances”
  • Taco Time: The Taco Bell rival shuttered a location in Seattle after 50 years following a death in the franchise owner’s family.
  • Burgerim: Shuttered a location in Burlington, Massachusetts in July, reigniting bankruptcy fears from 2020.
  • Denny’s: The chain has shuttered over 40 locations so far this year with the owner of the one outlet blaming vandalism.
  • Starbucks: The chain shuttered one of its most iconic locations in New York City after almost three decades with fans blaming crime. It also lost a location in Seattle.
  • Subway: In August, the sandwich chain shuttered over 20 locations across the US and Canada after a franchisee lost money after being a victim of fraud.
  • IHOP: A restaurant in New Hampshire shut its doors after 24 years, leaving four locations in the state.
  • Switchback Coffee Roasters: The popular chain filed for bankruptcy in August after over a decade in business.
  • Jimmy John’s: The sandwich shop chain shuttered a location in Nevada on August 19 after 12 years citing overexpansion issues.
  • KFC: Closed the remaining three locations in Rockford, Illinois all on the same day on August 19. In total, it closed six locations across four cities in Illinois.
  • Rusty Bucket: The chicken shop chain confirmed it would officially leave Florida as it announced a handful of closures including in Sarasota and Ohio.
  • Buca di Beppo: The Olive Garden rival abruptly shuttered 44 locations across five states before filing for bankruptcy.
  • Red Robin: Announced the closure of its Ashburn, Virginia location on August 25 after 15 years in business.
  • Noodles & Company: Shuttered dozens of locations due to their contribution to around $2 million worth of losses.
  • Shoney’s: The classic American-style food chain founded in 1947 officially exited Ohio after three decades of business as it reduced its operational footprint.
  • Homegrown: The sandwich chain based in Seattle announced the closure of 10 locations leaving 150 employees in the lurch.
  • World of Beer: Filed for bankruptcy after closing 14 outlets.
  • Arby’s: The chain announced a number of closures this year including in Lexington, Kentucky, Akron, Ohio,
  • Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Shuttered a location in New Jersey in July, leaving just two in the state, followed by the closure of a Baltimore location in August.
  • Hart House: Shutterd all four locations in California in September just two years after the vegan fast-food restaurant chain was launched by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

However, customers have said that employees have now said it will be on October 21.

According to a post on social media, a fan said, “Ahh, some Wendy’s employees are telling me they changed the Boo! Bag date.”

“UPDATE!! Corp told me October 21st while supplies last,” they added.

Boo! Bags are filled with treats, toys, and books in honor of the spooky season.

Read More »

I found classic 1968 car that sells for $100k in a junkyard – owner wants just $6,500 and dashboard hides bonus feature

A ONCE-GREAT classic model that normally scores up to $100,000 at auction is being sold for just a few thousand after it was reduced to pieces.

Jaw-dropping pictures show a cult-classic 1968 Pontiac GTO rotting in an outdoor lot, but a hidden feature provides an unexpected win for buyers.

Getty
A classic car has been discovered in a junkyard listing[/caption]
carsforsale
The 1968 Pontiac GTO is seen missing almost half its parts and rusting in an outdoor lot[/caption]
carsforsale
The model can be sold for up to $100,000, but this floorless rust bucket can be purchased for $6,500[/caption]

Under normal circumstances, the classic car is regarded as a historic model that changed automotive history with its design and power.

Many car lovers consider it the first ever “muscle car,” an American-made model with fiery engines designed for high-performance driving.

Pontiac built around 87,700 of the model in 1968, making the car a big-ticket item nearly 60 years later.

If the supercar is in great condition with original parts, it can sell for a whopping $100,000, according to Auto Evolution.

However, if it looks like the one being sold by the junkyard owner in Michigan, you can expect to get it for a few thousand bucks.

For $6,500, you can purchase the rusty shell of a 1968 Pontiac that’s missing wheels and nearly the entire hood.

The fixer-upper has no floor and is filled with dead leaves, trash, and broken-down seats after likely being scrapped for parts.

The seller was honest about the wild listing and admitted in the description that it doesn’t run and has been out of commission for years.

“It is probably junk,” the bizarre note reads.

However, despite its horror appearance, the VIN reveals the car has a clean title, meaning it was never reported to insurance companies as having damage.

When it was released, the historic model received immediate praise from car-lovers, earning Motor Trend’s title of 1968 car of the year.

It was described as “A car that incorporates not only the best taste in GM’s ‘A’-body variations, and an excellent handling and performing supercar package, but also the most significant achievement in materials technology in contemporary automotive engineering.”

The model’s body extends past the headlights and comes in gorgeous colors like a vibrant verdoro green.

“We’ve owned several other new cars that wore thin after their newness wore off,” Motor Trend wrote in 1968.

“That wasn’t the case here.

“Even when we’d clocked thousands of miles, the GTO still appealed to us as a ‘new’ car, with the thought of it becoming ‘old’ a nearly impossible happening.”

Another model is going for a massive $89,500, but its been beautifully restored and painted a rich turquoise, according to the listing.

The classic car listings come as some of the world’s rarest cas have been found rotting beneath decades of dust.

And over 300 vehicles were pulled from one of the world’s largest car graveyards.

carsforsale
The model is missing wheels, a steering wheel, and a floor[/caption]
carsforsale
It’s filled with dead leaves and garbage[/caption]
carsforsale
However, the VIN shows it has a clean title[/caption]
carsforsale
The owner admitted the car is likely scrap[/caption]

Read More »

Call of Duty admits to banning ‘legitimate’ players after anti-cheat system fails

ONE of the major issues with online multiplayer games is the number of cheaters who play the games.

People can download software that gives them better aim, or lets them see through walls to have an advantage.

a poster for call of duty modern warfare iii
Activision
Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone are the games affected by the error[/caption]

This is unfair to legitimate players who have trouble climbing up the ranks against those who cheat.

Many online games like Call of Duty implement an anti-cheat system, which is supposed to catch players using external software.

But not everyone is happy with these systems. Many players complain about being banned despite playing by the rules.

Others claim that there is still a large number of cheaters who have not been banned, or evaded their bans with new accounts.

Call of Duty publisher, Activision Blizzard, recently admitted to banning “legitimate players” in a recent wave of bans.

The official Call of Duty Twitter account recently tweeted a statement which reads: “Ricochet Anti-Cheat identified and disabled a workaround to a detection system in Modern Warfare 3 and Call of Duty: Warzone. 

“This impacted a small number of legitimate player accounts. We have restored all accounts that were impacted. 

“An examination of our systems was conducted for safety and monitoring will continue.

“Stay tuned for our Road to Launch ‘Progress Report’ blog from Team Ricochet coming tomorrow.”

Players, particularly those who were banned by this error are not happy with this statement, claiming that they want further explanation.

One response to the post reads: “Public apology would go a long way. 

“Imagine having your name drug through the mud for 2 weeks for something you never did and being offered zero explanation. 

“Oh wait, that was me for the past 2 weeks!”

Other people were questioning how vague the message is, and what it actually means.

“What is a ‘small number’ and how long was this ‘workaround’ being used for?”

Others claiming to be legitimate players are sharing screenshots of messages they were sent saying they have no right to appeal the ban.

One person also wrote: “Your only excuse for not having a legitimate anti-cheat is that it would be too ‘invasive’.

“And here we are with a massive security breach to our accounts.”

Call of Duty claims that the legitimate accounts that were banned have now been restored. This means that if your account is still banned it will likely not be returned to you.

If you want to read more about Call of Duty, check out what Jason Fox says about Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

All the latest PS5 reviews from The Sun

Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers.

Read More »

Delphi victim’s sister posts heartbreaking pic as families show up to court for first day of Richard Allen murder trial

THE sister of one of the Delphi murder victims shared a sorrowful picture as families from both sides emerged at the courthouse for the start of opening statements.

The long-awaited trial of Richard Allen is set to begin on Friday, over seven years since best friends Abigail Williams, 13, and Liberty German, 14, were found dead on a wooded trail in Delphi, Indiana, on February 14, 2017.

Richard Allen’s latest mugshot taken by the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility as he’s set to stand trial for the murder of Liberty German and Abigail Williams
Wabash Valley Correctional Facility
Instagram/libertyg_sister
Liberty German’s older sister, Kelsi, shared a selfie of the two hours before the start of opening statements on Friday[/caption]
Security stand by a gate outside the Carroll County Courthouse where the trial of Richard Allen will begin on Friday
AP

Allen, 52, a married father of one, was arrested five years after the puzzling double murders rocked the small, tight-knit community of Delphi, which has a population of less than 3,000 residents, according to the US Census Bureau.

Hours before opening statements in the high-profile trial were scheduled to begin on Friday, Kelsi German, the older sister of Liberty, shared a heartbreaking photo of the two on Instagram.

“I love you,” German captioned the selfie of herself and Liberty, who both had face paint on.

Twelve jurors, including eight women and four men, will serve as the main jury, while four others will be alternatives.

TRIAL SECURITY MEASURES

The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, will have minimal contact with the outside world throughout the month-long trial.

Judge Frances Gull required all jurors to hand over their cell phones to court staff after they were sworn in on Thursday, according to NBC affiliate WTHR.

The jurors, who will be living in a hotel while the trial is in session, will only be allowed to make phone calls to friends and family with a bailiff present.

Families of the jurors will only be allowed to visit them on Sundays, which is their only day off from jury service.

For entertainment, jurors will only be allowed to watch TV shows and movies, not live television, to avoid receiving information about the trial from news coverage.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

Read More »