best online slot game reddit
You can support any political party, but stop misbehaving in NPP coloursKOREA: The day after Christmas often comes with the realization that you may have overindulged during the holiday season—both in generosity and spending. Right on cue, the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game arrives, according to The Star. Netflix’s dark South Korean series, where financially desperate individuals compete in deadly childhood games for a life-changing cash prize, captured global attention in its first season, blending social commentary with shocking twists. Debuting in 2021, Squid Game became an unexpected cultural phenomenon, winning six Emmys and amassing 2.8 billion global streams, making it Netflix’s most successful title to date. The original nine-episode series resonated with audiences, tapping into post-pandemic anxieties through its dystopian lens of survival at any cost. Its popularity even led to an English-language spinoff, Squid Game: The Challenge, and sparked demand for multiple seasons—a rarity for Korean television. Lofty expectations Season two faces the daunting task of meeting its predecessor’s lofty expectations. While the first season thrived on its element of surprise, the follow-up feels more familiar, reintroducing iconic elements like the sinister “red light, green light” doll. Though it starts slower, the seven-episode arc delivers its signature mix of tension and shocking brutality. Returning protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), scarred by his previous victory, is now determined to dismantle the deadly game. Meanwhile, police detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) continues his quest to expose its corrupt overseers. Despite their efforts, the lure of wealth pulls contestants back, creating fierce conflicts among them. Chilling revelations New players, including a disgraced crypto star and a gambling addict, bring fresh dynamics. Meanwhile, the show delves deeper into the shadowy figures orchestrating the games, offering chilling revelations. Although slightly rushed, season two maintains the high stakes and psychological tension fans loved. It’s a worthy continuation, blending disdain for the players and the game with undeniable entertainment.
Kavelashvili inaugurated as president, complicating path toward EU
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.1. A truly mind-blowing wall-crawling robot gecko that seems to defy the laws of physics?? This adorable little gizmo can scale walls and literal ceilings while mimicking the same movements of an actual gecko, operated by a remote to move it in any direction. Check out a TikTok of the robot lizard in action. Promising review: "This lizard is amazing! It crawls on walls with the remote control, and it's just wild to watch in action. Super easy to operate — my kids picked it up right away and have been having a blast. It’s sturdy, fun, and totally unique. I’d highly recommend this toy to anyone looking for something different and entertaining for kids (and adults, honestly)! — k_grays Get it from Amazon for $26.49 . 2. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give them 8 cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action. Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect ! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . Psst — if you're looking for something delicious to pair this gift with, try this internet-famous popcorn salt that makes it taste like movie theater popcorn! 3. A brand-new satin-lined Carhartt beanie , a hairstyle-friendly version of the iconic originial Carhartt knit beanie so beloved that it's amassed over 88,800 5-star ratings on Amazon. This version is designed for all hair types to help prevent hair breakage, frizzing, and general "hat head" issues that come with wearing a beanie. Check out a TikTok of the satin-lined Carhartt beanie in action. Promising review: "Fits great and looks good. Made of good quality materials and keeps you warm on those 20-degree days." — Edward Kephart Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six colors). 4. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" to keep everything steady on their bed or couch when they're one silly little beverage away from accidentally turning themselves into a LaCroix swamp. This will not only keep all their accessories upright and on hand, but it also has expandable cup holes to fit mugs, water bottles, and snacks, with an insulating foam that keeps drinks hot or cold for longer periods. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and eight patterns). 5. Or a gaming/reading/laptop pillow so they can prop their hands up while they're playing video games, typing, or reading on their Kindle or iPad. This supports their arms for a more ~ergonomically friendly~ experience whether they're in bed or on a couch, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacks. Check out a TikTok of the gaming pillow in action. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around your sides, and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in three styles). 6. A NeeDoh Nice Cube , an *elite* quiet sensory fidget toy — this goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish and weight to it, and reviewers love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets. Check out a TikTok of the Needoh in action (where users are suggesting to try ~freezing~ it for even a completely different texture). Promising review: "High quality and very durable! This cube is fantastic for any age and any need. The cube provides slight resistance when compressed, which is both stress-relieving and satisfying!!! Once squeezed, it quickly returns to its natural shape. A great choice!" — Joe stevenson Get it from Amazon for $9.11 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)! 7. A stuffed waffle maker to introduce them to the infinite glory of stuffing food into a pillowy warm carb — I'm talking jam, cheesy eggs, meats, NUTELLA (!!), pie filling, peanut butter, the whole nine yards. I'm truly shaking thinking about amassing this kind of breakfast power. Promising review: "I bought this after I saw a video on TikTok, so I had an idea about the yummy waffles I could make. First waffles were stuffed with apple pie filling. Second ones with scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese . Just amazing!!! The only way you could make this better is to send a chef!! I definitely recommend watching a video on TikTok or YouTube to inspire you before you start!!" — Adirondackdarling Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 8. A rainbow Lego brick puzzle for all the bright, fun shenanigans of putting Legos together without the CONSTANT TERROR OF STEPPING ON ONE AND FEELING PAIN IN THE EIGHTH DIMENSION. Check out a TikTok of the rainbow Lego puzzle in action. Promising review : "I got this for my parents for Christmas, and assembled it with them over the next couple of weeks. It is visually interesting despite the simplicity, cut very well, packaged in an environmentally friendly way (no plastic bags), and it was a big hit with them . It was challenging to assemble (all the colors are in different locations and it's 1,000 pieces) without being too hard (certain colors are only touching in particular places, the orientation of the word Lego on the bricks is a clue, etc. The level was perfect — challenging enough to be satisfying without being frustrating to work on. Highly recommend. " — Ariadneowl Get it from Amazon for $17.03. 9. A two-slice touch screen toaster with all the fanciness of the $350 TikTok-famous version and none of the "YIIIIKESSSSS" of the price tag. This lets them select seven different toastiness levels for their bread, and specify if they're putting other carbs in there, like bagels, English muffins, waffles, and even gluten-free bread. Check out a TikTok of the toaster in action. Promising review: "I love this toaster! It has all the options I need: lifter, countdown timer, visual icon of the toast colors, and all the toast varieties anyone could want, from white to grain to bagel to waffle to English muffin to gluten-free. It not only has reheat and defrost options, you can even add more toasting time, too. Truly, it has all the bells and whistles anyone could want and is easy to use. " — Tanya Feddern-Bekcan Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in six colors and in a four-slice toaster style). 10. A mini inflatable tube guy for their desk to cheer them on (or remind them to take a lil' dance break whenever they overwork themselves). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark "Saw this on TikTok. Cool desk decoration." — Robert Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 11. A Lego flower bouquet they will have WAY too much fun setting up with their own unique, customizable flair the instant they open the box. Why gift them regular flowers when you can gift them the kind that last forever?? Check out a TikTok of the Lego bouquet in action. Promising review : "This is a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. They are as sturdy as they get since they're Legos, and although they do take a while to build, it's a very fulfilling process. Love it and would set aside as something to gift to several people at any point. They look beautiful!!" — Gaby Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 12. Taylor Swift: The Ultimate Fan Edition Little Golden Book Biography , an update to last year's version that now includes 22 bonus pages (!!) with activities, trivia, and — be still me Swiftie heart — STICKERS. Just like the OG version of this book, it features illustrations and a simple narrative from Taylor's yeehaw days when there were teardrops on her guitar to her current Eras tour days when she's basically carrying the global economy on her back. (Girl math.) Check out a TikTok of the Taylor Swift Golden Book in action! Promising review : "The quality of this book was amazing. I love the section that has dedicated to Taylor and Travis. I love the Swifty quizzes and the stickers." — Lilly Get it from Amazon for $8.78 . 13. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that TikTokers go feral for — this cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status because it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it in action. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $25 (also available in pink honey !). 14. A crowd-favorite Jeopardy! day-to-day calendar with a new 2025 version guaranteed to be just as wildly interesting, wacky, and brain-scratching as all the other years before it. This is a huge hit for families, roommates, and offices, because you can even tally your scores and see who "wins" at the end of each week! Check out a TikTok account that follows the 2024 Jeopardy! calendar . Promising review: "We are giving everyone a Jeopardy! calendar for Christmas. You will learn things you never would know without the Jeopardy! answers. Just love it!" — martin Get it from Amazon for $13.15 . 15. A Renpho percussion massager they won't even know how badly they need until they're using it — this gizmo is great for releasing knots, aches, and muscle tension, whether they got it from working at a desk too long or an intense workout. Read more about what massage guns can (and can’t) do, plus how to use them, at Cleveland Clinic . Check out a TikTok of the massager in action. Promising review: " I have tried EVERYTHING for my feet, nothing works and I am always in pain. I tried it out and I thought wow, that feels AWESOME. But the true test is how do you feel the next day right? You cannot always walk around with a massage gun in your hand. The next day, I felt AMAZING. AMAZING. I used it on my hubby's back too, and he said he felt so much better today as well! In addition, this one is way QUIETER than my original massage gun. It's just really a quality piece. You won't be disappointed in this one. It really is what it says. I know it is hard to choose from all the models on the internet, but this one is the real deal. It's worth the money if you have pain." — L Johnson Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (get this price by clipping the $20 off coupon on the product page; available in three colors). 16. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save them (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All they have to do is put their favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Now they can finally be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap they want to see in the world. Promising review : "This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry "Absolutely love this cold brew coffee maker. TikTok made me buy it. I use it all the time. I use 1 cup of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water. Once I pull out the coffee filter, I top it off with more water. I add coffee to my chocolate protein shakes every day!" — Connie Forbes Get it from Amazon for $19.94 (available in three sizes and several styles). 17. An Airplane Pocket tray cover that slides seamlessly over an airplane tray to create an instant, deeply convenient hub — this comes with a number of pockets so they can keep track of all their devices, snacks, and other odds and ends without rooting around for them in the gross back pocket or their carry-on the whole flight. Bonus: This bb is an excellent way to prevent touching a germ-y tray, and it's fully machine washable. Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action. Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves! Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 18. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to magic any frozen fruit into an ice cream or sorbet texture so they can have a yummy frozen treat made to their *precise* favorite fruit combos. A lot of folks with dietary restrictions swear by this to get their ice cream kicks! Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." — DMCKAY Get it from Amazon for $36.99 . 19. Hues And Cues , a DELIGHTFUL party game that's easy and fun to play no matter how well the guests know each other. It comes with a board of 480 color swatches — the aim of the game is to make your friends guess which color swatch you're looking at with either one-word or two-word clues. Whoever gets the closest to the color in each round gets the most points! Check out a TikTok of Hues and Cues in action. I played this at a friend's apartment with a mix of people I did and didn't know, and we all had a BLAST. It was a fun opportunity for us to reference hyper specific things when trying to lock down a specific shade (if memory serves, "zombie Barney" and "aggressive banana" were ones that got thrown around) and to get to know each other's tastes and ways of looking at the world. The rules and scoring system are super easy to learn, too, so there wasn't a big hurdle getting everyone on board. I highly recommend for some good, wholesome, often laugh out loud party fun! Get it from Amazon for $19.96 . 20. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift their spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 21. A set of espresso martini mix packets that make this beloved cocktail a little TOO easy to recreate at home — all they need to do is add vodka and water, and BOOM. They're living their most delicious life (and have "Espresso" stuck in their head for the rest of the day). Craftmix is a small business that specializes in instant drink mixers. Check out a TikTok of the espresso martini packets in action. Promising review: "The closest thing to creating a drink from scratch as you can get! Tried the variety pack and the espresso martini mix, and it was a hit with folks, and most couldn't believe it when I told them it came from a packet . Especially if you're thinking of hosting or making drinks in batches, Craftmix is a real timesaver. Would definitely recommend and plan on repurchasing for future get-togethers!" — Kenneth Walfred Fojas Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $16.99 (available in eight other flavors and a variety pack). 22. Murdle, Volume 1 , a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of murder 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that they can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if they do it in order, they get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book). Check out a TikTok of Murdle in action. The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2 , Volume 3 , and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books ! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $10.25 . 23. A set of vinyl coasters to give their coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation. Check out a TikTok of the coasters in action. Promising review : "These are awesome! Each little coaster looks like a record and the bottom has a bit of rubber to keep it from shifting. The funny thing is they all have cute sayings on them for the song name. Like 'No Marks on the Table' by The Nostalgics. I’ve received a bunch of compliments and chuckles at the silly 'song names.' I also sent these as a gift to a music lover and it was very well received! " — ra2151 Get a set of six from Amazon for $5.99 . 24. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook , which is basically a life hack for taking the most delicious food on earth and making it even better? They won't be able to stay humble with that kind of culinary power in their hands. Check out a TikTok of the Trader Joe's cookbook in action. Promising review : "For Trader Joe's lovers everywhere, this is a fantastic cookbook! It is filled with hints and tips, shopping guidelines, nicely organized recipe categories, and beautiful mouthwatering pictures. I love how the recipes note if they are gluten-free or vegetarian, etc. I ❤ Trader Joe's and I ❤ this cookbook!" — Love My Bookish Life Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 25. A pair of glowing lightsaber chopsticks to bring balance to The Force *and* to their sushi. Check out a TikTok of the lightsaber chopsticks in action. As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force. Get it from Amazon for $9.97 . 26. A handy adjustable neck reading light , because they shouldn't let the sun and/or the humans living with them decide when their Designated Reading Time is over!! This flexible neck light comes with three brightnesses that all keep the focus on the page, so they can keep the strain off their eyeballs without disturbing anyone else's darkness. Reviewers also swear by these for crafts with fine detail work, like painting and embroidery. Promising review: "I had seen this product from someone I follow on TikTok and they have a great review on it. I absolutely love it!! I t’s great because it hangs around your neck and it’s lightweight. It has three different light settings on it so you can choose what is best for your eyes. And it also has a 30-minute timer you can set in case you fall asleep, so it will go off and you don't have to worry about it staying on the whole time. I highly recommend it!!" — Tabatha C. Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in eight colors). 27. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so they can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all their favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom kit in action. Promising review: "We received this as a gift last Christmas. I have since sent it to two other people as gifts. Super easy to use and the yield was good." — CKB Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 28. A TikTok and Kindle remote control ring so they can scroll through videos or turn pages without wrangling with their phone or tablet. This is the ideal accessory for anyone who likes to be cozy in bed or anyone who likes to use exercise equipment with a screen distracting them! This lets you scroll up and down, swipe right and left, pause and start, and adjust volume. Promising review: "Chiiiiiile let me tell you I got this hooked up to my iPad annnnnd my iPhone and life is so much better. This little ring is AWESOME. It works my Pandora, iHeart Radio, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, I mean everything I use, IT REALLY WORKS ! You can even like the posts on all the sites. I be under my covers just scrolling, y’all this thing even adjusts the volume. The booklet tells you everything. This is a must have. I am extremely happy with this purchase and I’ve been using it everyday even at work ." — Deb! Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). 29. A "Gracula" garlic crusher , because you know what? If a 108-year-old vampire lurking moodily in the trees in the Pacific Northwest isn't going to fall in love with them and grant them immortality, one might as well make their life in the kitchen a little easier. Check out a TikTok of the Gracula in action. Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher! " — Barbie Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 30. A pair of horizontal glasses , because not being able to watch Netflix and starfish on their bed simultaneously is a scam. Now you can help them out-scam it. Promising review: "I saw these on a couple of TikTok videos and immediately bought them. They are literally the best thing I’ve ever bought. I was scared they wouldn't fit over my glasses but they do just fine. I use them to read, watch TV, and scroll through my social media all while lying down. Such a great buy!" — Kivy Get them from Amazon for $13.99 . 31. A hands-free portable phone charger that sticks right onto their phone plug and chills there so easily that they might forget it's there in the first place. This mini charger is designed to give one full iPhone battery per charge, making it a lifesaver for busy humans, particularly ones who love traveling. Check out a TikTok of the charger in action. Promising review: "I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J "I carry this in my purse. Never have to deal with a phone running out of power. Purchased a second one as a gift." — Connie R. Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in eight colors and in two-packs). 32. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game , aka any parents' dream — this gizmo keeps kids entertained for hours of fun hiding it all over the house, where it makes little noises to give clues about where to find it. It's basically all the joy of playing hide and seek, except it's the *toy* hiding, not the humans. What Do You Meme? is a small business that specializes in adult and family games. Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must get! When it's hidden it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the silly poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! Doesn't need batteries and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny and if they don't they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as an egg !). 33. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm , which unsurprisingly went just as TikTok viral as everyone's beloved Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — the glowy balm has the same delightful flavors (including the iconic GUMMY BEAR!!) and hydrates lips with the *chef's kiss* lightweight, moisturizing blend that doesn't get all sticky and goopy like competitors. Promising review: "Laneige lip balm lives up to the TikTok hype. The Gummy Bear scent is awesome. Don't need to constantly reapply because the formula is moisturizing. Definitely will order other scents." — Charlotte T. "Literally the love of my lips’ life. Bought for myself and loved it so much I’ve been ordering more to gift to friends." — fablav Get it from Amazon for $19 (available in four flavors, including Peach, Berry, Grapefruit, and Gummy Bear). 34. A *mini* Magic Bullet Juicer that's absolutely perfect for juicing newbies, since its small profile and affordable price make it a lot less of of a commitment. They're going to be swimming in fresh OJ and celery juice in NO time! Check out a TikTok of the mini juicer in action. Promising review : "I’ve already made juice 10 times. I went from being a beginner juicer to making juice several times a day. Very easy to learn and VERY EASY TO CLEAN. That’s not something I say often because I have no dishwasher, but it’s safe and easy. LOVE!" — H Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 35. A handy dandy condiment fork with a holder they can wrap right around a jar of olives or pickles so it'll always be at their disposal when they suddenly *need* a pickle but don't want to put their hands in the jar. This is also great for late-night snacking shenanigans, since they won't wake up half the house looking for a clean fork. Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. Promising review : "Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening . It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 36. A tiny milk frother that makes rich, creamy froths in seconds, because why stop at regular tea and coffee when they can have velvety-soft milk tea and lattes? Promising review: "So I’ll admit I got this on a whim after a TikTok video, however I’m in love with this thing! It’s so much fun to use and you make your at home drinks feel so much more special. It’s easy to use and froths pretty quickly if you’re on the fence I’d say what are you waiting for buy it already!" — Denise Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven styles). 37. A cult-favorite portable blender , and BOY do I mean portable — it charges so they can operate it wherever they are, and it's as small as a water bottle, so once they blend their ingredients, they can swap out the lid and drink straight from it. Smoothie o'clock just became every damn time of the day. Promising review: " Yes, I did it. I bought the TikTok blender and I don't regret it one bit. I can create any smoothie I want, from healthy to dessert shakes for the kids. So easy to use, charge and clean. It's a must-buy!!!" — Debby from Warren Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.Essex Property Trust Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market
Terry Bradshaw retirement – Statements in full, stance on quitting, FOX NFL blundersPlanning for old age? Here's what the aged care changes mean for you
(The Center Square) – Paula Scanlan is hopeful the narrative around gender ideology is shifting, especially as Republicans prepare for majorities in both chambers of the 119th Congress and a seat in the White House. “I am hopeful that with the majorities now that we will be able to get across the finish line,” Scanlan told The Center Square on Thursday, speaking of more legislation on the way to protect women's spaces. “Obviously, this goes beyond sports ... So ideally, I think that the biggest thing would be to federally pass something that says this is what a woman is.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice Friday night. For decades, labor unions have sided with Democrats and been greeted largely with hostility by Republicans. But with Trump's populist appeal, his working-class base saw a decent share of union rank-and-file voting for Republicans this year, even as major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers , endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump sat down with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union leadership and members this year, and when he emerged from that meeting, he boasted that a significant chunk of union voters were backing him. Of a possible Teamsters endorsement, he said, “Stranger things have happened.” The Teamsters ultimately declined to endorse either Trump, the former president, or Harris, the vice president, though leader Sean O’Brien had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, told the Associated Press that O’Brien met with more than a dozen House Republicans this past week to lobby on behalf of Chavez-DeRemer. “Chavez-DeRemer would be an excellent choice for labor secretary and has his backing,” Deniz said. The work of the Labor Department affects workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employers' rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. On Election Day, Trump deepened his support among voters without a college degree after running just slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with noncollege voters in 2020. Trump made modest gains, earning a clear majority of this group, while only about 4 in 10 supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. Roughly 18% of voters in this year's election were from union households, with Harris winning a majority of the group. But Trump's performance among union members kept him competitive and helped him win key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chavez-DeRemer was one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act, which would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The measure would weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Trump's first term saw firmly pro-business policies from his appointees across government, including those on the National Labor Relations Board. Trump, a real estate developer and businessman before winning the presidency, generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. During his recent campaign, Trump criticized union bosses, and at one point suggested that UAW members should not pay their dues. His first administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. He has stacked his incoming administration with officials who worked on the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, which includes a sharp swing away from Biden’s pro-union policies. “Chavez-DeRemer’s record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers’ rights and economic security,” said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of National Employment Law Project, which is backed my many of the country’s major labor unions. “But the Trump administration’s agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles, threatening to roll back workplace protections, undermine collective bargaining, and prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working people. This is where her true commitment to workers will be tested.” Other union leaders also issued praise, but also sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” the president of the National Education Association, Becky Pringle, said in a statement, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler welcomed the choice while taking care to note Trump's history of opposing polices that support unions. "It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as secretary of labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda,” Shuler said.
D ame Julia Hoggett is on a mission. This 5ft 1in, glasses-wearing gay woman — her description — is trying to save the London Stock Exchange. It is a critical mission, too. So far this year, there have been three times as many companies leaving the 250-year old LSE, either through takeovers or mergers, as new ones joining, and there is little sign of the pressure easing. An activist investor in Rio Tinto is calling on the mining giant to shift its main listing from London to Sydney, while the fast-growing payments app Revolut has declared it would be more likely to list in New York than London. The situation is so grave that some in the City fear that the stock exchange is facing an existential crisis. If companies cannot be convinced to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) in the UK to raise money, it is only a matter of time before the exchange becomes irrelevant.Brave Search Adds Chat Mode to Answer with AI
Jayden Daniels dazzles again as Commanders clinch a playoff spot by beating Falcons 30-24 in OT LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Washington Commanders clinched a playoff spot by beating the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 in overtime. Jayden Daniels ran for a season-high 127 yards and threw for 227 and three touchdowns to make the postseason in his rookie year in the NFL. He outdueled fellow top-10 draft pick Michael Penix Jr. in a game each had an interception. The Commanders can move up to the sixth seed in the NFC if they win at Dallas next weekend. The Falcons lost control of their playoff chances and now can only get in if they beat Carolina and Tampa Bay loses to New Orleans in Week 18. NFC's No. 1 seed comes down to Vikings-Lions showdown at Detroit in Week 18 The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final game of the regular season when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday night. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser becomes the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Lions hold the tiebreaker if the teams enter with identical records and play to a tie. The Vikings held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. Darnold gives Vikings another gem with career-high 377 yards in 27-25 win over Packers MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2. They set up a final-week showdown in Detroit next Sunday night for both the division title and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in the NFC. Jordan Love’s only touchdown pass for the Packers came with 2:18 left to pull the Packers within two points. Darnold responded with two completions for first downs to seal the game. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Thompson-Herro fight leads to ejections of multiple players and coaches in Heat's victory in Houston HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of Miami’s 104-100 victory over Houston on Sunday. Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson “body slams Herro.” Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. The polarizing Allar has another chance to quiet his critics on Tuesday, when Penn State plays Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Crosby breaks Lemieux's Penguins career assists record in 3-2 victory over the Islanders PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby broke Mario Lemieux’s Pittsburgh franchise career record for assists on Michael Bunting’s power-play goal and the Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Sunday night. Crosby has 1,034 assists, good for 12th in NHL history. Only three players — Ray Bourque, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman — have more assists with a single team. The 37-year-old Crosby has played 1,310-regular-season games. Lemieux played 915. Evgeni Malkin added the deciding power-play goal in the third for Pittsburgh, which has 14 goals with the man advantage in its last 13 games. Anthony Beauvillier also scored to help the Penguins win for the seventh time in their last eight home games. Alex Nedeljkovic made 29 saves in his first start since Dec. 17.Revolutionary prostate cancer test set to save thousands of lives‘Jersey Shore Family Vacation’ season 7: Stream new episode on MTV for free tonight
Gamers can often be difficult people to shop for, especially those who curate the vibe of their setup as much as their gaming library. But cozy gamers can be the most fun to shop for, since you can think outside the box and surprise them with gifts they’d never think to get for themselves. As lovers of cozy games and gaming accessories , our expert staff has rounded up 10 great gift ideas to give the teen, college student, or cozy gamer of any age in your life. And, since we know the holidays are coming up quickly, many of them are available for speedy delivery with an Amazon Prime subscription (which comes with six months free if you’re between 18-24 and sign up before Dec. 20). Bulbasaur planter Every desk could use a bit more Bulbasaur. The cute grass-type Pokémon makes a perfect home for a small succulent that will add a pop of color to anyone’s gaming space. This tiny planter includes a drainage hole, so after watering, be sure to let it drain fully to ensure your gaming gear stays dry. Turtle artisan keycap Getting new keycaps is a simple change that can completely change the vibe of a gaming setup. You could buy someone a whole new set, but it’s more personal to find the exact keycap to fit the recipient’s personality and personal style. Amazon stocks several options, but we’re partial to this colorful turtle keycap (perfect to use for the “T” key). Skull & Co. thumbstick grips Many of our recommendations are about setting the right atmosphere, but being comfortable is just as important. If you notice that your loved one’s analog sticks are worse for wear, or if they complain about thumb pain while gaming, Skull & Co.’s stick grips are a good solution for bringing an extra level of comfort to controllers. Each set comes with options for adding grippier texture to slippery sticks, or adding some height to ones that feel too short. Queen Rose gaming pillow A gaming pillow is a great gift for anyone who plays on a handheld device or with a controller. Queen Rose’s wrap-around lap pillow comes in a variety of color options and offers arm, elbow, and back support while your cozy gamer invests long hours into their favorite games. Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite Finding the right lighting is absolutely key to creating the perfect ambience, and Govee’s TV Backlite 3 takes it to the next level by matching the visuals of whichever cozy game is being played. These lights create the ultimate immersive gaming experience by mimicking the colors on the TV and adding a matching splash to the wall behind. If you’re shopping for a PC gamer , Govee makes a similar model for monitors. Livabliss Hapsburg shag rug Sometimes, the best addition to a gaming space is something that can just tie the room together. So don’t underestimate the comfort-enhancing powers of a simple rug, like this plush shag one that will add luxurious texture to any setup. Whether it goes under their couch, computer desk, or wherever the recipient likes to sit while unwinding, the coziness of the space will be improved immensely. Llama hooded blanket Rather than tucking in with a blanket — which can render you a bit immobile — a hooded wrap has all the benefits of a blanket with the bonus of being cuter and easier to game in. We love this one that looks like a cuddly llama, but Amazon also has hooded blankets for those who’d prefer to be a sloth or axolotl . Or, if you think your loved one wants pockets and a more jacket-like fit for their cozy gaming uniform, UnHide’s Shleepy Robe will make for a great gift. Bamboo food trays (set of 2) Despite our best intentions, we can all be a little messy. If the person you’re buying gifts for is known for enjoying a snack or drink while they play games, do them (and their precious gadgets) a favor and surprise them with a cute bamboo food tray. It’s where all of the crumbs and inevitable spills can safely exist instead of falling on their desk or floor, where they might be forgotten. Logitech cloud wrist rest Cozy games aren’t so cozy if you aren’t comfortable. A good wrist rest, like this adorable (and TikTok-approved) cloud one from Logitech, not only will make playing PC games more enjoyable, but it’s a great way to lean into a room’s aesthetic — or serve as the launching point for creating one. This cute, seemingly minor upgrade is a gift that shows you’re looking out for your loved one’s well-being and honoring their taste in design. Gastly 3D-printed humidifier For all the good they do, most humidifiers are eyesores that stick out due to their bland or outright ugly design. Well, in the case of this humidifier, sticking out is a good thing, as it turns the typically boring gadget into a centerpiece any Pokémon fan would love. Designed to look like Gastly is popping out of a Poké Ball, this humidifier’s purple light shines through the water vapor, making it look like Gastly has come to life. Shopkeeper Polygon’s handpicked deals on games, movies, books, and more. Gaming Gift Guide Hardware Shopping StyleDemocrats say they'll avoid election challenges on Jan. 6Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey, lawmaker says A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.
People and companies are placing big . One of the safer ones is that demand for workers with AI skills will continue to grow. Labor market watchers told Business Insider that in 2025, as in 2024, many employers will likely be eager to hire people with skills in AI — like machine-learning specialists who train models, one of this year's most-talked-about roles — but also in wider areas that touch the technology. In the , which has experienced years of lackluster hiring following a pandemic-era surge, there are early signs of a rebound, Hannah Calhoon, VP of AI at Indeed, told BI. If that continues, she said, hiring will likely include roles involving AI. Another area of demand, Calhoon said, could come from employers that aren't tech firms yet that need people skilled in incorporating off-the-shelf AI tools into their businesses and datasets. However, unlike the tech giants, these employers aren't likely to try to build their own AI platforms, she said. So, rather than trying to recruit data scientists and those machine-learning engineers, these companies might instead want workers who can help decide which AI instruments to use and how to incorporate them into their workflow. "What they're going to be looking for is people who understand those systems and can help them implement those tools in their business," Calhoon said. That's likely to translate to increased demand in 2025 for roles involving and transformation — jobs like applications administrators or solutions architects, she said. There are other signs that the demand for talent involving AI is picking up. Last week, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said that the company is "a big hiring surge" and working to fill thousands of roles to help sell products, including those involving AI. Benioff said the company has 9,000 referrals for the 2,000 positions it's opened. Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, likewise recently talked up AI's potential. At an event with President-elect Donald Trump last week, Son said that the Japanese conglomerate would invest $100 billion into the US over the next four years and create at least 100,000 jobs in AI and related areas. Already, other employers are looking to grow around AI. According to Indeed, job postings mentioning AI that saw the biggest growth in the first 11 months of 2024 were senior scientists, software engineering managers, research engineers, and researchers. The market may be growing, though it can be hard for employers to hire in some AI-related areas. The talent firm Randstad reports that it's twice as difficult to find and hire senior-level workers skilled in AI and automation as it is for other senior-level jobs in different industries. Vacancy rates for roles involving specialized AI skills, like developing natural-language processing models, are as high as 15%, Randstad found. That's about double the overall job vacancy rate in the US. Randstad's estimate on AI jobs is based on an assessment of some 10 million job postings and 136 million résumés in the third quarter of 2024. According to Randstad, employers worldwide are having the hardest time finding workers skilled in natural language processing, predictive modeling, and "stakeholder communication." The firm notes that this is partly because such abilities are specialized yet also in demand across industries. In the US, Randstad said, the vacancy rate for jobs that require skills like natural language processing stands at 14%. Indeed recently that, as of September, the share of US job postings that mention generative AI or related terminology was up 3.5 times year over year. Yet that doesn't mean that all employers are looking for GenAI whizzes. Indeed found that only 2% of employers globally included skills related to AI in their job descriptions. By comparison, more than 20% called for basic computer skills. Nevertheless, Calhoon said, employers' demands for AI skills are only likely to grow. "Maybe not next year, but three or four years from now, in many roles, there will be an expectation that people will have basic fluency in being able to use some of these platforms," she said. That's likely in part because it's not only major employers that will expect workers to have AI skills. Andy Schachtel, CEO of Sourcefit, an offshore staffing firm, told BI that businesses of all sizes are looking to AI to boost efficiency. The US Chamber of Commerce found in a mid-2024 of 1,100 small businesses that four in 10 reported using generative AI, up from 23% in 2023. About three-quarters of small businesses surveyed said they plan to adopt emerging tech like AI. That could add to the already surging demand for leaders who are experts in AI. According to a review of more than 35,000 public and private companies in the US by Altrata, a research firm focused on executive data, the number of people in the role of chief AI officer or its equivalent — a job many people may not have heard of until this year — was up 70% year-over-year through late October. That demand is likely one reason that workers with AI skills or who possess capabilities working with AI tools are, on average, 34% more likely to change jobs, according to Randstad. Nicole Kyle, who researches the future of work, told BI that even for parts of a business where AI might be expected to take on a good share of the workload — like call centers —its adoption would likely increase demand for other roles. She said that in the case of call centers, for example, those added roles might include positions involving data governance and data cleaning, as well as customer experience. That's one reason Kyle, who's cofounder of CMP Research, said she remains optimistic about AI's impact on jobs. "I do think net-net, it will create jobs the way other technological advancements have," Kyle said. Read the original article on
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and the State of Palestine, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to strengthen cooperation in the fields of telecommunications and information technology. The agreement also aims to facilitate exchange of experiences and expertise in the digital economy. The MoU was signed by H E Saeed Hamood al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman, and Dr Abdul Razzaq al Natsheh, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of Palestine. H E Mawali informed that the agreement focuses on advancing the digital economy, with particular emphasis on areas such as digital government, cybersecurity, workforce training, and support for startups. He added that the MoU will facilitate business development and improve services in both countries. Some of the objectives outlined in the MoU are set to be implemented by the first quarter of 2025, including hosting Palestinian startups in Oman. Additionally, rapid progress is expected in the exchange of cybersecurity expertise with tangible results anticipated by 2025.NoneOver P15-M Phivolcs budget cut compromises protection for landslide-prone areas, group says
CENTURION, South Africa (AP): South Africa tailenders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen hung in against relentless fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for a tense two-wicket win in the first Test yesterday to seal the Proteas’ place in next year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final. Jansen (16 not out) overshadowed Abbas’ brilliant figures of 6-54 with a square driven boundary against the fast bowler as South Africa reached 150-8 just after lunch on Day 4 and escaped with a close win in the opener of the two-match series. “Quite an emotional moment for me, good advert for test cricket,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who made 40. “We haven’t been ruthless but have found a way to ensure the result was on our side. Lot of joy and happiness on our side, a bit of a rollercoaster, glad that we were able to get the result.” Abbas, making a comeback after more than three years in the Test wilderness, had knocked back South Africa’s tricky chase of 148 runs in a marathon 13-over spell before lunch on Day 4 as the home team limped to 99-8, losing four wickets for three runs. However, Rabada changed gears in an unbroken 51-run stand with Jansen and made an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls with five fours to seal a memorable victory and denied Pakistan its first test win in South Africa in almost 18 years. South Africa had started this WTC cycle with a 1-1 drawn series against India before getting swept 2-0 in New Zealand. But since then the Proteas have beaten West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to stay on top of the table. “It (WTC final) is a big one, not just for myself but also the team and the coach,” Bavuma said. “The way we started our campaign, against India and then New Zealand with a not-so-strong team, and the way we have gone through with our performances, not many gave us a chance.” India, Australia and Sri Lanka are the other teams still in contention for next June’s WTC final against South Africa at Lord’s. Captain Temba Bavuma (40) and Aiden Markram (37) had thwarted Abbas for an hour after South Africa resumed at a wobbly 27-3, still needing 121 for victory. Bavuma’s controversial dismissal punctuated a South Africa collapse in the latter half of first session with Abbas grabbing three off his six balls in a sensational home team collapse. Bavuma, who made 40, surprisingly didn’t request a television review when replays suggested that Abbas’ ball had brushed the batter’s pocket and didn’t make contact with the inside edge of the bat but the South African skipper walked back to the dressing room. Abbas bowled an unchanged marathon spell of 13 overs, but had to wait as Markram and Bavuma saw off eight overs from the fast bowlers. Resuming at 27-3, Bavuma and Markram showed plenty of patience against Abbas’ probing line and length before the fast bowler finally got the breakthrough after the first drinks break. Abbas was rewarded for his brilliant seam bowling when he beat the outside edge of Markram’s bat and knocked back the off stump. Bavuma survived a couple of close chances when he successfully overturned an on-field lbw decision against him early in the day and Naseem Shah couldn’t hold onto a sharp catch at fine leg as he overstepped the boundary cushion while grabbing the ball over his head. South Africa had controlled the game at 96-4 before Bavuma’s dismissal saw Abbas finding the outside edges of David Bedingham (14) and Corbin Bosch’s (0) bat off successive deliveries and in between Kyle Verreynne dragged Naseem Shah’s delivery back onto his stumps. Abbas found the outside edge of Rabada’s bat in his first over after lunch that fell just short of wicketkeeper Rizwan before both tailenders took the team home. “Extremely proud of the efforts, but going forward we need to be ruthless,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said. “We keep making the same mistakes but we have to get over the line, seize moments.” The second Test begins at Cape Town on Friday.
PEZA targets proclamation of 30 new ecozones in 2025BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; and Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar, contributed to this report. Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam, The Associated PressiPhone 16 Pro price falls down by Rs 16,000 during New Year sale, here’s how the deal works
NEW YORK: Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to show big gains in productivity at banks, panelists said at the Reuters Next conference in New York, but it has so far been harder to make money from the technology. Major banks have been applying AI to virtual assistants for clients and introduced tools for employees to use for human resources, risk, compliance and finance as well as trying to develop products within wealth management. Goldman Sachs Chief Executive David Solomon told the Reuters Conference on Tuesday (Dec 10) that deploying machine learning and AI could improve productivity in areas including coding. "We have 11,000 engineers. We do an enormous amount of coding," Solomon said. "If we can increase with these tools their coding productivity by 20 or 30 per cent, it's a huge tailwind for us." Fellow US bank BNY is also investing in AI tools, CEO Robin Vince told the conference. "We have thousands of people at BNY who are now enabled to be able to build and commission agents to be able to help them with their daily tasks," Vince said. However, AI is not helping financial firms make money yet. Banks still need to specify their exact use cases for the technology, the chief AI and data officer of BMO Financial Group told the conference on Wednesday. "The hype cycle brought a lot of positive attention to this space. I am chief AI officer now because there was a little bit of a hype cycle," said Kristin Milchanowski, who was appointed to the role at BMO, one of Canada's largest banks, in October. "I do believe that people thought it was going to impact the revenue or have a cost takeout different from what the effect actually has been," Milchanowski said, adding: "We're not seeing revenue-generating activity." So far, AI has been most useful in tasks such as shrinking the time BMO's equities teams need to produce reports - an important part of many investment banks' offerings - from more than four hours a day to less than one, leaving the analysts free to do more creative tasks. It is important to identify specific use cases for AI in the future, Milchanowski added, and pinpointed potential applications in optimising trades and generating clients.The LSU Tigers will host the Vanderbilt Commodores in an SEC college football matchup at Tiger Stadium this Saturday in Baton Rouge. How to Watch Vanderbilt vs. LSU: The Tigers started the season with big dreams, but a second-half slide has left them clinging to becoming bowl-eligible. At 6-4 overall, LSU will still see postseason action, but their hopes of a College Football Playoff run are long gone. Despite the disappointment, don't count the Tigers out just yet. A strong finish to the season could restore some of the swagger that Tiger fans know and love. With the game being played in the electric atmosphere of Tiger Stadium, LSU will be looking to bounce back and remind everyone why Baton Rouge is one of the toughest places to play in college football. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has had a season to remember—by their standards, anyway. The Commodores, often seen as the SEC's perennial underdog, have put together a respectable 6-4 record and even cracked the Coaches Poll top 25 at one point. Known as the "upset kings" this fall, Vandy has taken down a few giants along the way and will look to add LSU to their list of victims. With bowl eligibility already secured, the Commodores are playing with house money, making them a dangerous opponent for an LSU team looking to avoid another letdown. WATCH: Vanderbilt vs. LSU live on fuboTV for free on Saturday If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
None
- Previous: best online slot game malaysia
- Next: best online slot game to play
![ᮺgB 7<3_KA@ZMؠ%bS Չ=>Fmd
J*xq˫nerV$$D6KN,n1 8beƷ( 9DʣyY-@Ġnj zߕVX:9 eKBě9
>|a)kC
\ vSl]o Gb@_a݁ߟߑ)-@O! q[o ga[iC,^q'HeYOd_K0/
g-5u&0J](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?op=resize&url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F802536%2Fgettyimages-1196086986-3.jpg&w=700)
