2 piece sweet potato calories

Avs out to keep rolling as Panthers try to get on trackBen Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh international initially primed to return for Sunday’s visit of Wolves but no longer available. Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue. Ange with a team news update ahead of Wolves on Sunday 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/0EiYh4TP8j — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 27, 2024 Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7. “Yeah, that’s been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such,” Postecoglou said. “We’re looking at those things and why they’re happening. It’s certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they’re the ones who are missing. “I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury. “Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it’s still a guy coming back, so it’s something we’re looking at.” There could be good news on the horizon with attackers Mikey Moore and Richarlison expected to return to training next week. A post shared by Richarlison (@richarlison) Richarlison suffered his own setback in November when his short-lived return after a calf issue was cut short when he injured the same area against Aston Villa. Moore, meanwhile, has been sidelined by a virus for the best part of two months but the 17-year-old could provide a much-needed spark in the new year when Newcastle visit on January 4. Postecoglou said: “Him and Richy are in the final phases. Next week they can start training. We’ve got a bit of a gap before the Newcastle game. “The plan is Mikey and Richy come back into first-team training next week.” Anticipated returns for Moore and Richarlison will fail to help Postecoglou against Wolves, with makeshift centre-back Archie Gray potentially set to partner up with fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma if Dragusin cannot recover. Pressed on the issue of fixture scheduling, with Spurs definitely missing eight players for Sunday’s fixture, Postecoglou said: “It is challenging. “All clubs are going to have to get their heads around it and authorities are going to have to get their heads around it. “One of two things need to happen: either you somehow change the fixture schedule, which doesn’t seem feasible, or you allow clubs bigger squads. Then you have other issues with that, as well. “The attrition rate you’re seeing and it’s not just us. We’re going through a particularly badly moment. Newcastle went through it last year and it affected them pretty badly. They were obviously in the Champions League as well and probably didn’t have the squad to cope with it. “It hits certain clubs at different times and is probably becoming more prevalent, and for all of us it’s a challenge as to how we navigate this process to keep our players healthy. “It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. For us it’s been constant since August and we’re not even halfway through the year. And they’re not going to get a break now, so these things we’re constantly assessing.”Kellyanne Conway Confronted Meghan McCain at Women’s Power Summit2 piece sweet potato calories 。

Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday night when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliament’s 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Labour and the Social Democrats both won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. While the two centrist parties that have dominated Irish politics for a century could look to strike a deal with one of the Dail’s smaller centre-left parties, such as the Social Democrats or Labour, a more straightforward route to a majority could be achieved by securing the support of several independent TDs. For Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and current taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, wooing like-minded independents would be likely to involve fewer policy concessions, and financial commitments, than would be required to convince another party to join the government benches. Longford-Westmeath independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join the new coalition in Dublin. “Look, my door’s open,” he told RTE. “Someone knocks, I’m always there to open it.” Marian Harkin, an independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within “shouting distance” of an overall majority. “That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and I’m looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place,” she said. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party both appear cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against her party, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. Earlier, Fianna Fail deputy leader and outgoing Finance Minister Jack Chambers predicted that a new coalition government would not be in place before Christmas. Mr Chambers said planned talks about forming an administration required “time and space” to ensure that any new government will be “coherent and stable”. After an inconclusive outcome to the 2020 election, it took five months for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens to strike the last coalition deal. Mr Chambers said he did not believe it would take that long this time, as he noted the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in 2020, but he also made clear it would not be a swift process. He said he agreed with analysis that there was no prospect of a deal before Christmas. “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dail is due to meet on December 18, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government,” he told RTE. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Fine Gael minister of state Peter Burke said members of his parliamentary party would have to meet to consider their options before giving Mr Harris a mandate to negotiate a new programme for government with Fianna Fail. “It’s important that we have a strong, stable, viable government, whatever form that may be, to ensure that we can meet the challenges of our society, meet the challenges in terms of the economic changes that are potentially going to happen,” he told RTE. Despite being set to emerge with the most seats, it has not been all good news for Fianna Fail. The party’s outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly became one of the biggest casualties of the election when he lost his seat in Wicklow in the early hours of Monday morning. Mr Donnelly was always predicted to face a fight in the constituency after boundary changes saw it reduced from five to four seats. If it is to be a reprise of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael governing partnership of the last mandate, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new government. The outcome in 2020 saw the parties enter a coalition on the basis that the holder of the premier position would be exchanged midway through the term. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Mr Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers is likely to draw focus on the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. On Sunday, Simon Coveney, a former deputy leader of Fine Gael, said a coalition that did not repeat the rotating taoiseach arrangement in some fashion would be a “difficult proposition” for his party. Meanwhile, Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe said he would be making the case for Mr Harris to have another opportunity to serve as taoiseach. On Monday, Mr Chambers said while his party would expect to lead the government it would approach the issue of rotating the taoiseach’s role on the basis of “mutual respect” with Fine Gael. “I think the context of discussions and negotiations will be driven by mutual respect, and that’s the glue that will drive a programme for government and that’s the context in which we’ll engage,” he said. On Monday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her party’s determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: “No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. “We want to ensure there’s the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do.” The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: “The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen.” Fianna Fail secured the most first preference votes in Friday’s proportional representation election, taking 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%. Sinn Fein came in third on 19%. While Sinn Fein’s vote share represented a marked improvement on its disappointing showing in June’s local elections in Ireland, it is still significantly down on the 24.5% poll-topping share it secured in the 2020 general election. The final breakdown of first preferences also flipped the result of Friday night’s exit poll, which suggested Sinn Fein was in front on 21.1%, with Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.IPS Pooja Yadav is married to IAS Vikalp Bhardwaj -- a 2016 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer. The duo met at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, fell in love and tied the knot on February 18, 2021. Published: December 25, 2024 6:18 PM IST By : Clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is not every one’s cup of tea as it requires immense hard work, dedication, and mental resilience to clear perhaps the toughest exam in the country. Lakhs of aspirants take a crack at the UPSC CSE each year, but only a small fraction manage to clear the tough test, and the successful ones often have an inspirational and heartwarming backstory, detailing the trials and tribulations on their journey of becoming an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer. One such shining example is IPS Pooja Yadav, a 2018 batch IPS officer, who overcame hardships and setback, both financial and personal, left a high-paying job abroad, and aced the UPSC CSE to realise her dream of becoming a civil servant. Let us take brief look at her motivating journey. Who is IPS Pooja Yadav? Born in a middle-income household in Sonipat, Haryana on September 20, 1988, Pooja Yadav completed her schooling in her hometown, and later earned a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology and then an M.Tech in Food Technology and Management. After completing her education, Pooja Yadav headed overseas in order to pursue a career, and worked in Germany and Canada for a while, but later returned to India, as she realised that she was contributing to the economy and development of a foreign country, rather than her own, Once back in India, Pooja decided to pursue a career as a civil servant by clearing the UPSC exams. While preparing for the UPSC CSE, the young woman did various part-time jobs to make ends meet, including working as a part-time receptionist, and tutoring children. Pooja Yadav devoted her time in preparing for the UPSC CSE but failed to clear the tough exam in her first attempt. However, the setback did not deter her from pursuing her goal of becoming a civil servant, and ultimately her dedication bore fruit in 2018 when she cracked the UPSC test with an impressive All-India Rank (AIR) of 174, and was accorded the Gujarat cadre. Currently IPS Pooja Yadav is posted as DCP Traffic in Rajkot City, Gujarat, and has earned high praise for her tough action against traffic violators. IPS Pooja Yadav personal life IPS Pooja Yadav is married to IAS Vikalp Bhardwaj — a 2016 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer. The duo met at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, fell in love and tied the knot on February 18, 2021. Pooja is also an avid social media user, and has achieved a sort of celebrity status on Instagram where she has over 324k followers. In an interview, Pooja said she believes social media as an effective platform for public engagement and sharing ideas. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . TopicsGoogle and the US government faced off in a federal court on Monday, as each side delivered closing arguments in a case revolving around the technology giant's alleged unfair domination of online advertising. The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was neither spectacular nor victorious last week against the Packers, but his steady performance was tremendously reassuring after watching him in freefall for three games in a row. Pulling out of that spiral was crucial as Williams tries to get his career off the ground and eventually lead the Bears to something better than what they’ve been stuck in the last several seasons. Completing 74.2% of his passes, totaling 301 yards passing and rushing and posting a 95.0 passer rating in a loss was hardly parade-worthy, but it reestablished his footing . That’s how virtually everyone around him saw it, anyway. Williams, though, downplayed it in terms of being a confidence boost. “I wouldn’t say it did anything for me mentally,” he said. “After the third game, I realized that I can play and I feel good playing. Regardless of the interceptions at the beginning of the season, I was seeing the field well, and that still stands today. “There’s going to be rough times, rough patches over the long, healthy career that I hopefully have, and that’s not going to change my mindset.” For everyone else, it was a relief. In order to make games like the one against the Packers unremarkable, Williams must stack up more like it — and better ones. He gets that. Every time he has made progress, he has been very measured in his perspective about that being merely a starting point. The whole season is that, really, especially after the Bears plunged out of the playoff race with four consecutive losses. The most important thing, by far, about the last seven games is Williams setting his trajectory for 2025 and beyond. The first half of the season, loaded with most of the Bears’ weaker opponents, was NFL 101. The advanced classes are in the second half, and none are tougher to pass than what he’ll encounter Sunday at home against the Vikings. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a dizzying opponent known for dialing up the most covert and confusing blitzes in the league. Williams will get two shots at the Vikings, first Sunday and then Dec. 16 in Minneapolis. The Bears’ chances of winning either game hinge on how quickly he catches on to Flores. It’s also a huge part of his big-picture development, and coach Matt Eberflus said this is “a great game” for Williams — with the help of new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown — to demonstrate his ability to adapt from play-to-play “just because of the variation that you get” from Flores in defensive fronts and personnel. Williams’ remaining seven games are against decent-to-great defenses and teams in the top half of the NFL in pressuring quarterbacks, so any steps forward will be hard-earned and legitimate. The Vikings are fourth in points allowed, first in pressure and second in takeaways. Then Williams will turn around on a short week to visit the Lions on Thanksgiving, and they’re fifth in points allowed, 10th in pressure and fifth in takeaways. Both are top-eight in opponent passer rating and third-down defense, too. Good progress for Williams also should include maximizing his connection with wide receiver Rome Odunze, a fellow rookie and an essential partner going forward. Odunze, the No. 9 pick this year, got a team-high 10 targets against the Packers — “My guy,” Williams called him — and caught six balls for 65 yards. That included back-to-back catches on third and fourth down with the game on the line. “We’re just in the beginning phase of this thing,” said Odunze, who leads the team with 479 yards receiving. “I have big aspirations and [being] one of the best quarterback-wide-receiver duos is at the top of my goal sheet... We’ve got to go to big things.” Realistically, those “big things” probably won’t add up to a shocking playoff run. But every gain by Williams the rest of the season is massive for his future.

Buster Olney slams Dodgers for dancing on Yankees’ grave after World Series1. 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.

Need some assistance with NYT Strands today? Today's theme — "Lead the way" — isn't especially clear, but shouldn't be too tough once you have some answers on the board. Below, we've compiled some useful hints for Strands #275, as well as the answers, should it come to that. We'll start off with some clues, before building up to the full answer for Strands #275, so read on if you need a little help. Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for Strands #275. Today's NYT Strands answer — Today's theme and hints The official theme for NYT Strands #275 is... "Lead the way" And here's an unofficial hint from me: "Banish the darkness". If you're still in the dark, here are some useful words to give you those valuable clue tokens: Still struggling? The spangram will give you a hint about the connection word. Today, it starts with 'I' and ends with 'N'. Scroll down to find out what it is... It's ILLUMINATION. Today's Strands answers So, what are today's Strands answers for game #275? Drumroll, please... ...and the spangram was ILLUMINATION. Strands #275 “Lead the way” 🔵💡🔵🟡 🔵🔵🔵 Hi Strands fans. I'm not really sure the theme "Lead the way" is very helpful today. All the same, a single clue was all I needed to get through the puzzle relatively unscathed. I found the first answer on my own: CANDLE in the bottom-left corner. But after some head scratching, I couldn't think of what this had to do with the theme, so used a clue which revealed TORCH. Okay, so it's just about lighting? Pretty tenuous, but at least I could get going. I found the spangram after this, with ILLUMINATION spelt backwards from bottom to top. This cordoned off HEADLAMP in the top-left corner, clearing the west side of the grid. Two answers were left to find on the other half. FLASHLIGHT came first in the top left, and that just left LANTERN to find in the bottom right to complete the puzzle. Yesterday's Strands answers Reading this in a later time zone? You can find the full article on yesterday's Strands answers for game #274 right here .

Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto traffic

FactSet CEO Frederick Philip Snow sells $1.47m in stockA range of independent TDs are contemplating the prospect of entering Ireland’s next coalition government as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael consider ways to secure a solid majority. Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday night when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliament’s 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Labour and the Social Democrats both won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. While the two centrist parties that have dominated Irish politics for a century could look to strike a deal with one of the Dail’s smaller centre-left parties, such as the Social Democrats or Labour, a more straightforward route to a majority could be achieved by securing the support of several independent TDs. For Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and current taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, wooing like-minded independents would be likely to involve fewer policy concessions, and financial commitments, than would be required to convince another party to join the government benches. Longford-Westmeath independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join the new coalition in Dublin. “Look, my door’s open,” he told RTE. “Someone knocks, I’m always there to open it.” Marian Harkin, an independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within “shouting distance” of an overall majority. “That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and I’m looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place,” she said. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party both appear cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against her party, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. Earlier, Fianna Fail deputy leader and outgoing Finance Minister Jack Chambers predicted that a new coalition government would not be in place before Christmas. Mr Chambers said planned talks about forming an administration required “time and space” to ensure that any new government will be “coherent and stable”. After an inconclusive outcome to the 2020 election, it took five months for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens to strike the last coalition deal. Mr Chambers said he did not believe it would take that long this time, as he noted the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in 2020, but he also made clear it would not be a swift process. He said he agreed with analysis that there was no prospect of a deal before Christmas. “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dail is due to meet on December 18, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government,” he told RTE. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Fine Gael minister of state Peter Burke said members of his parliamentary party would have to meet to consider their options before giving Mr Harris a mandate to negotiate a new programme for government with Fianna Fail. “It’s important that we have a strong, stable, viable government, whatever form that may be, to ensure that we can meet the challenges of our society, meet the challenges in terms of the economic changes that are potentially going to happen,” he told RTE. Despite being set to emerge with the most seats, it has not been all good news for Fianna Fail. The party’s outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly became one of the biggest casualties of the election when he lost his seat in Wicklow in the early hours of Monday morning. Mr Donnelly was always predicted to face a fight in the constituency after boundary changes saw it reduced from five to four seats. If it is to be a reprise of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael governing partnership of the last mandate, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new government. The outcome in 2020 saw the parties enter a coalition on the basis that the holder of the premier position would be exchanged midway through the term. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Mr Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers is likely to draw focus on the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. On Sunday, Simon Coveney, a former deputy leader of Fine Gael, said a coalition that did not repeat the rotating taoiseach arrangement in some fashion would be a “difficult proposition” for his party. Meanwhile, Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe said he would be making the case for Mr Harris to have another opportunity to serve as taoiseach. On Monday, Mr Chambers said while his party would expect to lead the government it would approach the issue of rotating the taoiseach’s role on the basis of “mutual respect” with Fine Gael. “I think the context of discussions and negotiations will be driven by mutual respect, and that’s the glue that will drive a programme for government and that’s the context in which we’ll engage,” he said. On Monday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her party’s determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: “No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. “We want to ensure there’s the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do.” The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: “The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen.” Fianna Fail secured the most first preference votes in Friday’s proportional representation election, taking 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%. Sinn Fein came in third on 19%. While Sinn Fein’s vote share represented a marked improvement on its disappointing showing in June’s local elections in Ireland, it is still significantly down on the 24.5% poll-topping share it secured in the 2020 general election. The final breakdown of first preferences also flipped the result of Friday night’s exit poll, which suggested Sinn Fein was in front on 21.1%, with Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.

BRITAIN will be on a “slippery slope towards death on demand” if MPs back assisted dying, the Justice Secretary has warned. Shabana Mahmood wrote in a letter to her constituents that she was “profoundly concerned” about the legislation, which will be debated and voted on in the Commons on Friday. The Cabinet minister warned: “It cannot be overstated what a profound shift in our culture assisted suicide will herald. “In my view, the greatest risk of all is the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves.” In the letter seen by The Observer, she added: “The right to die, for some, will — inexorably and inevitably — become the duty to die for others. "And that is why I will be voting against this Bill.” READ MORE ON ASSISTED DYING PM Sir Keir Starmer is expected to vote but he has opted not to say in advance whether he will ­support the Bill. MPs will have a free vote on the matter, meaning their parties will not tell them what to do. Earlier in the week, Ministers were under growing pressure to publish an impact assessment into assisted dying. Critics said that if the Government was staying neutral it should at least conduct an independent review of the Bill. Most read in The Sun Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick became the latest to make the demand, saying: “The Assisted Dying Bill isn’t party political, but the lack of any consultation or impact assessment risks making it unworkable. “I have real concerns the courts won’t cope and the safeguards aren’t sufficient to prevent abuse.” Labour MP Kim Leadbeater - who proposed the legislation - raised concerns when she said politicians should “butt out” of the debate. Keir Starmer also slapped down his Health Secretary for wading into the assisted dying debate. BARONESS Tanni Grey-Thompson has blasted the assisted dying Bill. The disability campaigner said: “It’s full of holes and there aren’t enough safeguards to make sure vulnerable people are protected. “If this becomes legal, it will be used to get rid of disabled people.”

The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.”

As family and friends get together for Thanksgiving next Thursday, next week is packed full of hoops action that local fans can take full advantage. As a matter of fact, the only day next week that there isn’t a game is Thanksgiving Day. Take a look at some of the matchups and some of the special events taking place. The Rushville Lions open the 2024-25 season at home Wednesday against Shelbyville. The Lions were 5-19 last year under Coach Kerry Brown. Shelbyville went 11-12. At halftime of Wednesday’s game with the Golden Bears, there will be an unveiling of the POWMIA Chair of Honor in Memorial Gym. Members of the Rolling Thunder will be on hand to speak about the organization’s mission. The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize POW/MIA issues. To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all past wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War or Missing In Action. We are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars. Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization and everyone donates his or her time because they believe in the POW/MIA Issue. The junior varsity game tips at 6 p.m. Greensburg opens the season at home Tuesday in the annual county-battle with North Decatur. The Pirates are under the leadership of first year coach Collin Rigney. The JV game tips at 6 p.m. South Decatur also tips the 2024-25 season Tuesday as the Cougars face Trinity Lutheran. South is led by first year coach Josh Terwilleger. Trinity won the sectional last season, but return only two seniors and are young with eight sophomores on the roster. The JV game tips at 6 p.m. Due to the Bulldogs’ football team advancing to the Final Four, Batesville won’t open the basketball season until Dec. 6 at home against Greensburg. South Decatur travels to Milan (0-4) Monday. The JV game tips at 6 p.m. Prior to facing the Lady Indians, the Lady Cougars host North Decatur Saturday in a cross-country rivalry game. The game at Milan will end a busy month for the Lady Cougars of seven games. Class 3A No. 1 Greensburg (4-0 heading into Saturday’s game at Jennings County) looks to keep rolling at EIAC foe East Central Wednesday. The Lady Trojans are 4-0 heading into Saturday’s game at Mt. Vernon (Fortville). The JV game tips at 6 p.m. Next Saturday, the Lady Pirates host Seymour with a noon JV start. After traveling to country-rival South Saturday, the Lady Chargers host Switzerland County (0-3) Wednesday and travel to Knightstown (2-2) Saturday. The Lady Lions travel to New Palestine (2-2) Tuesday. The JV game tips at 6 p.m. Batesville (2-2) has a busy Thanksgiving week. The Lady Bulldogs host Seymour (2-1) Tuesday with a 6 p.m. JV start, host Jac-Cen-Del (1-3) Friday with a 6 p.m. JV start and travel to EIAC foe Connersville (3-1) Saturday with a 1 p.m. JV start.Arsenal up to second after Kai Havertz goal sees off struggling Ipswich

Lions CBs Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out vs. ColtsBuster Olney isn’t a fan of how some Dodgers players have been carrying themselves after defeating the Yankees in the World Series. Dodgers players including reliever Joe Kelly and utility-man Chris Taylor have been critical of the Yankees after Los Angeles won the World Series in five games. Olney had some choice words for the Dodgers on a recent edition of ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” podcast. “I know this: if the Yankees had won, Aaron Judge wouldn’t have crapped on the Dodgers,” Olney said , as covered by The Big Lead . “Giancarlo Stanton wouldn’t have. Anthony Volpe? No chance. “I think Taylor’s had a great career, the way he’s adjusted at the plate, he’s adapted to different positions,” Olney continued. “He’s one of the best in the world at what he does. But he and the small handful of other Dodgers who are chirping know better than anyone how hard their sport is to play, and they’re better than this. Why not bask in the glory of an incredible World Series win from the high ground?” Taylor made inflammatory remarks on Bleacher Report’s “On Base with Mookie Betts” show. “We’re all kind of thinking it — (the Yankees) kind of (crapped) down their leg,” Taylor said, referring to the infamous comedy of errors that was Game 5’s fifth inning . “They were pressing. It was one thing after the next. ... All we’ve got to do is put the ball in play right now.” On the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, Kelly ripped the Yankees as lazy . “We had seen it every single game just let them throw the ball to the infield, they can’t make a play,” Kelly said. “... It was a mismatch from the get-go. If we had a playoff re-ranking, they might be ranked the eighth or ninth-best playoff team. “You’re putting the Padres ahead of them, you’re putting the Phillies ahead of them, you’re putting the Mets ahead of them, you’re putting the Braves ahead of them, and the Braves just got unlucky because they had to play that doubleheader. “I mean, the Guardians played like crap, but the Guardians played better [defense] and better baseball all around. It was just a complete mismatch.”It’s just like Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield, really. We were all looking forward to seeing them arrive in Montreal... The excitement is there when we talk about the Canadiens’ prospects, because since his selection at No. 5 in the draft, positive comments have been coming from everywhere when he’s in the news. Tony DeAngelo on his SKA teammate Ivan Demidov: “He’s a world class talent.” – /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) During his appearance on the podcast, DeAngelo also stated that he sees Demidov becoming a 30-goal-per-season top-6 winger... In the worst-case scenario. If – – Demidov progresses as DeAngelo predicts, the Canadiens will have one of the best players in the National League on their hands. But that’s what makes the defender’s comments so interesting: he’s around Demidov every day or so, and he’s in the best possible situation to see him progress... And you can’t discount the fact that DeAngelo knows the National League. Obviously, as much as everyone wants DeAngelo to be right, chances are it won’t work out too. And I’m not saying that to denigrate Ivan Demidov’s talent: it can happen to any talented prospect who makes the jump to the NHL. There have been examples in the past, and it’s not to be dismissed. – Interesting. Defender Chris Jandric has been absolutely dominant in the ECHL since getting loaned by the Rocket. 11 points in 9 games, and he looks like Lane Hutson out there, skating circles around everyone. Second in the ECHL for points per game by a defender with at least 9 games played.... – Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) – Artem Zub is out with a long-term injury. Report: Sens aggressively pursuing defensemen after Zub injury – theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) – The three NHL stars of the week. Zach Werenski has earned his place on the – RDS (@RDSca)

Kristin Cavallari has been "blown away" by the public's response to her podcast tour. The 37-year-old TV star is set to begin her four-city tour for her 'Let’s Be Honest' podcast in March, and Kristen has already been wowed by the demand for tickets. The blonde beauty told Us Weekly: "I am blown away by the response to this tour." Kristin is already looking forward to meeting her fans in person. The 'Very Cavallari' star shared: "To see these shows selling out so quickly and reading all the messages from people on social media expressing their excitement to attend makes me even more thrilled to get out on the road already. I can’t wait to see everyone!" The live shows are set to feature appearances from a number of special guests, including men she's dated in the past. An insider told Us Weekly: "She’s not holding back when it comes to talking about the men she’s been linked to and her romances." Kristin was previously married to former NFL star Jay Cutler. The celebrity duo - who have Camden, 12, Jaxon, ten, and Saylor, eight, together - announced their split via a joint statement back in 2020. Kristin and Jay said at the time: "With great sadness, after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce. We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared, memories made, and the children we are so proud of. This is just the situation of two people growing apart. We ask everyone to respect our privacy as we navigate this difficult time within our family. (sic)"BOSTON — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during a game against Miami on Nov. 23, 1994, sits outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats Miami with a last second touchdown pass on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie evades Miami defensive tackle Kevin Fagan during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami, Fla. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Fusion of Realities! Half-Life Meets Warframe?

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Here's How Much $1000 Invested In KLA 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth TodayI began to panic when my car key wouldn’t come out of the ignition switch. I twisted it, yanked it, begged it and cursed it. Nothing worked. It was stuck. I had just pulled into the parking lot at my office in Munster and tried to turn off my car, a temperamental 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo with 314,000 miles. Her name is Betsy. Her engine kept running as my mind raced with what I should do next. I quickly sent a text to my mechanic for any suggestions. Then I sent a text to my boss, telling him I was stuck in our parking lot. I was at work, sort of, but not for long. I had to get to an interview, so I pulled out of the lot and headed in that direction while I figured out my next move. Should I leave my car running while doing that interview? Should I drive straight to the repair shop in Valparaiso? Should I pray to the car gods for mercy? The key ignition problem was just the latest in a series of minor but aggravating issues I’ve had with Betsy over the past few years. Passing an emissions test every two years has felt like acing a final exam in astrophysics. She’s slowly dying, and it feels like my driver seat is situated inside a casket. The SS decal on her side once stood for Super Sport. Now it stands for Super Sad. The dashboard lights blink like a Christmas tree. Her worn out brakes shake the car at fast stops. Exhaust fumes serve as an air freshener inside the car. My side mirror looks toward the sky, not at the road. The driver seat looks like it’s been mauled by a bear. The sunroof hasn’t worked in years. My seat hasn’t been heated since the first Obama administration. Betsy rattles, vibrates and smells like burnt oil. She is held together by rust, hope and stubbornness. On her rear bumper is a “26.2” sticker from the Chicago Marathon I ran back when Betsy and I were both in better condition. But she’s the one who’s still running a marathon, for vehicles anyway. Most modern cars can make it to 200,000 miles without any major issues if it’s well-maintained, according to J.D. Powers. The average owner drives 10,000 to 20,000 miles per year, accounting for roughly 15 years of service. She should be entombed at a junkyard by now, not leaking quarts of oil in my garage. But I just can’t part with her. She’s been my longest romantic relationship, and I love Betsy despite all of her rust, problems and potential dangers. She can die on me at any time. I’ve come to grips with this fact or fate. When she eventually makes that sad trip across the Rainbow Bridge, I will be forced to do something I haven’t done in 20 years: buy a new vehicle for myself. Black Friday and the weekend after Thanksgiving is a popular time for shoppers to look for a new or used vehicle, according to Kelley Blue Book. Auto manufacturers offer end-of-year deals, low interest rates and lower monthly payments. I was intrigued until I researched the average monthly car payment for U.S. drivers in 2024: $734 for new vehicles and $525 for used vehicles. What? Huh? Are you kidding me? My wife and I recently paid off her 2017 Buick Encore and its $400 monthly payments. We haven’t had a car payment in months. I asked my social media readers how much they’re paying each month for their vehicle, regardless if it was purchased new or used. Their responses gave me sticker shock: $1,384 a month for a 2024 BMW; $1,105 for a new Chevy Blazer; $920 for a 2022 Land Rover; $994 for a 2023 Dodge Ram Bighorn; $640 for a 2021 Chevy Trailblazer; and $438 for a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Some readers said they were paying nearly as much for their car as their mortgage. “Wait until the tariffs hit the auto industry,” another reader wrote. Maybe I can keep old Betsy alive for another month or maybe another year? “Don’t you die on me,” I often tell her on the road. Every time I drive Betsy, I wonder if it will be the last time. I keep spare clothes and running shoes in the trunk, just in case. I’ve poured a few thousand dollars into her over the past 10 years. Not enough to scrap it, though. Last year, , a 2005 Hyundai Tucson, for $500. It was slowly dying from old age, parked at the curb for months, and in need of money we didn’t have to keep it alive. Before I scrap Betsy for a similar price, if that, I plan to keep her until death do us part. I figure I’m saving at least $500 a month, not to mention lower auto insurance premiums. If she makes it through winter, I’ll take a long cruise and play a love song we first heard together in 2004. Of course I’ll play it on a cassette or CD. Yep, they still work, sometimes. Davich writes for The Times of Northwest Indiana: . Get local news delivered to your inbox!