Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, investors are constantly searching for the next breakout token. While established names like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Tron (TRX) remain household staples, a new and innovative player, Lightchain AI (LCAI) , is quickly emerging as the go-to choice for investors seeking higher returns and long-term growth. With Lightchain AI's unique integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, analysts are predicting that it could outperform Dogecoin and Tron in the coming years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why Lightchain AI is gaining traction over these established tokens and what makes it stand out in the crypto market. Why Dogecoin and Tron May Struggle to Maintain Momentum Dogcoin (DOGE) and Tron (TRX) has both had great times, mainly due to strong group support and viral charm. Dogecoin, first a joke coin, has got fame from famous folks backing it and a big social media buzz. Even with its growth, DOGE’s use is still small, having no real way to be used apart from being a safe spot for cash or guesswork asset. People who want lasting worth are getting cautious about its need on market feelings and fame jumps. In the other side, Tron (TRX), a chain made for apps that work without a middleman and sharing content, meets hard fight from Ethereum and other first level answers that give more scale and stronger systems. While Tron has done big steps in smart deals and making money from content; it is still struggling with a quite small use case and rising fight in t͏he blockchain area. Both DOGE and TRX may face challenges maintaining their growth trajectories in the long term, especially as the market increasingly values real-world utility and technological innovation. Lightchain AI's Unmatched Innovation: AI Meets Blockchain Using a novel Proof of Intelligence (PoI) consensus mechanism, Lightchain AI rewards nodes for doing artificial intelligence (model training and optimization) calculations. Unlike more conventional mechanisms like Proof of Work or Proof of Stake, this creative approach improves network security and efficiency. Reflecting its dedication to both innovation and scalability, Lightchain AI intends to open its testnet in January 2025 followed by the mainnet activation in March 2025 under direction of a thorough roadmap. With a total supply of 10 billion, the LCAI token is strategically allocated 40% to presale, 28.5% to staking incentives, and the rest to liquidity, marketing, treasury, and the team, thus balancing sustainability and participation. By integrating AI with blockchain, Lightchain AI addresses challenges in scalability, governance, and privacy, paving the way for real-world applications and widespread adoption. Future Looks Bright for Lightchain AI Why It’s Poised for 50x Growth With Lightchain AI priced at just $0.0041 during its presale , investors see this as a rare opportunity to get in early on a project with substantial growth potential. LCAI’s deflationary tokenomics , where a portion of transaction fees is burned, creates scarcity, making the token even more attractive to long-term holders. Analysts are predicting that LCAI could see 50x returns by 2025, driven by its real-world use cases and unique AI and blockchain integration. The upcoming testnet launch in 2025 will provide a major catalyst for growth, enabling Lightchain AI to gain momentum in its developer ecosystem and attract enterprise adoption. LCAI’s innovative platform could be the gateway to the future of AI-driven decentralized applications, and with its massive growth potential, it is set to attract the attention of early-stage investors looking to capitalize on the next big wave in the cryptocurrency space. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.DENVER — "Hallmark Channel" and "Hallmark Movies & Mysteries" have begun their schedule of brand-new Christmas movies. Hallmark Channel will debut 32 new "Countdown to Christmas" originals and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will debut nine new movies in their "Miracles of Christmas" lineup. Faces familiar to Hallmark fans pop up throughout the Christmas schedule this year including legends Lacey Chabert, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Alison Sweeney and Caroline Rhea. New movies air every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Hallmark, while Hallmark Movies & Mysteries debuts new flicks on Thursday nights. Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries began their around-the-clock Christmas schedule on Oct. 18. Here are some of the 32 new Christmas movies you'll be watching this season: Countdown to Christmas Hallmark Channel 'Twas the Date Before Christmas Robert Buckley, Amy Groening Friday, Oct. 18 To prevent her family from canceling the "Chamberlain Family Christmas Olympics," Jessie lies and says she’s inviting a date to the long-standing holiday tradition. She meets Bryan on a dating app, and he agrees to spend the holiday with her and her family. Holiday Crashers Lyndsy Fonseca, Daniella Monet, Chris McNally, Jag Bal Saturday, Oct. 19 Best friends have worked at the same card shop for more years than they should as both struggle to find their true life’s path. This holiday season, they decide to shake up their humdrum world by creating new identities to crash the amazing Christmas parties from the shop's confidential invitations. Scouting for Christmas Tamera Mowry-Housley, Carlo Marks, Marci T. House Sunday, Oct. 20 Divorced mom Angela has been a busy realtor since her amicable divorce. Now she asks the owner of her favorite bakery to cater her scout troop’s posh annual holiday event. Operation Nutcracker Ashley Newbrough, Christopher Russell Friday, Oct. 25 When an antique nutcracker set to be auctioned at the Warby family Christmas charity goes missing, a demanding event planner and the heir to the Warby dynasty try to track it down. The Christmas Charade Rachel Skarsten, Corey Sevier Saturday, Oct. 26 A cautious librarian raised by home security experts finds herself in a real-life adventure when a blind date mix-up leads her into an undercover FBI operation. The 5-Year Christmas Party Katie Findlay, Jordan Fisher Sunday, Oct. 27 Alice and her old theater school rival reunite each holiday season to work at a catering company’s Christmas parties. While their undeniable chemistry grows, the timing is never right for romance – until the company’s final season pushes them to confront their true feelings. A Carol for Two Ginna Claire Mason, Jordan Litz, Charlotte d’Amboise Friday, Nov. 1 After moving to New York to make it on Broadway, Violette gets a job at a theater district diner run famous for its singing wait staff, who bide their time there, while awaiting that big break. Our Holiday Story Nikki DeLoach, Warren Christie Saturday, Nov. 2 As Dave and Nell recount their love story to their daughter’s boyfriend, we follow them through one special Christmas where fate routinely brought them together - and kept them apart. Holiday Mismatch Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick Sunday, Nov. 3 Free-spirited Kath and uptight Barbara clash at a Christmas committee meeting and discover they’ve accidentally set up their adult children via a dating app. Trivia at St. Nick’s Tammin Sursok, Brant Daugherty Friday, Nov. 8 When students all flee an elite university in Vermont for winter break, the locals and faculty hunker down for the annual Christmas Bar Trivia Tournament. Santa Tell Me Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Benjamin Ayres, Christopher Russell Saturday, Nov. 9 A successful interior designer finds an old letter from Santa promising she’ll meet the love of her life by Christmas Eve and that his name will be Nick. She’s stunned to meet not one, but three guys named Nick. ‘Tis the Season to Be Irish Fiona Gubelmann, Eoin Macken Sunday, Nov. 10 A nomadic house flipper heads to Ireland to renovate and sell a cottage, but her plans are upended when she meets a local realtor determined to preserve his town’s heritage. Christmas with the Singhs Anuja Joshi, Ben Hollingsworth Friday, Nov. 15 For Asha Singh, Christmas is the most important time of the year. But when she’s stuck working at the hospital during the holidays, she wishes for some much-needed Christmas magic. Jingle Bell Run Ashley Williams, Andrew Walker Saturday, Nov. 16 An unadventurous schoolteacher is secretly signed up for a Christmas-themed reality competition show where she's paired with a former hockey player. Confessions of a Christmas Letter Angela Kinsey, Alec Santos Sunday, Nov. 17 A quirky family matriarch enters her town’s annual holiday letter-writing contest but needs help, so she hires a struggling novelist to craft the perfect letter. Christmas on Call Sara Canning, Ser'Darius Blain Friday, Nov. 22 An emergency room doctor juggles her demanding job and a budding romance with an EMT. Three Wiser Men and a Boy Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, Margaret Colin Saturday, Nov. 23 The director of a man's son's school holiday musical steps down, so he enlists the help of his brothers. To Have and To Holiday Madeleine Arthur, Robert Bazzocchi, Eric Close Sunday, Nov. 24 Celeste gets engaged to Jason after just a few months of dating, so they are put through a prewedding “bootcamp” filled with Christmas-themed challenges. Debbie Macomber’s Joyful Mrs. Miracle Rachel Boston, Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Tanner Novlan, Matthew James Dowden Thursday, Nov. 28 Three adult siblings return to their childhood home at Christmas to honor their late grandmother’s wishes and try to agree on new leadership for the family’s company. A '90s Christmas Eva Bourne, Chandler Massey, Katherine Barrell Friday, Nov. 29 A workaholic lawyer is celebrating her promotion alone on Christmas Eve when a mysterious rideshare experience transports her back to 1999. Deck the Walls Ashley Greene, Wes Brown, Danny Pellegrino Friday, Nov. 29 An interior designer reluctantly returns to her hometown to save a charity project run by her brother. Believe in Christmas Meghan Ory, John Reardon Saturday, Nov. 30 Beatrice joins her best friend on a trip to Christmasland, but she’s skeptical of the holiday magic until she meets a charming stranger. Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story Hunter King, Tyler Hynes, Ed Begley Jr., Richard Riehle, Diedrich Bader, Christine Ebersole, Megyn Price Saturday, Nov. 30 Alana is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest. Derrick, the Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other finalists. Credit: AP Hunter King, left, and Tyler Hynes in a scene from "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story. (Joshua Haines/Hallmark Media via AP) The Finnish Line Kim Matula, Beau Mirchoff, Nichole Sakura Sunday, Dec. 1 Inspired by her father’s acclaimed legacy in dog sled racing, Anya decides to follow in his footsteps in Finland. The Christmas Quest Lacey Chabert, Kristoffer Polaha Sunday, Dec. 1 An archeologist and her ex-husband are sent to Iceland at Christmastime to search for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. Private Princess Christmas Ali Skovbye, Derek Klena, Erica Durance Friday, Dec. 6 A Queen decides to test her daughter’s mettle once and for all and issues an ultimatum: She must pass a vigorous leadership boot camp in Colorado or lose the throne to her uncle. Sugarplummed Maggie Lawson, Janel Parrish Saturday, Dec. 7 Emily makes a wish for a holiday as picture-perfect as the ones she sees in a made-for-TV holiday movie. To her shock, the film’s relentlessly optimistic main character, magically steps off the screen to make Emily’s wish come true. Leah’s Perfect Gift Emily Arlook, Evan Roderick, Barbara Niven Sunday, Dec. 8 A Jewish woman, whose family only celebrates Hanukkah, is invited by her boyfriend to experience a traditional Christmas with his classic Connecticut family. Hanukkah on the Rocks Stacey Farber, Daren Kagasoff, Marc Summers Friday, Dec. 13 A corporate lawyer finds herself unemployed and questioning her career. She embarks on a quest to find a box of Hanukkah candles and she meets a charming doctor. The Santa Class Kimberley Sustad, Benjamin Ayres Saturday, Dec. 14 Kate finds herself taking over her father’s struggling Santa School. Kate and her new co-worker discover who they believe to be the real Santa, lost and without his memories after his sled steered off course and crashed near the school. Following Yonder Star Brooke D’Orsay, John Brotherton Sunday, Dec. 15 A once-celebrated inspirational mother on TV finds her real life in shambles after dealing with a scandal. She retreats to a luxury Vermont resort for Christmas only to find herself without a room due to a booking mishap. Happy Howlidays Jessica Lowndes Saturday, Dec. 21 A meticulous webpage editor finds herself unexpectedly navigating the holidays alone. As the only one working, she's drawn into an unusual encounter when she encounters a stray dog. Miracles of Christmas Hallmark Movies & Mysteries This Time Each Year Alison Sweeney, Niall Matter Thursday, Oct. 24 Lauren and Kevin were once deeply in love, but nearly a year after their separation, they now focus on co-parenting their young son. Despite the split, Kevin is determined to make their family whole again. My Sweet Austrian Holiday Brittany Bristow, Will Kemp Thursday, Oct. 31 An American, who has lived in Viena since inheriting a chocolate shop from her grandparents, has been selected as one of the finalists for Vienna’s chocolatier of the year. Five Gold Rings Holland Roden, Nolan Gerard Funk Thursday, Nov. 7 When a New York City painter returns to her small Minnesota hometown for the holidays, she’s met with an unexpected quest from her late grandmother: find the owners of five mysterious gold rings and return them to their rightful homes before Christmas morning, only nine days away. A Reason for the Season Taylor Cole, Kevin McGarry Thursday, Nov. 14 In order to earn her trust fund, Evie is tasked with granting Christmas wishes to the people who saved her life on the night of her birth. A Novel Noel Julie Gonzalo, Brendan Penny Wednesday, Nov. 21 A successful New York City book editor learns she is chosen to run a bookstore in the small town of Saint Ives for the month of December. Christmas Under the Lights Heather Hemmens, Marco Grazzini Wednesday, Nov. 27 Emily is reluctant to return home to her family’s animal rescue ranch, but when her mother passes away, her brother requests her help organizing the annual Christmas Carnival. A Dance in the Snow Erica Cerra, Mark Ghanimé, Vanessa Burghardt, Dorian Giordano Thursday, Dec. 5 Melanie’s daughter is not interested in attending her final Christmas dance before graduating. Melanie decides to surprise her daughter by getting involved in the school’s planning committee. All I Need for Christmas Mallory Jansen, Dan Jeannotte Thursday, Dec. 12 Maggie has been trying for years to break in as a singer-songwriter. While helping her parents on their farm at Christmastime, she meets an entrepreneur who has come back to town to spend the holidays alone. Trading Up Christmas Italia Ricci, Michael Xavier Thursday, Dec. 19 A woman hatches a plan to help her sister get a new home. Starting with just a Christmas stocking, she sets out to trade her way up to something far greater: a new home for her sister. To see the complete Hallmark Christmas schedule, and watch previews for the festive flicks, visit HallmarkChannel.com/Christmas . RELATED: Freeform announces '25 Days of Christmas' schedule for 2024 RELATED: Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year

TCS Share Price Live blog for 30 Dec 2024

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley wanted to be a student in team history before he had a chance to make some with the Eagles. The running back who had just signed with Philadelphia for $26 million guaranteed took a deep dive on some of the franchise’s greats out of the backfield. He learned about Wilbert Montgomery. Brushed up on LeSean McCoy. Barkley then put them in his sights — and this week against Carolina, he could become the top single-season rusher in Eagles history. Get past those two Eagles Hall of Famers and the target narrows: McCoy has a chance to break Eric Dickerson's NFL single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards, set in 1984. “That's your goal,” Barkley said. “You want to come in here, you want to leave a legacy on a place, on a franchise.” Here's where things stand with Barkley in his pursuit of records: — Barkley has an NFL-best 1,499 yards rushing through 12 games, an average of 124.9 yards per game. At that pace and with one more game to play than Dickerson, he would surpass the NFL mark that's stood for 40 years. — Barkley needs to run for 108 yards against the Panthers to break McCoy's Eagles record of 1,607 yards set in 2013. Montgomery ran for 1,512 yards in 1978. “I'm aware of the things I can accomplish,” Barkley said. “The way I accomplish that is sticking to the script.” The Eagles (10-2) have won eight straight to take control of the NFC East and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the conference. Barkley — with a little help from Jalen Hurts — has largely led the way and moved into MVP consideration. The former New York Giant also ranks third in the league with 11 rushing touchdowns. It's reasonable to expect Barkley to pile on the yards against Carolina (3-9). The Panthers are 32nd in the league against the run and just allowed Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving to run for a career-high 152 yards last week (he had never broken 100). “It’s incredible what he is doing. The record has stood up for a while. I mean 17 games or 14 games, it’s ridiculous,” Panthers defensive lineman Shy Tuttle said. “It’s a record that has been held for a long time and whoever breaks it, Saquon or someone else, it’s an incredible achievement.” Barkley leads the NFL with four rushing touchdowns of 25-plus yards this season and tied Montgomery for the most 100-yards games in an Eagles season with eight. “You get to see the player on Sundays. We get to see the person every other day during the week,” offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said. “He’s special. At the end of the day, he’s a special teammate, special person. The way he connects with everyone, rallies everyone together. He’s one of the best.” Putting last week behind him Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is eager to get back on the field and put last week behind him. Carolina’s leading rusher had a costly fumble in overtime last Sunday against Tampa Bay as the Panthers were driving for a potential game-winning field goal, resulting in a 26-23 loss to division rival Tampa Bay. A dejected Hubbard remained on the bench for several minutes after the loss. “You definitely use it as motivation,” Hubbard said. “I have come a long way and I know what it’s like to play great football. That was a big mistake on my end, but I don’t just lose all of the work I have put in because of that one mistake.” Get down, Young man Bryce Young is beginning to show he can be a factor with his legs, scoring on a 10-yard run last week against the Buccaneers. However, Young still receives plenty of good-natured ribbing from his teammates when it comes to his sliding ability, which the QB has previously admitted is limited because he wasn’t much of a baseball player. “He definitely has to work on his slide,” Hubbard said. “He has been making people miss so he hasn’t had to slide like that a lot. I mean I’m not trying to hate on my dog’s slide but it’s just a work in progress. He will be all right.” Oh, those Philly fans Panthers guard Robert Hunt said it’s always interesting playing in Philadelphia because of the team’s passionate fan base. Last year, while Hunt was playing for the Dolphins, he said an Eagles fan attempted to board the Miami team bus. “They have some characters there — some people who don’t really give a damn,” Hunt said. “He was trying to trash-talk us. But he was confident and that is what makes them them.” Hunt said the fan never made it on the bus. “Aw hell no, we would have stomped that boy,” Hunt said with a laugh. “He tried. He was talking his noise. Good for him. I don’t want to say you want a fan base like that, but you want a fan base that cares about the team.” AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFLSheriff: Shooter had sever mental health issues; appointment with school was a ruseBrampton Mayor Patrick Brown said foreign interference did not tip the scales in the Conservative party's last leadership race that installed Pierre Poilievre at the helm. Brown, who was a candidate for the leadership at the time, was summoned to a House of Commons committee to answer questions on the 2022 race after a report from a committee on national security cited Indian interference in an unspecified Conservative leadership campaign. "I don't believe foreign intervention affected the final outcome of the Conservative leadership race," Brown told a House of Commons committee on Thursday. Brown said he believes it's important to guard against foreign interference but that he does not want to get drawn into partisan debates on Parliament Hill. On Monday, Brown posted on social media about the committee's summons to say that he had no new evidence to add, and that the public inquiry on foreign interference was the proper venue to evaluate the allegations. He said Thursday that no members of the Indian government reached out to him or his campaign workers during his leadership bid. Brown was not included as a witness in the public inquiry, which wrapped up hearings earlier this fall with a final report due in the new year. Brown was disqualified from the party's 2022 leadership race due to allegations related to financing rules in the Canada Elections Act. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. MORE POLITICS NEWS BREAKING | Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants Poilievre calls on House to back Singh's 'wise' words in no-confidence motion Government asks for third extension on court deadline to pass 'lost Canadians' bill Former cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault tells committee: 'I am not Indigenous' Patrick Brown says foreign interference did not affect Tory leadership race outcome 'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement Trudeau, ministers and opposition leaders address AFN gathering in Ottawa Tariffs on Chinese EVs, aluminum and steel to raise federal revenues by $473M: PBO IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties. 'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it. Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports. 'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday. Opinion opinion | Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election? opinion | Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus. opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place. opinion | Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point. opinion | Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing. CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately. LIVE UPDATES | Anger, vitriol against health insurers filled social media in the wake of UnitedHealthcare CEO's killing The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday. Here's the latest. Man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Canada-U.S. border A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week. 'At the dawn of a third nuclear age,' senior U.K. commander warns The head of Britain’s armed forces has warned that the world stands at the cusp of a 'third nuclear age,' defined by multiple simultaneous challenges and weakened safeguards that kept previous threats in check. These foods will be hit hardest by inflation in 2025, according to AI modelling The new year won’t bring a resolution to rising food costs, according to a new report that predicts prices to rise as much as five per cent in 2025. The National Weather Service cancels tsunami warning for the U.S. West Coast after 7.0 earthquake A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook a large area of Northern California on Thursday, knocking items of grocery store shelves, sending children scrambling under desks and prompting a brief tsunami warning for 5.3 million people along the U.S. West Coast. Pete Davidson, Jason Sudeikis and other former 'SNL' cast members reveal how little they got paid Live from New York, it’s revelations about paydays on 'Saturday Night Live.' Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms. Patrick Brown says foreign interference did not affect Tory leadership race outcome Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said foreign interference did not tip the scales in the Conservative party's last leadership race that installed Pierre Poilievre at the helm. Canada Investors made up 25% of B.C. homebuyers in new StatsCan analysis Real estate investors made up approximately one-quarter of homebuyers across B.C. between 2018 and 2020, according to a new analysis from Statistics Canada. Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms. What are your grocery bills like? How do you manage them with rising costs? We want to hear from you The average Canadian family of four is expected to spend about $800 more on groceries next year, according to a new report. No tsunami threat to B.C. after powerful earthquake off California Emergency management officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off California on Thursday morning. Renewed calls for policy changes following stabbing in downtown Vancouver There are calls for policy changes when it comes to public safety, following Wednesday’s stabbing in the downtown core. 'Name what things are': Recognizing 'femicide' 35 years after the Montreal massacre Ahead of the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, Annie Ross, a mechanical engineering professor at Polytechnique Montreal, said she often thinks of those who lived through the tragedy but still suffer silently. World Catholic nun among 25 arrested in mob bust in northern Italy A Catholic nun with the Sisters of Charity Institute in Milan was among 25 people arrested early Thursday morning for a litany of mafia-related crimes, including aiding and abetting extortion, drug trafficking, receiving stolen goods, usury, tax crimes and money laundering. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of a health insurance executive's fatal shooting — 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose' — echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. France's Macron vows to stay in office till end of term, says he'll name a new prime minister soon French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Thursday to stay in office until the end of his term, due in 2027, and announced that he will name a new prime minister within days following the resignation of ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are bringing Trump's DOGE to Capitol Hill Billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy arrived Thursday on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators behind closed doors about president-elect Donald Trump's plans to 'dismantle' the federal government. DEVELOPING | Police release new photos in the search for the gunman in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose,' a law enforcement official said Thursday. Man wanted for military desertion turns himself in at Canada-U.S. border A man wanted for deserting the U.S. military 16 years ago was arrested at the border in Buffalo, N.Y. earlier this week. Politics BREAKING | Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately. Poilievre calls on House to back Singh's 'wise' words in no-confidence motion Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he agrees with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on one thing: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals are too weak to fight for Canadians. Government asks for third extension on court deadline to pass 'lost Canadians' bill Immigration Minister Marc Miller says the government is seeking a third extension to a court-mandated deadline to pass legislation that grants citizenship to 'lost Canadians.' Health What not to do when hanging up Christmas lights The magic of the holidays wouldn't be complete for many people without Christmas lights, but there are some important tips to know before you set up your ladder. Health Canada seizes more than 300 sexual enhancement products in four provinces Health Canada has seized hundreds of different sexual enhancements products from stores in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and B.C. Dark chocolate linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, study says Eating at least five tiny servings of dark chocolate each week may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 21 per cent, according to a new observational study. In fact, as dark chocolate consumption increased from none to five servings, so did the benefits, the study found. Sci-Tech NASA pushes back astronaut flights to the moon again NASA announced more delays Thursday in sending astronauts back to the moon more than 50 years after Apollo. Handwriting may solve a 700-year-old mystery, experts believe Crime-solving techniques applied to a medieval illuminated manuscript in Paris may have solved a centuries-old puzzle — the true identity of a leading Byzantine painter who injected humanity into the rigid sanctity of Orthodox religious art. Facial recognition to board a plane: How does it work, and what are the privacy concerns? Air Canada has launched facial recognition technology at the gate for people flying out of Vancouver International Airport - with the promise of a faster boarding process with fewer hassles. Entertainment Creative Taylor Swift fans craft ways around bracelet rules for Vancouver shows When BC Place stadium announced a ban on loose objects and large bags for Taylor Swift's upcoming shows in Vancouver, it put some Swifties in a bind — what to do with the hundreds of friendship bracelets that are traditionally swapped at the superstar's shows? Saskatchewan singer receives surprise message from King Charles III Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Jeffrey Straker received an early Christmas present recently, from King Charles III. Kieran Culkin explains why his kids haven't watched their uncle Macaulay Culkin's classic holiday hit 'Home Alone' Kieran Culkin's children with wife Jazz Charton have never watched the holiday classic 'Home Alone,' which is surprising given that it made their uncle Macaulay Culkin a child star. Business Bitcoin has surpassed the US$100,000 mark as the post-election rally continues. What's next? Bitcoin topped US$100,000 for the first time as a massive rally in the world's most popular cryptocurrency, largely accelerated by the election of Donald Trump, rolls on. 'It was like I was brainwashed': 2 Ontarians lose $230K to separate AI-generated cryptocurrency ad scams Two Ontarians collectively lost $230,000 after falling victim to separate AI-generated social media posts advertising fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. U.S. judge rejects Boeing's plea deal in a conspiracy case stemming from fatal plane crashes A federal judge on Thursday rejected a deal that would have allowed Boeing to plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and pay a fine for misleading U.S. regulators about the 737 Max jetliner before two of the planes crashed, killing 346 people. Lifestyle Here's what child development experts think about the 'beige mom' trend While the parents are often criticized for their choices in neutral tones, experts say the colours don't matter as long as there is variety and diversity in other areas of the child's life. Mexico plans to impose new US$42 fee on each passenger of cruise ships that dock there The Mexican government plans to impose a US$42 immigration fee for each passenger on a cruise ship that docks in the country. What not to do when hanging up Christmas lights The magic of the holidays wouldn't be complete for many people without Christmas lights, but there are some important tips to know before you set up your ladder. Sports Jays slugger Guerrero wins 2024 Tip O'Neill award as top Canadian player Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been named the 2024 winner of the Tip O'Neill award. Toronto Tempo unveiled as handle for new WNBA team as leak accelerates unveiling Canada's new WNBA franchise will be called the Toronto Tempo, a handle officially unveiled with some haste Thursday morning after it was leaked the previous day. George Russell accuses Max Verstappen of bullying and threatening behaviour as F1 feud deepens Mercedes driver George Russell has accused Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen of bullying and threatening behaviour as a dispute between the two at last week's race in Qatar deepened Thursday. Autos Honda to recall more than 200,000 SUVs in Canada, U.S. over fuel leak concern Honda is recalling approximately 12,000 vehicles in Canada Electric vehicle reliability improving but lagging gas models: Consumer Reports survey The reliability of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids has dramatically improved, narrowing a wide gap with gas-powered automobiles, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports. OPEC+ oil producers' alliance postpones production increases as crude prices stagnate Eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries decided Thursday to put off increasing oil production as they face weaker than expected demand and competing production from non-allied countries — factors that could keep oil prices stagnant into next year. Local Spotlight N.S. woman finds endangered leatherback sea turtle washed up on Cape Breton beach Mary Janet MacDonald has gone for walks on Port Hood Beach, N.S., most of her life, but in all those years, she had never seen anything like the discovery she made on Saturday: a leatherback sea turtle. 'It moved me': Person returns stolen Prada bag to Halifax store; owner donates proceeds A Halifax store owner says a person returned a Prada bag after allegedly stealing it. 'It's all about tradition': Bushwakker marking 30 years of blackberry mead The ancient art of meadmaking has become a holiday tradition for Regina's Bushwakker Brewpub, marking 30 years of its signature blackberry mead on Saturday. Alberta photographer braves frigid storms to capture the beauty of Canadian winters Most people want to stay indoors when temperatures drop to -30, but that’s the picture-perfect condition, literally, for Angela Boehm. N.S. teacher, students help families in need at Christmas for more than 25 years For more than a quarter-century, Lisa Roach's middle school students have been playing the role of Santa Claus to strangers during the holidays. N.S. girl battling rare disease surprised with Taylor Swift-themed salon day A Nova Scotia girl battling a rare disease recently had her 'Wildest Dreams' fulfilled when she was pampered with a Swiftie salon day. Winnipeg city councillor a seven-time provincial arm wrestling champ A Winnipeg city councillor doesn’t just have a strong grip on municipal politics. Watch: Noisy throng of sea lions frolic near Jericho Beach A large swarm of California sea lions have converged in the waters near Vancouver’s Jericho and Locarno beaches. Auburn Bay residents brave the cold to hold Parade of Lights It was pretty cold Saturday night, but the hearts of those in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood warmed right up during a big annual celebration. Vancouver Fatal crash closes Vancouver intersection Police are on scene after a fatal collision between a cyclist and a vehicle in East Vancouver Thursday afternoon. No tsunami threat to B.C. after powerful earthquake off California Emergency management officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off California on Thursday morning. B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada's premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan over possible U.S. tariffs, where Conservative premiers lobby their Republican counterparts and left-leaning leaders court the Democrats, while the federal government focuses on president-elect Donald Trump. Toronto 2 men, 4 teens charged in Markham jewelry store robbery as police search for 6 more suspects York Regional Police have charged four teenage boys and two men and are looking for six more suspects in connection with a jewelry store robbery in Markham on Wednesday. Video shows moments leading up to fatal shooting in Brampton Video has surfaced showing the moments leading up to a fatal shooting outside of a Brampton home late Wednesday night. 'It was like I was brainwashed': 2 Ontarians lose $230K to separate AI-generated cryptocurrency ad scams Two Ontarians collectively lost $230,000 after falling victim to separate AI-generated social media posts advertising fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Calgary WATCH LIVE | Memorial for CTV Calgary broadcaster Darrel Janz Please join us for a special presentation of the celebration of life for Darrel Janz, a longtime Calgary broadcaster who died last month. Glenmore Landing redevelopment defeated by vote at Calgary council Calgary city council has defeated a motion to rezone a piece of land in Glenmore Landing to allow for a high-density development in the area. New Stampeder QB Vernon Adams Jr. visits McMahon Stadium with high hopes for 2025 season The Calgary Stampeders’ new number one quarterback has arrived in Calgary. After spending American Thanksgiving in Arizona, Vernon Adams checked out the facilities at McMahon Stadium and met with the media. Ottawa OPP lay charges against two Ottawa towing companies Ontario Provincial Police have laid numerous charges against two local towing companies. Ottawa family urge government to approve husband and father's paperwork to get him back from Lebanon Being home for the holidays is a common desire at this time of year, but for one Ottawa family, they say it's a life-saving request. Quebec police arrest man, 51, in connection with death in Val-des-Monts Provincial police in Quebec have announced charges against a 51-year-old man following a woman's death in the Outaouais region this week. Montreal WEATHER | Montreal hit with first major snowfall of the year Montrealers woke up on Thursday to the first real dump of snow as winter looks ready to set in. BREAKING | Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately. The majority of 17-month-old babies in Quebec use a screen every day: study Screens have found their way into families and are now an integral part of everyday life. Even under the age of two, babies in Quebec are using screens every day. Toddlers from low-income households use screens more frequently, according to a report by the Quebec statistics institute (ISQ) published on Thursday. Edmonton 30 robberies involving the swarming of store employees reported to Edmonton police The Edmonton Police Service is warning of a new shoplifting trend where groups of young people swarm store employees to steal expensive products. Ottawa, Alberta announce $162M rare disease drug agreement Alberta has entered a $162-million agreement with the federal government to provide access to drugs for rare diseases. Woman arrested after alleged child abduction attempt in Cold Lake A woman has been charged after allegedly trying to take a six-year-old girl from a Cold Lake restaurant. Atlantic Weather update: Conditions in the Maritimes change Thursday night In the thick of a mix of snow and rain, accompanied in some cases by high winds, the Maritimes will see a change in weather conditions Thursday night into Friday. Police search for Halifax bank robber who fled on bike Halifax Regional Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a robbery at a city bank. 'Iconic brand' Crumbl opens Friday in Dartmouth Crossing If you’ve ever scrolled on Instagram or TikTok, chances are you’ve probably come across Crumbl Cookies. Now, the viral dessert shop is making its East Coast debut. Winnipeg Jordan’s Principle spending, Manitoba requests only increasing In the last five years, the number of approved Jordan’s Principle requests and the subsequent spending have nearly tripled. Majority of Manitobans accessing Harvest Manitoba services are female: report A new report shows the majority of people accessing Harvest Manitoba’s food bank services are female University of Manitoba researcher develops early detection for deadly blood cancer A groundbreaking study by a University of Manitoba professor is bringing hopes of accurate predictions in patients with a deadly blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Regina Roughriders re-sign veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, inside source confirms The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed veteran quarterback Trevor Harris, according to TSN's Farhan Lalji. Saskatoon dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts A Saskatoon dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts. Ottawa providing more than $265M to help Sask. upgrade electrical grid, build renewable power projects The federal government says it will be providing Saskatchewan with more than $265 million to help build more renewable power projects as well as modernize and upgrade the province’s electrical grid. Kitchener developing | Arrest made, replica firearm seized, after early morning standoff in Stratford One woman has been sent to hospital as Stratford Police investigate an intimate violence investigation Thursday morning. One person sent to hospital after collision near Brantford One person was sent to hospital after a collision involving a tractor trailer and a pedestrian near Brantford early Thursday morning. jeewan chanicka no longer Waterloo Regional District School Board director The Waterloo Region District School Board is under new leadership. Saskatoon Saskatoon dog rescue operator ordered to pay $27K for defamatory Facebook posts A Saskatoon dog rescue operator has been ordered to pay over $27,000 in damages to five women after a judge ruled she defamed them in several Facebook posts. Saskatoon firefighters called back to home after ember rekindles the next morning Saskatoon firefighters had to return to the scene of a house fire on Thursday morning after an ember in the attic rekindled. 'Acts of aggression' increase on Saskatoon Transit, violence against drivers drops Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, said "acts of aggression" can be classified as an intent to do harm, but physical violence hasn't happened. Northern Ontario Four transport truck drivers charged in northern Ont. collisions on Hwy. 11 Bad weather and bad driving contributed to multiple collisions on Highway 11 on Wednesday, leading to charges for several commercial motor vehicle drivers. Layoffs at Vale's Sudbury operations not affecting members of Local 6500 Some non-union staff at Vale in the Sudbury area are being laid off, but the company is not saying how many and what positions are being affected. Northern Ont. police catch liquor store thief, getaway driver Two people from southern Ontario have been charged in connection with a liquor store robbery Wednesday in the Town of Thessalon. The suspects were caught after trying to flee on Highway 17 and hiding the booze in a snowbank. London Police close local highways due to weather Snow squalls and strong winds made for treacherous conditions, closing portions of the 401 and 402 on Thursday. Multiple collisions close highways, visibility deteriorates as major system hangs over London area If you’re begging for the snow to stop, unfortunately reprieve is not on the way just yet. London man facing attempted murder charges after lighting vehicle on fire On Wednesday at approximately 11:30 p.m., a man and woman heard a loud noise outside of their home, and discovered their vehicle on fire in the driveway. Barrie BREAKING | Ontario police charge man in connection with deadly police-involved shooting in Innisfil A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal police-involved shooting in an Innisfil, Ont. community nearly four months ago. Snow squall warning issued for Simcoe County, with up to 50 cm of snow possible Snow squall warnings for most of central Ontario with snow accumulations up to 50 centimetres likely. Preliminary hearing begins for man accused in Orillia murder case Brian Lancaster sat in the prisoner’s box inside a Barrie courtroom on Thursday for the start of his preliminary hearing - the details of which are protected by a publication ban. Windsor 14-year-old boys charged with gunpoint robbery and kidnapping Windsor police officers have arrested two 14-year-old boys related to a kidnapping and gunpoint robbery in south Windsor. Suspect wanted, another arrested following string of break-ins One man has been arrested following a string of commercial break-ins, according to police. BREAKING | Canada expands list of banned firearms to include hundreds of new models and variants The Canadian government is expanding its list of banned firearms, adding hundreds of additional makes, models and their variants, effective immediately. Vancouver Island No tsunami threat to B.C. after powerful earthquake off California Emergency management officials say there is no tsunami threat to British Columbia after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off California on Thursday morning. B.C. minister stepping away from role following cancer diagnosis B.C.'s Minister of Children and Family Development, Grace Lore, is stepping away from her role after being diagnosed with cancer. B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plans British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada's premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan over possible U.S. tariffs, where Conservative premiers lobby their Republican counterparts and left-leaning leaders court the Democrats, while the federal government focuses on president-elect Donald Trump. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Lethbridge peace officer charged in relation to more than 10-year-old incident A Lethbridge police community peace officer has been charged with an off-duty incident stemming from more than 10 years ago. Lethbridge homeless support facilities expanding to cope with increasing demand Lethbridge has seen its population of people experiencing homelessness increase significantly over recent years, but help is coming, as construction is underway on an expansion of the Lethbridge Shelter. Southern Alberta man sentenced in 2021 killing A southern Alberta man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years, less time served, in connection with a fatal attack on Linden Grier more than three years ago. Sault Ste. Marie Northern Ont. police catch liquor store thief, getaway driver Two people from southern Ontario have been charged in connection with a liquor store robbery Wednesday in the Town of Thessalon. The suspects were caught after trying to flee on Highway 17 and hiding the booze in a snowbank. 'Sense of relief' for lottery winner who recently went through rough times Adding Encore to a few free plays in the Ontario 49 lottery turned out to be very lucky for a PSW from Timmins. New addition to the CTV Northern Ontario family The CTV Northern Ontario family got a little bigger Tuesday when longtime anchor Marina Moore and her husband welcomed their second baby into the world. N.L. 'Kids are scared': Random attacks have residents of small-city N.L. shaken Mount Pearl, near St. John's, has been the scene for three random attacks in November. Police have arrested and charged seven youth. 'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. GivingTuesday: Food banks need help, but charity won't end hunger, advocates say It's GivingTuesday, and some directors of food banks and anti-poverty groups say the day underlines a conundrum for their organizations. Stay Connected

Hail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in Miami

Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanPaz Moreno was thankful to survive after being bitten by a venomous blue-ringed octopus, but the victim blaming that followed compounded her mental anguish. It's a phenomenon that other animal attack survivors know all too well. Paz Moreno hesitantly takes a step towards the water's edge at Chinaman's Beach. Located in the affluent suburb of Mosman on the shores of Sydney Harbour, there's little to be afraid of — the waves are small and avoidable, the turquoise depths nicely buffered by a comfortable stretch of sandy shore to safely plant your feet. This was once one of Paz's favourite places to swim. When she first moved to Australia from Chile in 2018, Paz quickly and eagerly adapted to Australia's beach lifestyle. "Here, you use the beach as a part of your life every day ... I see people go to the beach in the winter ... there's no problem with that — it's just routine," she says. "In Chile, it's not so common to be in touch with ocean life." Despite this, she developed a reverence for the octopus — pulpo, in Spanish — from a young age. "I felt very ... not scared ... but, 'Oh we have to be careful with these animals', more than sharks or other kinds of creatures, because they are very intelligent," Paz says. For this reason, she "never wanted to have an encounter with an octopus". Paz stands hand-in-hand with her partner Mauricio Quilpatay, their feet buried in the sand, ankle deep. She dreams of going further — back into the water. "I feel it will be soon. A moment in my life that I will return, but I don't think it will be like it used to," Paz says. "The ocean is so huge. It's a fantasy that we are in control." One, two, three pinches In March 2023, just as the summer heat was fading, Paz decided to take a quick dip at Chinaman's Beach with Mauricio, right before she taught her usual Thursday Spanish class. She zipped up her swimsuit, adjusted her snorkel and entered the glittery blue water. "I submerged, and I saw a shell. I picked it up and returned to the surface to look at it," she says. "I checked the shell because the shells can have a crab in it or a snail." It was seemingly empty, so Paz placed the shell in the pocket of her swimsuit, and continued swimming. The first pinch came when she began to leave the water. "It wasn't painful but was kind of annoying." A second pinch. Paz checked her swimsuit and saw nothing. A third pinch. She noticed a lump protruding underneath her swimsuit. She held the lump and unzipped for another check. There was the octopus, "with the full bright blue lines". Paz was aware it was a blue-ringed octopus, as she'd recently watched a TikTok video about the dangerous animal, "so it was pretty fresh". Mauricio quickly leapt into action. "She turned towards me and said take it off. I didn't think about it, I just followed instructions," he says. Mauricio grabbed what he described as a "spherical blob of bright yellow and blue" in his fingertips, flicked it to the sand and dialled triple-0. The couple then managed to contain the octopus in a bottle with some water as they waited for the ambulance. The creature had turned brown with the sun and sand, and Paz was hopeful that, maybe, it wasn't what she thought it was. But when the ambulance arrived, a paramedic flicked the bottle and the octopus once again flashed blue. This was an emergency. Call your family Soon after the ambulance arrived, Paz began to feel a numbness around her mouth and tongue. "Like when you eat spicy food but without the spicy feeling." In the back of the ambulance, she was told to call her family. "I think that was a big red flag for me," Paz says. "I wasn't afraid, I think I had disassociated. I was being very rational about it." In hospital, her respiratory strength, blood pressure and heart rate were decreasing, but overall, she was feeling OK. Being accompanied by the octopus, nicknamed Cuddles by hospital staff, made Paz something of a fascination during her stay. "So many people came to visit and take selfies with the octopus. I think that was the weirdest part." But it isn't surprising. The blue-ringed octopus is one of the many dangerous animals Australians grow up fearing. Thankfully, however, very few of us ever interact with one. When Paz and Mauricio first told their families of their plans to move to Australia, their loved ones were "terrified" for them, over potential encounters with spiders and sharks. Paz reassured them, saying "no worries, I am not going to Queensland" — a place she thought of as home to a disproportionate number of the country's dangerous animals. Paz's apartment is decorated with photos of her travels around the world with Mauricio, and their cat Uli, who continues to be a great comfort to her following the octopus encounter. Finding herself belly to beak with one of Australia's most infamous critters still feels hard to believe, but she says it was what happened after the accident that surprised her the most. In the aftermath, she says two things surprised her: the media's response, and the post-traumatic stress she now experiences, which has prevented her from making a swift return to the ocean, and left her with a disgust for soft, fishy textures. "I was a big fan of ceviche, so when I visited Chile a couple of months ago my family were waiting with a big pot." But Paz couldn't indulge. News of deadly crocodile or shark encounters, Irukandji stings or in this case, blue-ringed octopus bites tend to travel very fast in Australia, even making international headlines. It's not uncommon for bite victims to read articles or conversations online centred around their accident. Paz says she was taken aback by what she saw. "I felt that it was kind of racist," she says, adding that people were commenting on whether the victim was a "foreigner" who didn't respect wildlife. For Mauricio, this couldn't be further from the truth. "Paz is the sort of person who can look at the most hideous animal and find in those eyes a spark," he says. "She sees our cat Uli's eyes in every other animal. It's alien to me and something that I admire about her." Bite Club Dave Pearson understands this phenomenon all too well, which is why he started Beyond the Bite, also known as Bite Club, a place where those who have had traumatic encounters with animals can share their experiences. Dave was bitten by a shark in 2011. Despite the obvious differences between the two encounters, Dave shares a lot of Paz's experiences. "I started looking at the news stories about myself, and that's when I discovered the not-so-social side of social media," he says. "I kind of expected, you know, everyone to go, sorry to hear this happened Dave ... I didn't expect any of the victim blaming." Happy to have escaped from the attack with his life, Dave didn't expect to feel anything other than luck when he left the hospital. Instead, he began waking up screaming. A carefree return to the ocean was also not on the cards. Dave says the stress didn't really hit until six months after he was bitten, when he'd made a physical recovery. He felt lonely in his experience. "Nobody has the answers and that was scary," Dave says. "Mentally you don't know what to expect. "A counsellor came and had a few words to me, and I didn't really understand much of what they were saying or take anything away from it." In 2018, the Bite Club teamed up with the University of Sydney to research the direct and indirect psychological impacts of shark-bite events. The study, a first of its kind, found one third of the members of Bite Club who had been bitten by a shark were experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. One particular focus of the research was the impact of media exposure on the victims. The group's experiences ultimately led the researchers to advocate for guidelines for the media, akin to those used for reporting on suicide. Once upon a time, human interactions with dangerous animals were not so uncommon. And as these interactions have reduced, interest in them has increased, according to lead researcher Jennifer Taylor, a postdoctoral research associate in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. "People spoke a little bit about not only social media, not only traditional media, but every social interaction," Dr Taylor says. "People knew the story, would ask them to retell the story ... and it might have been a space or a place where they actually did not want to get back into retelling their traumatic event. "The other side of it too, and we certainly saw this in the shark space ... in a conservation sense, [is] that these topics can get quite political as well." In Paz's case, people were quick to point out the dangers of picking up shells, which were potential hiding places for the deadly octopus. "Unsympathetic and unsupportive conversations can happen when someone's actually healing from a trauma," Dr Taylor says. "Certainly, these are valuable conversations to have, but perhaps not with someone who's just survived a traumatic event." Dr Taylor acknowledges that the 24-hour news cycle — always hungry for a story — is a challenge, but says journalists must strike a "delicate balance" between "the public's need to know and the person's right to heal in private". Owning the story As Dave sought to recover from the psychological impacts of being bitten by a shark, he found one thing made a big difference: talking to other people in Bite Club who had also had traumatic encounters with dangerous animals, and not just sharks. The group quickly went global with victims of bear, dog, lion and hippo attacks contributing to the conversation. "I just didn't want anyone to feel alone like I did. And it seems to work really well," Dave says. When Dave would meet fellow bite victims, they'd be finishing each other's sentences. In some instances, Dr Taylor says this connection to people with similar experiences and "owning their own story" can be a catalyst for post-traumatic growth. "Once they'd sort of hit that stage or distance or resolved within themselves that it wasn't the worst thing that had ever happened, it was sort of like... If I can help someone going through something similar or help someone ease their discomfort, then I'm prepared to do so." Paz says she was thankful that when news of her octopus bite went around the world, her name was left out of the stories. But now, she has a desire to share what she's learnt. Twisting her earring, which is the shape of an octopus tentacle, Paz says, "If people want me to be the octopus lady, the octopus lady I will be". When Paz describes her experience, she goes between the words "weird" and "random", but her message is clear. No matter how strange the event, if you know you're not feeling like yourself anymore, it's important to seek help. This is something Dr Taylor reinforces. "It's not an aspect of cognition. It's not an intellectual exercise. It's an emotional one," she says. "It's about having felt that depth of fear. Even if you did not lose your life, you thought perhaps you could lose your life, and it is that level of fear that is instrumental ... that is what changes biochemistry, the brain, neurotransmitters, all of that stuff. "So it's really easy to underestimate yourself and the impact of those sorts of events." Determined to return to the water, Paz took "baby steps" to make that happen. And last Sunday, she took her first dip since being bitten. "I'm afraid of this happening again, and I know the probability is very low ... that's an irrational consequence of the accident," Paz says. But allure of the ocean had become irresistible. "I cried immediately after... It was like recovering from something that I lost, but that has always stayed with me. Something deeply mine. "I missed it very much." Credits Related topics Animal Attacks Animals Human Interest Mental Health Port Macquarie Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Sydney

New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): Hindu devotees in India and across the world are eagerly waiting for the once-in-twelve-year Mahakumbh beginning January 13, 2025, in the ancient city of Prayagraj. Over 40 crore people are expected to attend the Mahakumbh which is held once every 12 years. the Uttar Pradesh government is making extensive preparations to ensure that Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is a grand, safe, and spiritually enriching event. The Mahakumbh is boosting local trade with a surge in demand for Mahakumbh-themed products like diaries, calendars, jute bags, and stationery. As per a statement from the Ministry of Culture, sales of such items have increased by up to 25 per cent due to meticulous branding. This 45-day festival, from January 13 to February 26 will showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. The host Uttar Pradesh has set up a temporary city-like setup. Mahakumbh Nagar is being transformed into a temporary city with thousands of tents and shelters, including super deluxe accommodations like the IRCTC’s ‘Mahakumbh Gram’ luxury tent city which will offer deluxe tents and villas with modern amenities. Renovation works of 92 roads and beautification of 17 major roads are nearing completion, as per the government statement. Construction of 30 pontoon bridges is underway; 28 are already operational. A total of 800 multi-language signages (Hindi, English, and other languages) are being installed to guide visitors. Over 400 have been completed, with the rest to be ready by December 31. Special provisions have been made for international visitors with multilingual signages and cultural programs showcasing India’s diversity. Through these comprehensive efforts, Mahakumbh 2025 aims to be not just a religious gathering but a global celebration of spirituality, culture, safety, sustainability, and modernity. Over 2,69,000 checkered plates have been laid for pathways. Mobile toilets and robust waste management systems will ensure hygiene. Technology is being used to assist pilgrims. Among others, an AI-powered chatbot, equipped with multi-lingual capability, has been placed to assist pilgrims and visitors. This is an innovative experiment of its kind, with technology at its core. The AI chatbot will answer questions related to Kumbh in various languages. The AI chatbot is integrated with the ‘Bhasini App’ to give answers in various languages. The Kumbh Mela organiser has also set up a call centre to guide visitors. AI-enabled cameras are also being installed for security and amenities for visitors. The main bathing festival, known as the “Shahi Snan” (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami) when the attendees’ number is likely to be highest. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took stock of the preparations recently. He toured the under-construction tent city. He emphasised the importance of making arrangements for food and other things on time considering the cold weather. The Chief Minister also highlighted that separate wards for men and women are being set up and that shift duties for personnel should be strictly followed. Additionally, he instructed that ambulance response times be minimised during emergencies. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Domo Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter’s in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter’s path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That’s a very narrow way of assessing them,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he’d be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter’s tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor’s race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama’s segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival’s endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King’s daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters’ early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan’s presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan’s Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.

Shopping for your loved ones during the holiday season can be exciting — but it can also wreak havoc on your budget. To avoid going overboard, try to keep the gifts you buy under $100 this year. I'm here to help, so I've rounded up a bunch of that are a real treat for just about anyone — , , kids, teens, you name it. Frameo Digital Picture Frame Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager Custom Filled Map Print Soundcore by Anker Noise Cancelling Headphones Meater Plus Smart Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer The Ridge Wallet Foghat Glass Topper Cocktail Smoker Kit Sephora Cologne Sampler Set with Redeemable Voucher Bogg Bag Original Extra Large Tote Mejuri Dome Hoops Osea Undaria Body Bestsellers Set Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Double Stripe Throw Blanket National Geographic Pottery Wheel for Kids ArmoGear Laser Battle Set The Official Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Book Flycatcher Smart Sketcher 2.0 Looking for a new gadget for your favorite cook? There's a that connects to their phone, so they can keep an eye on what they're cooking from a distance. What about something for your fashion-forward or ? will be her new go-to. From to , you're bound to find something great to stick underneath the tree — without, ya know, finding yourself on the bank's naughty list. Of course, this is just one piece of the present puzzle. Set the groundwork with a stocking filled with fun and functional finds, including these for the and in your life. A framed picture is an easy win, but this digital version kicks things up a notch. Upload some of your sweetest (or silliest) snaps to the Frameo companion app, so the frame will have a handful of pictures to cycle through upon unboxing. Then encourage the recipient to add more as the years go on. Aches and pains are a part of life, but that doesn't mean you can't help someone try to nip 'em in the bud. They can throw on this heated massager to work out knots, combat stiffness and soothe overworked muscles. There are three intensity levels and temperatures that'll help them find the setting that's just right. Take them back to a sentimental spot — the bar where they first locked eyes, the church where they said "I do" or the home that they built from the ground up. Upload a map of the area, then select a size, color and the text you'd like to appear in the bottom right corner. Prints start at $41 — get it as-is or framed for an additional cost. You can easily spend upwards of $300 on a pair of quality , but Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida says this budget-friendly pair "rivals ones costing three or four times as much." The highlights: They can play for up to 55 hours on a single charge (compared to 20 hours for the Apple AirPods Max), plus they have a handy Easy Chat feature (cup your hand over the left earcup to switch into transparency mode for, well, easy chatting). There's a science to cooking meat just right, and this smart thermometer's got it down pat. Monitor the internal and external temps to ensure it's fully cooked by keeping an eye on the compatible app — even if you're in the next room (or, ya know, 165 feet away). The app will once the meat is done, then it'll suggest a specific "rest time" and let you know when it's good to eat. , and he raved that "I've honestly never grilled better meat — it almost feels like cheating." Bulky wallets, be gone! Slip up to a dozen cards into this RFID-blocking wallet, complete with a cash strap and money clip so he can always have a few bucks on hand. "It is small enough that it is not uncomfortable to carry around in any pocket but big enough that you know it's there and are not panicking that you have lost it," wrote. Make his spirits a whole lot smokier this holiday season. This white oak smoker is the star of the show — it rests on a rocks glass, snifter or cloche, enhancing the flavor of the foods or spirits inside. It comes with a tin of smoking chips, which are made from actual whiskey barrels and air-dried for up to 24 months. Buying a fragrance for someone else is risky. Instead of committing to a single cologne, pick up this sampler and let him make the final pick. Once he tries out all 11 minis, he can take the included voucher to Sephora and redeem it for a full-size version of his favorite. These bags aren't just reserved for the beach. Sure, they're waterproof and washable, but Amazon shoppers use this all-purpose bag for everything under the sun, with that the "Mary Poppins of tote bags" is the "perfect companion for my daughter's cheerleading escapades." Go with the biggest size for maximum storage and tailor it to the recipient with a few Bogg Bits (like this !). A chunky take on a classic, these statement-making hoops can be worn on their own or paired with a stack of sparkly studs for maximum impact. They come in gold vermeil or silver (only $58), but opt for the gold to show that you're up on the trends. (Psst, revealed that gold was the most-searched color of hoop earrings this year.) My philosophy: Everyday upgrades make the best gifts. So, if she lathers up with a body oil and lotion on the daily, then treat her to this hardworking duo by Osea. Victoria Beckham, Kelly Ripa and other celebs swear by this seaweed-packed stuff, which is said to moisturize while improving overall skin elasticity. The full-size bottles come to $100 total if you buy them separately, so save big by snagging this set! Barefoot Dreams blankets are the epitome of luxury — and hence, they often come with a steep price tag. Nordstrom Rack carries a bunch of striped options for over $100 off their original price, including this mauve and cream beauty. She'll appreciate how soft and snuggly the throw is; you'll appreciate the good deal. Talk about a win-win. Budding artists can design, throw and paint their own pottery with this kit. The pottery wheel is made with beginners in mind, so there's a two-speed electric motor and three arm attachments to help turn clay into the creations they've dreamed up. No baking or firing necessary: Let the pottery air dry, then decorate it with a variety of paints and sculpting tools. Now, they can play laser tag right in their living room. The whole family can get in on the action with this set, featuring four vests and guns with an impressive range of 150 feet. Switch between different weapons and turn on invisible mode to kick things into high gear. One thing to note: This set doesn't come with batteries, so make sure you have at the ready. Your Swiftie has lived and breathed The Eras tour for the last two years, but somehow that's not enough. Pick up Taylor's self-published book, complete with never-before-seen performance photos and handwritten reflections, so they can keep the magic going now that the tour's over. Little artists can snap a photo, then project the image on a piece of paper and sketch what they see. Play around with the size of the image by sticking the projector on a stack of books or another elevated surface — the higher it is, the larger the drawing will be. See all of our in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — , , , you name it.Ulta Beauty Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Biden and Trump lead tributes to 'extraordinary' Jimmy Carter after deathNone

Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter’s in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter’s path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That’s a very narrow way of assessing them,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he’d be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter’s tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor’s race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama’s segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival’s endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King’s daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters’ early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan’s presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan’s Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A doctor has warned that the mysteriously named Disease X could become the next huge pandemic, adding that the world is not prepared for a sudden boom in cases. Disease X - which is the name given to a as-yet-uknown infection - is among 11 diseases which have been described as dangerous by doctors , reports the Mirror. Measles, cholera, scabies, bird flu, and even another Covid outbreak were also named in the list of scientists' most feared infections for 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously classed the unknown pathogens as Disease X, and it was included in its own priority list of diseases that needed researched urgently. Recently, the disease killed at least 31 people - mainly children - in the Panzi region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The WHO revealed that there were more than 400 recorded cases of an undiagnosed disease in the DRC between October 24 and December 5. The most common symptoms included fever, headache, body aches, and a bad cough. However, the most severe cases were linked to severe malnutrition, they added. Disease X is one of the infections that's is likely to lead to severe outbreaks, and potentially a pandemic, according to Dr Michael Head; Senior Research Fellow in Global Health at the University of Southampton. If an outbreak was to happen immediately, the world is likely to be severely unprepared, similar to the global shock of coronavirus. Disease X does not refer to one infection but a name given to any disease that has not yet been identified. However, the idea of an unknown virus or bacterial infection is very real, and scientists have urged governments to be prepared for anything Mother Nature might throw at us. "Disease X is the name given to an as-yet-unknown bug, that has the potential to cause large outbreaks or even a pandemic," Dr Head told the Mirror. "This bug would have the potential to spread quickly and have a high mortality rate; for example like COVID-19. "The world was poorly prepared for the most recent pandemic, and though we have significant advances in technology, such as the use of mRNA platforms for vaccines and other medicines, we would likely fall short again should Disease X emerge tomorrow." Dengue fever is the world's most commonly transmitted virus, spread by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases are contracted per year, and up to 25,000 people die annually. Commonly found in South America and Southeast Asia, more cases are popping up in southern Europe - mainly due to climate change. France, Italy and Spain are most likely to see outbreaks of dengue - which is also referred to as the 'bone breaker' disease. The mosquito that carries the virus is eventually expected to gain a foothold in the UK. However, it's still unknown when that might be. Medicine professor at the University of East Anglia, Paul Hunter, expected to see more cases of dengue fever in 2025 - specifically in southern Europe. This year, there was only one confirmed case of chikungunya in Europe, although it could potentially be on the rise in the coming year, warned Professor Hunter. It's another mosquito-driven viral infection, and is similar to the mayaro virus and the ross river virus. Nearly all cases of the virus are found in South America; particularly in Brazil, which had more than 400,000 between August and October in 2024. Yet, as European climates are becoming more favourable for mosquitoes, and scientists fear chikungunya could be on the rise. Professor Hunter said: "I think we will likely see more mosquito-borne diseases in southern Europe; mainly dengue but also probably chikungunya. I also worry about West Nile fever." The West Nile virus is not often noticed in about 80% of human patients. However, for those remaining 20%, it can lead to deadly West Nile fever. The virus is transmitted by mosquito bite, although it could also be spread by blood transfusions and organ transplants. It's still to be reported by local transmission in the UK, but there have been cases of travellers returning with the infection. Human infections have been reported in Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany since the start of November 2024. At its worst, West Nile fever can develop into West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). WNND describes when the nervous system is directly affected by the virus, and it can include developing meningitis, encephalitis, and acute flaccid myelitis. Measles is an extremely serious airborne infection that mainly affects young children. Over 107,000 people died from measles globally in 2023, a majority of whom were under fives years old. It's spread by coughing or sneezing, moving in air droplets, and can live in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. That makes it highly infectious, and infects about 90% of all unvaccinated people within close contact. Measles has been on the rise in the western world over the past few years, largely driven by a fall in vaccination rates. The proportion of kids receiving their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2019 was 86%. But that fell to 83% in 2023. Dr Head said: "Measles is vaccine-preventable. With two doses of the MMR vaccine, that stops measles in its tracks. With a high uptake, we could literally eradicate it from the planet, like smallpox. A lower uptake, partly due to too much covid interrupting health service delivery in the pandemic, means children in the UK and globally are being affected. It is a nasty infection in unvaccinated children, and it can and does kill." Coronavirus has been around since the beginning of the pandemic, and has never left. It's also still mutating and changing, with new strains harbouring the potential to become more infections and potentially vaccine-resistant. In October 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed a new variant appeared to be more infectious than previous strains. The XEC variant, which combined strains of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 suddenly sparked a big rise in Covid cases across the country. Admission rates for people testing positive for Covid rose from 3.7 per 100,000 to 4.5 per 100,000 in just one week. Dr Head said: "The vaccines, along with use of medicines and diagnostics etc., have massively blunted the public health impact of COVID -19. But, it’s still here, very much hasn’t gone away, and will continue to pose a problem to health services and populations everywhere around the world. Do get vaccinated if another dose if offered to you!" The WHO has warned that cholera is a global public health threat. Caused by consuming food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria, it's a severe diarrhoeal disease. In the most extreme cases, the infection can develop extremely fast, leading to death within a few hours if not treated. Up to 143,000 people die from cholera each year worldwide. There have been seven cholera pandemics since in the 19th century, with the most recent in 1961 largely affecting south Asia. But forced migration, sparked by climate change, could mean that 2025 sees another big surge in cholera cases, warned Professor Hunter. Still, cholera cases are incredibly rare in Europe, and most confirmed cases are found in Africa and Asia. In 2022, for example, 29 cases were reported by nine EU countries; all of which included a history of travel to a cholera hotspot. Avian flu, or bird flu as it's known, is widely accepted as the most likely known cause of the next pandemic. It's a form of flu virus that commonly spreads among birds, but has been known to move across to humans. The virus isn't easily passed to humans, although it can mutate rapidly, leaving scientists fearing a mass outbreak. As it stands, almost all cases of H5N1 - the most common bird flu strain in humans - have been reported in those that work closely with animals. "A permanent member of any ‘possible infectious disease threat’ list, avian influenza evolves its shape and style a little like the Covid variants, and has the potential to cause a pandemic," said Dr Head. "We haven’t yet seen widespread human-to-human transmission - but we could do." Bird flu is spread to humans by touching infected animals, their droppings or bedding, or by preparing infected poultry for cooking. There isn't a seasonal bird flu vaccine, but a universal jab to protect against all types of flu, including avian flu, would be the "holy grail", added Dr Head. Antibiotic-resistant infections continue to rise in the UK, the UKHSA has warned. With the WHO stating that antimicrobial resistance is a top global health threat. Antimicrobials are medicines commonly used to treat infectious diseases, including antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals. Scientists have warned that these infections are taking increasingly longer to react to the medications, as they're evolving and developing to protect against them. Individuals who catch a bacterial infection that's resistant to antibiotics are more likely to die within 30 days, according to the UKHSA. Professor Hunter added that antimicrobial-resistant bacteria posed a "significant concern" going into 2025. E.coli is by far the most common type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the UK, which commonly causes diarrhoea, vomiting, and urinary tract infections. By the middle of 2024, the UK reported more than 600 cases of the bacteria, which was markedly more than seen in previous years. UKHSA Chief Executive, Professor Dame Jenny Harries, said in November: "Increasingly the first antibiotics that patients receive aren’t effective at tackling their infections. That’s not just an inconvenience – it means they are at greater risk of developing a severe infection and sepsis. Our declining ability to treat and prevent infections is having an increasing impact, particularly on our poorest communities. "Only take antibiotics if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. Do not save some for later or share them with friends and family. This isn’t just for your own health - it’s about protecting everyone in our communities and future generations." Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs, and can be deadly if left untreated. It often affects young children and babies, but any can develop symptoms if they become infected. The infection is named after the characteristic 'whoop' sound made by infected young babies between deep breaths. Yet, not all babies make the noise, which means it can go untreated for some time. The UK is in the middle of a major whooping cough outbreak, and annual confirmed cases topped 10,000 in August. The second quarter of the year saw higher confirmed cases than any of the quarters in 2012, which was the last major outbreak year. Professor Hunter said it remained unclear whether there would be more cases of whooping cough in 2025 than 2024, but it remained a "big concern". At least 10 infants have died in the UK since the start of the current outbreak, which dates back to November 2023. UKHSA's Director of Immunisation, Dr Mary Ramsay, said earlier this year: "Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and it is vital that pregnant women and young infants receive their vaccines at the right time. Pregnant women are offered a whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. "This passes protection to their baby in the womb so that they are protected from birth in the first months of their life when they are most vulnerable and before they can receive their own vaccines." Recently, doctors have urged Brits to avoid ignoring the signs of scabies infestation, after a spike in cases. The condition is caused by tiny mites burrowing into the skin to lay their eggs, sparking a really unpleasant itchy rash. Scabies doesn't cause death in many people, but it can really affect your quality of life, according to Dr Head. It's particularly common in the UK, and is mainly seen in institutional settings, including schools, care homes, and prisons. The number of confirmed scabies cases in England increased by 58% in the first half of 2024, compared with 2023. GP diagnoses were also well above the five-year average, with the north of England seeing the largest proportion of cases. "The mites burrow under the skin, causing an immune response that triggers inflammation and itching," said Dr Head. "You can catch it by prolonged skin-to-skin contact, or via clothes, furniture or bedding that an infected person may have used previously." Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.