slot game online 1. An electric heated mattress pad you better believe will become their most-used item this winter — who wouldn't want to feel like a freshly toasted marshmallow??? It comes with a memory timer and 10 heat settings, ideal for when they doze off while in their cozy bubble, and it boasts dual settings so if they have a partner they can *each* set their side of the bed to the perfect temp. Promising review: "I like all the things about this bed warmer. I had one in the past and got rid of it because we could feel the wires as we laid on them. Not this one. It works well. Just need to figure out what number setting I want. I also really like the timer setting since I often freeze as I go to sleep and then boil half way through the night. But not anymore!! :)" — Fairmaiden Get it from Amazon for $55.96+ (available in twin–California king sizing). 2. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" — aka an absolute essential for achieving peak comfort goals in their living room. It features a spot to hold a remote, two mugs, and two additional beverages. They honestly may never want to leave their couch again. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in eight styles). 3. A "Through The Seasons" Reverse Coloring Book , which is a newer edition of the fan favorite Reverse Coloring Book — perfect for anyone who is tired of coloring *inside* the lines and needs more of a challenge — in this scenario they'll be the one to draw the lines around the colors on the page! Basically, instead of adding the color to these, you draw lines to create images within the colors. Fun! Pair it with these fabulous black fine point pens for $9.99 on Amazon to complete the gift. Promising review : "Kendra Norton’s beautiful art books, Reverse Coloring books, have changed my world! My whole life I thought I was not creative and therefore had zero artistic ability. Now this has become my favorite form of artistic expression. I turn on music and/or an audiobook and allow myself to go for an adventure outside of my mind, beyond my mind, if you will. T his has become my favorite way to process through difficult emotions and experiences I’m working through ." — K. DeWitt Get it from Amazon for $8.29 . 4. A "flaming" humidifier to impress anyone who cherishes nothing more than cozy cottagecore vibes, soothing aromatherapy, and sleeping amongst delightfully hydrated air. Promising review : "I like how this diffuser kind of looks like a mini fireplace and it’s perfect for winter. I also like how long the water of this diffuser lasts — I always add my favorite essential oil in it when I go to sleep every night without worrying it will run out of water. I used to have insomnia and it helped me to sleep through the night with my relaxing essential oil scent, and it also worked as a humidifier." — Benny Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in two colors). 5. A small lamp with the ability to rotate 180 degrees — it'll quickly become the *~light of their life~*. It has 16 color settings to choose from so they'll always be able to match the lighting to their mood and it has a remote control so they can mix it up without getting out of bed. Promising review : "I was really happy to find that the quality of this light exceeded my expectations. I’ve used it to create a calm ambience in my room with the orange setting, as well as, added fun lighting to a karaoke party with the blue setting. It has a weighty base and a reasonably long cord. You can also rotate and adjust the angle. Both lights run at the same time too." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors). 6. A quilted chenille floor pillow for anyone who has always dreamt about having their very own reading nook — this will help bring their fantasy to life without having to renovate their entire home. Plus *how lovely* do they look when stacked like in the review photo above!? Gorgeous! Promising review: "This comes just as pictured and described. It is comfortable and looks luxurious. It's great for floor seating." — AKhan Get it from Amazon for $38.49+ (available in seven colors). 7. A teak bath caddy to give them one more reason to fill the tub to the brim and soak for hours while listening to LoFi beats. Promising review: "Well made, pretty tray that fits all the way across my tub. Has a support for book or iPad which is great." — Jolene Saiz Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two styles). 8. And a mod bath pillow , a must-have for anyone who desperately needs to soak the stress of their day away (ahem, me) before hittin' the hay. Promising review: "This has a lot of cushion for your back and neck. I had no issues with sticking it to the tub. The best part is the hook which allows it to dry out well. In this time of working at home, I need a nice tub to help relax." — Danielle Piacentini Get it from Amazon for $33.99 . 9. An attachable Stanley cup snack bowl that'll take their favorite drinking vessel to the next level — a drinking and snacking vessel! Fill it with cookies, chips, fruit, candy... whatever! Once they've stocked it up they won't have to leave their bedroom until morning. Psst — lots of reviewers say this fits their Stanley cup *and* the cheaper alternative versions of it, like this $29.99 Simple Modern tumbler . Promising review : "Was I influenced by TikTok? Yes... but was it worth it? Also, yes! It fits so well on my Stanley and is secure over the handle. It fits quite a bit and has been perfect for me as I work from home. It doesn’t make drinking difficult and has been great at helping me snack throughout the day." — emily Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors). 10. A star string canopy that'll make every night feel like date night as they cuddle up with their loved one *underneath the stars* before heading off to sleep and by sleep I mean to watch too many episodes of Big Brother . Promising review: "This product is great. And beautiful! It was a nice touch to a surprise anniversary date ." — Juan Rodriguez Get it from Amazon for $16.98+ (available in six styles). 11. A foot heater for anyone with perpetually cold tootsies — fire this bad boy up, turn on The Great British Baking Show , and enjoy the warmth you’re guaranteed to feel from head-to-toe (literally). Promising review: "I love this product. It's well built, nice neutral colors to blend into my carpet, so it's not an eyesore wherever I have it sitting. The fuzziness lends a cozy feel to it, as well. It offers a heat or no-heat setting and two directions for the shiatsu-style massagers to work on your heels. The inside is roomy enough that you can even turn your feet on their side to get an extra massage there as well. It's a gentle yet deep massage, so it's great for days when you've been standing for hours or walking on your feet a lot. I would recommend to anyone looking for a nice foot massager." — Gardener Get it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in two colors). 12. A Pura 4 smart fragrance diffuser they can use to effortlessly infuse their house with a scent that *smells like home* and can be customized with an app on their phone. The strength and duration of the fragrance can be set (wow!) and it'll store two scents at a time for whenever they want to change up the vibes. Promising review: "I ended up giving this to a friend and she and her wife love it! I gave them a Christmas scent to go with it and now they have purchased some refills on their own!" — Penny E. Get it from Pura for $34.99 and shop all the fragrance options . 13. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a flexible neck to light every candle in the house to create the *perfect* ambiance without the concern of run out of lighter fluid. Promising review: "I cook outside, and lighting a fire during wet and windy weather was a real pain. This lighter was a game changer! As long as the material is dry, this lighter will light regularly, consistently, and easily. Plus, it’s rechargeable! Love it!" — Sandra Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors and as a two-pack). 14. And a "Comfort Zone" candle that smells of coffee, cedarwood and that perfect moment when you return home to your happy place after an extremely long day — any homebody will have this on their holiday wish list (and if they don't yet, they should!) Promising review: "I am a marketing guru and love clever ideas. The candles did not disappoint, they smell great and the packaging/shipping is beautiful. Such a fun idea for friend and colleague gifts. I will definitely order them again." — Anonymous Get it from Anecdote Candles for $14+ (available in three sizes) or on Amazon for $26 . 15. Or a floral-inspired dimmable candle-warmer lamp they can safely use to bring the scent of their favorite candle to their room (no flames necessary). An added bonus — the candle will last waaaaay longer since it's not actually burning down! Promising review: "I bought this on a whim, and I’m hooked. I love the timer and dimmer features. So far, the lamp works great. It doesn’t put out a lot of heat and I love that you can adjust the light. This is now going to be my go-to gift. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.98 (available in 10 styles). 16. Or a set of remote-controlled flameless candles so they can set up the cozy corner of their dreams without worrying about starting a not-so-cozy fire. 😅 Each candle requires 3 AAA batteries . Promising review: "I bought one set and loved them so much I bought two more sets. They're the most realistic looking fake candles I've bought so far. The 'flame' up close obviously doesn't look real but from afar with the flicker setting on, you almost can't tell these aren't real. They also put out a decent amount of light for being fake. Gives my living room a very cozy feel which is what I wanted. Remote works great as well. " — suckerforcats Get a set of three from Amazon for $25.99 (available in five styles). 17. A homebody sticker for my fellow '90s girlies who have *never* felt more at home than squatting in that all-too-memorable yellow playhouse with the pink door and light green shutters. IYKYK, my friends. SpunkeeMonkeeStudio is a small business! This sticker is waterproof so it can happily live on your water bottle! Promising review: "I had one of these!! 111/10 nostalgia core." — aria isnt here anymore Get it from SpunkeeMonkeeStudio on Etsy for $4.25 . 18. Murdle, Volume 1 , a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game. This version will encourage your pal to use powers of deduction and a variety of clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who? There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels of difficulty to tackle —each puzzle features a logic grid to help you solve it! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, storylines and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for a while!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . If you want to keep the fun going you can *also* snag Murdle: Volume 2 and Murdle: Volume 3 for more puzzling. 19. A " Grievance Journal ," aka a "burn book for the discerning misanthrope" that your friend with the darkest humor will find especially cathartic thanks to 52 prompts to express irritations over what's bothering them the most. Promising review : "Bought this intending to gift it to a friend but ended up getting really into the prompts and decided to keep it for myself. WOW, what an awesome way to vent and articulate the negativity you're feeling by actually forcing yourself to form coherent thoughts around your emotions. Cheaper and more effective than therapy, buying several more for friends and fam. " — Alex Get it from Amazon for $27.99 . If your recipient wants something a little less grim, check out this Burn After Writing book with a similar but lighter sentiment. 20. A chunky knit chenille blanket to bury themselves under because it's simply that time of year — it comes in so many colors you'll absolutely be able to snag one that matches their room's vibe. It's also hypoallergenic *and* machine washable! Samiah Luxe is a small business! Promising review: "Love this look. Makes the room look & feel cozy. But then the blanket ACTUALLY is cozy! Super soft. Heavy. Warm. Worth the money." — Tracy W. Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three sizes and eight colors). 21. Or a wearable blanket for anyone who typically wraps their throw blanket around their shoulders and wanders the house like a ghost. They can skip that entire step and slip this version right over their head then proceed with their meandering. Promising review: "I bought this to live in when in my college dorm and now I never want to leave my college dorm. But that means it's GOOD!! I totally slept in it last night and it's perfect for rolling out of bed when it's 40 degrees outside, which makes the floors cold. My feet may be cold, but the rest of me sure isn't! 😀👍" — Eden Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in kids and adults sizes and 28 styles). 22. A Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas cross stitch kit so they can *~live like Jack and Sally if you want~* or at the very least add them into their home decor. This beginner's kit comes with thread, printed fabric, needle, step-by-step instructions, and a 3-inch plastic hoop, Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 23. A new cookbook from Prue Leith (yes, the famed The Great British Bake Off judge!) filled with a variety of exciting recipes — perfect for someone who enjoys unwinding by cooking (and even better for their roommate who gets to eat all the stress-fueled cooking). Get it from Amazon for $32.45 . 24. A heated eye massager complete with five different massage modes and Bluetooth music so you can fully indulge and relax while relieving pain from eye strain and headaches. Promising review : "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse and this technology has helped me get through the night easily. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in four colors). 25. A mason jar cold brew maker, a must-have for your homebody-BFF who'll really appreciate not having to wait in line at a crowded coffee shop. Reviewers absolutely love this version and also use it to brew their favorite iced teas. Cheers! County Line Kitchen is a small business specializing in mason jar–style cold brew makers, pitchers, and accessories. Promising review: "This has been a hit in my house. Makes the most delicious cold brew and is of great quality. Has saved a ton of money on going out and on pods I used to buy. I try to let it sit for 48 hours so I can dilute it with a little water to get it to last longer, and throw it in my dishwasher in between uses. Perfect!" — Jo Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and colors). 26. A subscription to Book of the Month for any bibliophile who hates having to actually speak to someone in a store about what they should read next and would much rather have their next fave novel delivered to their door. I was gifted a BOTM subscription many years ago and I've stayed loyal since! It's the only subscription service I've kept up with and gifted to different people. Each month your gift recipient will be permitted to choose from a selection of books (and more recently, audiobooks!), all of which are different genres. Then the book they select will be delivered to their door. Half of my beautifully color coordinated bookcase is filled with books from BOTM and I couldn't be happier! Get three months from Book of the Month for $59.99 . 27. A bookmark book tracker that'll motivate them to actually settle down and read the novel their book club decided on for this month. After they finish a book they can add the title into the spine on the bookmark and color it in — adorable. Britishbookart is a small business based in the UK that sells paintings of literary characters, like Belle from Beauty and the Beast (my personal fave) and Arya from Game of Thrones , as well as reading trackers and bookmarks. I bought two for my cousins during the holidays and the both were so excited to get started reading/coloring! Get it from britishbookart on Etsy for $3.42 . 28. And a genius amber reading light to attach directly to their novel, so even if their partner wants to hit the hay they can stay up as late as they want without disturbing them as they dive deeper and deeper into The New York Times bestseller their friends have all been raving about. Promising review: "This is a fantastic light! I use it every evening to continue reading while my son sleeps, it does not wake him or impede my sleep after I’m ready to go to bed. Great product." — Brian Masters Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 29. A pack of six aromatherapy shower steamers they can add into their morning rinse for the days they'd love to indulge in a lavish bubble bath but, sadly, have to head right out the door (and fast!) Promising review : "These are the best shower steamers I've ever tried. Usually, they aren't strong enough, or they melt too quickly to even enjoy. They are also bigger than what you can buy at the store. One lasted my entire shower and still smelled amazing even after I was done. These are the best shower steamers, hands down. I would definitely buy these again." — Krista Get it from Amazon for $16.99 . 30. An "Awakened Artifacts" puzzle from the TikTok-famous Magic Puzzle Company for your happiest-at-home friend, perfect for helping them unwind after a day filled with unpleasantries. There are over 50 hidden Easter eggs in this journey of an activity (including a hidden twist at the end!) that'll delight and amaze anyone who works on it. Promising review: "Bought this as soon as I got the email that it dropped on Amazon! Love this series and will continue to purchase them. Was it the most challenging puzzle? No, but that didn't take away from the fun of putting it together. Great artwork, wacky pieces, two posters, you just can't go wrong with a magic puzzle!" — Jennifer Lawton Get it from Amazon for $22.99 . This is one of 14 puzzles from the Magic Puzzle Company , so there's lots of other ~puzzling~ possibilities once this one's finished! 31. Espresso Martini Instant Cocktail Tea Bags that can be used to take *~tini time~* to the next level with minimal effort (and for wayyyy cheaper than a bar that's filled to the brim with humans...no thanks). All they'll need to do is steep the bag in cold water and a spirit of their choice (vodka is recommended, but it can also be made as mocktails) until the majority of the bag dissolves. Cheers to that and to being able to drink at home in their pajamas! SAYSO is a small business! Promising review: "Initially thought these would need to steep in hot water, but they work in cold water. I like to let them steep around 10 minutes. Quick and delicious cocktails! I’ve tried all flavors but Old Fashioned and that’s next. These are fantastic for cocktail lovers that camp. No heavy mixers to carry." — AnneF Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in six other cocktails and in a variety pack). 32. Fuzzy slippers with a lil' coquette vibe to 'em that'll make your pal feel feel oh-so pretty while they kick back, relax, and let the world know they're taking a much-needed break. Promising review: "Love them. My cousin had them so I had to have them. Super cozy and super cute." — lauren Get it from Amazon for $17.98 (available in women's sizes 5.5–10 and six styles). 33. Cadbury Drinking Chocolate for anyone who knows the best way to commemorate the return of winter weather is by toasting it with a mug of full-body-warming cocoa. Promising review: "We drink this almost nightly and we do it year-round. When I die, cremate me and put me in a Cadbury Drinking Chocolate tin." — Majombaszo Get it from Amazon for $12 . 34. Or a holiday gift set from Blue Bottle Coffee complete with their winter blend and a mug that just screams "I'm happy and cozy at home with my caffeine." The coffee blend includes 10 oz of whole bean coffee featuring tasting notes of dark chocolate, molasses, and blackberry. The mug is simple, sturdy, holds 12oz and was beautifully crafted in Japan. My husband purchased this set for himself (wish he would've told me for the holidays, but I digress) so I can confirm the mug really is quite lovely. Perfect for someone who appreciates the simpler, but finer, things in life. Get it from Blue Bottle Coffee for $54 . 35. And a mug warmer because when it's cold outside there is nothing better than being able to wrap your hands around a hot bev — this lil' gadget won't take up much room at all and will ensure that their drink remains the perfect temperature. Promising review: "It's so nice to work on the computer and reach for the coffee ☕️ and it's still hot or warm, your choice. Great buy." — Chip Wood Get it from Amazon for $19.98 . 36. A flexible universal tablet stand , in case they have roommates and simply don't feel like hanging out with them to watch TV every night. This handy dandy gadget will ensure they can continue to watch episodes of The Bear hands-free and human-free. Tablift is a small business created by Scott Blevins after he had trouble finding a tablet stand for his bed. This is compatible with Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and most other tablets (but you may have to remove the case in some cases). Promising review : "I wondered how the flexible legs might be. The problem I envisioned was that the legs would deflect as I used the support — nope! Not at all! It's flexible AND stable in just the right way. The legs twist in a wide variety of positions and the STAY where I put them. I use it for reading in bed at night mostly but have also used it's on the couch while watching TV. Ideal in each instance. Great job!" — R. Steven Cooper Get it from Amazon for $49.95 . 37. Microwaveable hugging sloths filled with soothing lavender — who better to spend a cold wintry night with?! The pair breaks apart so they can share the love with their roommate when they're having a rough day. 🥹 My sister bought my son a Golden Retriever Warmies plush before he was born and it's recently become a staple in his collection of "crib friends." It smells incredible and is so soothing for bedtime. I love that they're weighted but not *too* heavy that I'd be worried to let him snuggle with it overnight. Promising review: "I have a sloth obsession so I'm adding these to my collection! Perfect size and absolutely adorable! Not sure I'll use them for warming, but I have other Warmies for that purpose!!" — Heather W. Get it from Warmies for $29.99 or Amazon for $26.95 . 38. And a subscription to Hallmark+ you might want to go ahead and send over to them right now — a 10/10 gift for your pal who would be over the moon to have an excuse to hunker down and indulge in a marathon of lovey-dovey holiday movies. One of my all time greatest guilty pleasures is watching a concerning number of Hallmark Christmas movies from the moment the clock strikes 12 on November 1st through the end of the winter (if I'm being honest). As someone who got rid of cable years ago, I used to have to jump through hoops to get my fix. Now that Hallmark+ exists I was able to get a lovely little subscription (they range from three months to a year) and enjoy my favorite seasonal treat, hassle-free. Get a 3-month subscription from Hallmark+ for $23.97 . Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.A 95-YEAR-OLD woman was left lying on the pavement with a broken hip in freezing weather for five hours waiting for an ambulance. Winifred Soanes fell over in Christchurch High Street, Dorset, in the early afternoon while out her 92-year-old husband Andrew. 3 A 95-year-old woman was left lying on the pavement with a broken hip in "freezing" weather for five hours Credit: BNPS 3 Winifred Soanes fell in Christchurch High Street on Monday and could not be moved due to the pain she was in Credit: BNPS She was unable to move due to the sheer pain she was in. Despite multiple concerned members of the public making repeated 999 calls for an ambulance and explaining Winifred was elderly and vulnerable, they were told she "was not a priority". People managed to prop her head up with shoe boxes from market stallholders and a pillow from a nearby pub. Staff at Mountain Warehouse provided her with sleeping bags and charity shops gave blankets and hot water bottles to keep Winifred warm. read more news TEST OF TIME Take the ‘flamingo test’ to see how well you’re ageing - according to the NHS SNACK ATTACK New tax on junk food announced as part of plan to ‘get Brits back to work’ Others provided coffee and food to help Andrew, who is an army veteran and diabetic and who refused to leave his wife's side. An ambulance eventually arrived at 7.45pm on Monday and took Winifred to hospital where she remains today. To add insult to injury, Andrew has developed a chest infection as a result of being out in the cold so long and cannot visit his wife in hospital. People who helped the couple have slammed the "broken system". Most read in The Sun SOLD FIRM Scott Brown's stunning new £2m mansion used to belong to Rangers supremo FAB FINISH Rangers loan flop scores stunner as he and unsung Scotland star take down Barca DEATH PROBE Appeal launched after man found dead following one car crash SHOCKING SCENE Barcelona star 'vomits blood' and is stretchered off in worrying scenes Jennifer Baylis, who was working in a charity shop, said: "I can't tell you how upsetting it was, she actually said 'I'm going to die here tonight'. "She was in a phenomenal amount of pain and in such a vulnerable position, on a cold floor, totally reliant on complete strangers. Corrie star Sean Wilson says historic sex claim 'blew whole world apart' & was behind TV axing "She fell at 2.30pm and the ambulance finally showed up at 7.45pm. "We were all distressed that there was no first responder available, no police officer, literally no one available to help for over five hours. "You feel so helpless, I was so angry that they were in this position. It shouldn't be happening in this day and age. "The NHS are fantastic once help is there. We know how hard they work. "But something went very very wrong to leave a 95-year-old lady on the pavement of a high street at night." David Lovell, who saw her fall and was the first to call for an ambulance, said: "I can't describe how cold it was, and as it got dark, the temperature dropped really quickly. "She was lying on the cold pavement and we couldn't move her because she was in huge amounts of pain." When others called again to chase up the ambulance, they were given no time frame for how long the wait would be. Winifred was eventually taken to Poole Hospital and is waiting for a specialist operation for her injuries. Andrew said: "The situation was dire, but it's great to know that when they need to, the community all pull together to help." A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service, said: "We are sorry that we were not able to provide a timely response to this patient. "Any occasion where the care we provide falls below the high standards our patients deserve and rightly expect is unacceptable. "Handover delays at emergency departments remain one of our biggest challenges. Read more on the Scottish Sun SIP SIP HOORAY Exact time Coca-Cola truck arrives in Scotland tomorrow for Xmas tour FESTIVE CHEER Scots Xmas market tops London's Winter Wonderland as 'most stunning' in UK "To ensure our ambulances are available to attend the next emergency call within the community, we need to be able to hand patients over within the 15-minute national target . "We continue to work hard with our partners in the NHS and social care, to do all we can to improve the service that patients receive." TIMELINE OF THE NHS WAITING LIST THE NHS waiting list in England has become a political flashpoint as it has ballooned in recent years, more than doubling in a decade. The statistics for England count the number of procedures, such as operations and non-surgical treatments, that are due to patients. The procedures are known as elective treatment because they are planned and not emergencies. Many are routine ops such as for hip or knee replacements, cataracts or kidney stones, but the numbers also include some cancer treatments. This is how the wait list has changed over time: August 2007: 4.19million – The first entry in current records. December 2009: 2.32million – The smallest waiting list on modern record. April 2013: 2.75million – The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition restructures the NHS. Current chancellor Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary. April 2016: 3.79million – Junior doctors go on strike for the first time in 40 years. Theresa May is elected Prime Minister. February 2020: 4.57million – The final month before the UK's first Covid lockdown in March 2020. July 2021: 5.61million – The end of all legal Covid restrictions in the UK. January 2023: 7.21million – New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledges to reduce waiting lists within a year, effectively April 2024. September 2023: 7.77million – The highest figure on record comes during a year hit with strikes by junior doctors, consultants, nurses and ambulance workers. February 2024: 7.54million – Ministers admit the pledge to cut the backlog has failed. August 2024: 7.64million – List continues to rise under Keir Starmer's new Labour Government. 3 Winifred is sadly still in hospital Credit: BNPS

Border plan promises round-the-clock aerial surveillance, drug detection supportDeclining attention spans in schoolsDaily Post Nigeria Tax reform bills: Why I support Tinubu – Seriake Dickson Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Tax reform bills: Why I support Tinubu – Seriake Dickson Published on December 3, 2024 By John Owen Nwachukwu Senator Seriake Dickson has said that there is nothing wrong with the tax reform bills currently being considered at the National Assembly. However, he said massive consultations should have been held. Dickson also said that there is nothing unfair in the revenue-sharing model proposed in the Bills. According to the Bayelsa-born lawmaker, disagreements over the tax reform bills show the vibrant nature of Nigeria’s democracy. The former Bayelsa State governor, who said this in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, added that it was time people had to step up and play roles as leaders. “I don’t comment on regional politics. At our level, we have to be or aspire to be national politicians. That’s what I’ve been discussing with my colleagues from all over the country—that we can have a healthy conversation and even arguments,” he said. “That’s what the parliaments are for. We’re not there to always agree. We shouldn’t ethnicised. We shouldn’t bring in sectional sentiments. “I’m supporting it because every week they fly in oil workers from Lagos State to Bayelsa, Brass to work (and other parts of the Niger Delta) and they go back. Do you know where the payees of those workers are paid? Lagos. “We have to correct that. And this President and his team—I’m not in the President’s party. I’ve not even seen the President. We’re in different parties but I can see when something is being done to address a problem. I don’t need anybody to come and tell me.” Related Topics: Seriake Dickson Tinubu Don't Miss Nigerian Customs arrests officers in viral assault video You may like Appoint us as ministers, commissioners – Persons with Disabilities appeal to Tinubu, govs Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills good package for Nigerians – Sheikh Gumi Tax reform bills: Tinubu committed to accountability – Nigerian Govt Release Dele Farotimi immediately – SERAP, Aisha Yesufu to Tinubu govt Uproar in House of Reps over Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills Unfreeze NSIPA account in 72 hours – Reps tells Tinubu Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

electroCore to Acquire NeuroMetrix, Gaining Access to its Quell Platform and Positioning Itself as a Significant Player in Non-Invasive Bioelectronic Medicine and WellnessTOKYO (AP) — Troops surround South Korea's parliament overnight when the president declares martial law. He accuses pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. Lawmakers voice outrage and vote to end the declaration, and the president lifts the decree before daybreak. President Yoon Suk Yeol spread fear and confusion through South Korea overnight by issuing his sudden edict late Tuesday, the first martial law declaration since more than four decades ago when the country was controlled by a dictatorship. The declaration, the rushed vote by lawmakers to overturn it and the president's lifting of martial law soon afterward were moments of high drama for an unpopular leader who has struggled with political deadlock in an opposition-dominated parliament and scandals involving him and his wife. While there was no direct evidence presented, Yoon raised the specter of North Korea as a destabilizing force. Yoon has long maintained that a hard line against the North is the only way to stop Pyongyang from following through on its nuclear threats against Seoul. Amid the surreal scenes of troops massing around parliament, here are some things to know as this story unfolds: Immediately after Yoon's declaration the military chief called in key commanders for talks. South Korean troops set up barricades and then made their way into parliament. The leader of the main opposition, which controls parliament, ordered lawmakers to return to the building, where they eventually voted to lift the declaration of martial law. Yoon lifted the martial law decree around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Yoon's declaration had been accompanied by an accusation that the opposition was engaged in “anti-state activities plotting rebellion.” But he did not explain what that means, and provided no specific evidence. The vague statement is reminiscent of the heavy-handed tactics of the South Korean dictatorships that ended in the late 1980s. A series of strongmen repeatedly invoked North Korea when struggling to control domestic dissidents and political opponents. The opposition lambasted Yoon's move as un-democratic. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.” But the sudden declaration was also opposed by the leader of Yoon's own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” “The people will block the president’s anti-constitutional step. The military must be on the side of the public in any case. Let’s resolutely oppose it,” Kim Dong Yeon, the opposition party governor of Gyeonggi province, which surrounds Seoul, wrote on X. Average South Koreans were in shock. Social media was flooded with messages expressing surprise and worry over Yoon’s announcement. “Martial law? I thought it was deepfake content, but is it really a martial law decree?,” one X user wrote. “I first thought about a war with North Korea when he said he would impose a martial law,” another X user wrote. There were quick claims that the emergency declaration was linked to Yoon’s political struggles. His approval rating has dropped, and he has had little success in getting his policies adopted by a parliament that has been controlled by the opposition since he took over in 2022. Conservatives have said the opposition moves are political revenge for investigations into the opposition leader, who is seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027. Just this month, Yoon denied wrongdoing in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife. The claims have battered his approval ratings and fueled attacks by his rivals. The scandal centers on claims that Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted inappropriate influence on the conservative ruling People Power Party to pick a certain candidate to run for a parliamentary by-election in 2022 at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president . Yoon has said he did nothing inappropriate. South Korea became a democracy only in the late 1980s, and military intervention in civilian affairs is still a touchy subject. During the dictatorships that emerged as the country rebuilt from the destruction of the 1950-53 Korean War, leaders occasionally proclaimed martial law that allowed them to station combat soldiers, tanks and armored vehicles on streets or in public places to prevent anti-government demonstrations. Such scenes are unimaginable for many today. The dictator Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for nearly 20 years before he was assassinated by his spy chief in 1979, led several thousand troops into Seoul in the early hours of May 16, 1961, in the country’s first successful coup. During his rule, he occasionally proclaimed martial law to crack down on protests and jail critics. Less than two months after Park Chung-hee’s death, Maj. Gen. Chun Doo-hwan led tanks and troops into Seoul in December 1979 in the country’s second successful coup. The next year, he orchestrated a brutal military crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, killing at least 200 people. In the summer of 1987, massive street protests forced Chun’s government to accept direct presidential elections. His army buddy Roh Tae-woo, who had joined Chun’s 1979 coup, won the election held later in 1987 thanks largely to divided votes among liberal opposition candidates. AP writers Kim Tong-hyung and Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this story.

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CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ) has entered a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance digital innovation across the company. Mondelēz has designated AWS as its strategic cloud provider and has already migrated hundreds of workloads. Leveraging AWS’s industry leading cloud infrastructure and services, Mondelēz will achieve greater security, agility, and reliability for its operations including migrating its ERP landscape to SAP RISE powered by AWS. “A key focus of our growth strategy is our digital transformation,” said Kostas Georgakopoulos, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer at Mondelēz. “AWS is a strategic partner complementing our own internal Cloud Platform Engineering capabilities to lead digital transformation across the Enterprise.” Key elements of the new partnership include: Enabling growth: Improves agility and cost efficiency, while advancing sustainability through AWS’s focus on renewable energy and energy efficient data centers. Accelerating ERP and digital transformation: Migrates on-premises SAP systems to SAP RISE on AWS to deliver improved performance, reliability, resiliency, security, and AI capabilities for Mondelēz business systems and insights. Enabling cutting-edge technology: Underscores Mondelēz’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its internal platform engineering capabilities. AWS’s suite of cloud services aligns seamlessly with Mondelēz’s focus on automation, security, resiliency, and agility—key pillars in achieving the company’s strategic goals. “Mondelēz has a clear vision of how the cloud, AI, and systems like SAP RISE can fuel its growth, and it is truly impressive to see the company execute on that vision,” said Rich Geraffo, Vice President, AWS North America. “Our team is proud to have worked closely with their organization to implement the architecture, applications, and services that will serve as a foundation for continued innovation across their company.” About Mondelēz International Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, RITZ, LU, CLIF BAR and TATE'S BAKE SHOP biscuits and baked snacks, as well as CADBURY DAIRY MILK, MILKA and TOBLERONE chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on X at www.x.com/MDLZ .OAP, 95, was forced to wait on pavement with broken hip for hours after being told by NHS staff she’s ‘not a priority’

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The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It's climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan's Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk's multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla's corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump's preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They're betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed's next move will arrive on Friday. It's the monthly jobs report, which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday's jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea's currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he'd lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump's threats to raise tariffs, including for goods coming from China. Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called "entity list" are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world's second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris, where the government is battling over the budget.HOUSTON , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Applus+, a global leader in the Inspection, Testing and Certification sector, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Abyss Solutions (Abyss), a cutting-edge provider of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning solutions for inspection and maintenance. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) capabilities through the integration of AI-driven technologies. By bringing together the extensive experience of Applus+ in NDT with Abyss' innovative AI algorithms and software platforms, this collaboration aims to revolutionize asset inspection processes, enabling faster, more accurate, and data-driven decision-making. "We are excited to partner with Abyss Solutions to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence within inspection and testing," said Adam Alessandrino , Executive Vice President of the Pacific region at Applus+. "By integrating AI-driven technologies into our inspection processes, we are well positioned to deliver unparalleled value to our clients by enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety." Through this partnership, Applus+ and Abyss will focus on developing AI-powered inspection solutions that enable predictive maintenance, asset optimization, and risk mitigation for clients across various industries, including oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure across the Pacific and South-East Asia "We are thrilled to collaborate with Applus+, a global leader in Inspection, Testing, and Certification services," said Gary Hill , Regional Director at Abyss Solutions. "By leading a disruption in the inspection industry, Applus+ is addressing challenges once considered unsolvable due to workforce shortages. We are excited to partner with them on this transformative journey." About Applus+: Applus+ is one of the world's leading and most innovative companies in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector, offering a broad portfolio of services and solutions for customers across various industries. Its solutions ensure that assets and products meet quality, health & safety and environmental standards and regulations, while also enhancing performance. Headquartered in Spain , the company operates in more than 70 countries and employs over 26,000 people. The Applus+ Group drives profitable revenue growth through sustainable services and digitalisation at all levels. About Abyss Solutions: Abyss is pioneering the future of inspection at scale, providing products and solutions that enables autonomous robots to capture and analyze data at an unprecedented level. Its industry-leading technology is pushing the boundaries of the possible, going beyond the status quo to deliver billions of dollars in risk reduction for some of the world's biggest companies. We've curated the brightest minds in autonomy who strive to help protect the world's most valuable assets and resources, delivering the insights needed to inform preventative maintenance programs, exceed health and safety targets, and significantly reduce CO2. SOURCE Abyss Solutions PTY LTD

HOUSTON , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Applus+, a global leader in the Inspection, Testing and Certification sector, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Abyss Solutions (Abyss), a cutting-edge provider of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning solutions for inspection and maintenance. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) capabilities through the integration of AI-driven technologies. By bringing together the extensive experience of Applus+ in NDT with Abyss' innovative AI algorithms and software platforms, this collaboration aims to revolutionize asset inspection processes, enabling faster, more accurate, and data-driven decision-making. "We are excited to partner with Abyss Solutions to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence within inspection and testing," said Adam Alessandrino , Executive Vice President of the Pacific region at Applus+. "By integrating AI-driven technologies into our inspection processes, we are well positioned to deliver unparalleled value to our clients by enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety." Through this partnership, Applus+ and Abyss will focus on developing AI-powered inspection solutions that enable predictive maintenance, asset optimization, and risk mitigation for clients across various industries, including oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure across the Pacific and South-East Asia "We are thrilled to collaborate with Applus+, a global leader in Inspection, Testing, and Certification services," said Gary Hill , Regional Director at Abyss Solutions. "By leading a disruption in the inspection industry, Applus+ is addressing challenges once considered unsolvable due to workforce shortages. We are excited to partner with them on this transformative journey." About Applus+: Applus+ is one of the world's leading and most innovative companies in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector, offering a broad portfolio of services and solutions for customers across various industries. Its solutions ensure that assets and products meet quality, health & safety and environmental standards and regulations, while also enhancing performance. Headquartered in Spain , the company operates in more than 70 countries and employs over 26,000 people. The Applus+ Group drives profitable revenue growth through sustainable services and digitalisation at all levels. About Abyss Solutions: Abyss is pioneering the future of inspection at scale, providing products and solutions that enables autonomous robots to capture and analyze data at an unprecedented level. Its industry-leading technology is pushing the boundaries of the possible, going beyond the status quo to deliver billions of dollars in risk reduction for some of the world's biggest companies. We've curated the brightest minds in autonomy who strive to help protect the world's most valuable assets and resources, delivering the insights needed to inform preventative maintenance programs, exceed health and safety targets, and significantly reduce CO2. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/applus-in-australia-partners-with-abyss-solutions-to-revolutionize-non-destructive-testing-with-artificial-intelligence-302320087.html SOURCE Abyss Solutions PTY LTD © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.An ASX dividend giant I'd buy over NAB stock right now