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Marlena Velez, 22, who goes by the TikTok handle @ marlenavelezz , was arrested for shoplifting after broadcasting her haul of allegedly stolen Target goods in a video to her 350,000 followers. The influencer was charged with one count of petty theft in Florida. According to Cape Coral Police, Velez stole $500.32 worth of household goods and clothing from a Target store in Cape Coral on... Eve Upton-ClarkPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-handed pitcher Joe Ross finalized a one-year contract on Monday. The 31-year-old Ross made 10 starts and 25 total appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA. Selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2011 amateur draft, the 6-foot-4 Ross has pitched in 123 career games across seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and Brewers. In his career, he has combined for a 4.19 ERA with 469 strikeouts to 170 walks. He's 29-34 with a 4.19 career ERA. Ross is the latest in an offseason of minor moves for the NL East champs. The Phillies acquired left-hander from the Miami Marlins and signed free-agent outfielder to a $10 million, one-year deal. AP MLB:If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. ‘s Holiday 100 has dropped, an annual gift guide representing the year’s top-searched products. The trending present ideas span every category: apparel and accessories, home and garden, electronics, toys and games, beauty and health and wellness. In the spirit of savings, compiled 25 discounted standouts from the search engine’s list for the entire family. From cowboy boots and running sneakers to skin care and outdoor cooking essentials, check out the hottest gifts of the year at unbeatable prices. Google Holiday 100: The 25 Best Gifts on Sale for Black Friday Searches for “Nike Motiva” hit an all-time high this year. Searches for “pink airwrap” peaked in 2024. Searches for “backpack cooler” went up 60 percent. Searches for “marine cream” also skyrocketed this year. Unsurprisingly, “cowboy style” was a key 2024 search trend. Today only, Anthropologie Perks Members get 30 percent off almost everything, including . Sign up for the loyalty program for free . Therabody searches have spiked every holiday season since 2020. “Mini Theragun” was the top-searched mini massage gun this year. Searches for “turntable” increased by 50 percent this year. “Dad shoes” are trending with “Salomon sneakers” peaking in search volume. “Electric smoker grill” searches were up 105 percent this year. Searches for “unisex fragrances” were up 130 percent in 2024, and this is a fan favorite. “Bracelet watch” trended this year, with gold as the top searched color. Google searches for “skincare for men” increased by 80 percent. Available in over 20 colors, searches for “Elisa pendant necklace” increased by 175 percent this year. Searches for “Milk makeup jelly” also soared. Searches for “ballet flats” increased this year by 84 percent. For more gifting options, check out ‘s . Searches for “Our Place Oven” were up 50 percent in 2024. Thanks to Zendaya’s press tour style and the subsequent surge of , “tennis skirt” searches hit an all-time high. To no one’s surprise, searches for “pickleball paddle” also spiked. “Vest top” hit its highest search volume in 2024. “Charm necklace” hit a new Google search high this year. Be sure to check out ‘s at every price point. In 2024, searches for “t-shirt slogans” increased by 160 percent. For Black Friday, is offering an extra 20 percent off eligible items totaling over $145. Discount will be automatically applied in cart. Give the gift of relaxation. Searches for “foot bath massager” were up 85 percent this year. “Coach Tabby bag” hit an all-time high. This style is available in additional colors at . A universally beloved gift, each December, “slippers” see a search volume spike. Oura was 2024’s most searched brand of smart ring. Check out the complete Holiday 100 at . THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
Newest Sacramento State football head coach Brennan Marion is no stranger to the Hornets’ green and gold colorway. Marion first donned the colors as head coach of the St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School football team in 2013. In Marion’s only season as a head coach at St. Pat’s, he led the Bruins to the first round of the playoffs. The team finished 5-6 overall in 2013 and lost a first-round playoff game to Piner. Marion resigned shortly afterwards to become the head coach at Waynesboro Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania. At Waynesboro, Marion dove deeper into his innovative ‘Go-Go’ offense and took it with him to eight different college coaching stops across the nation. The ‘Go-Go’ offense is a high-tempo, downhill run game that lines up two running backs next to the quarterback. It was most notably on display in his two seasons as the offensive coordinator at UNLV from 2023-2024. This past season, the Rebels ranked 35th in the FBS in total offense (425.8 yards per game) and 14th in scoring (36.2 points per game). Marion also worked with NFL wide receivers Jordan Addison and Xavier Worthy during his time as the wide receiver coach at the University of Texas and the University of Pittsburgh. After former Sac State head coach Andy Thompson stepped down, the Hornets sprung for the offensive guru and Marion accepted his first college head coaching job on Dec. 20. Marion is already off to a hot start in the transfer portal, bringing in multiple FBS transfers to Sac State. Some of the notable names include former Oregon State wide receiver Jordan Anderson and Tulsa quarterback Cardell Williams. Marion has also found success on the recruitment trail, drawing talent from the Bay Area. In a post on X, he expressed his appreciation for the region where he took his first head coaching role. “Vallejo or the Valley Jo or the home of Mac Dre or the Home of E-40 or as I say Springs Road! Has always been good to me!!! Bay Areaaaaa!!! That’s 2 from the soil! #GoGoSacramento,” Marion said in a post on X. Marion also has experience as a player. He was a wide receiver and was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2009, but never played in an official game. He played college football for Foothill, De Anza, and Tulsa. At Tulsa he set the single-season NCAA FBS yards-per-catch record in a single season at 31.9 and finished as the NCAA career leader at 28.7 yards-per-catch. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.Legible's Thanksgiving "Living Cookbook" with AI Sous Chef by Celebrity Cristina Ferrare to be Featured on Drew Barrymore ShowArsenal thump West Ham in chaotic, great showcase for Premier League
Senior members of Canada's cabinet held talks Friday with US President-elect Donald Trump's nominees to lead the departments of commerce and the interior, as Ottawa works to hold off the threat of punishing tariffs. Canada's newly-appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary nominee, who will also lead the country's tariff and trade agenda. Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum was also at the meeting held at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Leblanc's spokesman Jean-Sebastien Comeau, who confirmed the participants, described the talks as "positive and productive." Trump has vowed to impose crippling 25-percent tariffs on all Canadian imports when he takes office next month. He has said they will remain in place until Canada addresses the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised retaliatory measures should Trump follow through on his pledge, raising fears of a trade war. Leblanc and Joly "outlined the measures in Canada's Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives," Comeau said in a statement. Canada's Border Plan -- estimated to cost CAN$1 billion ($694 million) -- was crafted as part of Ottawa's response to Trump's concerns. Lutnick and Burgum "agreed to relay information to President Trump," the statement said. Trudeau is facing his worst political crisis since sweeping into office in 2015. Leblanc was named finance minister earlier this month after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing handouts to voters instead of preparing Canada's finances for a possible trade war. More than 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and nearly two million Canadian jobs depend on trade. bs/aha Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.
BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Hussein Malla, Associated Press Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. People are also reading... “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Hassan Ammar, Associated Press Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. Emanuele Cremaschi // Getty Images Barriers to sustainable shopping There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group // Getty Images Be the first to know
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Israel launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with HezbollahThe New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. The 33rd Team was founded in 2019 by Tannenbaum as a media and technology company. In their announcement, the Jets said The 33rd Team will help identify and vet GM and coach candidates and coordinate interviews. Douglas was fired last Tuesday , the latest shakeup for a franchise that had Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback but has limped to a 3-8 start and appears likely to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year. Phil Savage, a senior football adviser with the Jets since 2019, will serve as the interim general manager for the rest of the season. The firing of Douglas came exactly six weeks after Johnson fired Saleh as coach on Oct. 8 after the Jets were 2-3 to open the season. New York has since gone 1-5 under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was tabbed as the interim coach. The Jets are coming off their bye-week break and will host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The franchise has plenty of questions to answer over the next several months, including decisions on their next general manager and coach — and the future of Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP turns 41 next week, has dealt with leg issues all season and is off to the worst statistical start of his career. Tannenbaum and Spielman will help the Jets find the people to help Johnson and brother Christopher make those key decisions. Johnson took a similar approach in 2015, the last time the Jets hired a general manager and coach in the offseason. Former NFL GMs Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf worked as consultants for the team, which hired Mike Maccagnan as GM and Todd Bowles as coach. Tannenbaum, currently an analyst for ESPN, has first-hand familiarity with Johnson and the franchise. He worked in the Jets' front office for nine years before being promoted to general manager and serving in that role from 2006 to 2012. Tannenbaum helped build the 2009 and 2010 Jets teams that went to the AFC championship game in consecutive seasons under coach Rex Ryan. Ryan, who last coached the Jets in 2014 and also is currently an analyst for ESPN, recently has been lobbying on air for a return to New York's sideline. Tannenbaum also was Miami’s executive vice president of football operations from 2015 to 2018. Spielman served as the Vikings’ general manager from 2012 to 2021 after working as the team’s vice president of player personnel for six years. He was also the Dolphins’ GM in 2004 and served as an adviser last year for the Washington Commanders in their GM and coaching searches. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Spielman was formerly GM of the Minnesota Vikings instead of the Detroit Lions. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
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The Ukrainian president said the use of a ballistic missile to hit Dnipro was a “clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war” and he warned that Russian president Mr Putin would attack or destabilise other countries unless stopped. Mr Putin said the use of the new weapon was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to Ukraine to be used to strike targets in Russia. “In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry,” Mr Putin said in a televised address. “One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead.” He added: “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” But Mr Zelensky urged world leaders – his “dear partners” – not to be cowed by Mr Putin’s actions otherwise there will be “endless Russian strikes” and “not just against Ukraine”. Today, Putin admitted to taking a second step this year toward escalating and expanding this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin struck our city of Dnipro, one of Ukraine’s largest cities. This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war—a... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) “A lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable,” the Ukrainian president said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is what Putin is doing. Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. “Response is needed. Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. “Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilisation-not just against Ukraine.” The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putin’s country. Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested the new intermediate-range weapon in an attack on Dnipro in response. The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russia’s existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.” Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “yet another example of Putin’s recklessness”. He said: “Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future.” The missile’s range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British-supplied weapons, which can hit targets around 250-300km away. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Mr Healey said the UK knew Russia had been “preparing for months” to fire a new ballistic missile. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow. “It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,” Mr Healey told MPs. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff . We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) The head of the UK’s armed forces, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss the war on Thursday. Mr Zelensky said: “We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. “Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s current military needs and the continued support from our partners.”
Irish premier Simon Harris has said Fine Gael will gain seats in the General Election despite a further fragmentation of Irish politics. Fine Gael won 35 seats in the 2020 election, but 18 of those TDs did not seek re-election in Friday’s poll. An exit poll puts the party’s support at 21%, a fraction of a percentage behind the main opposition party Sinn Fein. Mr Harris, the outgoing Taoiseach, was elected with 16,869 first preference votes, well above the quota. He celebrated with his wife Caoimhe, his parents Bart and Mary, his sister Gemma and his political team at the count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Ahead of his re-election, Mr Harris told reporters he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election result and said it was “clear that my party will gain seats”. “It’s also clear that Fine Gael will top the poll in at least 10 constituencies, many more than we did the last time, that we will gain seats in constituencies where we haven’t had seats in many years, like Tipperary South and Waterford, and that we will add second seats in other constituencies as well,” he said. “I think the people of Ireland have now spoken. We now have to work out exactly what they have said, and that is going to take a little bit of time.” In one of the five consecutive broadcast media rounds he did from the Greystones count centre, he said there were a lot of areas where there were “straight shoot-outs” between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for final seats. He described the Sinn Fein vote as “pretty significantly down”, the Fianna Fail vote as “marginally down” and the Fine Gael vote as “static” compared with its 2020 vote. He said it was “a very close, a very competitive election” and that “we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it”. He said: “It was predicted by many that I would become the Taoiseach for a brief period of time, take over from Leo Varadkar, and then have to rebuild my party from the opposition benches as Sinn Fein led a government. “We don’t know what’s going to happen on government formation yet, but that is now looking less likely than it was.” He acknowledged that it was “a very difficult day” for the Green Party and paid tribute to their work in the coalition government, alongside his party and Fianna Fail. “Definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented,” he said. Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee said that her party’s campaign had been “positive”. “The feeling on the doors was very much that people were relatively happy with the government,” she said on RTE Radio. “It will come down to the last seats and it will come down to transfers,” she said of the final result, adding that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were performing better than the exit poll estimated.Harris: Fine Gael ‘will gain seats’ amid further fragmentation of Irish politicsWild host the Predators after Spurgeon's 2-goal performance
1. A set of Lego sunflowers so cheerful that they'll put a lil' pep in your step every time you see them. Promising review: "These are so cute and easy to assemble. Highly recommend as a fun gift to adults and kids." — Katie A. Get it from Amazon for $11.75 . 2. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for anyone on their "happy accidents" beat — this itty bitty set comes with everything you need to create three tiny masterpieces of your very own. The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel. Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 3. A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," the latest drop from the *elite* Needoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day. This goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish with a "slow rise" before going back to its original shape. Reviewers also love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets. Promising review: "Great, and I love that it has a tray to sit on. I love how firm this is to squeeze, and the slow release is really relaxing. The included dish is a great touch — it keeps it clean and gives it a dedicated spot to rest." — AZMOM Get it from Amazon for $8.32 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)! Check out the rest of the Needoh fidget toy options on their Amazon storefront! 4. A cult-fave, high-quality 1000-piece Dog Park Puzzle so full of adorable details that it's just going to be a constant stream of serotonin every time you push another piece into place. Reviewers love not just the whimsical art style, but the fact that it's so well-made that there's never any glare on the image or "puzzle dust" when they put it together. Antelope is a small business that specializes in high-quality, unique jigsaw puzzles. Promising review : "This was my first time putting a 1000-piece puzzle together myself. Once I sorted the pieces out in sorting trays (highly recommend), I thought maybe this was a bit much for me. I started it a week ago and worked a little bit each day. I really enjoyed this. The pieces are very good quality. The details and colors are outstanding. I was constantly discovering something new I hadn’t noticed before . I’m actually kinda sad I’m done, but I’ll pack it away and bring it out again in about six months and have fun all over again." — ScubaReader Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in six other whimsical designs and in multisets). 5. A bitingly hilarious "I Hate You All" activity book for stress relief that delightfully straddles the line between wholesome and worrisome — perfect for blowing off a little steam at the end of a long day. Promising review: "Self-help for the misanthrope. Is perfect for that person in your life who hates everyone. They may even hate you slightly less for giving it to them." — John the Climber Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 6. And a " Grievance Journal ," or rather a "burn book for the discerning misanthrope" — a darkly funny, satisfying, and cathartic journal with 52 prompts so you can purge yourself of the ~~darkness~~ of your daily irritations and inconveniences without alarming all your friends and neighbors. (Well, any more than you already do 😈.) 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 . 7. Electric Unicorn Ground Coffee Beans that taste like fruity cereal milk, aka that deeply nostalgic, faintly sweet taste of milk that's leftover after you've finished a heaping bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Growing up is inevitable but at least your taste buds can still be young and free! Bones Coffee Company is a small business that specializes in coffee grounds and beans with unique flavors and themes. Promising review : "Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this coffee to blow me away, but it absolutely did. I was seriously impressed by how well-balanced the flavors are. It tastes like brewing your coffee with Fruity Pebble cereal milk — a combo I didn’t think I’d enjoy, but it’s fantastic. The quality of the beans is top-notch too. I used a French press, and the coffee always turned out amazing. The artwork and packaging are a nice touch too; they fit right in with my kitchen decor." — Kendra H. Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in dozens of other fun flavors, including decaf options). 8. An "Everyday Mindfulness"-themed word search book full of unique, relaxing puzzles designed to keep you engaged without stressing you out. Promising review: "This is exactly what I was looking for! It lays flat to easily complete the word search and not have to fight with the book. There are different types of puzzles, and some have extra secret searches! It’s great for the slow days at work!! I will definitely be buying more of these word searches!" — Roy Y Hahn Get it from Amazon for $8 . 9. Or Murdle, Volume 1 , a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of 100 murder mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that you can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if you do it in order, you get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book). The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2 , Volume 3 , and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books ! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $10.25 . 10. A set of relaxing instant heated eye compresses designed to relieve tired eyeballs and help you wind down at the end of a long human day — these heat up right when you pop them open, so no extra thinking required. If you want a fun twist on the unscented version, you can even get these in soothing scents like lavender and chamomile. Promising review: " Very soothing. I love these eye masks. I don't use them regularly, but they are very warm and soothing if I have a headache or just need a little self-care. My mother uses them regularly, and I recommended them to a friend who fell in love with them as well." — mayla23 Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $14.44 (clip the 15% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in nine styles and scents). 11. A reviewer-beloved Cozy Spaces-themed coloring book featuring lil' bugs sleeping in upside down teacups, koalas snuggling in mushrooms, and all kinds of little critters reading, eating, and chilling in whimsical scenes. Psst — Coco Wyo has a *ton* of other cozy stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront ! Another psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $8.99! Promising review : "This coloring book is a wonderful way to unwind and de-stress. The illustrations feature familiar, cozy corners that are both charming and relaxing to color. The designs are intricate enough to keep you engaged but not overly complicated, making it perfect for both adults and teens. The quality of the paper is great, holding up well to colored pencils, markers, and gel pens. I love how each page feels like a little escape, and coloring them has become a therapeutic routine." — Ali El-Khatib Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 12. And a set of rainbow aesthetic coloring pencils for some extra adventurous artists who aren't afraid to shake things up — each pencil has a whole bunch of different shades woven into it, so you never know just *quite* what it will look like as you draw. It's worth the risk, though — the beautiful results speak for themselves! Promising review: "Got these just to have a change of pace in my sketchbook. Kids loved them as well. They are fun to use. They write and draw smoothly. Great for any aged artist." — angela Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $9.99 . 13. A rechargeable, dimmable Dodo Duck Night-Light so cute that it won't be *that* much of a surprise when you imprint on it and start calling it your son. (Psst — this is the new baby cousin of the viral Depressed Duck Night-Light , if that's more your speed.) Check out a TikTok of the duck night-light in action. Promising review: "This little lamp is so cute! Gently squeeze it to turn it off or on. It leaves a nice soft glow. Purchased for a teenager, and she loves it." — WendyAnne Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 14. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Now instead of dealing with aching feet all night, you can get ahead of the situation with some ~self-care~. Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 15. A mini inflatable tube guy for your desk to cheer you on (or remind you to take a lil' dance break whenever you overwork yourself). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 16. A set of adorable rechargeable penguin hand warmers to stick in your pockets and keep you roasty toasty warm even when it's as cold outside as the Arctic they came from. These are also magnetic, so they'll stick together when they aren't in use like ~birds of a feather~. Promising revie w: "These hand warmers are exceptionally cute. They also work exceptionally. Love that they are rechargeable. Depending on what setting you use, they can last from three to five hours." — C. Boyea Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three styles). 17. A ridiculously popular "cat dancer" toy so both you and your furry friend can shake off the stress of the day by chasing after it — and, of course, chronicling the absurd shenanigans for Instagram. In fact, if you are looking for an immediate LOL, please head straight to the review images of this little gizmo — pages and pages of kitty cats living their best lives. It is goodness and absurdity and light. Promising review: "I have a whole room filled with cat toys that my cat is not interested in. It's funny how the least expensive cat toy I have makes him go crazy. He plays with this until he's panting like a dog and I have never seen him jump so high. I'm certain this toy will help him lose his belly. He loves it! I highly recommend it!" — Kwoo Get it from Amazon for $3.99 . 18. A bubbling, textured sensory toy that's basically a hybrid between a lava lamp and fidget toy. The outside has soft silicone ridges designed to promote calm and the inside has an oh-so-mesmerizing bubbling liquid that will enchant you even when all that stress from capitalism is coming for your brain. Promising review: "This sensory toy is calming. I just sit in my recliner and run my finger along the bumpy silicone texture that encloses the plastic bubbler. It’s removable also, exposing a surprisingly thin bubbler, which I get joy out of flipping over and over in my hand. I have high anxiety and this toy actually makes me focus and relax. I like the colored liquid inside, it draws my attention, allowing me to calm and focus on something else. This is a good tool to help me ground and recenter myself. I highly recommend." — Tanya Elizabeth Get it from Amazon for $6.95 (available in four colors and two sizes). 19. A miniature arcade Atari so you can spend your day off in a time machine to the '80s — this itty bitty console is loaded up with ten playable retro-style games, including Pac-Man, Breakout, Asteroids, and more. Reviewers also mention how much they love giving them as gifts! Promising review: "I've put probably 10 hours in playing with this little system . It's an excellent little Atari clone, the screen is crystal clear, the games play exactly as expected , the sound is great the controller is a joy. This is an absolute must for anyone that loves retro games." — Doug Welyczko Get it from Amazon for $29.99 . 20. A Shrek face waffle maker , because although the years start coming and they don't stop coming, the craving for a piping hot waffle never goes away. Promising review : "Easy to use easy to clean. Makes great waffles/pancakes. Heats up quickly and indicates when waffles are complete. My son loves to make these with me." — erin j. Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in nine other styles, including Sonic and My Little Pony ). 21. A set of rainbow bath fizzes so magical that you will walk into the bath a mortal being, and walk back out an enchanted fairy witch lawlessly spreading joy wherever you roam. Promising review: "These bath bombs are pure joy for kids and adults alike! They smell amazing, are long-lasting, and turn bath time into a delightful experience. While a tad pricey, the fun and luxury they bring make them worth the splurge. A treat for the senses!" — Neha Get a set of three from Amazon for $19.99 . 22. Small Batch Cookies , tailor made for folks who live alone *or* for people who want to broaden their baking horizons, but don't want to deal with the mess of big batches (or the leftovers!). This book takes you through a bunch of delicious recipes for one to six people using minimal equipment, so you can have hassle-free treats and live your most delicious life. Promising review : "Edd Kimber is so creative with his bakes and this book is full of fun and interesting cookie recipes. love the flavors in this book...subtle and layered. Baking small batches is surprisingly liberating. Most ingredients are on hand and I'm not stressing about what to do with large quantities of cookies. With small amounts, it feels easier to play and experiment. " — Monica Get it from Amazon for $23.67 . 23. A set of cowboy straw toppers to add some much-needed "yeehaw!" into your hydration regimen, and keep your straws safe from germs out here in the wild, bacterial west. Promising review: "So SO CUUUTE! 10/10!! Good product and keeps my straw from getting bugs or germs on it! Plus, it’s really cute." — JennA Get a set of four from Amazon for $5.94 . 24. A set of affordable lavender shower steamers so you can have a dose of ~calm~ to cap off a long day of capitalism and help your poor overworked brain getting into de-stressing mode. Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins . Promising review : "Hubby bought these for me because I work full time and just decided to go back to school full time, and he figured I'd be a little stressed, haha . They all smell wonderful, they work great, they'll definitely help me calm down especially during exam time at school or budget season at work." — Tyleena Gloeker Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles). 25. A ceramic "Creature Cup," which has a lil' animal or critter at the bottom of your mug, so you'll never drink your coffee alone. Creature Cups is a small business that specializes in unique drinkware. Options include a dragon, fox, hedgehog, cat, dog, pig, elephant, and SO many more!! Promising review: "I got five different cups for presents for some of my special people. I love hidden critter cups, but find that most of them that I’ve seen in recent years have sort of clumsy, poorly executed critters. These are nicely sculpted and the cups are a modern clean design and well balanced. From the graceful cats to the perky fox and dignified dragon, they’re all just charming, not cartoonish. They are both funny and attractive." — hover Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 16 varieties). 26. A 5-pound bucket of Crayola Air Dry Clay to let you finally follow your inner pottery dreams without all the mess and effort of taking classes. After you pull the clay out to shape it, it'll harden on its own — no oven or any effort required! From there you can leave it as is or paint over it for a fun vibe. Psst — a lot of reviewers use silicone or plastic molds to get specific shapes! Promising review: "It’s honestly just a really nice material to work with! If you want to create things with clay, this is definitely a good choice! It’s definitely not for professional use, but I feel like that’s a given? I mean, it is Crayola. But all in all, great for those who want to use it for fun!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $10.96. 27. Wititude's 2025 Day-to-Day Calendar with the theme of "Revenge Is Beneath Me, But Accidents Happen" — the art on these may be retro in style, but their sarcastic, delightfully blunt messages are timeless. Promising review : "Utterly in love with the 2024 edition, so I had to buy next year's. I so need these laugh-a-day pages!" — Karen P. Get it from Amazon for $16.19 . 28. A beginner's embroidery kit for adults , so you can have something soothing to do with your hands while you marathon yet another podcast full of murder, murder, and a side of...well, murder. (At least now your stitching will be tighter than the main suspect's alibi!) Each kit comes with a simple design, a cotton cloth, a bamboo embroidery hoop, a little scissor, colored threads, embroidery needles, and instructions, so you should be raring to go when it arrives! Promising review: "I’ve never done anything like this before ... but I like to try new things, and I’ve just recently moved and wanted to decorate my house with some handmade decor. This kit is a great value for the price! It came with the hoop, more than enough thread, and two needles! The printed pattern is very clear and easy to follow , and the little sheet of instructions on what stitch to use and how to do it is clear enough (and anything I don’t understand, I just watch a tutorial on YouTube). I’m about three hours into the project already, and I didn’t want to put it down last night." — Abby Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three different patterns). 29. A screaming goat figurine for anyone who needs a little help expressing their feelings. This lets you air out all your petty grievances in the home or office so hilariously that the tension will be broken immediately. (It's important to me that you also know there's a Christmas version reviewers love to take to holiday parties.) Promising review: "This little piece of screaming plastic has created an excellent outlet for resolving frustrations in our home. Every time a conflict or struggle arises we push the little goat, get a gratifying screech, chuckle, and move on throughout our day. No regrets on purchasing this. When you get one, get four or five because you're going to want to share with family and friends." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon: $8.18 for the original and $6.48 for the Christmas version. 30. A Predicto Pet , which is basically what would happen if a very cute stuffed animal swallowed a Magic 8 Ball. You can ask it any yes or no question and tap it for an answer. Goodbye executive dysfunction, HELLOOOOO making a stuffed animal decide whether you're ordering takeout tonight! Promising review: "A friend gave this to me for my birthday present and it's delightfully goofy. It answers if I move it around without asking a question, but once I got Predicto settled on my desk, I just needed to give a light tap on the head. It is louder than I'd like and both my cats ran . But it's a fun gift and the answers make me laugh. " — Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available as a cat or a dinosaur). 31. An ultimate "girl dinner" plate — okay, technically a cheeseboard, but HEAR ME OUT. This labeled board is the *gremlin's kiss* perfect size for a human who wants to curl up with a Netflix rom-com alone and eat sharp cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, and stuffed olives on a Friday night. Bonus: it's blank on the other side if you want to flip it over and use it for entertaining! Promising review : "Perfect. The charcuterie board looks exactly like the picture. I am very happy with it." — Joetta Adgate Get it from Amazon for $14.17. 32. A set of of Minnie Mouse ear scrunchies for anyone whose permanent spiritual address is "The Magic Kingdom," even if their physical address is somewhere else. Promising review: "I bought these at the last minute prior to a school trip to Disney. They came in a two-pack. I wore them EVERY DAY of the trip. They are so dang cute and durable. Standing in lines for the ride, almost EVERYONE asked me about them. They thought I bought them there, but surprisingly, NOT ONE shop at any of the Disney properties sold this. I sold one to someone in the line!" — Melissa Rae Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 13 styles). 33. A set of silicone teacup cupcake liners so you can have your cake and "drink" it, too. Reviewers loved these for tea parties and cupcake decorating parties! Promising review : "Perfect size and color — so cute! My cupcakes did not stick. I did NOT spray the cups with anything. They were the perfect size. Fluffy. Nonstick. Lightweight. I received several compliments . The cupcakes popped right out of the cups. This brand was perfect! I’m truly impressed." — Denise Mendez Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.99 (available in white and pink, plus sets of 12 and 24). 34. A pick-apart ASMR cloud plush, or "Fluffie Stuffiez" — this unique fidget toy is covered with fluff you can methodically pluck off, revealing a different color plush underneath. No worries about the extra fluff, because it comes with an adorable container to make a second cloud out of it! Reviewers love this engaging, adorable fidget, both as a toy for kids and a stress reliever for adults. A few reviewers with trichotillomania swear by this as a helpful alternative for picking tendencies. Promising review : "I have a tendency to pick at my clothes when I’m bored and have nothing else to occupy my time with . I got this toy to see if it would scratch that itch and save my clothes from my boredom . It worked much better than I thought it would. The outer layer to pluck has a soft wooly feel and the under layer is very soft. Some of the strands were a bit stuck and took some effort, but most came out with only a little effort. I’ll probably get some more if I know I’m going to be away from home for a while." — Terras Get it from Amazon for $13.23+ (and check out dozens of other versions on the Fluffie Stuffiez Amazon storefront!). 35. A set of deep set heart-shaped salad plates because sometimes the way to your heart is through a BIG OL' Caesar salad loaded with whatever flavor of crouton Trader Joe's came up with this week. Promising review: "The quality is amazing. Bright white, ceramic! I loved them so much I ordered another set! Obsessed with them!" — christina lowie Get a set of two from Amazon for $23.98 (available in three sizes). 36. A compact, travel-friendly microwave flower press kit so you can preserve the beauty of the flowers you find on your adventures no matter where you roam, and keep them in a little flower press journal to admire. This is unique from other methods because the microwave makes it a minutes-long process instead of days, and helps preserve the vibrant colors! Microfleur is a small business that specializes in unique flower-pressing products. Promising review : "Such a unique and easy-to-use product . I preserve dried flowers in resin, and this has been such a time saver. In literally minutes, you have a perfectly preserved flower. I’ve never had any burned or overcooked flowers doing it this way and it definitely beats pressing them in a book . I can’t wait to buy these as gifts for a few other plant lovers in my life ." — Jessie Get it from Amazon for $36.99 . 37. A shaved sheep plushie that is so! darn! FLUFFY!!!! that you will not be able to resist the adorable siren call of zipping its fuzzy little "coat" on and off when your brain needs a cozy vacation. Promising review: "I love him. He is so cute and so well-made. He is the perfect size and shape. I named him Banana Peel Son since his wool comes off like a banana peel. Adorable. Would recommend to everyone." — Aerebys Stare Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 38. A crochet starter kit with clear, easy instructional videos to make two new tiny friends, because you can never have too many "coworkers" on your desk cheering you on. Promising review: "Great for beginners. I loved the YouTube step-by-step. I wouldn’t have done it without that. Such a fun result. Super easy to figure out because of the videos." — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available as elephants, frogs, or leopards). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Dore Copper Announces Filing and Mailing of Management Information Circular in Connection with Special Meeting and Encourages Shareholders to Access Meeting Materials Electronically
Five trade targets the Heat should pursue to make a push in the Eastern Conference | Sporting NewsFofana 2-3 1-2 5, Jones 4-6 8-8 17, Lewis 2-3 2-2 6, Fuller 2-8 6-6 10, Washington 3-7 3-5 9, Adams 8-12 3-3 19, Martindale 1-2 3-4 6, Brinson 3-3 3-4 9, Beard 1-4 0-0 2, Barbee 1-2 0-0 2, Cain 0-1 4-4 4, Thibiant 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-52 33-38 89. Pickett 1-4 0-0 3, Addo-Ankrah 1-6 0-0 3, Craig 3-7 0-0 8, Lee 2-6 2-2 8, Shogbonyo 6-11 1-1 15, Lopez-Sanvicente 3-4 3-6 10, Akins 2-9 2-5 7, Mani 0-5 0-0 0, Bowen 0-1 4-4 4, Carney 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 19-56 12-18 60. Halftime_CS Northridge 48-33. 3-Point Goals_CS Northridge 2-14 (Jones 1-1, Martindale 1-2, Barbee 0-1, Cain 0-1, Thibiant 0-1, Beard 0-2, Washington 0-2, Fuller 0-4), Denver 10-30 (Lee 2-2, Shogbonyo 2-4, Craig 2-5, Lopez-Sanvicente 1-1, Pickett 1-3, Addo-Ankrah 1-5, Akins 1-5, Bowen 0-1, Carney 0-2, Mani 0-2). Fouled Out_Lee, Akins. Rebounds_CS Northridge 40 (Adams 11), Denver 18 (Lopez-Sanvicente 5). Assists_CS Northridge 9 (Beard 4), Denver 10 (Lopez-Sanvicente 3). Total Fouls_CS Northridge 19, Denver 29. A_109 (7,321).
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, Video streaming site Rumble has filed a lawsuit against the state of California in response to legislation forcing social media platforms to censor political speech. Rumble is being represented by The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which filed suit against AB 2655, aka the “Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024,” in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division. The legislation is Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s response to a deepfake satire video of Kamala Harris that was shared on X by Elon Musk among others. JUST IN: Elon Musk tells CA Governor Gavin Newsom to "Suggon Deeznutz" after Newsom threatened to change the law to make AI “ad” voices illegal. Newsom was upset over a parody video (below) that Musk shared on X. "Manipulating a voice in an “ad” like this one should be illegal.... pic.twitter.com/19MYrk21rr ADF stated in a press release that the law “deputizes” Rumble to restrict its user’s free speech, while another law, AB 2839, “Protecting Democracy Against Election Disinformation and Deepfakes,” uses vague standards to punish individuals posting political content about elections. “California’s war against political speech is censorship, plain and simple. We can’t trust the government to decide what is true in our online political debates,” said ADF Senior Counsel Phil Sechler. “Rumble is one of the few online voices stepping up against this trend of censorship while other platforms and sites cave to totalitarian regimes censoring Americans,” Sechler further urged. He added that “Rumble is standing for free speech even when it is hard. Other online platforms and media companies must see these laws for what they are — a threat to their existence.” Chris Pavlovski, Chairman and CEO of Rumble, further urged that “The very thought of the government judging the content of political speech, and then deciding whether it should be permitted, censored, or eliminated altogether is about the most chilling thing you could imagine.” “Rumble will always celebrate freedom and support creative independence, so we’re delighted to work with ADF to help protect lawful online expression,” Pavlovski asserted. The Democratic Party is pushing hard to enact laws that force censorship. As both Hillary and Bill Clinton have noted, its a response to them losing ‘total control’ over the free flow of information. * * * Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch . Follow us on X @ModernityNews .Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for Bucks after missing 1 game with knee swelling MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo was available for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Washington Wizards Saturday night after missing one game with swelling in his left knee. Canadian Press Nov 30, 2024 3:32 PM Nov 30, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 125-119. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo was available for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Washington Wizards Saturday night after missing one game with swelling in his left knee. Antetokounmpo sat out the Bucks' 106-103 NBA Cup victory at Miami on Tuesday. The two-time MVP had been listed as probable with tendinopathy in his right patellar tendon. “He's good,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game. Antetokounmpo entered Saturday as the league's leading scorer at 32.4 points per game. He ranked fifth in rebounds (11.9) and 20th in assists (6.4). ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Basketball Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball will miss at least 2 weeks with a left calf strain Nov 30, 2024 2:59 PM NBA Cup: How to watch, betting odds and more about the league's in-season tournament Nov 30, 2024 7:45 AM Memphis plays Indiana, looks for 5th straight home win Nov 29, 2024 11:04 PM
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It's amazing what a bit of political clout can do. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue On a Friday, six-month-old Alexis McCann was a citizen of nowhere . She and her parents were stuck interminably in a hotel room in Bogota, Colombia. You could feel the desperation in the room. On Saturday, the baby was a citizen of Australia. And on the following Monday, she had a passport and an exit route home. Senator David Pocock was the man with the clout who made the difference. He saw the story in The Canberra Times and moved into political top gear. His staff bombarded the home and foreign affairs departments with phone calls. "It was pretty simple," Senator Pocock said. "We saw you guys covering it and it didn't seem right, a Canberran stuck over there, wanting support, wanting to come home." So strong was the bombardment from the Pocock office that the citizenship was cleared on the Saturday, the very next day. Now citizen Alexis is home in Canberra. She was born on October 11 to a surrogate mother in the South American country, but the immigration people in Canberra were slow to grant her the right Australian papers. Until Senator Pocock got involved. "We are forever grateful to The Canberra Times and to David Pocock," Alexis' mother, Melinda McCann, said. She and her wife Gail went to Colombia for a surrogate mother after two attempts at having a child via surrogacy through a friend failed in Australia. Melinda McCann said they had been trying for a baby for nine years. Senator David Pocock helped Gail and Melinda McCann with their baby Alexis who were stranded in Colombia. Picture by Keegan Carroll Now they're all back, they are also grateful for the health service in Canberra. The family GP, Shree Vaka, in Wanniassa, got Alexis an urgent appointment at the Paediatric Hub in Bruce. "They altered her formula and medication, and now she's a completely different baby. She's so much better," the mother said. There were glitches after the passport was given to Alexis because of the quick work of the Australian embassy in Bogota. And it hasn't been cheap. The cost of the surrogacy via the IVF clinic in Colombia was $88,000 (compared to $160,000 in the United States, for example). The sperm donor was via an American company. And the family had to fly back to Australia with a transit in Chile - which needed a transit visa. They missed the flight they had paid for and the new flights cost a total of $11,000. Melinda McCann praised the Chilean diplomats in Canberra for their efforts, but the time differences prevented the initial flights from being made. She is a force to be reckoned with. In despair, she decided that publicity might jolt the bureaucracy into action after what she perceived as perpetual delay in Home Affairs. She said she was constantly referred to the website and told that the process normally took five months. In the final stages, she was liaising with Chilean diplomats in Canberra who were liaising with the Chilean foreign office in Santiago de Chile. Either way, it eventually worked. There is a sting in the tail: Melinda McCann has made a formal complaint to the Human Rights Commission alleging that the Home Affairs department breached her family's human rights by not dealing with a matter of urgency as a matter of urgency. Melinda McCann is a woman to be reckoned with. Alexis is unaware of the fuss. It should be said that Senator Pocock and his staff worked quietly, behind the scenes. They turned down publicity when it was being done. "It shouldn't take local members having to do that but that's why I'm here. I view my job as working for Canberrans," he said. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Steve Evans Reporter Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues." 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