Fluence Energy, Inc. Announces Closing of Offering of $400.0 Million of Convertible Senior Notes due 2030
Jim Harbaugh and Chargers focused on accomplishing more after wrapping up playoff berthBy Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .LAS VEGAS , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CleanSpark, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSK), America's Bitcoin Miner ® ("CleanSpark" or the "Company"), today announced that it intends to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, $550 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the "Convertible Notes") to the initial purchasers for resale in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). CleanSpark also expects to grant the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes an option to purchase, within a 13-day period beginning on, and including the date on which the Convertible Notes are first issued, up to an additional $100 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether, when or on what terms the offering may be completed. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the capped call transactions (as described below), to use up to $125 million of the net proceeds to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock (the "common stock") from investors in the Convertible Notes, and the remaining net proceeds for the repayment in full of amounts outstanding under Company's line of credit with Coinbase , capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The Convertible Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Convertible Notes will not bear regular interest, and the principal amount of the Convertible Notes will not accrete. The Convertible Notes will mature on June 15, 2030 , unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. Prior to December 15, 2029 , the Convertible Notes will be convertible only upon satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain periods, and thereafter, the Convertible Notes will be convertible at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of the common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the common stock, at the Company's election. The initial conversion rate and other terms of the Convertible Notes will be determined at the time of pricing in negotiations with the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes. In connection with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, the Company expects to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions with one or more of the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes and/or other financial institutions (the "option counterparties"). If the initial purchasers of the Convertible Notes exercise their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes, the Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the additional Convertible Notes to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties. The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to the common stock upon conversion of any Convertible Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Convertible Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the Company expects the option counterparties or their respective affiliates to purchase shares of the common stock and/or enter into various derivative transactions with respect to the common stock concurrently with, or shortly after, the pricing of the Convertible Notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the common stock or the Convertible Notes at that time. In addition, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to the common stock and/or purchasing or selling shares of the common stock or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the Convertible Notes and prior to the maturity of the Convertible Notes (and are likely to do so on each exercise date for the capped call transactions or following any termination of any portion of the capped call transactions in connection with any repurchase, redemption or early conversion of the Convertible Notes). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or decrease in the market price of the common stock or the Convertible Notes, which could affect holders of the Convertible Notes' ability to convert the Convertible Notes and, to the extent the activity occurs following conversion of the Convertible Notes or during any observation period related to a conversion of the Convertible Notes, it could affect the amount and value of the consideration that holders of the Convertible Notes will receive upon conversion of such Convertible Notes. The Company also expects to repurchase shares of its common stock from certain of the investors in the Convertible Notes in privately negotiated transactions effected concurrently with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, and the Company expects the purchase price per share of the common stock repurchased in such transactions to equal the closing price per share of the common stock on the date the offering of the Convertible Notes is priced. The Convertible Notes and any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act or securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Convertible Notes and such shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The Convertible Notes will be offered by the initial purchasers only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Convertible Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Convertible Notes or common stock in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About CleanSpark CleanSpark (Nasdaq: CLSK), America's Bitcoin Miner ® , is a market-leading, pure play Bitcoin miner with a proven track record of success. We own and operate a portfolio of mining facilities across the United States powered by globally competitive energy prices. Sitting at the intersection of Bitcoin , energy, operational excellence and capital stewardship, we optimize our mining facilities to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Monetizing low-cost, high reliability energy by securing the most important finite, global asset – Bitcoin – positions us to prosper in an ever-changing world. Visit our website at www.cleanspark.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts, such as statements concerning the proposed terms of the Convertible Notes, the capped call transactions and the proposed share repurchases, the completion, timing and size of the proposed offering of the Convertible Notes, the capped call transactions, and the anticipated uses of proceeds from the proposed offering (including the capped call transactions and proposed share repurchases). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan," "believe," "goal," "target," "aim," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "continue," "could," "may," "might," "possible," "potential," "predict," "should," "would," "will" and other similar words and expressions, although the absence of these words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of CleanSpark's management and are inherently subject to a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others, the risk that the Company may not be able to consummate the Convertible Notes transaction, the capped call transactions or the share repurchase on satisfactory conditions or at all, and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including under the heading "Risk Factors" in those filings, and other risks it may identify from time to time. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of any new information, changed circumstances or future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Investors: Harry Sudock , SVP 702-989-7693 ir@cleanspark.com Media: Eleni Stylianou 702-989-7694 pr@cleanspark.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cleanspark-inc-announces-proposed-private-offering-of-550-million-of-convertible-notes-302330757.html SOURCE CleanSpark, Inc.The £2.20 item you only need to buy once that will get rid of condensation for good in your home
EDITORIAL: Jew hatred is now a national emergency
Keith Higgins Jr. scores 22 to lead Lehigh to 87-67 victory over NeumannShelia Poole | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ATLANTA — Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. Related Articles Health | What’s behind rising autism rates: A broader definition of autism and better screening Health | Most US teens are abstaining from drinking, smoking and marijuana, survey says Health | An Alabama woman is doing well after the latest experimental pig kidney transplant Health | Walking in a rhythmic wonderland with holiday songs that could help save lives Health | Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace “I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia,” said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There’s a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It’s hard for them to process what’s happening.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majority — between 60% and 70% — of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Vice President John Clark, who is also volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark’s grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He’s consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they’re at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn’t have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Dan Goerke is fortunate. His late wife, Diane, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, once went missing from the car of a caregiver. The caregiver had stopped for an errand. Diane had waited alone in cars as people ran errands before. But this time, when the caregiver returned, Diane was gone but her seat belt was still fastened. “It was like she disappeared into thin air,” said Goerke, who said he doesn’t blame the caregiver. Fortunately, she was found uninjured and nearby a short time later that same day. Goerke said it’s hard for caregivers to always be on guard for wandering. “We have so many things to juggle that’s not necessarily at the top of our minds. We have to manage medications, take them to doctor’s appointments, cook meals and taking care of things day to day,” he said. Clark said when searching for someone with dementia, one of the keys is to know what the person was like before their diagnosis. Often their long-term memories are still strong. They once found a woman who walked out of her home and went to where she used to shop and to her old job, although it had closed. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An 8-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog’s personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breeds — and less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. “He’s an asset,” said Maverick’s handler, Carmen Alonso. “His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction.” At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff’s department, which has bloodhounds. “They’re not apprehension dogs so there’s little or no likelihood of a bite,” he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person’s car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Most cases they’ve worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. “When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect,” he wrote in an email. “The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. ... Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had.” Nearly 7 million U.S. residents age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s according to the most recent Facts & Figures report . Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a “good Samaritan” stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often those with memory issues wander away during activities they’ve done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. Call 911 as soon as possible. Have a photograph available for first responders and an article of clothing to provide a scent for search dogs. Sharing what the missing person liked to do in prior years can be a key: Did they have a job they went to every day? Did they like to fish or go to a certain spot? Searchers will need to know the last time the person was seen to help determine how far a person might have wandered. (Source: Alzheimer’s Association and Cobb County Police Department.) ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON — The House passed a bill Thursday that would create dozens of new federal district court judgeships for the first time in decades, although the Biden administration has threatened to veto it. Supporters of the legislation, which passed the House 236-173 on Thursday and the Senate via unanimous consent in August, say the bill is aimed at addressing case backlogs in the federal court system. The measure would add 63 permanent positions to the federal judiciary and three temporary positions. The permanent positions would be created in phases between 2025 and 2035. In total, 207 House Republicans and 29 House Democrats voted for the measure. Members of both parties agreed the federal judiciary needs more judges. But the timing of the vote drew opposition from the Biden administration and some House Democrats, who said Republicans were playing political games by refusing to bring the bill up for a floor vote until after the November general election. By waiting to vote on the bill until after the election, there is no longer uncertainty over which presidential candidate would get to appoint the first two tranches of judgeships, which would come in 2025 and 2027, Democrats argued. New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, argued that when the bill arrived in the House, Republican leadership refused to touch it. “If Republican leadership had brought the bill to the House floor in September, we could have passed it on suspension in no time,” Nadler said. “Back then, the president would still have been unknown, and the underlying promise of the bill was still present.” Speaking on the floor, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., acknowledged the bill would have passed by unanimous consent had it been brought up sooner. “I apologize to everyone here for the hour we’re taking for something that we should have done before” the election, he said. But Issa said it would only be “pettiness today if we were to not do this because of who got to be first.” He compared the situation to a coin flip at the start of a football game, where the flip winner gets to decide whether they kick or receive the ball. “Afterwards, it will go back and forth for a very long time. This is a very long time, and we should be the long thinkers on the most permanent body in government,” Issa said. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said on the floor that sudden opposition to the bill from Democrats was “nothing more than childish foot-stomping.” The Biden administration threatened to veto the bill earlier this week, saying in a statement of administration policy that the bill is “unnecessary to the efficient and effective administration of justice.” The statement said the bill would add new judgeships in states where senators “have sought to hold open existing judicial vacancies.” “Further, the Senate passed this bill in August, but the House refused to take it up until after the election,” the statement read. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said when the bill arrived in the House, Republican leadership injected politics into the legislation. He argued bringing the bill to the floor until after the election isn’t fair. “You don’t get to pick the horse after that horse has already won the race, but that’s exactly what my Republican colleagues are seeking to do today,” he said. Issa weighed in after Johnson’s speech. “We often hear the term here in the House and throughout our country: ‘country before party.’ It’s clear we didn’t hear that here yet today on the other side of the aisle,” Issa said. Congress has added a relatively smaller number of district court judgeships since 1990, created using appropriations or authorization bills, but the federal courts say they need much more based on an increase in caseload over the years. The Judicial Conference in 2023 called for 66 new district court judges and seven temporary judges to be made permanent. Gabe Roth, the executive director of Fix the Court, said in press releases that Biden should reconsider his veto threat given “the bill’s bipartisan origins, its broad support among Democratic judicial appointees and its importance to Delaware, whose federal court would get two new judgeships — a 50 percent increase.” “As someone who’s worked for years on adding judgeships, I know how difficult it is to get to the right formula of which judgeships to add when, how much money is needed for appropriations and when in an election cycle to move legislation,” Roth said. “We finally had each of these things in place and now comes a veto threat? That’s a slap in the face to our overworked federal judges, Democratic and Republican appointees alike, who say they desperately need the help,” Roth said.1. An LCD doodle tablet that will inspire some serious creativity all while saving paper. (Trust us, the trees will thank you.) Promising review: "My son is 4-years-old, and once he got it, he played with it for two hours. We played Pictionary, tic-tac-toe, and practiced his writing. Great for being stuck inside. Just wish I bought more for gifts." — Mindy Ciglar Price: $13.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes) 2. A Silly Poopy hide-and-seek game that'll get the giggles going just by saying its name. And where's the grown-up hiding while the kids are occupied? In the kitchen, enjoying a cup of coffee (while it's still hot!) as the kids are independently playing. Promising review: "This hide-and-seek game is so fun. We randomly hide Silly Poopy in the house all the time. The song will get stuck in your head and never leave, so be prepared for that. But also hours of fun both inside and outside. We also do a little dance when we find Silly Poopy, and he plays the song. My 6-year-old loves it, and it’s so fun and silly. Great gift!! I had this in my cart for a while before I bought it and wish I would have sooner." — Schub22 Price: $12.99+ (available in two designs). 3. A 22-pack of Mr. Sketch scented markers , which will take you right back to your own childhood with just one whiff of blueberry or apple. Promising review: "I loved these as a kid and was excited to give them to my kids. Happy to say they love too! Good markers overall and the different scents make them fun!" — Matthew Fullmer Price: $14.29 4. A touchless forehead thermometer that will make sure you don't wake your sweetly sleeping dragon to check their temperature after they have FINALLY gone to sleep. Promising review: " We have owned four different touchless thermometers now, and this one has lasted the longest. Others did not last, or they occasionally provided random, unlikely readings. We have had this for almost two years, and we haven't had to replace the batteries yet. That isn't due to lack of sickness either. I have two toddlers who seem to trade bugs every couple of weeks. I would definitely recommend." — Cheyenne Price: $19.99 5. A pack of Crayola Globbles fidget toys to help with the wiggles and keep little hands busy. No judging if you happen to snag one or two of these for yourself — they're great! Promising review: "These are great! Kids love them! I love them! They do NOT leave that stain on your wall, and when they get dirty, you wash them off, and they are sticky again! 10/10" — Elizabeth M. Price: $10.99 6. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game deck that is so fun you might just find yourself clearing your schedule for the day and joining in. Work? Meh, that can be done later. Promising review: "This is the funnest game we own, and we own a lot! It's a high-speed, physical game, and anyone can play it! You just have to remember the order of the words and the actions you have to make for certain cards. It's a blast, and we've played it with kids aged 4, all the way up to 19, and us adults as well! I highly recommend it! I think the value is great, especially since it's a go-to game that we play often!" — Janet Duran Price: $9.99 7. A copy of 642 Tiny Things to Draw , so your kiddo will have 642 fewer reasons to say, "I'm borrrrrrrred." Promising review: "My 11-year-old artist really loves this. It’s easy to carry around to restaurants or in the car. The prompts can be drawn simply or with more detail. Definitely a great purchase!" — Annie Price: $9.25 8. A 100-piece set of Picasso tiles , a magnetic building system that will get used over and over and over again. Pro tip: Commit to one building toy type and then just keep adding to it! It will still feel new to your crew, and cleanup will be MUCH easier. Promising review: "These tiles are amazing! So many different ways to be creative. Our 2-year-old loves it so much and even the adults can have hours of fun with it. These are great for individual play for our toddler and can keep her engaged for 15-30 minutes at a time. They are also amazing for interactive and pretend plays, from building houses to car ramps. Love these so much and highly recommended!" — Buu nguyen Price: $39.99 9. A set of four parachute toys that are simple but brilliant. How many times can your kids run up the stairs and throw them down? The limit does not exist. Promising review: " These paratroopers are great! My boys are so used to getting the ones that are poorly made with thin, cheap plastic and thin string. These are not those at all! They are super sturdy and very durable. I got these as stocking stuffers, and they're still going strong! They've been thrown, dragged, shoved in toy bins, etc. They are still good as new! They work great as well. Our boys enjoy throwing them over the side rail on the stairs and watching them fly down. I absolutely would recommend!" — Amber Price: $9.99 (available in two colors) 10. A pair of GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars so you can encourage your crew to start exploring the amazing world around them — whether that's inside or outside of your house. Promising review: "Bought six of these for all the kids in the family for Christmas. My 3-year-old thinks these are the cat's pajamas. He took them hiking to look at everything. I tell you, my kid is one to let you know when something doesn't work the correct way. These were worth every penny. He was able to look at everything from leaves and rocks to butterfly wings with a closer view. Plus, they are light enough for him to carry without complaining. Parent win!!" — Holly Price: $9.69+ (available in two colors) 11. A Fisher-Price record player toy , which gives your kiddo some freedom to choose their own music to sing and dance to. And you? You'll feel like a total parenting rock star. Promising review: "Got this for my 3-year-old as a birthday gift . She loves my 'grown-up' record player and loves to ask me to 'play songs' on it. I thought this would be a fun thing for her to play with so she could play her own songs, but I didn't expect her to have as much fun as she has with it! Each one of the records has two songs on it, one on each side, and each record has a different style. She loves the hip hop record the most, and the pop rock comes in a close second. What's nice is that there's no needle on the arm of the turntable, so there's nothing to worry about her hurting herself with. It has cool features like when you stop a record mid-song, it 'scratches' and makes the sound of a vinyl popping, which I love! You do have to monitor it, though, as we learned that, unlike a real record player if you don't move the arm off the record after a song ends, it just keeps playing that song over and over and over and over and over and over and over." — John Jeziorski Price: $25.99 12. A Melissa & Doug scissor skills activity pad with kid-safe scissors that will occupy their focus — giving you the cutting edge in accomplishing your to-do list for the day. Promising review: "I gave this to my 4-year-old when he was sick at home, and it's a great way to pass the time. More importantly it's a great way for him to practice the work with scissors. The scissors are great, without any blade, and the plastic is sharp enough for the pages in the notebook. The pages have different difficulty levels, some with straight lines, some with curves, which is a good challenge for kids." — Tamar Price: $7.99 13. A 5-pound tub of Crayola air-dry clay , which keeps fidgety hands busy and will lead to hours and hours of creativity. Promising review: "This clay is great. I bought two of them. My girls made lots of animals and bowls with it and painted them. Very nice to work with and dries very nicely. The kids spend hours playing with it. Definitely buying it again." — Andrew M Cavallo Price: $10.96 (available in three colors and four sizes) 14. A three-pack of liquid bubbler pens the kids will love because they are totally mesmerizing to watch. NGL, some boring adult things (like writing checks) would be WAY more fun with these. Promising review: "For my kids, these pens are such a treat. The ink is bright and runs smooth, and they are also entertainment in themselves!" — Marcia Price: $19.99 15. A Play-Doh Kitchen Creations restaurant play set , so your little can whip up the tastiest pretend creations...and you might have a few minutes to get the real deal ready in time for dinner. Promising review: " This and the coffee shop set keep my daughter entertained for hours. And when you think she would get tired she asks for a different color and starts all over again. Even the extra utensils help keep her amused longer. Gives me enough time for mom projects like dinner and dishes, and it's actually very easy to clean up — she does most of it herself, and she's only 3!!" — Lizzie Price: $16.89 16. A fruit and veggie divider that is going to chop time off prepping lunch and snacks for the kiddos. With this in your tool belt, you'll be ready to make some fancy after-school crudités! Promising review: "Ever since we got this, it has been used quite frequently!! We have two young kids at home (5- and 3-years-old) and by using this fruit/veggie cutter, we have increased their fruit and veggie intake! We would give them fruits/veggies to cut, and they would cut and eat them! It is very easy to cut as our kids can do it by themselves (with adult supervision). It cuts small cucumbers with ease. It is also very easy to clean!" — Payal Price: $9.95 17. A bottle of Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater spray , which will take those spaghetti sauce stains right out of their clothes. Don't forget to take a picture of their sweet self covered in sauce because that will last longer than those stains. Promising review : "I recently tried Miss Mouth's stain remover spray, and I am impressed! This spray effortlessly removed tough stains on my clothes, leaving them spotless. This spray has removed oil stains from cooking, baby formula, breastmilk stains from newborn spit-ups, and many other stains — the list is long . We have yet to find a stain that this spray doesn't tackle. Its pleasant scent and quick action make it a must-have for anyone dealing with messy eaters or accidental spills." — Tiffany B. Price: $6.19+ (available in multipacks) 18. A Yonanas Classic soft serve maker that's going to magically turn "eat your fruit" into "enjoy your dessert!" You don't even need to tell them how healthy it is! This, as you can imagine, is a major parenting win. Promising review: "Bought this on Prime Day as an impulse buy, but it is now a kitchen staple. My kids (5 and 8) LOVE the sorbet that comes out of this just as much as ice cream, and it is just 100% ground-up fruit. We now buy more bananas than we can eat, cut them up, and freeze them once they start to turn brown. We mix these with different frozen fruits, and it is a great frozen treat. You don't have to use bananas, but they add a creamy consistency to the final product that we like. I would definitely read the directions and follow the thawing guidelines, as I am not sure how it would hold up over time if required to grind up completely solid frozen fruit, but it has held up well since we bought it. Also think it is pretty easy to clean. Just twist off the attachment, unscrew it, and rinse off the blades (not sharp enough to cut me) and gasket. Definitely recommend, even at full price." — N. Whelpley Price: $39.99 (available in four colors) 19. A super durable and leak-proof kids' Bentgo box that will actually help you organize your brain and figure out what you need to put in there. (Pssst — if you want to include a sweet treat, M&Ms look pretty cute in the circle compartment.) Promising review: " I purchased two of these, one for each of my elementary children, and they work wonderfully. I can easily pack a sandwich, veggies with dip, fruit, and a snack in the box. If they would like chips or crackers, I simply place those in the lunch box, along with an ice pack, to keep things cool. The Bentgo Box, a slim ice pack, and a small bag of chips or crackers easily fit in a children's lunchbox. The gaskets work well, and dressings/liquids do not leak to other compartments. So far so good!" — Erin Price: $27.99 (available in eight colors) 20. A tried-and-true baby gate that's super easy to install, won't mark up your walls, and, most importantly, works! Keep your little ones out of the spaces they aren't supposed to be so you can have peace of mind for their safety. Promising review: " This is a great fit for our home. We have a very active 1-year-old who stands against this and pushes on it. It is very sturdy and hasn’t budged since we installed it. The lock is very easy to use but not too easy for our son to figure out! Highly recommend." — Heather Price: $34.99 21. A three-pack of Melissa & Doug jumbo coloring books , which will keep your mini Monets and petite Picassos totally occupied. Hey, your fridge needs a new masterpiece! Promising review: "The jumbo books are awesome for our kids. The pages are nice and thick and do not bleed onto the next page. You can easily rip out pages they want to color, and they also fit nicely into the art frames we have on the walls. Would 10/10 recommend!" — K Price: $16.89 22. A Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat , the perfect throne for your petite prince or princess. It's comfortable for baby, easy to install, but also has seatbelt hooks to hold the straps back so you're not digging for them with one hand while holding down a wiggly baby with the other. Promising review: "I wish they had this car seat when my oldest was a baby! It is super comfy and hella easy to adjust with the strap height adjusting via a level on the headrest, instead of you having to remove straps and feed them back through the holes — something I have always hated doing. The car seat itself was also super easy to install in our car. In addition, baby can stay rear-facing much longer in this car seat due to an extendable foot piece, which I adore . It also has little pockets to slide the seatbelt hooks into to keep the straps open while placing baby in, reducing the amount of frustration caused by having to constantly fish the straps from under and behind a squirming baby. It also comes in various color options and comes with shoulder strap pads to keep the straps from digging into baby's neck." — H.F. Desi Price: $159.99 (available in five colors and two styles) 23. A 150-piece marble run set that is ideal for those times when you're stuck indoors and about to lose YOUR marbles if those kids don't find something to do IMMEDIATELY. Promising review: " My kids played for HOURS with just three pieces of tracks. Love the independent play this facilitates, and the sturdiness means mommy can get housework done while the kids play! Great quality. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. We even purchased the super set the very next day after receiving this set; the kids (and mom and dad) love it so much." — Karen Price: $49.99 (available in four sets) 24. A crawling crab baby toy , which will make tummy time and learning to crawl feel as easy as a day at the beach. Promising review: "I’m sure I’m not the only mom saying this, but this is great for tummy time. Grab a Hula Hoop and put Mr. Crab inside so he doesn’t run away and turn him on (we like raving with him on music mode). There’s different settings for slow and fast, so that’s perfect for your little one to keep up with him as their little necks get stronger. Tummy time becomes an ease! " — Savanna Hulsey Price: $19.99 (available in four colors) 25. A pack of over 500 puffy stickers so your littles can create scenes, cards, and whatever else their imaginations can come up with! And because these are no-trace, you won't be left with sticky situations when one or two end up on your wall. Promising review: "My daughter loves these stickers! They are easy for her to remove from the sleeve, to get them off the backing, and stick well. The stickers themselves are cute, high quality, and are a good variety. My daughter will spend hours having fun with stickers, and these are my go-to!" — Bree Price: $7.99 26. A cute, starry-eyed Furby that will interact and play with your kiddo. These little guys have gotten a major upgrade since you had one. In addition to talking to you, it can lead you through mindfulness exercises, tell your fortune, put on a light show, and throw a dance party. How do you say, "That's impressive" in Furby? Promising review: " Furby is such a fun toy! My 5-year-old has played and played with her Furby. The phrases are easy to learn, so she has had the best time laughing, dancing, and playing with Furby. Would definitely recommend getting this toy for your child!" — Katie Momberger Price: $48.59 (available in three colors) 27. A five-piece set of absolutely adorable outdoor play figurines because these open-ended toys encourage kids to get creative using natural elements — like leaves, flowers, and twigs — they find during outdoor play. Who's up for an adventure? Promising review: "These are amazing. My 3-year-old and 18-month-old love to pick up leaves, flowers, pine cones, etc., and this gives us something to do with all of our foraged goods. Great for imagination play and creativity." — Dana Price: $39.99 (available in six colors) 28. A perfectly sized (and durable!) kids' digital camera so you can give your phone a break from your kids. Not that you don't love those 400+ up-the-nose selfies in a row, but ya know. Promising review: " This has been such a hit with my 3- and 4-year-olds and keeps them entertained for hours. It operates JUST like an adult digital camera but has some fun added filters like a mustache, kid face, and different border designs. It is a small size that allows them to operate it with ease. My kids walk around the house taking pictures of random things and then love to come and show me. Battery life is great and it seems pretty indestructible! I have purchased this three times now for birthday party gifts as it’s an affordable great gift!" — Above and Abode Price: $32.99 (available in five colors) 29. A Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes musical toy , which will keep your mini Mozart or baby Beethoven entertained while you do what you need to do. Who's the genius now, huh? Promising review: "This has been one of our favorite toys for a while now. It is so cute, it’s small so it’s easy to take with you, baby fingers can easily push the button, the different classical songs and corresponding lights are super entertaining, plus I love that baby is listening to classical music. The batteries have lasted a long time, and it’s fallen off of many a surface, so it’s durable . Get this toy!" — Park Price: $8.88 30. A TikTok-famous grape cutter that will seriously ~cut~ down on your prep time — and your anxiety — when you're feeding your littles. It can also be used on tomatoes! Promising review: "Whoever said that you shouldn't buy kitchen tools with only one function didn't have toddlers/young children. I spent three years cross-cutting grapes, grape tomatoes, or hot dog chunks with a board and chef's knife . I saw this tool about a year in and did without it until finally, after having my second baby, I realized that cutting up the food phase would be starting for her in about a year. I finally got this grape cutter, which does exactly what it should. Why did I go without this for so long? 😂 If you doubt whether you need this, either stop giving your kid grapes or similar-sized foods or buy it already. 😂" — Morgan/Branson Price: $11.99 31. A Frida Baby electric nail trimmer because baby nails are absolute DAGGERS, and nothing should even lightly scratch that perfect, squishy face. NOTHING. Promising review: "From day one, I’ve been able to use this on my newborn, now infant, son without worrying about whether or not I’m going to hurt him or make him bleed. It is safe to touch skin and really only eliminates excess nail growth. Almost impossible to trim nails too short unless you actually intend to do that. Comes with a battery and instructions as to which buffer to use for the age of your baby. Easy to use, easy to store, and a simple design that will make grooming your baby’s nails so easy and go by super fast!" — Brielle Price: $34.99 32. A National Geographic Break Open 10 Geodes kit that comes with safety goggles, which might just inspire the next generation of geologists. Bonus: Use it as a teachable moment to show your kids that it's what's on the inside that really counts. ✨ Promising review: "My 9-year-old is obsessed with all things gems and geology. We bought this for Christmas. He opened it tonight and it was so beautiful we ended up cracking them all! He even got an amethyst (he was thrilled as that's his favorite!) — I am very impressed. I will definitely be buying again. One tip — definitely score them before cracking, and be a little gentle if you want two halves. My husband was a little heavy-handed. 🤣 Also, one of them at first we thought wasn't much, but I had a feeling there was more inside, so we cracked it in half again, and lo and behold, it was a beautiful geode. Highly recommend!" — Andrea Green Price: $19.99+ (available in packs of 4, 5, or 10) 33. A 40-piece wooden puzzle that has lots of different solutions and honestly, is just really fun to tinker with, even for adults. It's exactly what you need to get some piece, err, peace in your day. Promising review: "I bought this as one of the toys to get my 6-year-old son off screens during the summer. Now we are all playing it and we have competitions to see who can solve the fastest. Who knew? You can also do designs, so it's leveled fun and appeals to different interests. It would be nice if it came with a carry case or tin, but you can use a zip lock to keep the pieces together. Going to buy more so we can battle with the cousins." — Haydee Gordon Price: $8.99 34. A 30-foot roll of road play tape because life (aka your entire house) is a highway, and your kids are gonna be cruising to a good time. Promising review: "Sticky level is about equal with painter's tape, so there’s no worry about restricting where to use. It’s great for cars, pretend play, etc. A perfect rainy day distraction!" — Jennifer Horne Price: $9.47+ (available in four patterns and quantities) 35. A 42-pack of Pay-Doh so you can keep a perfectly sized container in the car, in your bag, in the playroom, in the kitchen... you get the point. Promising review: "I bought this for my son’s birthday goody bags and kept the leftovers for my son. He’s 3, so these are perfect because they are small and come in handy for car trips, running errands, or just anytime. The colors are so vibrant and fun. Super easy to mold. Would recommend and would most likely purchase again." — Mariela Price: $16.99 36. A LeapFrog 100 Animals toy , which will teach your little words in English AND Spanish — all while they're happily playing and learning about the world's fauna. That's a win-win. Promising review: " This smart book is wonderful! I got it for my 2-year-old granddaughter for Christmas. She loves animals, and this is a perfect gift for any child. I highly recommend it. It is well made and even says the animal's names in Spanish. A great deal." — Jim Price: $12.97 (available in six colors) 37. A USB rechargeable whale bath toy so your little fish can have a splashin' good time and — hopefully — get in a good mindset for bedtime. Fingers (and fins!) crossed! Promising review: "It’s such a fun toy! I love this one because it doesn’t take batteries, it comes with a charger and takes no time to charge. I have two kids and it gets used twice a night, it stays charged for about a week. It’s very cute, and I haven’t noticed any mold or gunk buildup which is great! Quality toy!" — Carolyn Cracchiolo Price: $9.99+ (available in six colors) 38. An absolutely adorable sewing craft kit that will have everyone so quiet and focused, you'll wonder if their mouths were accidentally sewn shut, too. Promising review: "I'm so impressed at the thoughtfulness of this craft!! This is a beginner level, perfect for my 6-year-old's attention span; the only sewing is to attach the front of the fox to the back in order to stuff it. I was worried it might be too easy, but it was great, the instructions are clear, the holes all line up, there is plenty/extra yarn. The accessories and clothing are too cute and perfect, and the details and variety are awesome for a beginner sewing craft. The only part that she needed extra help with was the tiny little backpack to hold the baby fox. If you think about the time it would take to design and cutout all of these pieces, it's definitely fairly priced. I hope they come out with more animals because we want to make another!!" — Amazon Customer Price: $19.99 (available in two designs) The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz is not coming back to Congress. The Florida Republican said Friday he has no intention of serving another term in the House now that he is no longer President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as the nominee this week amid growing fallout from the allegations of sexual conduct against him. Gaetz denies the allegations. Gaetz didn't lay out his plans now that he's out of office, saying only, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch." After Gaetz's withdrawal on Thursday, Trump named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department. Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump's most contentious picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted on Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Storm inundates Northern California with rain, heavy snow. Thousands remain in the dark in Seattle HEALDSBURG, Calif. (AP) — Heavy rain from a major storm prompted evacuation warnings for communities near a Northern California river that forecasters say could break its banks Friday, as the system continued to dump heavy snow in mountainous areas where some ski resorts opened for the season. The storm reached the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands before moving through Northern California, where several roads were closed due to flooding and strong winds toppled some trees. Forecasters are warning about the risk of flash flooding and rockslides in areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by this season’s strongest atmospheric river. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. State officials have said the child lives in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attends day care, but released no other details. Brazilian police formally accuse former President Bolsonaro and aides of alleged 2022 coup attempt SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup to keep him in office after his electoral defeat in the 2022 elections. The findings are to be delivered Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put the former president on trial or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then.
The first stage of the world’s eighth and Sri Lanka’s first seven-star hotel, Aviyana’s Private Chalets will open in Kandy next May, said Chairman and Founder of the Aviyana Private Chalet Complex, Dr. Indika Thisara Hewawasam at a media briefing at Cinnamon Life on Thursday. Hailing from Elpitiya in Galle, he said that they will have 50 swimming pools in the Chalets making it the only such hotel in the region built outside a city. In response to a Sunday Observer Business query, he said that of the total estimate of around Rs 9 billion, Rs 7 billion has been invested and 70% of the construction has now been completed. The first stage is set to open in May 2025 and over 300 workers were engaged in the construction work. “This will comprise around 12 chalets; out of a 50 plus that will be built when the construction comes to completion,” he said. “We hope to have a novel global marketing campaign and market a chalet at around USD 1,000 minimum, helping to position Sri Lanka as an upmarket destination attracting billionaires and helping to set a new standard in luxury travel,” Dr Hewawasam said. Sri Lanka has untapped potential to cater to high-end travellers and celebrities seeking luxury, privacy and an unparalleled experience marketing the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity in the Knuckles Mountain range. “We hope to at least muster around USD 500 million annually as our contribution to the local tourism segment revenue annually”, he added. “I have already invested around Rs. 2 billion on this property spanning around 18 acres and the balance is raised through local professionals and locals and foreigners too could own a villa for around USD 180 million and pre purchases were now available. “Investors are guaranteed one of the highest ROIs in the market, with earnings in either USD or LKR. We’ve created a model where investors don’t need to worry about tenants or maintenance — everything is handled by our dedicated team,” Dr. Hewawasam added. When asked why they did not want to venture into the stock market and raise the balance, he said that they did not want to broad-base the ownership but limit it to a few local professionals and foreigners. Dr. Hewawasam said they had already contacted world class chefs, professionals and wellness centres to join the staff and service sector to enhance the services of the hotel.Shelia Poole | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ATLANTA — Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. Related Articles Health | Health officials say Louisiana patient is first severe bird flu case in US Health | What’s behind rising autism rates: A broader definition of autism and better screening Health | Most US teens are abstaining from drinking, smoking and marijuana, survey says Health | An Alabama woman is doing well after the latest experimental pig kidney transplant Health | Walking in a rhythmic wonderland with holiday songs that could help save lives “I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia,” said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There’s a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It’s hard for them to process what’s happening.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majority — between 60% and 70% — of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Vice President John Clark, who is also volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark’s grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He’s consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they’re at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn’t have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Dan Goerke is fortunate. His late wife, Diane, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, once went missing from the car of a caregiver. The caregiver had stopped for an errand. Diane had waited alone in cars as people ran errands before. But this time, when the caregiver returned, Diane was gone but her seat belt was still fastened. “It was like she disappeared into thin air,” said Goerke, who said he doesn’t blame the caregiver. Fortunately, she was found uninjured and nearby a short time later that same day. Goerke said it’s hard for caregivers to always be on guard for wandering. “We have so many things to juggle that’s not necessarily at the top of our minds. We have to manage medications, take them to doctor’s appointments, cook meals and taking care of things day to day,” he said. Clark said when searching for someone with dementia, one of the keys is to know what the person was like before their diagnosis. Often their long-term memories are still strong. They once found a woman who walked out of her home and went to where she used to shop and to her old job, although it had closed. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An 8-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog’s personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breeds — and less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. “He’s an asset,” said Maverick’s handler, Carmen Alonso. “His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction.” At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff’s department, which has bloodhounds. “They’re not apprehension dogs so there’s little or no likelihood of a bite,” he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person’s car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Most cases they’ve worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. “When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect,” he wrote in an email. “The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. ... Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had.” Nearly 7 million U.S. residents age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s according to the most recent Facts & Figures report . Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a “good Samaritan” stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often those with memory issues wander away during activities they’ve done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. Call 911 as soon as possible. Have a photograph available for first responders and an article of clothing to provide a scent for search dogs. Sharing what the missing person liked to do in prior years can be a key: Did they have a job they went to every day? Did they like to fish or go to a certain spot? Searchers will need to know the last time the person was seen to help determine how far a person might have wandered. (Source: Alzheimer’s Association and Cobb County Police Department.) ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. index (PSEi) closed higher year-on-year for the first time since 2019, up by 78.75 points or 1.2 percent to 2024 at 6,528.79 points from its close of 6,450.04 in 2023. In a statement, the PSE said that, year-on-year, the PSE MidCap and PSE DivY indices increased by 29.1 percent and 22.4 percent, respectively. Daily average value turnover reached P6.10 billion, 0.1 percent higher than the P6.09 billion registered year-on-year. Domestic market capitalization at year-end rose by 11.2 percent to P14.57 trillion compared with P13.10 trillion in 2023. The market registered P23.18 billion worth of net foreign selling versus the P53.65 billion net foreign selling in the previous year. “Internal and external economic and geopolitical headwinds weighed on the market for most of the year, which in turn prompted IPO listing applicants to defer their public offering,” said PSE President and CEO Mr. Ramon S. Monzon. He noted that, “One of the investment considerations at this time is the direction of economic policies of the new US administration. “An outcome favorable to the Philippines may help spur foreign buying and create the market condition listing applicants are waiting for.” The total capital raised from primary and secondary shares amounted to P82.37 billion compared to P140.95 billion raised in the previous year. Three companies conducted their maiden listing namely, OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc., Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation, and NexGen Energy Corp. In terms of sectoral indices, the Services index emerged as the best performer in 2024 as it climbed by 29.7 percent. This was followed by the Financials sector. “PSE remains committed to initiatives that enhance stock market liquidity, including the launch of Global Philippine Depositary Receipts and the acquisition of Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDSHC). “This acquisition aims to create operational synergies by establishing a unified marketplace for fixed income and equity products, and a single platform for capital raising, among others. “We will also remain active in our IPO campaign to get more companies listed in the stock market,” Monzon added.
Blazers injury updateActivating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet stepBy Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .
