1. A fill-in-the-blank book for your bestie if your goal is to bring a tear to their eye. Fill it up with funny, sweet, thoughtful things about your friendship, and don't forget to grab a tissue before you read through it together! Promising review: "Absolutely loved this. It took a little bit of time to fill it out but it was fun reflecting back on the years. My friend absolutely loved it and said she'd treasure it always. I love how despite its small size, the pages are thick and it seems like it will last for the rest of her life and maybe beyond." — Lily Price: $9.95 (also available in other designs , including one for your partner , mom , dad , and more) 2. A darling embroidered bookmark any avid reader is sure to cherish. This is not only the perfect combo of beautiful and useful, but the monogram detail will also make it feel extra special. Promising review: "I gave it as a gift along with a book. The gift was liked very much, and I think because it was monogrammed with her initials, it made it more special. Very inexpensive. Was worth it." — Donna Faulkner Price: $6.98 (available in letters A–Z and four styles) 3. A Breakfast at Tiffany's -inspired eye mask that your glamorous friend who has an Audrey Hepburn canvas print hanging in their apartment will 100% appreciate. This will help them get some shut-eye while also helping them fulfill their fantasy of living in a 1960s rom-com. Promising review: "Comfortable, soft and cute! Gives enough darkness for a peaceful sleep without feeling suffocated like I have with other sleep masks. The elastic is secure but not too tight." — K. Garrett Price: $15.99 4. A customizable Lego bouquet-building set for adults who are both new to Lego building or old pros at it. Not only will it be fun for them to put together, but it'll also serve as a vibrant piece of decor that won't die a couple of days later. Promising review: "These Lego flowers were amazing! I purchased them for my fiancé for Christmas, and we had such a fun time building them together! There is a good variety, getting you lots of different flowers and repetitions of ones that are really nice! For an experienced Lego builder, these are gonna be a super easy build and come together very quickly! For someone not as experienced, it's gonna take a little more time, but is entirely within the realm of reason! Additionally, they look amazing set up and posed! " — Brayden Rozelle Price: $47.99 5. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game that will play hide and seek with your kiddo, so you don't have to. Just hide the rainbow-colored poop toy, and it'll give clues until your little one finds it. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some much-deserved couch time. And let's be honest, what kid won't giggle when they open up a rianbow poop toy?? Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must get! When it's hidden it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the silly poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! Doesn't need batteries and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny and if they don't they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Price: $9.88 6. The Reverse Coloring Book , a clever way for them to zen out and take some time away from their phone and computer. Instead of adding the color to pages, they add the lines! It's simple yet satisfying, and reviewers are raving about how fun and calming it is. Check out a TikTok of the Reverse Coloring Book in action. Each book includes 50 pages of watercolor art for you to add lines, along with suggestions for what to add if you want a jumping off point. Bonus: the pages are perforated so you can easily tear them out and frame them! Promising review: "Changed my life. So I get anxious doing the adult coloring books. This was so much fun and made me really think outside of the box. I'm not the best at drawing but I felt like I was when I was a kid doodling in my textbooks in school." — Carley C. Price: $9.90 7. A silver cuff with a hidden message perfect for a loved one who needs a little pick-me-up. Plus, this simple accessory will work with almost anyone's style. The bracelet above says, "You are enough." But, there are TONS of other motivating messages to choose from including: "Be amazing today," "Just keep swimming," and "Believe in you like I do." Promising review: "I got this bracelet for a friend who was having a tough time. It is great quality and well made. The engraving is well done! Heavier than I thought it would be! Would order again! Thank you!" — HeatherMarie Price: $12.97+ (available in over 100 designs) 8. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card game perfect for anyone who loves a good game night. Kids and adults alike enjoy this game because it's easy to play and sure to get everyone laughing. You deal all the cards out to your 2–4 players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle of the table, saying one of the words "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone slaps their hand on the card in a pile as quickly as possible. The last person on the pile has to take the stack and add 'em to their cards, and whoever runs out of cards first wins! Promising review: "Fun, clean, family-friendly game. Easy to learn and fun for all ages. Quick games so players can jump in and out or swap. Could easily extend the game with another pack of cards. Lots of laughs! Buying for Christmas gifts this year!" — W M Price: $9.84 9. A bucket list insulated water bottle your frequent flyer family member will be obsessed with. If you know they're on a journey to check off all 50 states, then this gift will be the perfect way for them to keep track of how many places they have left while also keeping them hydrated on their many adventures. Promising review: "This is the perfect water bottle! Perfect size, insulates very well, high quality, beautiful colors on the stickers that adhere very well, and a super fun way to show your travels!! I am running a half marathon in every state - I have received lots of compliments on it!" — Cody Price: $45.99 Also available in a National Parks version ! 10. A stemless wineglass sure to make an a-meow-zing gift for any of your cat-loving colleagues. Promising review: "This is made out of heavy glass, not plastic. It has been through the washer more than a dozen times and the engraving is still intact and looks as great as it did from day one. Got this for my cat-loving wife for Christmas. Success! Always a winner for that cat-lover in your life, including yourself." — Arrr Matey Price: $16.99 11. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with everything they need to create a teeny masterpiece on a cozy night at home. Complete with three pre-printed canvases, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and a mini easel, the budding artist on your list will surely get a kick outta this. The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. They'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob! 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 . 12. A ridiculously cute Groot flower pot perfect for your friend who cried with you throughout Avengers: Endgame . Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for a coworker who is a fellow Marvel fan and he loved it! I really like that it can be used for so many different things!" — Roberta Bowden Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two designs). 13. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook by Dinah Bucholz , a ~magical~ book of recipes that'll allow the Potterhead on your list to properly dine like a witch or wizard at Hogwarts. It includes more than 150 easy-to-make recipes, tips, and techniques. It'll teach them how to make everything from treacle tart (Harry's favorite dessert), to Molly Weasley's meat pies, to pumpkin pasties (from the Hogwarts Express cart). Editor's Note: BuzzFeed does not support discriminatory or hateful speech in any form. We stand by the LGBTQ+ community and all fans who found a home in the Harry Potter series and will work to provide a safe space for fans. If you, like us, feel impassioned about trans rights, learn more or donate here . Promising review: "I LOVE THIS. I'm no master chef, but this cookbook might change that: I might even become a master wizard chef! Anyways, the recipes are phenomenal. The book has a bunch of cute references, and my younger siblings go crazy whenever I make something from this book. I most recently made the meat and potato pies, which can be found on page 44." — Tigerlily Price: $13.39 14. A super soft pair of fuzzy slippers with memory foam insoles to give to anyone who just loves to be cozy at home. They'll probably never want to take these things off. In fact, you may want to grab a second pair for yourself! Promising review: "Incredible. Wow. I don't even know where to begin. These slippers are so soft and sturdy. My feet never slide out of them. There's a foam padding for foot support... OMG. I can go on and on. These are incredible. 10/10 recommend for anyone." — NG Price: $14.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–10 and 13 colors) 15. A keychain bracelet that has a card holder so they can keep their keys, ID, and cash handy and easily accessible. This stylish bracelet is much cuter than a basic lanyard and a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who just got their license or just got a new car. Promising review: "Bought two bracelets in the denim blue for my teenage granddaughters. They love them and actually said they will wear them out and use them for shopping and when they are driving and don’t want to take a purse. You can fit your driver's license, credit card, and some cash. Teens are hard to buy for, and I came off a winner here!" — Fashionista Grandma Price: $6.99+ (available in 22 colors) 16. A 60-shade eyeshadow palette full of various neutral shades in matte, foil, pearl, and metallic finishes perfect for your makeup-loving friend or sibling. They'll think you spent a pretty penny at Ulta or Sephora on this because of how great the quality is — reviews say the shades are super pigmented, blendable, and long-lasting. Promising review : "This was way better than I expected it to be! More pigmented than some of my 'high-end' eyeshadow palettes. I would most definitely purchase from this company again, and again!!" — Shawna Promising review: "BUY IT! 100% WORTH IT... love the creamy formula, lots of pigment, and it blends so nicely with the other colors in the palette. I recently got the Bare Necessities palette from ColourPop, but this one has 2X as many colors at 1/3 the price, and it isn't as nice as this one in quality, tbh! Back in the day, I owned the original Naked 1, 2, and 3 palettes from Urban Decay, and THESE MATCH THE COLORS PERFECTLY AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE. Plus, it has the honey and heat versions, too! I will use this every time I do my makeup. " — katherine Price: $11.99+ (available in two options) 17. And a 14-piece rose gold makeup brush set that's great for makeup beginners or those who can do a contour way better than you ever could. This set has almost everything they'll need and it'll look fabulous on their vanity. The bristles are vegan and cruelty-free, made of durable synthetic fiber that's soft and silky! This set will fulfill pretty much all of your makeup needs, including a blending brush, eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brushes, as well as ones suited for eyeliner, contouring, blush, and more. Promising review: "I am a makeup brush fanatic! I own Sigma and Sephora and It Cosmetics brushes, as well as Elf and Real Techniques. I love quality, not brand labels. This is one of the best makeup brush sets I own. There are lots of thick soft hairs in the brush that help to create a smooth flawless looking finish. The handle and ferrule are made of nice materials and lend the brushes the perfect balance of weight right where you need it." — Christina Price: $8.99+ (available in six colors) 18. An extremely delightful boba tea pencil holder perfect for holding their supplies for class, homework, or bullet journaling. This will be a cute and organized way to keep pencils, gel pens, scissors, erasers, and more in one spot. Promising review: "This is super cute! It holds my skinny markers. It came intact. When I saw it I didn't see the pockets — they are farther down and they work. It's worth the $10. I take it to work and get compliments on it. I'm gonna get another one :)." — Kona Price: $6.99+ (available in six colors) 19. A pair of LED light saber chopsticks for anyone who is always watching Star Wars movies on repeat. They definitely won't have to ~force~ a smile when they open this gift! There's a button to turn 'em on and off, and they come with batteries. Here's why BuzzFeed Shopping writer, Emma Lord , loves them: "As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to The Force." Price: $10.97 (available in two styles) 20. A set of 12 handcrafted, moisturizing bath bombs made with natural ingredients, perfect for anyone who loves a good #SelfCareSunday moment. Promising review: "After receiving the first box as a gift, I had to order more. I am a true bath person and have tried bath products across the globe. I can honestly say that these are the absolute best bath bombs I have ever used! The fragrance is incredible and my skin is left soft, not oily. Here comes the part that blew me away: No residue or ring left in my tub! One more thing, the price allows me to order more and give as gifts!" — Pamela Price: $26.80 21. A cozy blanket sweatshirt for the person in your life who is like, always cold and loves to be cozy. Speaking from personal experience, they will want to wear it every day this winter! I LOVE this thing. It allows you to literally wrap yourself in a blanket, but still be able to use your hands, without your poor arm suffering in the cold breeze. I wear this while working from home, watching Netflix, and while taking naps. It's so comfy that there have been times I don't want to take it off when I have to run to the store — the only reason I do is because I don't want it to get dirty. I can't imagine one person who wouldn't be happy to have this wonderful bundle of coziness. Promising review: "To say that it is comfy is more than and understatement. It feels like wearing a soft and warm blanket turned into a hoodie. Because I want to take a nap while wearing, I just put the hood on, tuck my legs in and fall asleep right away, warm and comfortable, no need to wear a blanket over it. Perfect for lazy Sundays!" — Patricia Price: $49.99+ (available in 28 styles) 22. A copy of Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments by Ann Shen , which any fashion-obsessed friend will love to flip through. It'll inspire them to try new styles *and* teach them about powerful, groundbreaking women throughout history. Here's what my colleague, Heather Braga , had to say about the book: "Ann Shen's book, Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments , is jam-packed with stunning illustrations and facts about fabulous women from all around the world. I have a copy and it's something I absolutely treasure — and I learned a lot from it! Anyone would be lucky to receive this book this holiday season!" Price: $14.28 23. A set of three terra-cotta pots with drainage holes and saucers perfect for the plant parent on your list who has more greenery in their home than Poison Ivy does. Promising review: "I love these so much. The depth is perfect for my plants! I never write reviews but had to with these pots because they are stunning and inexpensive ." — Dominique Friend Price: $28.99 (available in four colors and four sizes) 24. A teak bathtub tray so they can have a convenient place to put their book, candle, and beverage while they soak in a luxurious bubble bath. Promising review: "Well made, pretty tray that fits all the way across my tub. Has support for a book or iPad which is great." — Jolene Saiz Price: $55.99 (also available in a bamboo style ) 25. A glass teapot , which comes with a glass infuser that's perfect for loose teas. It's microwave- and stovetop-safe and it's so stinkin' adorable it'll have them begging you to come over for tea parties. Promising review: "I absolutely love my little teapot. I use it on the stovetop ever morning and it is perfect. I have had mine about three weeks now and it’s doing amazing. I love using the hot water first for my morning matcha, then I add the loose tea to the remainder of the hot water for my afternoon tea. It’s perfect for me and despite being worried about putting it on the burner at first, it turns out it’s nothing to be worried about at all. It works and looks super cute!" — Amazon Customer Price: $29.99 26. A CovoBox — it's hollow on the inside, so they can use it to hide any unsightly cords or routers. Instead, it'll look like they have a beautiful collection of perfectly coordinated books. Before adding this to your cart, you have the option to customize it, including selecting from 14 lengths and 15 colors (including custom colors). The CovoBox is made from reclaimed books and sustainable wood. Covogoods is a small family-owned business creating home decor in Utah! Promising review: "I’m pretty sure I’ve never loved a purchase from Amazon as much as I love this one. This product is EXTREMELY well made and very unique. Plus, it does the job of hiding the ugly routers and cords. And the customer service was great and responsive. I was a little hesitant to spend the money on this but after years of living with the husband’s pile of technology, the money was well spent!" — AmazonEmme Price: $29+ (available in customizable sizes and colors) 27. A portable instant photo printer great for the person who is constantly snapping pics. The sticky-backed paper makes this perfect for journaling and scrapbooking! Promising review: "I originally purchased this product for my 11-year-old granddaughter who's always taking pictures. This is the absolute best gift I could have ever given her. It is compact, easy to use, and takes great quality reproductions of pictures in sticker form — how fun. I would recommend this product to anyone who wishes to give an out-of-the-ordinary gift." — Bianca Trevino Price: $67.99+ (available in five colors and a stater bundle option) 28. A shower phone holder for anyone who would love to watch YouTube videos, TikToks, or jam to their favorite playlist while they take way too long in the shower. Promising review: "This product is the answer to my search for a way to have music or Netflix playing while in the shower! The adhesion quality is great, and it's very easy to use. It fits my iPhone XS Max very well and is very sturdy. I would recommend this to anyone!" — Jackie Donovan Price: $9.99+ (available in nine colors/styles) 29. A 3-in-1 wireless charger that'll allow them to charge their iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time *without* a bunch of cords cluttering up their nightstand. Promising review: "I love this charging station! I‘m one of those people who has all the Apple things, so being able to charge my phone, watch, and AirPod Pros at the same time is a total game-changer for me. I can’t even guess how many times I’ve misplaced my AirPods because I didn’t have a dedicated place for them. Now there’s no question where they are every morning. Not only that, but the charger is pretty fast (especially for the watch and earbuds), and the station itself is easy to set up and use." — Anonymous Price: $29.99 (available in seven colors) 30. An LED flat plate so they can read all night long if they want, without disturbing their partner. The bookworm on your list will totally appreciate this. Promising review: "LOVE! This book light is perfect for nighttime reading. I opted for this particular brand over others I saw for less as it has a dimmer. I really like this one as the glow is soft and not harsh on my eyes. The dimmer has a wide range when I turn the knob. You can use this book light horizontally or vertically. It’s not large enough to cover the whole page of most books, but it does completely light up an entire page so you don’t have to move it up and down while reading." — Flora Price: $24.99+ (available in two colors) 31. A crystal carafe that'll look so chic on their nightstand. No more stumbling out of bed in the middle of the night for a glass of water. They will definitely feel luxurious when they use this gift (and they'll never know it was under $25). Promising review: "I bought one and love it so much that I got another one. It's meticulously made, gorgeously crafted solid crystal, and has serious heft. It's not huge or unwieldy but has enough capacity for not only nighttime carafe use, but also for daytime, e.g. I make iced tea and use it at my home office. I love the convenience of the glass/cover, which I use not as a drinking glass but for for dust particles not to get into my water and drinks. For the price, this cannot be beat. The quality of this is remarkable and if you're on the fence about this, get it — you won't be sorry. :-)" — IandThouSpirit Price: $21+ (available in three colors) 32. A pack of Crayola Globbles — a fidget toy that they'll love throwing at the wall and watching as they roll back down... so they can do it all over again. They can also squeeze and squish them as a stress ball. And the best part? These won't leave behind any sticky residue! Some reviewers initially bought them for their kids, but then bought more for themselves! After they get a little dirty, just wash them with soap and they'll be sticky again! Promising review : "Amazing toys! My 1- and 2-year-old LOVE them! They scream 'sticky balls!' and run around throwing them on the fridge, windows, cabinets, walls, etc. Easy to wash and air-dry, and don't lose their stickiness! My new go-to gift! Love them!" — Rachel Price: $19.59 (for a pack of 16) 33. A pair of aerating wineglasses that might just make their $8 bottle of Moscato taste like something from a fancy restaurant. Your wine-loving auntie will be using this all the time! Promising review: "I got these for my mom and she loves them! They are great conversation pieces, and fun to use. The wine fans out and falls into the glass as pictured. She runs them through the dishwasher and hasn't had any issues cleaning them that way. These are fun for wine drinkers." — Kaitlyn G. Price: $59.19 34. A felt letter board for the person who always has the best inspirational quotes in their Instagram captions — now they can display their skills in their home for all guests to admire. Promising review: "Great idea. Great for a small space on your wall that you need to fill. The white letters fix nicely to the fabric board until you want to remove them — which is also easy to do. Very cute." — Grant Price: $18.99+ (available in four sizes and 27 colors) 35. A pair of humorous novelty socks that'll make a great gift for a bacon lover, wine lover, taco lover, coffee lover, and more. Basically, these are an adorable add-on or stocking stuffer for pretty much anyone on your list. Promising review: "Funny and well-made. Got these for my lady friend, who funny enough drinks tea and wears socks. She loved the colors, the graphics and the material. Extra soft and comfortable. Highly recommend." — Rick Baird Price: $9.99+ (available in 16 designs) 36. A copy of Burn After Writing , a guided journal meant to encourage them to explore their feelings. It features different questions and thought experiments to help them learn about themself and let go of certain things. Promising review: "I first saw this book on TikTok and decided to look more into it. I purchased four total because I know some people holding onto things that are difficult to let go of. It’s a great way to look at things from a different perspective and truly hold yourself accountable to different things in your life. I love what it stands for and I look forward to when I burn mine after I’m done. Self love, self care, and meditation for a better state of mind tomorrow is always the goal. I definitely recommend it to those susceptible to change and the willingness to try things different. You’re so much more than what’s been done to you and someone’s inability to see your worth does not decrease your value. Choose you for a change." — Brent Helm Price: $7.32 37. A pair of constellation tassel earrings that are ~out of this world~ gorgeous! And for less than $10??! Any fashionista who loves a good accessory will be thrilled to unwrap these. Promising review: "These are absolutely beautiful, and clever with the post being falling stars. The stud sits comfortably and is lovely. Not gaudy or tacky in the least. I’m thrilled with them — and the price? If you are charmed by the picture you won’t be disappointed! They’re beautiful!" — Amyss Price: $8.66 (available in two colors) 38. A Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy to keep on their desk so they can have a little dance party with him whenever they need some cheering up. Promising review: " I opened the package and screamed for joy! As I placed the 9-volt battery my hands were trembling with what was going to happen next! As I turned on the wacky waving inflatable tube man I knew I have a friend for life. Someone you can really count on cheering you up when you are feeling down. He brought me such joy, I started to cry with laughter and happiness. " — Robert Wurstner Price: $8.58 Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.9 fortune 。

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Reactions As Don Jazzy Gifts Ola Of Lagos N20mPETER VAN ONSELEN: The rot at the core of Team Albo has been exposed by these shady last minute acts - including a startling admission about the misinformation bill By PETER VAN ONSELEN, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 18:46 EST, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 18:48 EST, 24 November 2024 e-mail 6 View comments The poor priorities and inconsistencies of Anthony Albanese 's government are nearly summed up by the political manoeuvres taking place as we enter the final parliamentary sitting period before the summer break. They are tangible evidence for why Labor is floundering in the polls in just its first term in power. On the one hand, Labor spent months telling us its misinformation bill was a vital reform aimed at stamping out... you guessed it, misinformation in public discourse. Yet Labor dumped the bill once a united front lined up against it - the Coalition, the Greens, a plethora of crossbenchers representing the right and the left. But it didn't just walk away from what it once claimed was so important in the here and now. It has promised not to pursue the changes even after the election - assuming it is victorious - with Special Minister of State Don Farrell saying: 'That's the end of it'. I guess what was proposed can't have been that important after all. In truth the proposed laws were highly subjective, badly drafted, lacked consultation and transparency in their development, impinged on free speech, and even if you liked the idea of muzzling opinion they didn't go far enough to satisfy supporters. So they have been thrown in the policy garbage bin, as they should be. Anthony Albanese's government spent months telling us its misinformation bill was a vital reform aimed at stamping out misinformation. It has now promised not to pursue the changes even after the election, assuming it is victorious. I guess it mustn't be so important, after all Submissions for public comment on the misinformation bill closed back in September. However they have never been uploaded and made public. I suspect the government wanted them hidden from view because they were so scathing. It is so ironic that when Labor walked away from the misinformation bill its political spin to justify doing so was littered with untruths. They claimed, for example, that the Coalition and the Greens were in cahoots - even though their opposition to the bill was for diametrically opposing reasons. The Greens said the bill didn't do enough to stop misinformation, while the Coalition said it was an attack on free speech. The government's approach to its planned social media laws that ban under 16s from accessing platforms such as TiKTok and Reddit is equally shady. The government opened public comments on the bill for just a single day. That's not how good government takes consultation seriously. Labor will be successful rushing its youth social media bans through the parliament because the Coalition came up with the idea before the government did, and it plans to support the changes. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is now pushing her bill to ban under 16s from social media. The government is likewise employing shady tactics to ram it through It will likely do the same when it comes to election donations reforms , which haven't even been sent to a parliamentary committee for consultation and public feedback. So much for good policy process on that front. Meanwhile, there won't be legislation forthcoming to curb online gambling or gambling ads, as had previously been promised. Why? Probably because Labor doesn't want to upset big media organisations who enjoy streams of revenue from its advertising. So what excuse have they used to justify the inaction and the broken promise? 'This is a very difficult and complex piece of work that simply cannot be finalised in the remaining week that we have of parliament this year', according to minister Murray Watt. Yet so are changes to social media usage and laws designed to curb misinformation. As are adjustments to political donations. Yet Labor found ways to rush these law making processes when it suited them. Such inconsistency is equally evident when you listen to Labor's rhetoric about concern for young Australians as it moves towards social media bans. But the sound of crickets is all you hear when asking the same politicians why they won't act to curb online access to violent and graphic pornography for minors. Be the first to comment Be one of the first to comment Comments Now have YOUR say! Share your thoughts in the comments. Comment now All of the above highlights the policy-making failures of this government. It's proof positive that it is a bad government unworthy of re-election. Which is not to say it won't win re-election. No first term federal government has lost a re-election attempt since 1931, so history favours Albo's chances of securing a second prime ministerial term. While social policy scripts such as those referred to above are dominating the final sitting period, voters could be forgiven for wondering why Labor's priorities are focused in that direction and not on the economy. On Wednesday we'll get updated monthly CPI figures. We already know inflation is higher than in other western nations and there are no guarantees interest rates will fall in the first half of next year. That's despite anaemic economic growth and falling real living standards. You would have thought Labor wanted the optics of its final sitting week to be all about the economy and its plans to address cost of living concerns hurting so many Australians. Yet that isn't the focus at all, probably because Labor can't say anything too positive on that front because it's fiscal policy settings - spending too much - are grinding up against the RBA's monetary policy advice. Reddit TikTok Anthony Albanese Share or comment on this article: PETER VAN ONSELEN: The rot at the core of Team Albo has been exposed by these shady last minute acts - including a startling admission about the misinformation bill e-mail Add commentAmid rising threats to wild animals in Jammu and Kashmir, there is a need for scientific measures to ensure protection of their habitat. Unabated human activities and haphazard constructions in forests and upper reaches of J&K are forcing wildlife animals to foray into human habitations for food. This leads to frequent incidents of human-wildlife conflicts. There is collateral damage on both sides. We are losing precious human lives to leopard and bear attacks. Similarly wild animals too are bearing the brunt. There is a need for scientific studies to ascertain factors which are disturbing wild animals and damaging their habitat. Studies have shown that disturbed corridors of the critically-endangered Hangul or Kashmir stag are hampering the species from using its summer habitats. This is mainly due to anthropogenic pressure owing to livestock grazing in upper reaches of Kashmir. This was detected by analysis of Satellite Collaring of Hangul project with experts recommending urgent measures to expand the range of Hangul to alpine meadows and corridor areas outside its bastion Dachigam National Park. The study aimed to trace movement patterns of Hangul using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Satellite Telemetry was conducted for over four years by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in collaboration with the Wildlife Protection Department. Another study has revealed how haphazard construction activities are affecting habitat of endangered Himalayan Brown Bear in famous tourist resort Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The study stated that poor solid waste management is attracting bears closer to human settlements. It states that over 75 percent of the brown bear’s diet is from human-sourced waste. The study states that construction of the tunnel in the eco-fragile tourist resort is also disturbing habitat of the Brown Bear. Tourism activities and various tunnelling projects, have led to habitat fragmentation and increased human intervention in an area that once entirely served as a habitat for various species of wild animals including the Himalayan Brown Bear, states the study conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC). The study was conducted on the direction of the the National Green Tribunal which has been ascertaining causes of shrinking habitat of the Himalayan Brown Bear in Sonamarg. This shows the immense importance of research in conservation of wildlife. In this regard, the Division of Wildlife Sciences of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences (SKUAST)-Kashmir has been conducting research, capacity building, and human resource development in wildlife management and conservation. The division has the distinction of being the third in Indian Universities and the first in the ICAR system to offer fully-fledged Master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in Wildlife Sciences besides providing skill courses in photography and filming and Ecotourism—reflecting a comprehensive approach to wildlife conservation. The research efforts of the Division of Wildlife Sciences are focused on the conservation of threatened and unique Himalayan ungulates, snow leopards, and avifauna. So far this division has secured and over 30 major funded research projects, including from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), DST, DBT, and GOI, as well as earning the prestigious Indo-US Science and Technology Networking Centre Award and fostering collaborations with esteemed global institutions SKUAST-Kashmir’s wildlife scientists have spearheaded ground-breaking research for two decades. The contributions include pioneering research on the Hangul, Tibetan Antelope (Chiru), other unique mountain ungulates of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, snow leopards, wetlands, and water birds. Major achievements include recognition of Hangul as a distinct species, providing crucial technical expertise for its conservation breeding and reintroduction programs, besides studies on the movement and migratory patterns of Hangul, Tibetan Antelope, and waterfowl using satellite telemetry. The studies on ecology and genetics on Hangul and Tibetan antelope, alongside habitat exploration for snow leopards in Kashmir and Kishtwar, have significantly contributed to global biodiversity knowledge and helped in finding measures for conservation of these species. “This pioneering research by the wildlife Scientists of SKUAST-Kashmir has not only placed Jammu & Kashmir on the map for snow leopard distribution but also shed light on mammalian and avian biodiversity in the region,” states Prof. (Dr.) Khursheed Ahmad, head of the Division of Wildlife Sciences. SKUAST-Kashmir has forged academic and research collaborations with prestigious institutions worldwide, such as the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, USA, University of Siena and National Council of Research, Italy, University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland, IUCN and Wildlife Institute of India. These partnerships signify a commitment to global cooperation in wildlife conservation. It is the responsibility of SKUAST-Kashmir to carry forward its research and contribute its bit to safeguard wild animals and their habitat. We must understand that wildlife conservation is imperative for maintaining ecological balance. We must give due space to wild animals and protect their habitat. Their presence is as important on this planet as ours! Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir

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The unusual output of artists using AI for video has a message — but it may be one that we don’t exactly control. Type text into AI image and video generators, and you’ll often see outputs of unusual, sometimes creepy , pictures. In a way, this is a feature, not a bug, of generative AI. And artists are wielding this aesthetic to create a new storytelling art form. The tools, such as Midjourney to generate images, Runway and Sora to produce videos, and Luma AI to create 3D objects, are relatively cheap or free to use. They allow filmmakers without access to major studio budgets or soundstages to make imaginative short films for the price of a monthly subscription. I’ve studied these new works as the co-director of the AI for Media & Storytelling studio at the University of Southern California. Surveying the increasingly captivating output of artists from around the world, I partnered with curators Jonathan Wells and Meg Grey Wells to produce the Flux Festival , a four-day showcase of experiments in AI filmmaking, in November 2024. While this work remains dizzyingly eclectic in its stylistic diversity, I would argue that it offers traces of insight into our contemporary world. I’m reminded that in both literary and film studies, scholars believe that as cultures shift, so do the way we tell stories . With this cultural connection in mind, I see five visual trends emerging in film. 1. Morphing, blurring imagery In her “NanoFictions” series, the French artist Karoline Georges creates portraits of transformation. In one short, “ The Beast ,” a burly man mutates from a two-legged human into a hunched, skeletal cat, before morphing into a snarling wolf. The metaphor – man is a monster – is clear. But what’s more compelling is the thrilling fluidity of transformation. There’s a giddy pleasure in seeing the figure’s seamless evolution that speaks to a very contemporary sensibility of shapeshifting across our many digital selves. Karoline Georges’ short film ‘The Beast.’ This sense of transformation continues in the use of blurry imagery that, in the hands of some artists, becomes an aesthetic feature rather than a vexing problem. Theo Lindquist’s “Electronic Dance Experiment #3,” for example, begins as a series of rapid-fire shots showing flashes of nude bodies in a soft smear of pastel colors that pulse and throb. Gradually it becomes clear that this strange fluidity of flesh is a dance. But the abstraction in the blur offers its own unique pleasure; the image can be felt as much as it can be seen. 2. The Surreal Thousands of TikTok videos demonstrate how cringey AI images can get, but artists can wield that weirdness and craft it into something transformative. The Singaporean artist known as Niceaunties creates videos that feature older women and cats, riffing on the concept of the “auntie” from Southeast and East Asian cultures. In one recent video, the aunties let loose clouds of powerful hairspray to hold up impossible towers of hair in a sequence that grows increasingly ridiculous. Even as they’re playful and poignant, the videos created by Niceaunties can pack a political punch. They comment on assumptions about gender and age, for example, while also tackling contemporary issues such as pollution. On the darker side, in a music video titled “Forest Never Sleeps,” the artist known as Doopiidoo offers up hybrid octopus women, guitar-playing rats, rooster pigs, and a wood-chopping ostrich man. The visual chaos is a sweet match for the accompanying death metal music, with surrealism returning as a powerful form. Doopiidoo’s uncanny music video ‘Forest Never Sleeps’ leverages artificial intelligence to create surreal visuals. 3. Dark tales The often-eerie vibe of so much AI-generated imagery works well for chronicling contemporary ills, a fact that several filmmakers use to unexpected effect. In “La Fenêtre,” Lucas Ortiz Estefanell of the AI agency SpecialGuestX pairs diverse image sequences of people and places with a contemplative voice-over to ponder ideas of reality, privacy, and the lives of artificially generated people. At the same time, he wonders about the strong desire to create these synthetic worlds. “When I first watched this video,” recalls the narrator, “the meaning of the image ceased to make sense.” In the music video titled “Closer,” based on a song by Iceboy Violet and Nueen, filmmaker Mau Morgó captures the world-weary exhaustion of Gen Z through dozens of youthful characters slumbering, often under the green glow of video screens. The snapshot of a generation that has come of age in the era of social media and now artificial intelligence, pictured here with phones clutched close to their bodies as they murmur in their sleep, feels quietly wrenching. The music video for ‘Closer’ spotlights a generation awash in screens. 4. Nostalgia Sometimes filmmakers turn to AI to capture the past. Rome-based filmmaker Andrea Ciulu uses AI to reimagine 1980s East Coast hip-hop culture in “On These Streets,” which depicts the city’s expanse and energy through breakdancing as kids run through alleys and then spin magically up into the air. Ciulu says that he wanted to capture New York’s urban milieu, all of which he experienced at a distance, from Italy, as a kid. The video thus evokes a sense of nostalgia for a mythic time and place to create a memory that is also hallucinatory. Andrea Ciulu’s short film ‘On These Streets.’ Similarly, David Slade’s “Shadow Rabbit” borrows black-and-white imagery reminiscent of the 1950s to show small children discovering miniature animals crawling about on their hands. In just a few seconds, Slade depicts the enchanting imagination of children and links it to generated imagery, underscoring AI’s capacities for creating fanciful worlds. 5. New times, new spaces In his video for the song “The Hardest Part” by Washed Out, filmmaker Paul Trillo creates an infinite zoom that follows a group of characters down the seemingly endless aisle of a school bus, through the high school cafeteria, and out onto the highway at night. The video perfectly captures the zoominess of time and the collapse of space for someone young and in love haplessly careening through the world. The freewheeling camera also characterizes the work of Montreal-based duo Vallée Duhamel , whose music video “The Pulse Within” spins and twirls, careening up and around characters who are cut loose from the laws of gravity. In both music videos, viewers experience time and space as a dazzling, topsy-turvy vortex where the rules of traditional time and space no longer apply. In Vallée Duhamel’s ‘The Pulse Within,’ the rules of physics no longer apply. Right now, in a world where algorithms increasingly shape everyday life , many works of art are beginning to reflect how intertwined we’ve become with computational systems. What if machines are suggesting new ways to see ourselves, as much as we’re teaching them to see like humans? This article was originally published on The Conversation by Holly Willis at University of Southern California. Read the original article here . Movies A.I. TechnologyFeds suspend ACA marketplace access to companies accused of falsely promising ‘cash cards’

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