phlboss legit or not

phlboss legit or not 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor," Miller said. Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula's predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country's environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024's figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River's main tributaries Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon's fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole." But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don't how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people's role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support," Ebus said.Nebraska opponent preview: Everything you need to know about Iowa

DePaul Prep senior Michael Casper never expected to spend the Saturday before Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family, celebrating a trip to the Class 4A state championship game. The Rams haven’t finished a season with more wins than losses since 2015. They won just four games last year. “I knew we were going to have a great season but coming this far was definitely a stretch,” Casper, a senior defensive lineman, said. The game came down to the final drive. Coal City had the ball and 2:32 seconds to tie or win the game. DePaul Prep’s defense stood strong. The Rams didn’t allow the host Coalers into the red zone and earned a 21-14 win in the Class 4A semifinals. “That was definitely the top moment of my life right there,” Casper said. “I knew all my boys had my back and we could win that football game.” DePaul Prep (10-3) took the lead on a nine-yard touchdown run by Nick Martinez with 6:42 to play. Martinez had 18 carries for 89 yards and two TDs. Coal City (10-3) tied the game twice but never led. “We are all brothers and we got together and put our hearts together,” Casper said. “We knew we had to get it done. We’d been dreaming of this moment for the past three years and the bond is there.” DePaul Prep quarterback Juju Rodriguez was 12-for-15 for 213 yards. He connected with Matthew Osterman for a 28-yard TD with 3:22 left in the third quarter. Osterman had three catches for 79 yards. Senior Braden Peevy caught six passes for 116 yards for the Rams. Landin Benson led Coal City with 33 carries for 183 yards and two TDs. The Rams didn’t allow a big play. The Coalers’ longest run was 14 yards and the longest pass was 21 yards. “We knew their run game was the focus so we tried to nail that down,” Casper said. “That made it tough for them to pass.” DePaul Prep will play the winner of Saturday night’s Mt. Zion vs. Normal U-High semifinal in the Class 4A title game on Friday at ISU’s Hancock Stadium.

Socks Printer Compare:How to choose the right sock printer?

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Bill Belichick reportedly finalizing deal to become UNC football coachPhilly Stat 360 Launches—Revolutionizing How Citizens See and Feel Their Government

As Syria’s notorious prisons empty, families search for the missingSyria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections

New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire gunsCONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Jestin Porter scored 24 points, including four in overtime, and Middle Tennessee knocked off Ohio 83-81 on Thursday. Kamari Lands sank a 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 75-all. Porter shot 9 for 18 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Blue Raiders (4-1). Essam Mostafa added 19 points while shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 7 for 10 from the line while he also had 13 rebounds. Lands had 10 points and went 4 of 12 from the field (2 for 6 from 3-point range). The Bobcats (1-4) were led in scoring by AJ Brown, who finished with 19 points. AJ Clayton added 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals for Ohio. Jackson Paveletzke also had 15 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission has selected 210 individuals to receive North Carolina Teaching Fellows awards for the Class of 2025 during its early-decision window. The Teaching Fellows program is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan program providing tuition assistance of up to $10,000 a year for qualified students committed to teaching elementary education, special education, science, technology, engineering, or math in a North Carolina public school. The purpose of the program is to recruit, prepare and support future teachers who attend institutions of higher education in North Carolina. The award winners may attend any of the program’s 10 partner institutions pending admission: Appalachian State University; East Carolina University; Elon University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; NC State University; Meredith College; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and University of North Carolina at Pembroke. In the early-decision window, the NCTF commission received 307 completed and screened applications. The commission considered grade point average, leadership and experience, awards and honors, written essays, educator recommendations, and video submissions to offer the 210 awards. Standardized test scores from SAT/ACT were optional to align with admission standards from participating colleges and universities. Students who did not receive an early-decision award were deferred to the regular application period, which runs until Feb. 28, 2025. Any potential teachers in the areas of elementary, STEM, or special education are encouraged to apply at www.ncteachingfellows.org during the regular application window. The comprehensive list of the Class of 2025 Teaching Fellows awardees will be finalized in March 2025. “Congratulations to these deserving winners chosen during our early-decision process,” Bennett Jones, director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows program, said. “We look forward to their future careers in classrooms around the state. We are heartened by the continued growth of the program, and we are grateful for the support of lawmakers and education leaders as we continue to promote the teaching profession.” The 210 awards in the early-decision window represent a 61% increase in early-action awards from last year’s window. The early-decision awardees feature 134 high school seniors, 60 college transfer students and 16 licensure-only students. The early-award recipients hail from 126 different cities and towns representing 63 counties across the state. The early class of 2025 includes 30% minority recipients. Finally, 136 of the early-decision award winners intend to study elementary education, 45 are pursuing licensure in the areas of STEM education, and 29 are planning to be licensed in special education. The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission is comprised of four deans from educator preparation programs, a community college president, a beginning teacher, a principal, a member from business and industry, and a local school board member. The NC Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Superintendent of the Year, Chair of the State Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, and Director of the Teaching Fellows program all serve as ex-officio members of the commission. Concord — Julia-Madison Pacetti, Sydney Warren, Sydney Williams, and Sarah Wilson Granite Falls — Ava Aldrich and Emily Haas Hamptonville — Allie Reynolds and Mattie Tavano Hickory — Miriam Wood Lenoir — Emma Brown, Natalie Crump Lincolnton — Mary Franklin and Jadyn White Maiden — Madison Dellinger Mooresville — Sophie Baum, Isabel Gamble and Jovi Griffin Morganton — Laney Hodge Mount Pleasant — Ellie Shoe Olin — Stephanie Elkins Rutherfordton — Maytlin Bailey Statesville — Carter Kincaid, Taylorsville — Rebekah Winkler Troutman — Megan Macartney Valdese — Peter Skelton Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

ANTERIX TO PRESENT AT JANNEY CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT SYMPOSIUM DECEMBER 4-5, 2024

1. A pack of paint markers for the artsy friend who loves to draw on everything from mugs and clothes to shoes and casts. Promising review: "If you like art, drawing, and coloring, these great trendy markers are the perfect addition to your art supplies! Perfect gift for the artist in your life, young and old! Markers make brilliant colors on all types of paper, poster, wood, etc. for all your big and small projects!!" — apc06 Get it from Amazon for $19.97 . 2. A collection of premium Korean teas here to introduce your tea-loving pal to a few new flavors. Promising review: "I received a box of Osulloc tea bags as a gift and fell in love with the taste. This box has 10 different flavors, and I have enjoyed every single one so far. I even got some as an accompanying gift for my pastries (I’m a pastry chef). These tea bags are on the pricier side, but they’re worth it! I would recommend this tea brand to anyone." — audrey n. Get it from Amazon for $39.99 . 3. A variety pack of Awake caffeinated chocolates because it pairs their two favorite things together: caffeine and chocolate. One chocolate is equal to half a cup of coffee, so with a couple of these in their bag, they'll have enough energy to tackle the day. Promising review: "I was worried that the chocolate would be melted by the time it got to my place, but they package the chocolates in a small ice cooler to keep it frozen. They taste really good, and the caffeine gives me some extra energy to finish my work day. Also, I love how they package each bite on its own because it makes it easier for me to take it on the go. I've been using these for my pre-workouts as well as long drives to the office. The price for these is great for the quality, as they are technically only 70 cents per bite. Great deal!" — Adrian Get a bag of 50 from Amazon for $36.99 . 4. A frame-worthy *nap queen* jigsaw puzzle for an activity that your sleepy bestie can relate to. When they're done catching their afternoon ZZZZs, they can put this puzzle together. Jiggy is a woman-founded small biz that supports and highlights the work of female artists to help you unplug and experience art in a new way! Get it from Jiggy for $39 . Browse the rest of the Jiggy puzzles to find one specific to your bestie, or create your own here or on Amazon . 5. A TheraIce migraine relief cap to gift relief to the friend who gets headaches and migraines often. They can use it hot by placing it in the microwave or cold by placing it in the freezer. The compression cap can be worn two ways and is designed to relieve tension and stress, ~help with hangovers,~ and alleviate the pain from headaches and migraines. Promising review: "If you suffer from migraines, you need this, TODAY! I lent my cap to my neighbor when she was experiencing a migraine. She loved it so much that I gifted it to her and bought another for myself. It also makes a great 'ice pack' for kids because of the flexible material." — JG "Headaches?? Migraines?? Meet their worst enemy 😎 and your new best friend!! If you can handle the cool/cold on your head, which you can actually completely control to your liking, you’ll love it!! It’s a no...brainer 😏 cuz it’s for your head heehee. THISSSSS is one of the softest, most comfortable things I’ve everrrrr felt/worn. I’m not kidding. Bury me in it! (Bought with my own big girl monies)" — CourtneyLurae Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in five colors). 6. A unique slim water bottle because they love unique stuff and this slim design bottle is just that. Due to its shape, it can slide into their bag with ease, so they can always squeeze in some hydration. Promising review: "This memo bottle was a gift to a recipient who works in a large department store. They can't carry the regular size water bottles around and can only have with them a very small bag for any necessities. This water bottle just fits into that permissible size bag for having water handy for a busy person. Recipient is very happy, as well as coworkers thought it was pretty ingenious :) A bit expensive but totally worth it." — RJS "I seriously love this water bottle! As soon as I got it, I was raving about it for weeks to the point that my husband was so annoyed with me lol I used it for a Europe trip and love that it is less bulky in the side of a backpack than a traditional water bottle. Make sure you know that this is plastic before you buy it. And then buy it and enjoy :-) — Whitney Armstrong Get it from Amazon for $31+ (available in four sizes). 7. Or, a Brümate insulated tumbler to update their everyday tumbler. It's stainless steel with the power to keep their drink cold for up to 24 hours and is *actually* 100% leak-proof. Plus, it can still fit in their cupholder, which is an absolute must. This reviewer said it's so good that it's become their go-to gift. Promising review: "I LOVE this mug!! I am totally obsessed with sharing how wonderful these are!! I love the quality. Does not drip or leak. The straw is stainless before the lid and has a silicone top above. I love all the colors, but I chose the guava and green ones for myself (two different sizes). I purchased two in the dark aura for gifts. My daughter loves hers and is never without it. I can't wait ’til my daughter-in-law opens her gift!! Great for new moms or anyone who carries a bag and doesn't want to try and hold their mug at the same time. Oh, and did I mention there are absolutely NO spills?!!!! I have purchased two for myself, two as birthday gifts . I'll purchase two more for Christmas gifts!! " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two sizes and 13 colors). 8. A peanut butter sampler ideal for friends who believe there's nuttin' better than a spoon of peanut butter. The sampler comes with six flavors that any peanut butter lover would go nutty for. Promising review: "We purchased this for a healthy food eater who loves peanut butter. She was surprised and pleased with the gift. The quality and variety of tastes are wonderful. Her kids have enjoyed sampling the different blends as much as their mom. Great product!" — K Running "No fights broke out, but there was plenty of elbowing as to who was in control of the various flavors. My personal favorite is the peanut butter with cherries and chocolate with the white chocolate and pretzels a very close second. I would highly recommend the sampler for anyone who loves peanut butter." — Christo Get it from Uncommon Goods for $45 . 9. And a platypus spatula — aka a ~splatypus~ — you could pair with the peanut butter sampler or use as a stocking stuffer on its own for a practical yet quirky gift. Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for a friend and the splatypus for myself. They are super cute and help me get every drop of jam and peanut butter from a jar. I highly recommend." — afrilaskan jules Get it from Amazon for $12.95 (also available in a kitty cat). 10. A 2025 Happy Planner because you love them and want every year to be their best year ever. So let's break out the wine and the snacks and get a headstart setting goals and planning vacations. Promising review: "This is the second Happy Planner I've purchased, and once again, I'm extremely satisfied! I prefer the horizontal layout over the vertical one — it’s perfect for a catchall planner and journaling. The spacious horizontal lines make it easy to jot down everything from appointments to thoughts without feeling cramped. The paper quality is excellent — thick enough to prevent ink bleed-through, which is a huge plus for me. The overall durability is great as well, with sturdy discs and covers that hold up over time. The design on the cover is beautiful, with vibrant colors that really stand out and make me excited to use it every day. Overall, it's a great combination of functionality, style, and durability!" — KitKat Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 16 styles). Find some super cool stickers to go with their new planner here . 11. A zodiac perfume from Free People to gift them with a scent that matches their cosmic energy. An ideal stocking stuffer for your astrology enthusiast. Promising review: "I bought this perfume for myself and LOVED my Aries scent (so much I bought the hair serum and the bath bomb ) and also gifted it to my sister, who is Taurus, and she loved her scent as well. This brand ROCKS!!!!" — Anonymous Get it from Free People for $44 (available in every zodiac sign). 12. A pair of handholding socks , too fun to pass up. Finally, something that can display how inseparable you are. They're sure to be a conversation starter if you wear them together in public. These socks come in one size, but reviewers ranging from women's size 5.5 to men's size 11 say they fit! Promising review: "These socks brighten my day every time I wear them. I love that they hold hands and have other sock friends to hold hands with. I gave the second pair to a coworker so we could high-five throughout the workday. Makes our hard days better and our good days even brighter!" — AK Lady Get two pairs from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two styles). 13. A candy dispenser they can add to their desk to reward themselves with treats throughout the day for every ounce of productivity they're able to squeeze out. You checked an email? That deserves a treat. Promising review: "Keep this on my desk to snack on M&Ms. It’s perfect for smaller-sized candy. Love the color. Glad it fits in with my aesthetic." — Dunn Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in six colors). 14. A murder mystery puzzle book just begging to be unwrapped by your true crime-obsessed bestie. It's a whodunit book beautifully illustrated and packed with 20 mysterious cases ready to be solved 🕵🏽. Promising review: "Christmas gift for my BFF. She called when she opened it and her husband was putting it together. They loved it." — Nancy Get it from Amazon for $12.59 . 15. A screaming goat that'll shriek whenever they touch it, which is basically an outward display of their inner frustrations. So now when they feel stressed out and want to scream, Billy (which isn't actually its name but seems like it fits) can scream for them. Promising review: "I saw this on Amazon and it was definitely an impulse purchase. I chuckle every time I hear the scream of the goat. It is just an amusing toy to keep on your desk and let off a little steam , because sometimes you feel like screaming like this goat at work!" — C.C. Get it from Amazon for $8.18 . 16. A scratch-off movies bucket list poster for the film lover who claims they've seen every movie worth seeing. It's a great chance for them to discover a new film or revisit some of their favorites. When every movie is seen, they can frame it and add it to their wall decor. Promising review: "This turned out to be the perfect gift for my brother's 50th birthday. He's always enjoyed music and movies his entire life and this poster was recommended by one of our mutual friends. The movies are from all eras, so it includes a lot of movies he wouldn't think of watching before receiving this poster. He and his family are excited to start scratching off more movies on family nights and any other time they are thinking about what to do for the evening. My niece has already made her list of the first few movies she wants to watch with him. This is a fun, unique, bonding gift for anyone, regardless of age." — Shell Bell Get it from Uncommon Goods for $15 (also available in family movie edition). 17. An original Tamagotchi — a nostalgic toy that'll take their mind off of their adulting day. Remember when we'd have three on a keychain, trying to raise them all at one time? *sigh* Simpler times. Promising review: "I bought this as a sort of nostalgic gift for my wife. And the problem is, she loves it. She spends more time with 'Tommy,' as she has named him, than our actual dog that is dying for her attention. I kind of like Tommy more too, because I don't ever have to clean up Tommy's dookies." — Cupcake Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 30 colors). 18. An Apple Watch stand that'll remind them of the good ol' days aka the '90s. You can insert your apple watch so it can display all of your info when you're not wearing it, and it'll charge it at the same time. Promising review: "Got this as a gift for my fiancé and he was so stoked when he opened it. It’s such good quality for the price and it fits the watch super well!! It really looks like the real thing!" — natuuhhhliee Get it from Amazon for $15.49+ (available in four colors). There's also an awesome AirPods and AirPods Pro case to match. 19. A DIY neon-style sign kit , a completely unnecessary item that'll light up their holiday, literally. It comes with up to 9 feet of bendable light-up wire that can also be a gift for a hard-to-please teen. Promising review: "This wire worked perfectly. I used it to make a neon sign, and it made an AMAZING Christmas gift!! Then I ordered it in orange, and the color was bright and true to the picture. The wire is thin and flexible and very easy to bend (without breaking), so it can be used for many things. I hot glued it to a wireframe that I formed, and it held perfectly. The battery pack was not too big and easy to use. There were three different modes that you could cycle through (continuous light, slow flash, and fast flash) by pressing the button on the pack. The wire does emit a low buzzing noise when you turn it on. If you ask me, it's no real bother. It isn't very loud and is barely noticeable for my purposes. Overall, this wire is totally cool. There are so many projects you could use it for, and nobody will have any clue how you did it!! lol. I'm very happy with my purchase and may buy more for another project in the future." — Rob Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two sizes and in 10 colors). 20. A Boxxle box wine dispenser made to hold that boxed wine they love so much. If you don't have to mess with bottles then don't. This dispenser can hold up to 3 liters of wine and keep it fresh for up to six weeks. Promising review: "This little guy is so worth it! We enjoy a fair amount of boxed wine, so we almost always have a bag in the Boxxle. It really does dispense until the bag is pretty much empty. You have to see it to believe it. It looks nice on the counter and blocks all light from getting to the bag of wine. After struggling with dispensing the last of the wine from the traditional box (seriously, there seemed to always be at least a bottle still left when we had to start the tilt, shake, tilt, shake again antics) ,it's pleasurable to use the Boxxle!" — Andrea W Get it from Amazon for $98.99 . 21. A water bottle crossbody , a minimal crossbody with maximum style and practicality. It has room for all their go-bag essentials — ID, debit and credit cards, lip gloss, scrunchies, hand sanitizer, cash, phone, keys — and is specially designed to hold their water bottle, too. It's a super cool gift, and it comes in an array of fabulous colors. This bag can hold up to a 32oz water bottle. Promising review: "I bought this prior to vacationing in Las Vegas. I wanted my water bottle, phone, money, credit card, and ID all in one carrier, and boy did this deliver. It's very comfortable and very pretty. I bought a silver one. This truly is a very useful, fun, and organized carrier purse. I love mine and use it all the time!" — Nikko Get it from Amazon for $59 (available in 23 colors). 22. An impossibly sweet heart-shaped fake cake box cute enough to eat! Every day will be a celebration with this decorative box sitting out on your dresser. There's no better place to store your precious jewels. You can customize the writing (plus work with the owner for any other customizations you want!) to fit your tastes exactly. Promising review: "Absolutely amazing and beautiful. It's perfect and just as pictured. I am in awe of it. Now I have to buy my mom one. She saw it and hinted not so subtly." — Heather Marie 2FacedCakes is a small business based in Las Vegas that handcrafts gorgeous dessert-themed jewelry storage and decor. Get them from 2FacedCakes on Etsy: the pink '90s box for $46 and the purple with cherries box for $45 (both available with glitter or matte). See their full store page for more adorable options! 23. A stuffed waffle maker to elevate ~breakfast in bed~. Waffles are already a top choice for any time of day and now they can fill 'em with cream cheese, strawberries, chicken, or anything else your heart desires. Promising reviews: " There are not enough words in the English language to describe the happiness this thing brings to me and my family. We’re always thinking of new things to stuff. I’ve had four friends order them as well. I’ll be sending them for Christmas gifts this year. If you like waffles this is a must-have!" — Shannon Hernandez "I bought this after I saw a video on TikTok, so I had an idea about the yummy waffles I could make. First waffles were stuffed with apple pie filling. Second ones scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese . Just amazing!!! The only way you could make this better is to send a chef!! I definitely recommend watching a video on TikTok or YouTube to inspire you before you start!!" — Adirondackdarling Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 24. Some dreamy LED cloud lights for an *out of this world* aesthetic. These lights set the ultimate mood for relaxation whether you're watching a movie or taking a nap beneath the faux starlit sky. Plus, they're battery-operated so there are no ugly cords you'll need to hide (bless). The clouds have eight light settings (fade, flash, dim, etc.). Promising review: "Absolutely wonderful and just what I was looking for. Fantastic craftsmanship, quick shipping, and just awesome looking decor. Thank you immensely, you're amazing!" — D Gilmore Dream Vibe Creations is a Texas-based small biz that specializes in novelty whimsical cloud lights. The owner, Bobby, began making the cloud lights after his journey of being diagnosed with a rare disease, undergoing a transplant, and spending months recovering at home, in the hopes of bringing smiles to folks' faces and a bit of whimsy and magic to their homes. Get it from Dream Vibe Creations on Etsy for $55+ (available in two color options). 25. A pair of dainty handmade cassette-shaped earrings to rewind the time by wearing a vintage accessory. They long for days of yesterday and wearing these lil babies will remind them of the time when we'd listen to the radio to record our favorite songs. Wearing these will always make them smile. Promising review: "These earrings are a throwback to the '80s, and I absolutely love them. They are lightweight and aren’t too big or too small." — Shellers Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 26. A fleece Wheel of Fortune blanket because they'd like to solve with the word *cozy*. Promising review: "Bought it for my mother for her anniversary. She loves it. It's really soft and looks like the wheel! What's not to love?" — Dipped Get it from Amazon for $69.99 . 27. A book of random illustrated facts perfect for a friend who loves absorbing knowledge. This book is filled with weird and wondrous facts that'll get them prepared to keep their crown as the reining champ of trivia night. Promising review: "Loved it! Such a cute and beautiful book. I follow the artist's Instagram, and as soon as I found his book in a library, I went ahead and ordered it as a gift for someone who also loves to learn about weird, random facts. The quality is really good too." — Jules Get it from Amazon for $13.56 . 28. A bewitching LED rainbow lamp that'll brighten up the gloomiest of days. A gift that reminds them that their friendship is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 🥲 Promising review: "Got two of these as a gift and I LOVE them!!! So bright and colorful and fun! It has the option of being battery operated or plugging the USB end into something so it stays on constantly." — Sara Get it from Amazon for $13.98 . 29. A faux-leather coffin-shaped wallet in case your goth-loving bestie loves to display the macabre in everyday accessories. It's got 11 individual card slots, one extra ID slot, and three separate bill pockets. Wanna level up? Slide two tickets to see Nosferatu inside the wallet before you give it to them. Lazy Skull is a spooky small business! Promising review: "This wallet is adorable! I have plenty of room for my cards and I don’t have to fold up my cash like I did with my last wallet. The design on the front and inside is sick! I like the handle it comes with as well since I’m not someone who carries a purse around. Can’t wait to carry this to all the spooky events this year!" — Karen Get it from Lazy Skull on Amazon for $29.95 . 30. A rotating disco ball diffuser that'll bring the party by letting the light dance around their room. Then they can diffuse some citrus or peppermint essential oils. Party on the dancefloor for one! Check out a TikTok of the disco ball in action. Make sure to grab them some essential oils for the full experience! Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins . Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE my disco ball diffuser! It brings me joy. The diffuser works great and has timed options. You can use the disco ball without diffusing it, too. Lots of pretty color-changing options, or you can have it cycle through all of the colors, which is what I choose to do. There are two spinning modes, too...slow and fast, or you can set it to not spin at all. Get one. You WON’T be disappointed!! 🪩🫶🏼😍" — Heather Get it from Amazon for $37.97+ (available in two sizes). 31. A pair of satin pillowcases to treat treat their skin and hair simply by laying on these cases. Hair poppin', skin poppin', and sleep poppin' too. Promising review: "Absolutely LOVE these pillowcases! Likely the best gift I was ever given! My hair and skin have been so much better after switching to these! I wake up to shiny, manageable hair and clean, acne-free skin! The color is vibrant, and the texture is cool and soft. Would definitely recommend!" — Carey Marie Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in five sizes and 39 colors). 32. A heated eye massager for those who live their lives glued to a screen. This eye massage plays music, gently blows air, heats up, and keeps the eyes relaxed after scrolling through hundreds of emails that they end up just marking as spam anyway. Promising review : "This is a great massager! I bought another one as a gift and have shared the massager info with coworkers, and several have bought this item, too. It is very comfortable, with multiple options on heat, sound, massaging, and pressure. I absolutely love this product!" — Cheryl Get it from Amazon for $55.99+ (available in three colors). 33. A wicked witch-themed bookmark because they've been raving about Wicked and now want to dive into the book. Here's a way to keep them on brand while they're *holding space* for their Wicked era. But... was she really a ~wicked~ witch? 🤔 MY BOOKMARK is a small biz based in Kiev, Ukraine, that sells unique bookmarks! Promising review: "This is one of my favorite bookmarks!! Well crafted. I thought I had broken it when I dropped my book. I was so happy to see that the legs could be repositioned. Love it!!" — Ms. E Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 34. An adorable itty bitty Baby Yoda Bluetooth speaker they can use to blast their favorite tunes right before cuddling up for a Star Wars movie date night. Promising review: "I read the comments where people said this was louder than they expected, but I was still surprised at how DANG LOUD this little thing is!! It gets louder than my parents' big Bluetooth speaker! Definitely cute, definitely worth the money! You won’t regret it!" — Edwards Get it from Amazon for $17.46 . 35. A set of LED light saber chopsticks because you've seen them try to use chopsticks before, and hopefully they'll get better at grabbing their sushi with a little help from the force. Promising review: "I purchased these for a friend's birthday present (he is a sushi waiter) and these are flippin' AMAZING. I ordered two sets by mistake, but I am totally keeping the second pair for another gift (or for myself!). These are sure to be great conversation pieces and attention-getters. Way to go!" — T. Redwood Get two pairs from Amazon for $9.97 . You and your friends after exchanging your gifts: The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.LOS ANGELES , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Appotronics, the inventor of the ALPD® laser display technology, recently participated in the Laser Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA) Annual General Meeting held in Los Angeles , United States . During the event, the company showcased its optics solutions designed for both the interior and exterior of vehicles, emphasizing their versatility in functions such as illumination, entertainment, and V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication. Meng Han , senior director of Appotronics, addressed the attendees, which included laser illumination and display technology experts, market analysts, and trend observers. He emphasized that the automotive industry is undergoing a transformation from internal combustion engines to autonomous electric vehicles, creating ample opportunities for laser projectors. This shift typically results in more internal space for entertainment features, such as in-car theaters and laser display-enabled human-vehicle communication both inside and outside the vehicle. "We have done the study, finding many people like it, " said Han, citing the example of Appotronics' rollable giant laser display screen, which is equipped on the Seres AITO M9, a top-selling SUV priced above RMB 500,000 in China . The SUV has received over 170,000 orders since its debut late last year, indicating a strong market demand for such innovative features. Han further pointed out that more laser display technology will be applied within the cabin as a supplement to the current LCD panels, transforming the cabin into an immersive and comfortable third living space. "As for the long future, the future isn't more screens-or even screens at all." Han cited Alfonso Albaisa , Design Chief of Nissan, emphasizing that laser display offers numerous advantages, such as easy modeling, free-form surfaces, design flexibility, safety, and sustainability and can be utilized for projections inside the cabin, on the sunroof, side windows, or even on the windshield. Afterwards, Xin Yu , vice president of Appotronics, introduced the company's intelligent digital colorful laser headlight as an example of immersive exterior display . This innovative light is equipped on the newly-released Smart #5 vehicle, enabling car users to enjoy movies while camping. Yu announced that the product is currently available in China and will soon be launched in Europe and Australia . Yu also demonstrated the company's All-in-One laser headlamp, which fulfills multiple functions, including intelligent signaling displays (ISD), adaptive driving beam (ADB) systems, V2X communications, and entertainment. He revealed that the multi-functional headlamp will soon enter mass production and will be showcased at CES 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas between January 7 and January 10 . Other automotive optics solutions from Appotronics will also be displayed at the event. "So hopefully in the future, we have more friends together in this industry to make more interesting applications and build up more markets for laser innovation." Yu concluded, adding that he expects more "concepts" of laser technology to turn into "reality" in the automotive sector, just as laser technology has revolutionized the cinema industry. In addition to Appotronics' updates, representatives from Texas Instruments, Epson, Panasonic, Seibersdorf Labs, OMDIA, PMA Research, Nordisk Cinema, Nichia America Corporation, Barco, Oxford University , LUMAfestival.com, and RSL Fiber Systems also shared insights on current laser-related regulations, technological advancements, and future trends at the annual meeting.

Xi Jinping wraps up G20 summit, state visit to Brazil amid growing US-China competition

MONTREAL - A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion earlier this week says one of the victim’s sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Thi Cam Nhung Lê says she grew up with Sebastien Gauthier in Quebec City and considered him her best friend. Lê says Gauthier’s older sister was also on the boat in Florida’s Broward County when it exploded and she was taken to a hospital. She says Gauthier’s family was in Florida to celebrate the holidays and that his sudden death feels “unimaginable.” Video posted on social media Monday shows the vessel engulfed in flames following the explosion, with a thick column of black smoke billowing into the sky. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed that Gauthier died of his injuries, saying a preliminary investigation shows the 37-foot vessel exploded after its engines were started. Lê remembers Gauthier as someone who was always smiling and says she is waiting for answers about what led to her friend’s death. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024.Azincourt Energy Corp. ( CVE:AAZ – Get Free Report ) traded up 50% during trading on Saturday . The company traded as high as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02. 253,181 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 2% from the average session volume of 259,671 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.01. Azincourt Energy Trading Up 50.0 % The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$0.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.02. The company has a market capitalization of C$4.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.50 and a beta of 2.78. About Azincourt Energy ( Get Free Report ) Azincourt Energy Corp., an exploration and development company, focuses on the alternative fuels/alternative energy sector in Canada and Peru. It explores for uranium and lithium deposits, as well as other clean energy elements. The company owns interest in the East Preston project covering an area of approximately 25,000 hectares located in Saskatchewan, Canada; and the Big Hill Lithium project covering approximately an area of 7,500 hectares located in southwestern Newfoundland, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Azincourt Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Azincourt Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsNebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has no shortage of memories of the Iowa football program. An Iowa native born in Davenport, Holgorsen’s days as a Hawkeye fan are long in the past — but he remembers what it’s like to coach against them. An experience that Holgorsen first underwent as a young Texas Tech assistant in 2001 will be reprised again this weekend. “Twenty-some years later, it’s the same scheme, the same coach, the same everything; this is crazy,” Holgorsen said of Iowa. “It’s going to take another good effort and more improvement to be able to go to Iowa and play in that atmosphere against a good football team.” Nebraska’s recent surge on offense will have the Huskers feeling confident about their upcoming matchup. While Nebraska may not have equaled its recent 44-point outburst against Wisconsin during a loss to USC two weeks prior, foundational improvements were there from the start in Holgorsen’s eyes. People are also reading... Recap: Here's how Joey Graziadei will win 'Dancing with the Stars' They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Search warrants lead to arrest of man in narcotics investigation No change in bond amounts in child abuse death case Clabaugh family presents Outstanding Educator award Harmonizers to perform Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead on I-29 in Missouri Inside Nebraska volleyball’s finishing kick for a Big Ten title: First up, Wisconsin Zitel bound over to district court in death of child Just Askin': Dana Holgorsen noncommittal on future, ranking a big week for Nebraska Athletics Streaming review: 'Landman' gives Billy Bob Thornton a real gusher of a series Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win At the courthouse, Nov. 16, 2024 Despite scoring 13 points on offense against the Trojans, the Husker offense “just felt better” in that game, Holgorsen said, leading to a “very motivated team” during the week’s practice efforts. And when NU hit the field on Saturday, improvements were there. After struggling to finish drives against USC, Nebraska scored five touchdowns in its seven red zone attempts against Wisconsin. Nebraska threw the ball well, protected its quarterback and found a "difference-maker" in running back Emmett Johnson. “We ran the ball better; that’s the second week in a row I thought the O-line has played well,” Holgorsen said. “Dylan (Raiola) hasn’t been hit a whole lot, he feels good, he’s getting better and processing things well. We’re throwing it and catching it better and our receivers are in the right spots.” It’s been no easy task to drive those improvements in a short amount of time. Holgorsen has only been in Lincoln for a little over three weeks, having first been summoned by head coach Matt Rhule to evaluate the team’s offense before taking over control of it. Midseason coordinator changes may not be rare, but hiring a new face from outside the program is, and Holgorsen admits it made for a “rough” first week on the job. After all, none of the Husker coaches Holgorsen was joining and players he was beginning to coach knew exactly how the situation would play out. Instead, they had to go through it together. “I started getting into the offensive room and those coaches were looking at me crazy like, ‘What are you doing here?’ It’s just true, so we had to sit down and talk and start feeling things out and start working together,” Holgorsen said. “Give those assistant coaches a lot of credit because they didn’t bat an eye. I thought we were smart with how we handled it — I could’ve came in here and changed specific things and that wouldn’t have been the right thing to do for the coaches and the players. I was the one that had to learn.” A desire to challenge himself was one reason Holgorsen said he took the Nebraska job, something which showed up in the new offensive language he needed to familiarize himself with. Having come up as a young coach in the Air Raid offense, Holgorsen exclusively learned, mastered and taught those principles in the years since. It had been 35 years since he last had to learn a new offensive language, Holgorsen estimated. Flash cards with terminology from the Nebraska offense and help from other assistants have helped smooth over that process. Holgorsen may not have been able to stamp his identity all over the offense yet, but he has been able to tweak things, including the very playbook Nebraska operates from. Rhule’s original concepts of a pro-style offense have been added to, transformed and adjusted over the years, with current coaches Marcus Satterfield, Glenn Thomas and Donovan Raiola all bringing different principles and focuses to the playbook. “There’s just all kinds of ideas, so that playbook got pretty big,” Holgorsen said. “I was just like, ‘Look, there’s only one sheet and whatever’s on the sheet is what’s going to get called.’” Trimming down the number of plays Nebraska practices is one such adjustment Holgorsen has made, a process that is collaborative among the Husker coaching staff. Holgorsen also said Nebraska was “probably playing people in too many different spots,” something he’s looked to change so players can focus on their individual roles with more accuracy. “We’ve done a good job of coming together and coming up with a plan of what makes sense to our players,” Holgorsen said. “If it don’t make sense to me, it ain’t gonna make sense to them.” Those changes, and the potential Nebraska showed on offense last week, have excited Husker fans about what the future of a Holgorsen-led offense will look like. However, nothing is guaranteed yet. Holgorsen said that when taking the job he told Rhule he’d get the team ready for USC, Wisconsin and Iowa before figuring out what the future holds. “I don’t want to talk about it, and I don’t want to know what’s next,” Holgorsen. What Holgorsen does know is that he’s enjoying the opportunity in front of him. In part because of the responsibilities he had as a head coach compared to being an offensive coordinator, Holgorsen said he had “more fun on Saturday than I’ve had in a long time” overseeing the Husker offense. As Holgorsen continues furthering improvements within the Nebraska offense, the only guarantee Husker fans have is that he’ll be on the sidelines Friday. It’s currently “the plan” that he will continue as Nebraska’s playcaller during its bowl game, Holgorsen said. “My plan’s to focus on Iowa, try to beat Iowa and see what happens after that.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigrationProjects that do not improve the company’s financial health will be scrapped, and some business units will be merged to avoid redundancy of human resources, the Shanghai-based carmaker said in a statement on Wednesday. “We will make all-out efforts to focus on our goals to improve efficiency in operation and management,” the statement said. “All measures will be taken to adapt to the new situations amid the rebirth of the company.” The statement came after speculation on social media in mainland China that Jiyue had edged closer to liquidation due to poor sales in the world’s largest EV market, which is crowded with more than 50 major players. In a letter to employees on Wednesday, CEO Xia Yiping admitted that the company was under pressure to stay afloat, and said that a drastic revamp of existing operating units would be pivotal to Jiyue’s fate. “The management will do its best to overcome difficulties,” he said in the letter seen by the Post. “The restructuring plan has received full understanding and full support from the shareholders.” The CEO did not elaborate on which business units would cease or how many employees would be affected.