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Santa Margarita stays at No. 1, La Habra moves up and Newport Harbor enters at No. 18 in this week's Orange County boys basketball rankings.

Education suffering under feudal structure, says Khalid Maqbool After the 18th Amendment, education became the responsibility of the provincial governments, but it is still under the control of a feudal structure. As many as 30 million children are out of school, and there is a significant issue of ghost schools and teachers. Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, federal minister for education and science & technology, made these remarks at a session at the 17th International Urdu Conference organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan on its last day on Sunday. He stressed the need for transforming knowledge into wisdom. He highlighted that 70 per cent of gold medallists were girls, but 80 per cent of female students stayed at home after completing their education, which was detrimental for society. The session was titled ‘Taleem ki Surat e Haal’. The other speakers included Sadiqa Salahuddin, Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, Amjad Siraj Memon, Mujib Sahraei, and NED University Vice Chancellor Dr Sarosh Lodi. Dr Jaffer Ahmed performed the duties of moderator. Dr Rafi mentioned that there were 30 government and 37 private universities in Sindh. He noted that Pakistan had a total of 284 government universities, which was a low number for a population of 250 million. Memon explained that medical universities were no longer limited to MBBS degree as medical technology was now a thriving field with global demand. Due to the high number of employees, most funds were consumed by salaries and pensions, he said. He added that 80 to 85 per cent of medical admissions were secured by female students. Dr Lodi shared that the NED graduates did not need any additional degrees, as students from the varsity were employed in 24 countries around the world. He emphasised that engineering education provided better opportunities for livelihood. Sadiqa spoke about the positive changes in schools in interior Sindh, noting that the people of Sindh had a strong desire for education. She was of the view that parents were now willing to educate their daughters.What has happened to C.J. Stroud? Before the season, Stroud — 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year — seemed poised to become an MVP candidate. Now, the Houston Texans quarterback is stuck in a slump. The Texans (7-5) have lost three of their last four games. Stroud has three touchdown passes and five interceptions during this span. On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans upset the Texans, 32-27, on the road. Stroud threw two interceptions in the loss and committed an embarrassing error late in the fourth quarter. With 1:13 left in the game and the Texans trailing 30-27, Stroud stepped out of Houston's end zone, giving the Titans a safety. The defense gets it's second turnover of the day thanks to @KennethMurray ! : Watch #TENvsHOU on @NFLonCBS stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/EJzip1NJrx "It's no secret I haven't been playing well for my standard," Stroud said in a postgame news conference. "Everybody has to look in the mirror and try to get things fixed. So that's gotta be the plan for this week. Practicing. Getting better. Personally, I got to get better. As a team, we have to get better." Last season, Stroud only tossed five picks in 15 starts. That figure has increased to nine through 12 starts this season. His issues likely tie to one of the worst O-lines in the NFL. According to Pro Football Reference , Houston has allowed the league's most pressures (131) and the third-most sacks (41). "[The Texans] can't run-block, so Stroud is forced into a lot of third-and-longs, but they also can't pass-block," wrote The Athletic's Ted Nguyen Sunday. "Early in the season, Stroud was able to play hero ball, but that was unsustainable." Unless the Texans fix their porous O-line quickly, expect them to get bounced early in the playoffs. As of Monday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives them an 18.6% chance to make the AFC title game. Stroud, 23, still deserves criticism for underperforming, but his drop-off should teach the Texans a lesson. Relying on him to be spectacular every week isn't a recipe for success, especially when they can't keep him upright.

Shohei Ohtani announced Saturday that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka , are expecting their first child. “Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!” Ohtani, 30, wrote in a post on Instagram, along with a picture of baby clothes, an ultrasound and the couple’s dog, Dekopin. The announcement comes about 10 months after Ohtani revealed he and Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan, were married last offseason. It also bookends what was a year of change for the two-way star, who in 2024 switched teams for the first time in his MLB career after signing a $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason. Despite being unable to pitch while recovering from a Tommy John revision surgery, Ohtani helped key the Dodgers’ run to a World Series title , winning his third career MVP award after orchestrating the first 50-home run, 50-stolen base season in MLB history. Ohtani is expected to resume full-time two-way duties next season; though his return to the mound will likely be delayed until after opening day following surgery last month to repair a torn labrum he sustained in the World Series. Now, he will be taking on fatherhood duties as well in 2025, with a baby on the way.Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only one in his family improving himself. While the QB looks to make NFL history by leading his Kansas City Chiefs to the first ever Super Bowl three-peat on the field, his mother, Randi Mahomes, is making moves of her own. Now that she’s retired, Randi has been living the life she wants. Going where she wants, when she wants—though she’s always in attendance when her son Patrick takes the NFL field on game day. However, it’s not all fun and games. Randi has also taken it upon herself to refocus on her fitness now that she has more downtime. She has started her fitness journey with yoga, and she shared that she had completed day one of her new regimen with a post on her Instagram story on Thursday. When Randi is not supporting her son and his Chiefs, or working up a sweat at the yoga studio, she’s enjoying life with family and friends. Having dinners, taking trips. She’s also often seen attending her daughter Mia Randall’s sporting events, which include everything from tennis to volleyball to basketball. Randi and Pat Mahomes divorced in 2006, though they remain amicable. Randi had Mia with a new partner (whom she hasn’t disclosed to the media). Randi Mahomes turned to fitness after her parents’ health issues Though it might be hard to believe, Randi only retired a few months ago, despite the fact that her son signed a $503 million contract back in 2020. It is the fourth-largest contract in sports history, and yet, Randi, who was 48 at the time, kept plugging along as an event planner at Hollytree Country Club in Tyler, Texas, where the Mahomes family is from. In 2023, Randi’s own mother, Debbie Bates, passed away due to various health issues, including heart problems. Then, earlier this fall, Randi’s father, Randy Martin, checked into the hospital as he battled through an illness. Thankfully, Randy was discharged from the hospital in October and is on the mend, according to Randi. However, both of her parents going through health issues around the same time made Randi start to think about her own health. Randi is still only 52 and in what seems to be good shape, but she’s not taking any risks. Her newfound fitness journey is an encouraging story for people of all ages, showing that it’s never too late to start focusing on your health and begin your own fitness path. Obviously, her son Patrick knows about fitness as one of the great NFL players in the country. His 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their first loss of the season last week, and will head into Carolina to take on the Panthers on Sunday in Week 12.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel's $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant's funding is tied to a sweeping 2022 law that President Biden has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the CHIPS and Science Act , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. Boak reported from Washington.NoneMint Primer | Can right to repair make modular phones popular?LOS ANGELES – The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel's $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. Recommended Videos The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant's funding is tied to a sweeping 2022 law that President Biden has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the CHIPS and Science Act , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. _____ Boak reported from Washington.

1. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~! I bought this after being peer-pressured by all the lovely reviews and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering . My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry. Promising review: "Cremo's body wash is nothing short of exceptional. If you’re a fan of luxurious fragrances, this product will quickly become your new favorite. It boasts an incredible scent that perfectly mimics Baccarat Rouge 540 — a fragrance renowned for its sophisticated and captivating aroma. What sets this body wash apart is not just its stunning scent but also its longevity. The fragrance lingers beautifully throughout the day , ensuring you stay enveloped in that luxurious aroma long after your shower." — Ralph D. Thompson II Get it from Amazon for $9.34 . 2. A gorgeous pastel paint-by-number you can get in all kinds of intricate, deeply satisfying patterns for anyone who is looking for an activity that pairs perfectly with a screen-free night in. Each set comes with a detailed numbered outline, four brushes, and a set of numbered acrylic paints with extra to spare. Promising review : "Colorful and fun! This is the third paint-by-number I’ve done, and by far the most challenging. Lots of fine point detail, and the paint brushes included were adequate, unlike other PBN sets I’ve bought." — Emily cox Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 12 styles). 3. E.l.f's brand new Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara , a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required. Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action. I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing . I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black. Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three shades). 4. A Lego lotus flower building kit so you can build yourself a dainty little bouquet and then sit back and admire them as decor for however long you please, no flower food or pruning required. Promising review : "I bought this lotus flower set for myself, and it only took me a little while to make it. Each stem with a flower is bagged separately, making it easy to put together. You can make the stem as long or short as you want . The leaves on the two open flowers have bendable hinged leaves, so you can make them look more realistic. They look cute in a vase, and I'm very pleased with the results ." — Happy Amazoner Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two styles). 5. A portable retro-style radio with built-in speakers and a handle so you can bop around to your nostalgic heart's content wherever you roam. Promising review: "This was to replace an inherited vintage radio that finally died after 50 years. This is smaller and has a similar style, but pulls in so many more stations than the old one did. Good sound in small package, perfect kitchen radio." — Pat Kidwell Get it from Amazon for $17.70 (available in two styles). 6. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $21.25. 7. A set of affordable lavender shower steamers so you can have a dose of ~calm~ to cap off a long day of capitalism and help your poor overworked brain getting into de-stressing mode. Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins . Promising review : "Hubby bought these for me because I work full time and just decided to go back to school full time, and he figured I'd be a little stressed, haha . They all smell wonderful, they work great, they'll definitely help me calm down especially during exam time at school or budget season at work." — Tyleena Gloeker Get a set of six from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three styles). 8. A pick-apart ASMR cloud plush, or "Fluffie Stuffiez" — this unique fidget toy is covered with fluff you can methodically pluck off, revealing a different color plush underneath. No worries about the extra fluff, because it comes with an adorable container to make a second cloud out of it! Reviewers love this engaging, adorable fidget both as a toy for kids and a stress reliever for adults. A few reviewers with trichotillomania swear by this as a helpful alternative for picking tendencies. Promising review : "I have a tendency to pick at my clothes when I’m bored and have nothing else to occupy my time with . I got this toy to see if it would scratch that itch and save my clothes from my boredom . It worked much better than I thought it would. The outer layer to pluck has a soft wooly feel and the under layer is very soft. Some of the strands were a bit stuck and took some effort, but most came out with only a little effort. I’ll probably get some more if I know I’m going to be away from home for a while." — Terras Get it from Amazon for $11.02 (and check out dozens of other versions on the Fluffie Stuffiez Amazon storefront !). 9. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift your spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 10. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save you (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All you have to do is put your favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap you want to see in the world! Promising review : "This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry "Absolutely love this cold brew coffee maker. TikTok made me buy it. I use it all the time. I use 1 cup of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water. Once I pull out the coffee filter, I top it off with more water. I add coffee to my chocolate protein shakes every day!" — Connie Forbes Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two sizes). 11. An oh-so-sweet hummingbird lamp with three brightness levels and a touch sensor that reviewers love using as a reading light, a wind-down light, or a nursery light. Bonus: it also functions as an aroma diffuser if you add 3–4 drops of essential oil to the top of its head. Check out a TikTok of the bird night-light in action. Promising review: "This little bird is truly a gem. You tap on its head to get three different brightness of lighting. Works great as a night-light or to have on during the day as a decor for your table or end table. I love that it comes with a charger. No need to worry about having the right battery size. Will buy as gifts for friends and family! " — Linda S. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 12. A shaker of Thin Mint seasoning you need to buy as a favor to all your taste buds immediately. Allow me to paint a picture for you: Thin Mint coffee, Thin Mint pudding, Thin Mint popcorn, Thin Mint anything your dessert gremlin heart desires. I stared at this for months online before caving and buying it, and when I tell you!! It jazzes up my morning coffee in a way that makes my little '90s baby heart sing. I've also loved it on Greek yogurt, oatmeal, and mug cakes. Plus, when I am feeling lonely for a real Thin Mint, and we're not in Girl Scout cookie season, I'll shake this on an Oreo Thin to stave off the despair. Get it from Amazon for $4.98 (and try their s'mores seasoning blend, too!). 13. A deep exfoliating shower back scrubber so soothing and effective that it won't be long before all your friends are like, "Wow, remember when they talked about something other than how squeaky clean their back feels?" A lot of reviewers with dry skin and keratosis pilaris swear by this for relief! Dermasuri is a small business that specializes in skincare and personal care products. Check out a TikTok of the back scrubber in action. Promising review: "I used this back scrubber the day after it arrived, and I love it. Finally, I have an easy-to-use and more effective way to scrub my back. I saw the dead skin fall to the shower floor. Wow! And it easily rinsed cleaned, too." — Naomi M. Get it from Amazon for $18.79 . 14. A set of 2-in-1 magnetic rechargeable hand warmers that are a genuine must-have for cold weather traveling — you can keep these in your pockets to keep your hands the kind of roasty toasty warm that radiates through your whole body, and makes it a heck of a lot easier to stay outside and explore. Bonus: both hand warmers double as device chargers, so they'll come in handy in warm weather, too! Promising review: "These are amazing! I use them when I volunteer at the outdoor food bank and they keep my hands nice and toasty. I keep them in my coat pocket and they warm me right up! They are easy to charge and easy to use!" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in eight colors). 15. A dual beverage Stanley cup separator so you can have TWO beverages in ONE GIANT CUP. It's a free-for-all of bevvy combos. Apple cider + seltzer, iced tea + lemonade, High Noon plus — you know what, I'll let you choose that journey for yourself 😉. Each set comes with two silicone separators and two straws in different colors adapted to a 40-ounce Stanley cup. Promising review : "I love this separator! It fits in snugly and comes with two straws. Works well with my 40-ounce Stanley!" — Dana Daily Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven styles). 16. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder that makes it ridiculously easy to make easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs on the stove, *plus* keep them safe afterward. No more sticking your eggs back in the fridge and confusing them for the raw ones anymore — you can just pop the little penguins in there for storage. Promising review : "Bought this for a serotonin boost because it’s ridiculously cute . Little did I know how utterly functional it is . No more cracking eggs while dropping them into the pot, no more fishing them out, no more putting them back into the damp cardboard carton where they inevitably are forgotten right next to the equally neglected bag of spring mix. Just in the pot, out the pot, into the fridge where they cutely greet me every time I open the door. Gives me five seconds of joy every time. Highly recommend." — Kitty M. Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in a bear version ). 17. A set of of Minnie Mouse ear scrunchies for anyone whose permanent spiritual address is "Magic Kingdom," even if their physical address is somewhere else. Promising review: "I bought these at the last minute prior to a school trip to Disney. They came in a two-pack. I wore them EVERY DAY of the trip. They are so dang cute and durable. Standing in lines for the ride, almost EVERYONE asked me about them. They thought I bought them there, but surprisingly, NOT ONE shop at any of the Disney properties sold this. I sold one to someone in the line!" — Melissa Rae Get a two-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 13 styles). 18. "You Need To Calm Down: A Coloring Book," which is the new ideal way for Swifities to de-stress. This features 45 pages of illustrations and quotes designed to loosely follow the Eras tour in order, so you can color your way back to the magic whenever you please. Psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review : "I never thought I would enjoy adult coloring as much as I do with this book. It provides many opportunities to be creative, mix colors, be whimsical, and enjoy the lyrics." — Sherry Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 19. A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price. iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. I own a pair of these, and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably . The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point. Promising review : "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can’t hear anything. The volume is loud and sound quality is a win , and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." — Chevelle Revero Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in five colors). 20. Etude's delightfully multipurpose Dear Darling Water Tint , which a lot of reviewers compare to Benefit's Lip Tint. This smudgeproof formula is designed primarily to be a natural-looking, weightless lip stain, but reviewers use it as a blush as well! Promising review : "I bought the Benefit version a couple of months ago and was very underwhelmed by it, but this product is sooo soo much better than Benetint. The pigment is so good and natural at the same time. A 10/10 for sure. And at this price point what’s there not to like?" — Rachael Get it from Amazon for $6.20+ (available in three shades and combo packs). 21. A coquette cocktail print so your bar can be every bit as cutesy, demure, and mindful as the rest of your life. (Well, so long as that espresso martini isn't in the picture.) Each poster is made on lightweight, uncoated classic matte paper. Honey Island Studio is a California-based Etsy shop established in 2019 that specializes in funky, trendy digital prints for your home. Promising review : "Looks just like the image! I bought a frame for it and it fits perfectly, I love it. If you're thinking of buying this item, I highly suggest you do so! :)" — Allison Get it from Honey Island Studio on Etsy for $17+ (available in 13 sizes). 22. Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce , which is basically what happens when teriyaki sauce and barbecue sauce have an absurdly delicious baby. Reviewers are obsessed with putting this umami + savory + sweet sauce on just about everything they can. Check out a TikTok of Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce in action. Bachan's is a small business that specializes in Japanese barbecue sauces. Promising review: "Worth the hype . This is absolutely delicious and full of umami. It's so tasty on stir fry with rice and makes it taste more like hibachi . I warmed up leftover restaurant brisket in a skillet, and tossed a little of this on it at the end, and let it caramelize, and it was outrageously good. The flavor is hard to describe . It's savory and salty, like the sauce that comes with Chinese dumplings, but not quite that . And there are notes of barbecue sauce, but not heavy or overly sweet." — John Flora Here's what BuzzFeed Contributor Jonathan Mazzei has to say about it: "I love this sauce! It's the perfect mix of savory, sweet, and spicy, and I've found that it works beautifully whether you're cooking with it or just using it as a last-minute topping or dipping sauce." Get a set of two (Original + Miso from Amazon for $23.98 (available in five flavors and several combo packs). 23. A sweet Nessie sugar spoon reviewers are obsessed with, and for good reason. It infuses just the right amount of ~whimsy~ into the best parts of their day (read: that first cup of coffee, the first bite of oatmeal, that lil' bowl of ice cream before bed). It also has a very satisfying weight and curve for optimum sipping. Promising review: "This little silly spoon makes me happy. It is now the #1 spoon everyone looks for in the silverware drawer at our house. Often found in a container of ice cream or a mug of tea living its best little life." — Emily Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in sets of four and eight). 24. Kitsch's Zig Zag Headbands , an iconic callback to the '90s style with a chic modern update. This is designed to work for all hair types, letting you add some volume and cheeky playfulness to the rest of your look. Reviewers especially love that these don't give them headaches like other headbands! Promising review : "If you don’t have this headband, you need it! I haven’t stopped wearing it since I bought it! I’ve had so many people compliment it and order one because of how simple but cute it is! I have a medium thickness of hair and It holds my hair out of my face, the quality is great and it stays put all day. Wouldn’t use for working out but great for everyday wear!" — Morgan "Saw these on TikTok and knew they were worth buying. I was right to love them!!!" — Debbie Ladnier Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two colors). 25. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so you can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all your favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Promising review: "This product has been so much fun to watch! I followed the directions, exactly as written, and the mushrooms began growing within 3–4 days. I will say that I did soak them for close to 10 hours before putting them back in the box to grow and I believe this helped a ton. I also kept the box inside by a window with the blinds closed in order for them to get indirect sunlight . The mushrooms grew tremendously for almost a week before they started to shrink so I clipped them to cook with and they were DELICIOUS! This was such a fun product and process to watch." — Steph A Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 26. A beautifully packaged, travel-friendly Touchland Power Mist hydrating hand sanitizer for anyone who's like "mindfully practicing health and safety, but make it fashion." Unlike other sanitizer sprays, it's infused with aloe vera to keep your skin hydrated and has the most luxurious floral scents. Touchland is a small business that specializes in hand sanitizers. Promising review: "Touchland's hand sanitizers are absolutely beautiful! Not only is the packaging functional for travel, but it’s pretty! Absolutely no issues with the product or the design of the packaging leaking, and it’s extremely easy to use! No sticky residue, and your hands feel completely hydrated and soft after each use . I’m especially impressed with this perk, considering most hand sanitizers leave your skin feel tight and dry . No leaks, great hydration, phenomenal fragrance.... what’s not to LOVE!!!? 🤍 SPOIL YOURSELF, NO EXCUSES NECESSARY!" — Briana R. Get it from Amazon for $16 (available in Lily of the Valley and Rose scents; check out Touchland's Amazon storefront for more options). 27. A gorgeous vintage-inspired botanical tapestry that will bring some much-needed calm, lovely vibes to your space with almost *zero* effort on your part — all you have to do is hang it up with the included hook. Promising review: "This is a very nice item that I am using in my small Florida apartment to enhance my decor since my hobby is growing indoor houseplants. It is the best-quality item I own . It's beautiful, the pictures didn't do it justice. " — Sharon Boggs Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 28. Mr. Sketch Scented Watercolor Markers so all the foodies out there can finally sniff their beloved orange and mint pen tips to their heart's content without a teacher being concerned they're about to take a big honking bite out of it. Promising review : "These are my favorite markers to use for anchor charts in my first grade classroom. The tips are great for writing nice, big letters. The smells are fantastic , although this pack had a few interesting scents, like nacho cheese. I will only use this brand." — KPorto28 Get a set of 22 from Amazon for $14.10 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

CNN wants the North Carolina lieutenant governor's defamation lawsuit against it thrown outStocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts’ estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat with a gain of less than 0.1% as of 3:07 p.m. Eastern. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 10.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 1.5% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.4% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 were gaining ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.3%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.6%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.8% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, Bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated PressAdd another quarterback to the 2025 NFL Draft class. Georgia signal-caller Carson Beck announced Saturday that he will be going pro after five seasons with the Bulldogs. Beck, in an emotional post on his Instagram account, thanked his coaches and teammates for his time in Athens. “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made,” Beck wrote. “Thank you Dawg Nation for the time i’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Go Dawgs!” The 23-year-old’s career at Georgia has been a polarizing one. Beck took over the full-time starting reins in 2023, throwing for 3,941 yards (9.5 yards gained per pass attempt) with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions. At that point, he was viewed by many pundits as a potential first-round pick, but he decided to stay at Georgia for 2024. This year, however, has seen him take a bit of a step back with fewer passing yards (3,485) and double the number of interceptions (12). Compounding matters, Beck got injured on the last play of the first half of the SEC title game against Texas, which forced him to get surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will now miss College Football Playoff, but he is expected to make a full recovery. A little over two weeks ago, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote that Beck’s draft stock could take a “very healthy hit” because of the injury. This year’s quarterback class is likely to include Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward at or near the very top of the draft.

The policies will continue

The ordered closure of TikTok’s Canadian operations over national security concerns will make it more difficult to force the company to cooperate with privacy investigations, Canada’s privacy commissioner said Tuesday. Philippe Dufresne testified to MPs on the House of Commons ethics committee who are scrutinizing the federal government’s order last month that TikTok Canada wind up its operations following a national security review. The government hasn’t shared the specific national security risks that led to the windup order, but has said it won’t prevent Canadians from using the app. The company filed documents in Federal Court in Vancouver last Thursday to challenge the government’s order. Dufresne — whose office and provincial counterparts are currently investigating whether TikTok unlawfully collected and shared younger users’ information — said privacy laws allow his office to seek a Canadian court order to force a company to provide evidence and testimony during an investigation. “Certainly in terms of compelling powers, if there’s a refusal to provide us with documentation, it’s easier if the organization is in Canada,” where that order can be enforced by Canadian authorities, he said. Dufresne said his office, which has no enforcement powers itself, can ask a foreign company to cooperate in an investigation if there is a provable “real and substantive connection to Canada,” such as Canadian users of an app or service. “Where the issue could come up is in terms of enforcing it,” he said. “If all the assets are in another country then it becomes an issue of private international law, where you seek to have another court, another country, enforce the decision of Canadian courts.” Dufresne told the committee the government’s windup order will not have an impact on his current investigation, which was launched last year alongside British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. He said he expects a final report and recommendations to be released in the coming months. Canada, the U.S. and other countries have raised national security concerns about TikTok , whose corporate owner ByteDance is based in China and would be subject to Chinese laws compelling the sharing of private information held by Chinese companies if ordered by the government. The popular social media app is facing a potential ban in the U.S. in January unless ByteDance divests itself of TikTok. A U.S. appeals court last week upheld the legislation that would enforce that ban, but TikTok has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. U.S. prosecutors have redacted entire sections of court documents to protect what they say is top secret information while defending the law. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, whose department conducted the national security review, has repeatedly declined to share the information raised by the national security review that led to the decision to order TikTok Canada’s closure, citing national security laws. Dufresne wouldn’t give an opinion on the government’s decision when pressed by several MPs, saying he hasn’t seen the information the government has, and wasn’t notified or involved in the national security review as his office is independent from the government. “I think transparency is important,” he told NDP MP Matthew Green, who asked if the government should be more forthcoming about its decision. “I think the more the public can understand about the decisions of the government, the decisions of my office, the better. There may be some limits in terms of confidentiality, but certainly this is important.” The federal and provincial privacy commissioners’ investigation into TikTok is focused on whether the company obtained valid and meaningful consent for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. The commissioners said last February, when announcing the launch of their probe, that they are focused on younger users given their outsized use of the app compared to other age groups. Dufresne said Canadian privacy law should be strengthened to give his office enforcement powers after an investigation concludes that a company violated the law. He argued that would help rein in social media and other tech companies that seek to avoid punishment. “Technology is moving very quickly, websites are evolving very quickly, so we need to be able to have faster application of decisions,” he said. An example cited during the meeting was the lack of penalty against Meta, which owns Facebook, for a 2019 privacy investigation that found the company failed to obtain user consent for the sharing of information. Dufresne’s office in 2020 asked the Federal Court to enforce its findings , but the commissioner said no penalty has been issued to date. Meanwhile, Meta agreed Tuesday to settle a Quebec class action lawsuit over its data sharing practices for $9 million, while refusing to admit to wrongdoing.On paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nro

Gabbard, Trump Intel pick who visited Assad, meets with senators after dictator’s fallCEO killer suspect: golden boy who soured on US health system

Netflix viewers are raving about a 'ten out of ten' action thriller that's garnering high praise on the streaming giant. The 2009 film, Law Abiding Citizen, features Gerard Butler and is helmed by F. Gary Gray, known for directing hits like Straight Outta Compton and The Italian Job. Penned by Kurt Wimmer, the director behind sci-fi blockbusters such as Equilibrium, UltraViolet and the 2020 remake of Children of the Corn, the film centres on Butler's character, Clyde Shelton. Driven by vengeance, Clyde seeks retribution against those who brutally murdered his wife and daughter during a home invasion, as well as the law enforcement officials, including attorney Nick Rice played by Jamie Foxx, who failed to deliver the justice he sought. With many fans rating the film a perfect 'ten out of ten', social media is abuzz with recommendations. One viewer enthused: "Law Abiding Citizen is a top 10 movie of all time." Another declared: "Law Abiding Citizen is almost a classic film and its performance by Gerard Butler is Oscar-worthy," reports the Mirror . A third fan hailed it as "one of the greatest movies ever made. Real cinema," while another praised it as a "phenomenal movie" that "doesn't get enough credit," labelling it "top tier". Netflix is gearing up to release another heart-pounding action thriller, Carry-On, premiering on December 13. The film features Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, a security agent who becomes entangled with a sinister traveller, played by Jason Bateman, after a chilling voice through an earpiece leads to blackmail. Forced to sneak a perilous cargo past airport security on Christmas Eve, Ethan's actions could endanger countless lives. The gripping trailer shows him caught in a deadly game of deception and pursuit, racing against time to outsmart his foe. Director Jaume Collet-Serra shared with the BBC his vision for the film, influenced by the iconic Die Hard: "Everyone wants to make the next Die Hard and the reality is that no one ever will - it's a perfect movie that can't be replicated, and also a very specific product of its time. "But when I read the script for Carry-On, I felt like I had found a more grounded version of Die Hard - which was our North Star for the entire process - for a new generation." Reddit users are buzzing with excitement over the upcoming film. One fan remarked: "This could be a treat. Evil Bateman is the best Bateman." Echoing the sentiment, another said: "So agree! I love all JB. He's a hard worker, but I really love his evil. Reminiscent of Gene Hackman to me." A third chimed in: "Looks very interesting. Good timing too, with many people flying for the holidays. I'll be watching it as soon as it is released."None