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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Dean McCullough was forced to leave main I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! star camp during the latest episode - but all was not as it seemed. The DJ entered the jungle on Sunday (November 17) as one of the main cast, which includes WAG Coleen Rooney, Corrie's Alan Halsall, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos and TikTok sensation GK Barry. Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles joined the reality show on Thursday (November 21) night as late arrivals and were separated from the rest of the stars. The duo was banished to live in the Jungle Junkyard, which the main camp believes is rundown, despite the junkyard having hidden luxuries. During Friday (November 22) night's programme, hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly presented an unexpected twist that required Maura and Richard to recruit a campmate to join them in the junkyard, letting him into their life of luxury. After completing the day's Bushtucker trial, Maura and Richard invited the Northern Irish celebrity into their living quarters, keeping up the ruse that they don’t even have beds. The ex-Love Islander then spilt the secret, telling Dean: "The only half-decent thing we have over here, this red button, press that, it’s actually quite interesting. It’s not great but it’s something." Once Dean pressed the button, he was let in on the Jungle Junkyard secret. Initially left speechless by the twist, the BBC presenter then whispered: "You’ve got to be kidding me!" He praised the new campers' acting skills, and quipped: " The BAFTA is coming!" While Dean was settling in, newcomer Maura took full advantage of the junkyard and relaxed in a bubble bath. Meanwhile, the main camp was still in the dark about the Jungle Junkyard and reflected on their fellow campmate's fate, saying: "Poor Dean." Dean has become one of the most talked-about contestants this year after repeatedly quitting trials early. Ahead of entering the jungle, the star was transparent about his fears, he told ITV: "I’m terrified of everything and the more I think about being put in the ground with 50 snakes or getting those green fly things that bite poured over me – well there's just no point thinking about it, as otherwise I won’t get on the plane." Despite his previous challenge hiccups, the 32-year-old won a total of eight stars alongside Danny Jones in tonight's game. I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! returns tomorrow at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX

Treace Appoints Guy Guglielmino as Chief Commercial Officer

BWXT-Led Team Awarded $3 Billion Cleanup Contract for Department of Energy’s West Valley Demonstration Project( MENAFN - AFP) Asian traders shifted tentatively Tuesday as they battled to track another record on Wall Street owing to fresh China-US worries, while the euro extended losses on concerns of Political and economic upheaval in France. A tech-led rally in the Dow and S&P 500 helped New York Stocks to a strong start to the month, having enjoyed a healthy November on hopes that US President-elect Donald trump will usher in more business-friendly measures. Investors are also looking ahead to the release of US jobs data at the end of the week which could play a key role in the federal Reserve's decision on whether to cut interest rates again. The mixed performance in Asia followed a recent run-up that was helped Monday by manufacturing activity data suggesting China's economic struggles may be coming to an end. In early trade on Tuesday, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Manila were all higher but Hong Kong, Shanghai and Wellington retreated. Fuelling uncertainty was news that Washington had announced new export restrictions taking aim at Beijing's ability to make advanced semiconductors in the latest volley in the tech standoff between the world's leading economies. The moves step up existing US efforts to tighten curbs on exports of state-of-the-art AI chips to China. Beijing hit back, saying the United States "abuses export control measures" and has "hindered normal economic and trade exchanges". The mood was also tinted by worries over Trump's second term in the White House, particularly after he warned last month that he would hit China, Canada and Mexico with heavy tariffs. "Although recent (manufacturing) data revealed that November saw the fastest expansion in factory activity in months -- likely boosted by exporters rushing to get ahead of Trump's anticipated tariff storm -- the broader economic outlook remains fraught with uncertainty," said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. "This complex tapestry of market dynamics -- China's manufacturing uptick, the deepening economic concerns, and the dollar's assertive rally -- are all intricately linked to Trump's aggressive trade posturing. "His vows of imposing hefty tariffs as soon as he enters the Oval Office next month cast long shadows over the Asian markets, making investors both wary and watchful." On currency markets, the euro weakened against the dollar and was sitting at lows not seen since October last year, owing to a brewing political crisis in France, the eurozone's second-largest economy. Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces the risk of being deposed in a no-confidence vote, expected on Wednesday, after he used executive powers to force through controversial social security legislation without a vote. The left wing and the far-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen said they would back a motion bringing down the minority government, which has been in power for just three months. The yield on French government debt rose in another sign of investor concern. France must now pay as much to borrow for 10 years as Greece. - Key figures around 0230 GMT - Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.7 percent at 39,180.06 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.4 percent at 19,478.28 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 3,354.50 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0491 from $1.0499 on Monday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2649 from $1.2654 Dollar/yen: UP at 149.82 yen from 149.54 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.93 from 82.97 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $68.21 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 percent at $71.97 per barrel New York - Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 44,782.00 points (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 at 8,312.89 (close) MENAFN02122024000143011026ID1108948906 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

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The latest Ministry for Pacific Peoples report shows the New Zealand government agency failed to meet a key target. The Ministry gives advice to agencies and is scored on the quality of that advice each year. The ratings for 2022/23 and 2021/22 sat just shy of 60 percent, while the one ending in June got a score of 10 percent, falling short of the 20 percent minimum standard. A spokesperson from the ministry argues that the scores for the last two years were done internally, which is why they vary so much from this latest independent report. 'Abysmal' An MP on New Zealand's opposition bench has accused the government of putting cost savings over delivering for Pacific peoples. NZ Labour Party's social development, child poverty reduction, and Pacific peoples spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni, said a 10 percent rating for policy advice is "abysmal". "This is fundamental core business for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples," she said. "They provide advice across government agencies pertaining to Pacific peoples and communities. "That advice then informs policy decisions. If they are providing a poor level of advice, then that is something that our whole Pacific community should be worried about." More than 50 staff have already lost their jobs in a cost saving exercise by the government. This was described in the report as a "fiscal sustainability exercise". After the Budget announcement, Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti said the reduction had "not been at the compromise of any of the targets or ambitions and endeavours that we have for the Ministry for Pacific People". In the report, MPP secretary Gerardine Clifford-Lidston wrote, "We have emerged from this a tighter, more focused organisation." When asked why advisors are necessary, Sepuloni said they are a key part of the system, providing advice which informs policy decisions the government makes. "They are consulted on housing, health, education, welfare, work and employment of Pasifika," Sepuloni said. "If the quality of advice coming from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples is poor, then you can imagine that our Pacific communities are going to be served poorly by the policy decisions and funding that this government makes decisions on." An MPP spokesperson told the select committee their policy team was relatively unscathed in the last bout of job losses. Trimming the edges Sepuloni is "nervous" there could be more jobs on the line. While the head of the agency said she is not actively reducing staffing numbers, she did not rule out further staffing cuts in Budget 2025 when questioned at Monday's select committee. "The answer I got indicated that there is a very high potential for there to be more job losses at the Ministry of Pacific peoples," Sepuloni said. Clifford-Lidstone said the team is "still working through the process for Budget 25". Sepuloni said if it's diminished any more than what it already is, "it will be completely ineffective and unable to do the job that our Pacific community needed [it] to do". Where is the government getting advice from? A Pasifika community leader based in Auckland said he has seen a drop in community engagement by the Ministry for Pacific peoples since the workforce was slashed. Pakilau Manase Lua said things are going to get worse before they get better. "Our communities are in distress because of the budget cuts. Health disability services have had major cuts," Pakilau said. "The Ministry for Pacific Peoples are expected to consult communities on how this impacts them, and if there's not enough people on the ground, how are they going to engage and also report back to the government effectively? "They're not coming down into our communities to talk about what we need. And usually, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples hold forums," Pakilau said. The budget balance A Pacific policy adviser told RNZ Pacific that marginalized communities, including Pacific peoples, are suffering in the name of a balanced budget. David Vaeafe is not surprised at the end-of-financial-year results. "It's like throwing a stone in a pond, you're going to get ripples; and those ripples are going to chug along and get bigger and bigger and bigger, until such time as someone can calm the waters," Vaeafe said. He said what needs to happen is for budget cuts to stop and for funding to be put back where it's needed. "[For] the most vulnerable, first and foremost, in our community, because they are still slipping through the cracks," Vaeafe said.A Kelowna group with concerns over a holiday sign in the downtown core has apparently got their wish. Each year, the Knights of Columbus put up a nativity scene display as part of the downtown Christmas decorations. The Knights go through a permitting process to do this, according to the City of Kelowna. This year, a sign saying "Keep Christ in Christmas" was part of the display, upsetting some people in the community, including the Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association (KASHA). However, the sign has since been removed. According to the city, the sign wasn't part of the permit. It was taken down on Tuesday, Dec. 10. On Monday, Dec. 9, (KASHA) expressed in a letter that it understands the nativity scene is part of Christmas symbols like "lights, festive trees, and other decorative displays." But KASHA had concerns with the "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign. "This message is not merely festive—it is political, advocating for a specific religious interpretation of the holiday," said KASHA in its letter to Black Press Media. "It may appear inoffensive and inconsequential for the city to endorse one religion so overtly. But it is important to understand that this does impact people of other faiths, and people who have no religious beliefs. It makes them feel less Canadian." Capital News has reached out to Knights of Columbus for comment.

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Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in Trupanion, Inc. ( NASDAQ:TRUP – Free Report ) by 73.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,208 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,298 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Trupanion were worth $722,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TRUP. Quest Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Trupanion during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Trupanion during the third quarter worth approximately $210,000. Check Capital Management Inc. CA lifted its position in shares of Trupanion by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Check Capital Management Inc. CA now owns 41,460 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,740,000 after buying an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Trupanion in the 3rd quarter valued at $261,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Trupanion by 51.3% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 10,487 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $440,000 after buying an additional 3,554 shares in the last quarter. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TRUP has been the subject of a number of research reports. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Trupanion from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Trupanion from $45.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Northland Securities increased their price objective on Trupanion from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Trupanion to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Trupanion from $47.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.67. Trupanion Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of TRUP stock opened at $53.31 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of -166.59 and a beta of 1.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The business’s 50 day moving average is $49.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $40.22. Trupanion, Inc. has a twelve month low of $19.69 and a twelve month high of $57.90. Trupanion ( NASDAQ:TRUP – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.06) by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $327.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $321.79 million. Trupanion had a negative net margin of 1.08% and a negative return on equity of 4.36%. Trupanion’s quarterly revenue was up 14.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.10) EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Trupanion, Inc. will post -0.23 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Murray B. Low sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.67, for a total value of $105,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 131,513 shares in the company, valued at $6,926,789.71. This trade represents a 1.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, CFO Fawwad Qureshi sold 622 shares of Trupanion stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.61, for a total value of $32,723.42. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 9,867 shares in the company, valued at $519,102.87. This represents a 5.93 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 18,538 shares of company stock valued at $988,741 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 5.50% of the company’s stock. About Trupanion ( Free Report ) Trupanion, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides medical insurance for cats and dogs on a monthly subscription basis in the United States, Canada, Continental Europe, and Australia. The company operates in two segments, Subscription Business and Other Business. It serves pet owners and veterinarians. Read More Five stocks we like better than Trupanion With Risk Tolerance, One Size Does Not Fit All The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing What is a Bond Market Holiday? How to Invest and Trade 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 Investing in Construction Stocks FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRUP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Trupanion, Inc. ( NASDAQ:TRUP – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Trupanion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trupanion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .I asked Republicans about Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on Syria. This is what they said

NFTs have quickly evolved as one of the most promising players in the digital art and collectibles market. These unique digital assets, secured on blockchain technology , are now disrupting industries like real estate, ticketing, gaming, and more. By offering secure, verifiable ownership and a means for transparency, NFTs have now become integral to many sectors. NFTs are creating a buzz in real estate by tokenizing properties, thus facilitating fractional ownership. Investors can purchase shares of a property via NFTs, bypassing traditional barriers such as hefty down payments. Transactions are secured, and processes such as title transfers are simplified through the blockchain. Virtual real estate properties in the metaverse are also gaining popularity. It opens up new avenues in digital property ownership. NFTs are changing how event ticketing works because they eliminate fraudulent attempts while making it possible to transfer tickets fluidly. Since an NFT ticket is unique and logged within a blockchain, the chances of creating fake ones narrow down. There's also an advantage since the event creators will gain a percentage for further selling in the resale. These NFT tickets also carry some exclusive advantages and even digital collectibles coupled with the event. In gaming, NFTs allow players to own and trade in-game assets such as skins, weapons, or virtual land. Unlike traditional games, where assets are locked to a single game or platform, blockchain-based NFTs offer interoperability. This means players can transfer their assets between different platforms or sell them for real-world value, creating a dynamic virtual economy . Today, NFTs are being used to track goods throughout supply chains and authenticate them. High-end luxury brands utilize NFTs to ensure their products are genuine, helping to reduce the prevalence of counterfeit items. Each NFT acts as a digital certificate of authenticity, providing customers with detailed information about the product's origin and its journey through the supply chain. NFT artists and creators use NFTs to maintain control over their intellectual property. Musicians, for example, can release exclusive albums or songs while granting buyers ownership rights or special access to additional content. Additionally, creators earn royalties each time their work is resold through NFTs. NFTs have the potential to securely store and verify medical records in healthcare. Patients will be able to own their data and share it with healthcare providers as needed. Additionally, NFTs can transform digital identity by providing verifiable credentials for employment, education, or certifications. Charities and institutions are using NFTs to raise funds in innovative ways. By associating NFTs with specific campaigns or causes, they allow supporters to donate while receiving a digital token as a keepsake. These tokens can also include interactive features, which enhance engagement with the audience. NFTs are quickly expanding beyond their original applications, creating numerous opportunities across various industries. They are transforming concepts of ownership and value in the digital era, with uses ranging from fractional property investments to counterfeit-proof event tickets and verified medical records. As the technology continues to evolve, its adoption across different sectors is expected to increase, potentially making NFTs a fundamental part of our digital future.Chandigarh: The Punjab govt has decided to implement the recommendations of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Council across the state, announced minister of social security, women and child development Dr Baljit Kaur on Wednesday. The cabinet minister said that with the implementation of these recommendations, it is now mandatory for private playway schools operating in the state to register. She stated that playway schools must register with the department of social security, women and child development within six months. She further added that only registered playway schools will be permitted to offer their services in the state. Kaur shared that an online system is being established to facilitate the registration of playway schools. This will ensure that no institution faces any difficulties and the registration process can be completed in a timely and transparent manner. TNN We also published the following articles recently Now, you can register your vehicle at any RTO in state Kerala's Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has revised its vehicle registration policy following a High Court ruling. Now, residents can register their vehicles at any RTO within the state, regardless of their residential address. This change aligns with the Motor Vehicles Act and offers greater flexibility for vehicle owners, especially those relocating for work. Nagpur Schools Seek Parental Consent for Apaar ID Registration Nagpur schools are registering students for the Apaar ID, a 12-digit unique code under the 'One Nation, One Student ID' program. This initiative, linked to the Academic Bank of Credits and DigiLocker, streamlines academic records, enabling seamless credit transfers and secure digital storage of academic achievements. Parental consent is crucial for this transformative system aimed at standardizing educational record-keeping nationwide. Goa to implement NEP for special schools from 2025-26 Goa is gearing up to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) for special schools starting in the 2025-26 academic year. Education Secretary Prasad Lolayekar emphasized the focus on quality, affordability, and accessibility in education. The state aims to fully implement NEP across all levels by 2027-28. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — At this point the past two seasons, the San Francisco 49ers were fighting for playoff positioning rather than their playoff lives. After snapping a three-game losing streak with a lopsided win last week against Chicago, the Niners head into a Thursday night division showdown against the Los Angeles Rams hoping to play with the same kind of desperation in a game they almost certainly need to win to get to the postseason. "I think just across the board as a team, everybody had just a bit more of sense of urgency and I think we executed and played together as a team, and we didn't let off," quarterback Brock Purdy said. "Really liked that. But, that was last week so now it's on to this week and how can we do that again?" After getting outscored by 53 points in losses at Green Bay and Buffalo, the 49ers (6-7) played their most complete game of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive. While some credited a feeling of desperation or speeches from players such as Purdy and Deommodore Lenoir for the turnaround, linebacker Fred Warner said it was more about execution than anything else. "We didn't go out there in Green Bay, we didn't go out there in Buffalo saying, 'Let's just hope that we win.' Trust me, I felt desperate as hell going into both those games," he said. "It just didn't work out. ... It didn't happen because last week we decided we wanted to. This was weeks in the making." Whatever the reason, the results were obvious to anyone watching, including the Rams (7-6), who had their own signature performance to boost their playoff chances. Los Angeles held off Buffalo 44-42 to remain one game behind Seattle in the NFC West race and a game ahead of the 49ers and Arizona in the tightly packed division. Coach Sean McVay knows his team will need a similar performance to beat San Francisco and earn a season sweep. "I saw they certainly had a very dominant performance," he said. "If there's anything that you do know, it's a week-to-week league. Humility is only a week away. They have excellent coaches, excellent personnel and really good schemes. No matter what's really happened in terms of the trajectory of the injuries, they're going to be ready to go." Puka Nacua is in dominant form with 33 catches for 458 yards and three TDs in the Rams' past four games, highlighted by a 162-yard performance last week against Buffalo in which he also scored his first rushing TD. Nacua was injured for these clubs' first meeting this season — but last year, he broke the NFL's single-game rookie receptions record with 15 in his first game against San Francisco, and he set the NFL rookie season records for catches and yards receiving during his visit to Santa Clara last January. "He's a tough football player," 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said. "Some guys are just competitive. He's got size, he doesn't go down easy. Some things you can't measure and he's just got it." The least productive four-game stretch of Deebo Samuel's career sent the frustrated wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers to social media. In a now-deleted post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Samuel said the reason he gained only 97 yards from scrimmage the past four games was not that he was struggling but that he wasn't getting the ball. His teammates and coaches believe he will get back to his All-Pro form soon. "I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could," Purdy said. "I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things." The Rams defense got shredded twice in the past three weeks by Saquon Barkley's Eagles and Josh Allen's Bills, dropping the unit to 27th in total defense. LA's vaunted young pass rush led by rookie Jared Verse has no sacks in its past two games and just three in the past four games. Considering Purdy drove the Niners to 425 yards in the teams' first meeting this season without Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle or Samuel, the Rams' offense might need yet another prolific game to overcome its defense's weaknesses. With Nick Bosa sidelined the past three games, the 49ers have had to generate pass rushes from different sources. They had a season-high seven sacks last week with Yetur Gross-Matos getting three and Leonard Floyd two. The 32-year-old Floyd has 5 1/2 sacks in his past four games. "Leonard's just an Energizer bunny," Shanahan said. "It's crazy with him being one of the older guys and stuff and how many different teams he's been to, but I've played against him enough and felt that." Bosa has a chance to return this week and is listed as questionable. AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The holidays have always been about more than gifts and gatherings; they’re about creating moments of comfort — a warm fire, a shared meal, the simple joy of togetherness. But as stress and uncertainty linger, this year’s holiday trend is all about dialing up the coziness and minimizing the chaos. Enter hygge, the Danish concept that’s as much about mindset as it is about ambiance. Pronounced hoo-gah, “hygge” is a Danish word that roughly translates to coziness, but it goes deeper than that. It’s about fostering a sense of warmth, safety and contentment, even in the midst of life’s darker moments. In Denmark, where long winters mean short days and endless nights, hygge is a cultural cornerstone – a way to embrace life’s simple pleasures and build resilience against the cold, both literal and figurative. This season, hygge isn’t just a fleeting Pinterest trend — it’s shaping how we celebrate. From hosting intimate dinners by candlelight to embracing soft, unhurried mornings in pajamas, hygge is more than a design aesthetic. It’s a way to reclaim the holidays from the frenzy, one cozy moment at a time. Over the past few years, people have been gravitating toward anything that promises a break from stress. Much like the rise of weighted blankets to soothe sleepless nights, hygge has become a lifeline for those craving calm in turbulent times. According to Harvard Health, weighted blankets — which mimic the comforting pressure of a hug — have surged in popularity for their ability to help ease anxiety and promote better sleep. Similarly, hygge focuses on small, intentional comforts like a flickering candle or a quiet moment wrapped in a chunky knit blanket, offering a sense of safety and serenity. For many, these are small but meaningful ways to find solace in an unpredictable world. Incorporating hygge into the holidays is a natural extension of this trend. The pressures of gift-giving, hosting and managing a packed social calendar can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with the ongoing uncertainty of the world. Hygge offers an antidote: Permission to let go of the hustle and focus on what truly matters, like connection, comfort and joy. So how do you bring a little hygge into your celebrations? The good news is, you don’t need to spend a fortune or overhaul your entire routine. Hygge is about simplicity, not extravagance. Here are a few ideas to get started. Hygge starts with ambiance, and nothing transforms a room quite like lighting. Soft, warm light from candles, string lights or even a crackling fireplace can create the ultimate cozy atmosphere. But there’s more to it than aesthetics — science backs up the mood-boosting power of holiday lighting. Psychologist Deborah Serani explained to Today that decorating with lights can “create a neurological shift that produces happiness,” thanks to bright colors and the nostalgia they evoke. Whether it’s chromotherapy or just the magic of the season, holiday lights have a way of lifting spirits — the perfect backdrop for a hygge-inspired holiday. Hygge isn’t about elaborate feasts; it’s about comfort food that warms the soul. A creamy broccoli casserole makes for an inviting centerpiece at a casual gathering. Pair it with freshly baked muffins or a simple cheese board, and let the emphasis be on the company, not the cooking. Whether it’s a morning coffee in your coziest sweater or an evening spent reading by the fire, hygge thrives on routine. This season, build intentional moments of rest into your schedule. Trade hours of online shopping for a slow evening spent making or wrapping gifts while listening to your favorite holiday playlist. Hygge draws heavily from the natural world. Incorporate evergreen branches, pinecones or fresh eucalyptus into your decor. Not only does this add a festive touch, but studies have shown that being around natural elements can lower cortisol levels and promote calm. At its core, hygge is about spending quality time with loved ones. This doesn’t mean hosting a huge party. Instead, invite a few close friends for an evening of board games, a holiday movie marathon or simply sitting around the table sharing stories over a steaming bowl of pumpkin soup. Hygge’s growing popularity isn’t just a holiday trend; it’s a reflection of what people are craving. After years of collective stress, there is a growing re-evaluation of what’s important. For many, that means less focus on material things and more on experiences that foster connection and comfort. There’s also a practical side to hygge. The holidays can be financially draining, but hygge celebrates affordability. A cozy evening at home costs far less than a lavish party, and homemade touches – like baking Danish butter cookies – become part of the experience. With their rich, buttery flavor and hint of nostalgia, these cookies are a perfect way to bring warmth to any gathering while keeping the focus on simplicity. As you navigate the holiday season, consider how hygge might fit into your traditions. Maybe it’s swapping a marathon shopping trip for a quiet afternoon baking with your kids. Or maybe it’s creating a new ritual, like lighting a candle and reflecting on what you’re grateful for before sitting down to dinner. Whatever hygge looks like for you, the goal is the same: Finding joy in the small, meaningful moments. Because at the end of the day, the holidays aren’t about how much you spend or how elaborate your celebrations are. They’re about how they make you feel. And if you ask the Danes, the happiest people in the world, that feeling should be warm, cozy and just a little bit magical.With the holiday season now underway, Visa, the global leader in digital payments, reminds shoppers to stay vigilant amidst a rise in fraud schemes. Visa’s Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control (PERC) team released the 2024 Holiday Threats Report, outlining common methods fraudsters use to steal money, data, and account details while people plan their festivities. Top holiday shopping scams one should be aware of are: Phishing and social engineering: Scammers impersonate trusted sources to steal personal information through emails, texts, and calls. Consumers should be wary of common scams to obtain financial details, like emails/texts about fraudulent Black Friday deals, travel discounts, and package delivery updates. They also orchestrate more sophisticated frauds like digital arrests where one is held ransom through their phone on false pretexts that can be very harrowing for the lay consumer. Fraudsters also use real platforms to post fake job ads and demand payments for false expenses like background checks. Consumers should also be careful before donating to charities they don’t know. Scam websites: Fake online stores and imitations of real brands are a growing threat in e-commerce. Such sites have increased with scammers building almost legitimate looking websites, and using search engines and social media ads to attract buyers with unrealistic deals on luxury or popular items, with no delivery of goods. Consequently, victims could either lose money or share sensitive information that fraudsters use for other nefarious activities. Travel scams: The holiday season sees many fraudulent travel websites positioned as authentic and appealing, with deals like “last minute price drop”. Scammers make these websites as close to real as possible and offer discounts on travel-related expenses like flights, taxis and hotels. Consumers may also receive phishing emails with fake flight cancellation notices and be asked to pay for re-booking, or see advertisements with fake vacation rentals at low prices, that collect deposits for non-existent properties. Consumers should steer clear of malicious festival-based apps like Santa Trackers or holiday planners that are loaded with malware. These apps can steal login and payment details once downloaded. Theft and skimming: Always be vigilant in busy malls and public spaces that are hotspots for thieves. Common risks include physical theft or pickpocketing of cards and wallets. Beware of skimming devices fitted on legitimate ATMs or payment terminals to collect card information; always choose to tap and pay where possible. How you can stay safe: Visa offers these tips to protect yourself during the holiday season. • Don’t click on links in unsolicited/unknown emails or texts • Check websites for legitimacy before making purchases. Genuine URLs will ideally start with “https://” • Use only trusted platforms or agents for travel bookings • Keep wallets and devices secure in crowded places • Report suspicious activity at ATMs or payment terminals immediately to the nearest authority As a shopper, stay alert and informed to shop and spend safely and enjoy a worry-free holiday season. For more tips, visit Visa’s website and for more information on scams, read the 2024 Holiday Threats Report by Visa.