China warns NZ against joining AUKUS amid security concernsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to play against Dallas without their star quarterback. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is still dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the Eagles would lean on the medical staff on a daily basis to know where Hurts — who threw two touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores in the first meeting against Dallas in November — was in his recovery from the head injury. The 26-year-old Hurts did not practice this week, leaving Pickett — who suffered a rib injury in relief action against the Commanders — in line for his first start as an Eagle. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards against the Commanders, throwing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown and an interception. Pickett is from New Jersey and said when he was acquired from Pittsburgh that he had “great memories” of going to games at Lincoln Financial Field with his dad and grandfather since he was 5. The chance to run out of the home team tunnel — which he could get Sunday if he’s the starting QB — left him absolutely delighted. “It's a big opportunity,” Pickett said this week. “I've been working hard to stay ready. I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation. Now, having a week to practice, I'll feel even better going into the stadium.” Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers. The Eagles will bump third-stringer Tanner McKee to the backup spot. The Eagles also signed QB Ian Book this week to the practice squad. There has been recent precedent for quarterbacks to play a week after entering the league’s concussion protocol. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive in Week 15 loss to Baltimore last season. Lawrence misfired on seven of his final eight passes after the hit, a stretch that raised concerns on the sideline about his health. Lawrence reported symptoms after the game. He entered the protocol but was cleared in time to start the next game at Tampa Bay. The Eagles (12-3) could decide to play it safe and rest Hurts with the team needing a win against Dallas or the New York Giants to clinch the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Hurts shook off a sluggish start over the first four games and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions to turn the Eagles into Super Bowl contenders. Thanks in large part to the tush push, Hurts has 14 rushing touchdowns this season. The Eagles won the Super Bowl for the 2017 season behind backup QB Nick Foles when starter Carson Wentz went down with a late-season injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. president, Nobel winner, dies at 100The nation paid homage to one of its most esteemed leaders, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as his final journey commenced from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning. The procession, which started amid resonant chants of 'Manmohan Singh Amar Rahe', saw Singh's flower-bedecked remains carried through the streets. Top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, gathered at the headquarters to offer their respects. Family members, including Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur and one of his daughters, also laid a wreath on his body. The funeral, with state honors, was conducted at Nigambodh Ghat as the nation observes a seven-day mourning period, during which the national flag will remain at half-mast. Manmohan Singh, the visionary behind India's economic reforms, served as prime minister from 2004 to 2014 and passed away at 92 due to age-related complications. (With inputs from agencies.)NEWS : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has taken numerous year-end actions that will benefit consumers in the coming year. WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU : More money in your pocket, more protection from fraud and scams. Consumers may not realize that when they get a break in their favor, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is behind it. The CFPB was created in 2011, in the wake of the Great Recession, by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. It’s an independent federal agency that exists to make sure consumers are treated fairly, enforcing consumer financial laws and reviewing business practices to make sure they’re on the level and not ripping people off. It has a toll-free hotline and website for consumer complaints and two years ago set up an easy petition process to make it easier for organizations and consumers to petition the government for change (your right under the First Amendment). The CFPB has ended 2024 with a bang, taking action on several issues that will put money in consumer pockets, as well as finding new ways to keep consumers from getting ripped off or scammed. Enjoy it while you can – the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have promised they will curtail the agency’s powers. One of the new administration’s main focuses is to remove regulations and rules for big business, which means consumer wallets will take a beating. That’s a column for next month, though. Today, as 2024 comes to an end, let’s celebrate some of the gifts that the CFPB has given American’s working folks. The CFPB earlier this month announced that it is closing the loophole that allows large banks to charge excessive overdraft fees for account holders, which the agency considers junk fees. Overdraft fees, or NSF (non-sufficient funds) fees, cost American consumers billions a year, and have the most negative impact on low-income and marginalized consumers, who can least afford to lose their bank account or pay the cascading effect of fee upon fee. My first-ever It’s Your Money column, in December 2021 addressed overdraft fees and noted that some banks during the pandemic had quietly lowered or eliminated them. The new rules apply to the biggest banks – those with $10 billion in assets or more. When the agency first started looking at closing the overdraft loophole, it found that Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase accounted for more than $1 billion overdraft revenue reported by banks, one third of what was reported overall. The CFPB has gone after large banks, and continues to, to get them to return illegal overdraft fees to consumers. The agency reported in its December news release that it brought a $95 million enforcement action against Navy Federal Credit Union for illegal surprise overdraft fees. It also took action against Wells Fargo, Regions Bank, and Atlantic Union for illegal overdraft fees – $205 million, $141 million, and $5 million in unlawful fees respectively, the agency said. Banks claim that overdraft fees are the product of a practice that helps customers – the bank allows a payment that would normally be returned to go through. The fee, often $35 or more, is just the cost of doing business. When the bank covers your overdraft, technically its making a loan to you. So, overdraft protection is a very high-interest loan. Most consumers cover the overdraft in three days or less, but still pay that “high interest.” The whole overdraft fee thing started decades ago when people paid their bills using paper checks, which they mailed. Sometimes the checks would take weeks or more to clear the consumer’s bank account, and by then the money may no longer be there to cover it. Those fees didn’t account for much profit for banks back in the 1960s, when the Truth in Lending Law was drafted, so banks successfully lobbied for a loophole that exempted the fees from the rules other financial fees came under. So, unlike loans, the lenders weren’t required to disclose the fee to customers. Now, 50-plus years later, NSF fees are big money for banks. Most banks don’t give an account-holder the choice of overdraft protection (I’m old enough to remember when many did, and charged a fee for it). Once people started using debit cards, financial institutions “began raising fees and using the exemption to churn high volumes of overdraft loans on debit card transactions,” the CFPB said. Enrollment became automatic – it just happened without the customers realizing it. When the CFPB proposed the rule in 2023, it estimated 23 million households pay overdraft fees annually. Since the agency announced its initiative to curb junk fees, it said, many banks have started to reduce or eliminate them. Consumers have saved $6 billion annually because of that, the agency said. “However, even with these changes, consumers still paid more than $5.8 billion in 2023 in reported overdraft and NSF fees.” The new rule, which is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1 (giving banks 10 months to figure out a plan or the new administration a chance to scuttle it) allows lenders to choose an option: Cap overdraft fees $5, which is the estimated amount most banks can cover costs associated with administering a courtesy overdraft program. Cap the fee at an amount that covers costs and losses “for banks that wish to offer overdraft as a convenient service rather than as a profit center,” the CFPB said. Disclose the terms of their overdraft loan just like other loans. If the lender wants to have a profit-making overdraft service, it must comply with standard requirements governing other loans, like credit cards. Customers must have a choice on whether to open the overdraft credit line, and the bank must provide account-opening disclosures that would allow comparison shopping, send periodic statements, and give the account-holder a choice of whether to pay automatically or manually. The CFPB is part of the White House Competition Council, a group of independent federal agencies and cabinet departments established by President Joe Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The council includes the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Transportation, which also have taken action on junk fees. The overdraft fee action is part of the CFPB’s effort, as a member of that council, to tackle junk fees in general. Earlier this month, the CFPB returned $1.8 billion to 4.3 million Americans who were ripped off by “credit repair” businesses that charged illegal advance fees or used deceptive bait-and-switch advertising. Companies that engaged in these illegal practices included Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com. The refund constituted the largest-ever distribution from the CFPB’s victims relief fund, which is funded by civil penalties paid by companies that violate consumer protection laws, the agency said. A court ruled in August 2023 that the credit repair conglomerate violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule’s advance fee prohibition, which requires credit repair companies that engage in telemarketing to not collect fees until they provide documentation showing they have achieved the promised results, at least six months after the results were achieved. Following the court’s ruling on the suit, which was filed by the CFPB, the companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, shutting down 80% of their business operations, including their telemarketing call centers, the CFPB said. By the way, here’s tip if you’re looking for help repairing your credit or getting out from under credit debt: Find a nonprofit consumer credit agency. You can find one on the National Federation for Credit Counseling website. One big clue that an agency is a nonprofit is that it will have .org at the end of it’s url, not .com. If you opt for a for-profit debt settlement company, similar to the ones the CFPB came down on, keep an eye on fees, tax implications and the hit that your credit score will take. It’s a good idea to research for-profit debt settlement online before taking that leap. Digital non-bank payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and GooglePay, have become incredibly popular. It may surprise you to learn that there is very little regulation, and that means a big opening to set you up to be scammed, among other things. The CFPB estimates that the most widely used apps process more than 13 billion consumer payments a year – this includes Apple, Google, Amazon, PayPal, Block, Venmo, and Zelle, among others. In late November, the agency finalized a rule to supervise the largest nonbank companies that offer digital funds transfer and payment wallet apps. The rule means that companies that handle more than 50 million transactions a year must follow the same federal law that applies to large banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. The rule gives the CFPB authority to enforce financial law with these companies, particularly in these major areas: Privacy and Surveillance . Federal law allows consumers to opt out of certain data collection and sharing practices, and also prohibits misrepresentations about data protection practices. These large companies, which collect vast quantities of data about an individual’s transactions, should provide that option. Errors and Fraud. Consumers have the right, under federal law, to dispute transactions that are incorrect or fraudulent, and financial institutions must investigated such complaints. The agency said that’s particularly concerned “about how digital payment apps can be used to defraud older adults and active duty servicemembers.” It said that the payment apps should manage these issues on their own instead of designing their systems, which many do, to shift disputes to banks, credit unions, and credit card companies. Debanking. Consumers rely on payment apps and “can face serious harms when they lose access to their app without notice or when their ability to make or receive payments is disrupted.” Consumers have reported concerns to the CFPB about disruptions to their lives because of account closures or freezes. The agency’s supervision unit has also created a supervision technology program that assesses, among other things, technology and technology controls and its impact on compliance with federal consumer financial law. You’ve heard that your data is out there. That it’s sold. That bad people may use it for bad purposes. But like many people you may think, “Meh. Me? It just doesn’t seem like something to worry about.” Well, lucky for those who feel that way, the CFPB is still looking out for you. The agency proposed a rule in early December to rein in data brokers that sell sensitive personal and financial information that can be used to target and defraud consumers. The proposed rule would limit the sale of identifiers like Social Security numbers and phone numbers, and would make sure that financial data, like income, is only shared for legitimate purposes (facilitating a mortgage approval, for instance), and not sold to scammers targeting people who are in financial distress. The rule would clarify that when data brokers sell sensitive consumer information they are acting as a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, “which requires them to comply with accuracy requirements, provide consumers access to their information, and maintain safeguards against misuse,” the agency said. The FCRA was enacted in 1970 “to, among other things, strictly limit the use of personal data by a growing data surveillance industry,” the CFPB pointed out in its news release about the proposed rule. It would ensure that the FCRA’s privacy protections protect consumers from technology that wasn’t even dreamed up when that law was enacted. The CFPB developed the proposed rule after “extensive market monitoring that revealed widespread evasion of consumer protections” by data brokers. The brokers claim they aren’t subject to FCRA requirements “even while selling the very types of sensitive personal and financial information Congress intended the law to protect,” the agency said. Data brokers “collect and sell detailed information about Americans’ personal lives and financial circumstances to anyone willing to pay,” the agency said in a news release. The proposal would address “critical threats” data-selling agencies pose, including: National security and surveillance risks . “Countries of concern,” like China and Russia, can buy detailed personal information about military service members, veterans, government employees, and other Americans for pennies per person, the CFPB said. “This enables the creation of detailed dossiers for potential espionage, surveillance, or blackmail operations, allowing relatively small investments to be leveraged into mass surveillance operations.” Criminal exploitation. Identity thieves and scammers buy financial profiles to target vulnerable consumers, particularly seniors and people who are in financial distress. The information is used to run fraud schemes and steal retirement savings, “often targeting Americans who can least afford the losses.” Violence, stalking, and personal safety threats to law enforcement personnel and domestic violence survivors: Dangerous people who target judges, law enforcement officers, government employees, domestic abuse survivors, or individuals in an unpopular profession can use contact information to stalk, threaten and harm. Perpetrators can buy current contact information in order to do that. To address these risks, under the rule: Any company that sells data about income or financial tier, credit history, credit score, or debt payments would be considered a consumer reporting agency required to comply with the FCRA, regardless of how the information is used. When consumer reporting agencies collect information like names, addresses, or ages for credit reports, any sale of that information would be covered by the FCRA’s protections. Companies relying on consumers’ consent to obtain or share a consumer’s credit report would need separate, explicit authorization to do so from the consumer, rather than burying permissions in fine print. “These changes would significantly limit the ability of data brokers to sell sensitive contact information that could be used to target, harass, or dox individuals seeking privacy protection, including domestic violence survivors,” the agency said. The proposed rule would preserve pathways created by the FCRA for government agencies to access consumer report information for legitimate law enforcement, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence purposes, it said. The proposed rule is part of a broader government-wide initiative to protect Americans’ sensitive personal data, complementing recent Executive Orders and actions by other federal agencies, CFPB said. In October, the Department of Justice proposed a rule to prevent access to Americans’ sensitive personal data by Russia, Iran, China, and other countries of concern. The rule hasn’t gone into effect yet – it goes through a public comment period, which ends in March, then is reviewed by several panels and agencies, before it becomes final, likely a year or so from now. It would likely be enacted in 2026. That means it’s still up to you to protect your data as best as you can. The CFPB earlier this month launched rulemaking to address the harmful effects of inaccurate credit reporting that negatively affects survivors of domestic, elder and other financial abuse. “People trapped by domestic abuse must often sign documents under the threat of violence, ruining their financial lives and making it even more difficult to escape,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a news release. “Expanding identity theft protections could help survivors rebuild their financial lives and would ensure that our credit reporting system is not used as a tool for domestic and elder abuse.” I wrote in April 2022 about financial abuse as a major, but unrecognized, factor in domestic abuse. The CFPB is on board, too. “Abusers often use coerced debt as a tool of control, forcing their partner or other family members to take out credit cards or loans through threats, physical violence, or manipulation,” the release said. “They may secretly open accounts in survivors’ names, force them to sign financial documents, or run up charges on existing accounts.” This type of financial abuse “creates substantial, long-lasting harm for survivors,” the agency said. Nearly three-quarters of domestic violence survivors report staying in abusive relationships longer in part because of coerced debt. “The impact falls particularly hard on women of color, who face higher rates of financial abuse resulting in nearly double the average debt burden,” the CFPB said. Once the debt is removed from survivors’ credit reports, credit scores for one-third improve by 20 points or more, enough to qualify for better rates on loans, the agency said. The agency seeks public comment on: The prevalence and extent of harm to people with coerced debt, including through the credit reporting system. Evidence regarding the relevance of coerced debt to a survivor’s credit risk. Barriers to accessing existing protection under federal or state law for survivors of economic abuse. Challenges resulting from coerced debt facing specific populations including survivors of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, older Americans, and children in foster care. Potential documentation or self-attestation requirements for showing that a person’s debt was coerced. The rulemaking was in response to a petition submitted by the National Consumer Law Center and the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice. The agency established a petition process in 2022 “to help Americans exercise the constitutional rights to petition the government,” it said. “The new protocols ensure that there is an easy and transparent way to request action.” The deadline for submitting comments on the advance notice is March 7. It’s not the first time the agency has tackled abuse and its relation to credit. In 2022, the CFPB finalized a rule that prohibits credit bureaus from providing reports that contain negative information about human trafficking survivors when the information resulted from the trafficking. The CFPB is also working on identifying potential violations of these rules, it said. We’ll keep you updated on what goes on with these new rules and proposed ones. Banks and other financial institutions have fought hard against the agency’s junk fee rules and the Trump administration has promised “significant changes” to curtail the CFPB’s power. The Washington Post reported in November that Trump’s transition team is looking for candidates to lead the agency – likely pro-business and banking ones – and would also scale back its oversight. The agency is funded by the Federal Reserve, unlike most federal agencies, which are funded by Congress. It was done this way in order to keep its rule-making and enforcement independent of the political process. The law governing the CFPB sets a cap for its budget, which is adjusted for cost of living. The U.S. Supreme Court in May voted 7-2 that the funding method is constitutional after two trade associations representing payday (high-interest) lenders challenged it. In June, after the Supreme Court ruling, a group of Republican senators introduced the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act, which would shift funding the agency to Congress. That bill didn’t pass, but is likely to come up again now that the Senate will and House will both have a Republican majority. The Trump administration and congressional Republicans campaigned on promises to reduce regulations on business. They are under increasing pressure from banks and other money-driven businesses and institutions to roll back rules that keep them from making higher profits, and have indicated they support that, too. You can reach Maureen Milliken at mmilliken@manchesterinklink.com We don’t spam! You're on the list! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
The United States Air Force still has around 200 Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthogs) remaining in service . These are spread out over around 10 bases around the country (including Air National Guard Bases). Additionally, Warthogs are deployed to various other bases around the United States and abroad for a range of missions (including exercises and combat deployments). While the Air Force no longer sees a future for the close-air-support A-10 Warthog, the Army has found a new role for the close-air-support AH-64 Apache as a deep strike platform . Notably, the A-10 Warthog uses missiles and not its General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon in most missions (although it does use its autocannon in anger from time to time). Here are the air bases where the A-10 Warthogs are permanently deployed (although note that this is constantly changing). The final years of the A-10 Thunderbolt II The United States Air Force took delivery of 716 A-10 Warthogs. Some of those were lost to accidents and to combat damage over the years. Over the last few years, the Air Force has been gradually retiring the Warthog as the F-35A has come into service in larger numbers and as the Air Force refocuses from counter-insurgency to large-scale combat operations against peer adversaries. The A-10 is being replaced by the F-35A fighter jet (although its close air support role is also being replaced by a range of systems). Air Force bases with A-10 Warthogs (list may be incomplete): US Air Force command: Hill Air Force Base, Utah: Air Force Materiel Command Moody Air Force Base, Georgia: 23rd Wing, 476th Fighter Group Osan Air Force Base, South Korea 51st Fighter Wing (ending January 2025) Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada: 53rd Wing (for testing and evaluation), 57th Wing Eglin Air Force Base, Florida: 53rd Wing (for testing and evaluation), 96th Test Wing Gowen Field ANGB, Idaho: 124th Fighter Wing Selfridge ANGB, Michigan: 127th Wing Warfield ANGB, Maryland: 175th Wing (divesting of A-10s from fall 2024) Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona: 355th Fighter Wing, 924th Fighter Group Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri: 442nd Fighter Wing, 495th Fighter Group After the planned withdrawal of A-10s from South Korea in early 2025, all the permanent bases for the A-10 will be in the contiguous United States. Two notable bases that host A-10 squadrons are Whiteman (where the USAF's fleet of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are based) and Davis-Monthan (home to three remaining A-10 squadrons and the massive boneyard). While the legendary A-10 is not considered survivable on the modern battlefield, it was used in combat in December 2024 against targets in the Middle East (which lack air defense capabilities). A few dozen more A-10s are expected to be retired in Fiscal Year 2025 with the final airframes expected to retire by the end of the decade . There is a possibility that the A-10s may see a new lease on life in a foreign air force as Congress has instructed the Pentagon to investigate the possibility of transferring A-10s to Jordan . The type entered service in 1976. Squadrons progressively retiring their A-10s A-10s withdrawn from South Korea Today, around 200 A-10s remain in service and the number of squadrons that operate them and bases that host them is falling. In November 2024, the Air Force announced it would be withdrawing the last of the Warthogs from their base at Osan Air Force Base in South Korea . The Air Force stated , " Starting in January 2025, the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base will begin a phased withdrawal of its 24 A-10 aircraft, with completion expected by the end of fiscal year 2025. Additionally, Seventh Air Force F-16s are undergoing a series of avionics system upgrades, bringing the aircraft closer to fifth-generation capabilities as they increase both the survivability and accuracy of the weapon system ." A-10s have been in South Korea since the early 1980s and this is set to come to an end around January 2025. In its place, the Air Force will station F-16 Fighting Falcons that have been upgraded with "fifth-generation-like" technology. In Korea, the A-10s are under the command of the 51st Fighter Wing and are flown by the 25th Fighter Squadron. Davis-Monthan's 354th Fighter Squadron deactivated On 13th September 2024, the Air Force announced that the 355th Wing's 354th Fighter Squadron and the 354th Fighter Generation Squadron (together known as the Bulldogs) that had been operating A-10 Warthogs had been inactivated at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. They had supported 1,300 troops in contact and flown some 35,000 combat sorties (during which they had fired more than a quarter million 30mm rounds from the A-10's powerful autocannon). The two squadrons have now retired all 36 of their A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. The Air Force stated , " For more than 30 years, the 354th FS consisted of A-10 pilots who conducted close air support, forward air control in airborne, and close air support, for theater commanders worldwide ." It added, " Originating in 1942, long before the first A-10 arrived at [Davis-Monthan], the 354th FS had a history of activation and inactivation to support threats of the times. In 1992, the squadron was redesigned to exclusively support the A-10s at [Davis-Monthan]. " The 357th Fighter Squadron (also part of the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan) continues to operate the Warthog. Additionally, the 45th and 47th Fighter Squadrons at Davis-Monthan (assigned to the 924th Fighter Group) also operate A-10 Warthogs. Indiana's 163rd transitioning to F-16s Meanwhile, the 163rd Fighter Squadron of the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing (located at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station in Indiana) divested its Thunderbolts in 2023 and is currently transitioning to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Warfield ANGB 175th Fighter Wing In March 2024, the Air Force announced that Warfield Air National Guard Base in Maryland had been selected to transition from an A-10 to a cyber wing mission. It stated, " replacing the aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the 175th Fighter Wing with a cyber mission will create a natural synergy between cyber assets at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group already operating out of Warfield ANGB. " This involves the divestment of the 21 A-10s at Warfield ANGB and at the time the Air Force stated that the divestment was expected to begin in "fall 2024." At the time of writing (December 2024), the status of these divestments and the transition to a cyber role is unclear. The Warthog is one of the most famous names in the USAF combat aircraft arsenal. But where exactly does that nickname come from? A-10 Warthogs in the boneyard While Davis-Monthan still has three squadrons flying the A-10 (the 45th, 47th, and 357th Fighter Squadrons), the associated boneyard is home to many more. These Warthogs are placed in the boneyard to salvage for parts and to keep until a decision is made to sell them, reactivate them, or scrap them. In April 2023, The War Zone reported the boneyard was receiving the first Warthogs in years (the last time a large number were sent to the boneyard was in 2014). At the time, a batch of 21 Warthogs was expected to be divested and sent to the boneyard. The first of these was a Warthog with the serial number 80-019. This particular airframe started its career as an A-10A and was later upgraded to the C model and locked a total of 14,125 flight hours over its career. A-10s at the Davis-Monthan boneyard Boneyard A-10 inventory: 100 in March 2023 (49 A-10As and 51 A-10Cs) 2014 to March 2023: No significant numbers of A-10s were sent to the boneyard 21 A-10s: Number expected in 2023 Almost 4,000 Total number of aircraft at the boneyard 78 A-10s: Number of A-10s excepted to arrive in boneyard over 3-5 years (starting from Feb 2024) Before the arrival of the new batch, The War Zone stated there were 100 A-10s at the boneyard at Davis-Monthan (49 A-10As and 51 A-10Cs). One interesting A-10 arrived in the boneyard in 2019. It had been pulled out of the boneyard in 2013 and had been highly modified as a flying storm-chasing laboratory (called the SPA-10 Thunderhog). The program took place under the National Science Foundation and after the program collapsed, the A-10 was returned to the boneyard. In February 2024, the Air and Space Forces Magazine reported more A-10s were arriving at the boneyard. Speaking of the first A-10 arrival at the time, it added, " The jet is the first of 78 A-10s at Davis-Monthan that will be retired over the next three to five years ." It is unclear when the older A-10s will be scrapped at the boneyard or if they will continue to add up there over the coming years. As a side note, with around 4,000 aircraft in storage at the boneyard, that is almost the same as the Air Force's total inventory of non-training and non-UAV aircraft in service.
The Aragalaya or the struggle started in March 2022 and ended in November 2022 with the ouster and resignation of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It was the result of deep and unprecedented public anger at the events of the previous year when in 2021 there was a complete breakdown of the economy, fuel and electricity and cooking gas were not available and people were in dire straits due to high double digit inflation. Sri Lanka then declared bankruptcy and till Indian assistance came in form of a much needed dollar infusion plus a good word with the IMF, Sri Lanka seemed to be on the brink. People blamed the corrupt practices of the Government of the time and their utter mismanagement of the economy for the crisis. And anger and disgust at the entire political dispensation found expression in violent ways too with many houses of politicians being burnt and them feeling the heat of public anger. With Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaving office and temporarily the country, and Ranil Wickremesinghe taking over, the worst of the anger seemed dissipated and it seemed like everything would return to normal. Ranil W as the new president enforced law and order very firmly. And a potential attempt to storm Parliament was thwarted by the police. It was deemed that such an act though a felt need of segments of the population (as a way of demonstrating anger at the political establishment) would destabilise the country and the economy even more. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his team set about addressing the issues related to the economy and secured an IMF agreement that was crucial to get the country back on track. But the austerity measures agreed with the IMF and implemented resulted in an already struggling population (with increased prices due to inflation) now saddled with extra taxes finding themselves squeezed from both sides. The population used to the populist tax structure of the Gota regime had to suddenly absorb the impact of IMF driven taxes. This caused severe hardships to many in the population and though the Government and administration continued to communicate the need for this ‘bitter pill’ clearly it was too bitter for most. Also the fact that Ranil Wickremesinghe relied on the same 225 politicians to set the economy right made him the target of accusations. He was called ‘Ranil Rajapaksa’ to suggest that he is a protector of the Rajapaksas. The NPP under Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who in 2019 had only three seats in the 225 seat Parliament started actively organising themselves as an alternative on the back of the Aragalaya. They constantly reminded people of the misdeeds of the current crop of politicians and blamed them squarely for the plight of the people. And promised a new political culture if elected that would transfer power from the failed elite politicians and bring it to the ordinary man on the street (who he represents). The JVP which has a militant past, did not project itself and instead focused on a new brand NPP and an untainted leader AKD (Anura Kumara Dissanayake) as an alternative to the current crop. The lead up to the 2024 Presidential election which saw a very aggressive campaign mounted by NPP under AKD who even visited many foreign countries including the US and India giving credence to the belief that his stock is rising among the masses. The most important thing is that the on the ground activation of the campaign was very intense. While the UNP machinery on the ground was split between SJP and the few UNPers and with the SLPP folk keeping a low profile due to negative public sentiment towards them, AKD and his team mobilised voters effectively and efficiently. The Presidential election in October saw Anura Kumara Dissanayake assume office with a significant gap over the next candidate Sajith Premadasa. The voter had spoken and it was clear the people wanted change even at the risk of empowering a party and leader who was previously inexperienced in governance. Parliament was dissolved and the General election was called immediately. In exactly 54 days as the constitution provides. And the well-oiled election machinery of NPP continued its juggernaut on the same platform of ‘change’ and clean government. The election results declared on 15 November 2024 are a watershed in Sri Lankan political history. The people have willed and voted for a complete change. Most old names no longer feature – the 2024 Parliament will have a totally fresh new look. Led by AKD as the President and his team in the NPP. Not only has NPP got a majority but it now has 159 out of 225 seats which gives it more than two-third majority to run the country. In a media interview prior to the General election, AKD was quoted as saying that they are looking for a simple majority (113) and that two-third majority are only sought by ‘oppressive’ regimes. Clearly the people have granted him more than what he sought. The people of Sri Lanka have shown they do not have short memories. Certainly not if a smart politician keeps reminding them of their suffering and provides a credible alternative. The Aragalaya can now be declared over. What some elements of the population sought to do – bulldoze Parliament – has been achieved via the popular vote. Now the onus is on the NPP to deliver. To make sure the economy is revived. To ensure no defaults. To ensure compliance with all IMF obligations. At the same time to deliver on the people’s wishes – a transparent clean government that mitigates the suffering of the common man and provides hope and give fuel to the aspirations of the young in Sri Lanka. Two cliched statements both proven true are apt at this stage. “With great power comes great responsibilities” and “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Let’s hope and pray for the sake of the pearl that it’s the former that will be true here than the latter. The Aragalaya ends. Now what’s next for Sri Lanka is the moot question.
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The third storm of the season, Storm Conall, followed just days after Storm Bert left hundreds of homes flooded and saw winds of more than 80mph. Homeowners and businesses said they “have lost everything” as flash floods and strong winds wreaked havoc during Storm Bert over the weekend. Hundreds of homes were flooded, roads were turned to rivers and winds of more than 80mph were recorded across the UK during the height of the storm. The third storm of the season – Storm Conall – followed just days after on Wednesday, bringing more heavy rain, flooding and travel disruptions to parts of southern England. Some residents and business owners have had to appeal to the public for help amid fears they will not be able to clear the devastation by Christmas. Lynn Bridgeman, who lives in a caravan park in Taunton, Somerset, said she went through an “absolutely terrifying experience” in the early hours of Sunday when strong winds caused her awning to collapse. She said: “At three o’clock in the morning, my caravan went up on one wheel and that was the most horrifying thing I have ever experienced. “I thought the caravan was going to topple over. I literally screamed. “When I got up in the morning, I couldn’t get out of the caravan because the awning had come down and the pole got pushed into the door.” Ms Bridgeman, who kept her clothes, food, and electrics in the awning, said her neighbours had to cut out what was left of the canopy to get her out of the caravan. The 53-year-old mother of three, who had already lost her home 18 months prior after deteriorating health prevented her from working, set up a GoFundMe page hoping to raise enough money to replace her lost possessions – and assist other residents of the park who have been affected by the storm. So far, £305 has been raised out of a £12,000 target. “I have lost everything,” Ms Bridgeman said. “I had everything in that awning, from my food to my clothes to my electrics. “We had been preparing for the winter and it’s all gone, and all the money that we put into it. “I just absolutely feel destroyed. Every time I open up my caravan door at the moment, I burst into tears. “Losing things that you have worked for is very hard. It’s absolutely heartbreaking, to have to stand there and just rebuild again.” She added: “Luckily, we are all family here in this site. This is why I did this GoFundMe – so hopefully I can not only help myself, but them too.” In Chippenham, Wiltshire, Becky Lyons’s business flooded in the early hours of Monday, damaging equipment and stock. The 39-year-old owner of the Pawesome Pet Shop said the water rose up to two feet and meant she was unable to get inside her shop until 2pm, when the water had come down to one foot. She said: “There was mud and silt everywhere. “The water was just high enough to catch everything on our bottom shelves and our freezer full of raw food.” Ms Lyons, who has lived in the region for 18 years, said the flooding from Storm Bert was the worst she has seen so far. “The flooding has never got that bad,” she said. “It was a perfect storm.” Staff from the neighbouring Pasty Cove in Chippenham helped clean out the damage and also set up a GoFundMe page to help Ms Lyons absorb the financial loss from the destroyed stock and equipment, raising £280 out of a £3,000 target. Thanks to this, the pet shop was able to reopen for business on Wednesday. “The community support has been amazing – I think that needs shouting out”, she said. Near Shaftesbury in Dorset, Charlotte Reynolds’ sheep sanctuary, home to 54 rescued animals, also suffered losses to Storm Bert as strong winds blew away the largest shelter and dampened £400 worth of hay bales meant for feeding the sheep. Ms Reynolds, who founded The Smallest Flock Sheep Sanctuary in 1977, said the situation has been “stressful”. “To me, the sheep are a family – my three sons have grown up with them and I want them to be safe and dry and well,” she said. A fundraiser set up to fix the damage at Ms Reynold’s sanctuary already raised over £1,600 out of a £1,750 target. “I feel relieved,” Ms Reynolds said. “Obviously as a non-profit, we fundraise to stay afloat and we can’t get what we need unless we have enough money. “As soon as we have enough, we shall purchase a new shelter.” Sir Keir Starmer told Parliament on Wednesday that MPs in communities affected by flooding after last weekend’s Storm Bert will receive “whatever they need”.
NoneThere is no better time to go skywatching as the winter nights draw in and, thanks to Black Friday , you can save big on a pair of perfect astronomy-friendly binoculars. These Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80s are brilliant for getting clear views of the cosmos and there is an amazing $110 off in Amazon's Black Friday sale, the lowest price we have seen since May 2024. You can get the Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 binoculars on sale right now at Amazon for $210.65 using the on-page coupon. Celestron is one of the most trusted brands in optical technology; their products feature heavily in our best telescopes and best binoculars guides. In our Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 review , we gave these binoculars four and a half stars, praising their superb build quality and outstanding light gathering. So at 23% off plus an additional $35 off with the on-page coupon, this is a great deal. They are good for more than stargazing too, with their powerful 20x magnification; birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts will love them. We're constantly checking the best prices on our Black Friday space deals page for big discounts on the best telescopes , binoculars , star projectors , cameras , drones , Lego , streaming and more. Looking for an alternative to a telescope for stargazing? The Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 binoculars now $110 cheaper fit the bill and offer the same quality and performance you would expect from Celestron. This deal includes a carrying case as well as a tripod adapter, though not a tripod itself. As amazing as these binoculars are, they are not light so we would recommend you buy one of the best tripods to support your stargazing or wildlife watching. In our Celestron Skymaster Pro 20x80 binoculars review , we awarded them four and a half stars, remarking that "Everything about the polycarbonate and aluminum SkyMaster Pro 20x80 screams quality". We found them extremely easy to focus and difficult to accidentally knock out of focus, giving us superb views of the Pleiades, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules and the Andromeda Galaxy. In short, if you can live with their 2.45 kg weight, this is a brilliant Black Friday deal. And if you cannot, consider one of the models in our best compact binoculars guide. Key features: Magnification: 20x, Objective lens diameter: 80 mm, Angular field of view: 3.2-degrees, Eye relief: 0.61-in (15.5 mm), Weight: 86.4 oz (2.45 kg) Price history: This is the cheapest these binoculars have been in six months, where they were around $230 in May. We doubt it is going to get any cheaper than this, even when the Christmas sales roll around, but be sure to use the $35 coupon. Price comparison: B&H: $245.65 | Walmart: $319.95 | Adorama : $289 Reviews consensus: We think these are excellent binoculars for stargazing, thanks to their build quality and light-gathering powers. They boast a waterproof covering, attached objective lens caps and offer pin-sharp views of the cosmos. They are quite heavy though so a tripod is recommended. Space: ★★★★1⁄2 Featured in guides: Best binoculars for long distance ✅ Buy it if: You want a powerful, portable pair of binoculars you can pack in your bag or car trunk and go stargazing or wildlife watching with. ❌ Don't buy it if: You want a pair you can slip in your pocket and hold for extended periods of time. Consider a model from our best compact binoculars guide . Check out our other guides to the best telescopes , binoculars , cameras , star projectors , drones , lego and much more.
A Florida man was arrested Wednesday and charged with a plot to "reboot" the U.S. government by planting a bomb at the New York Stock Exchange this week and detonating it with a remote-controlled device, according to the FBI. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with an attempt to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce. The FBI began investigating Yener in February based on a tip that he was storing "bombmaking schematics" in a storage unit. They found bomb-making sketches, many watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices, according to the FBI. He had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, according to the FBI. RELATED STORY | Court overturns actor Jussie Smollett's 2019 conviction in hate crime hoax case Yener also told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target. "The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up," he told undercover FBI agents, according to court documents. Yener, who was described as "unhoused," wanted to bomb the stock exchange in order to "reboot" the U.S. government, explaining that it would be "like a small nuke went off," killing everyone inside the building, according to court documents. In the last month, he had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives, according to court documents. Yener had his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial. He was known to post videos on a YouTube channel about making explosives and fireworks from household items, and had a history of making threats, according to court documents. He was fired last year from a restaurant in Coconut Creek, Florida, after his former supervisor said he threatened to "go Parkland shooter in this place." He was also part of a small group that tried to join the far-right anti-government group the " Boogaloo Bois " and extremist group the Proud Boys but was denied membership because he said he wanted "to pursue martyrdom," according to court documents. The news was first reported by the website CourtWatch. Calls to telephone numbers listed for Harun Abdul-Malik Yener in public records rang unanswered and a lawyer was not listed in court records.KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: Zain Group, a leading provider of innovative technologies and digital lifestyle and ICT solutions operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, announces the end of another successful year for Zain Esports, the e-gaming arm of the Group. During 2024, Zain Esports undertook 50 tournaments and activations across Zain operations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq. Since first launching in 2021, Zain Esports has attracted around 70,000 participants and garnered over 160 million social media impressions regionally. Moreover, Zain Esports currently has 210,000 social media followers and during 2024, over 820,000 unique viewers watched Zain Esports tournaments streamed live on Twitch and YouTube. Zain has invested heavily in network upgrades in recent years, with gaming being one of the most significant business use cases for 5G and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH). Zain was able to identify this opportunity early on, working to cultivate the e-gaming community across the Middle East in general, and within its markets of operation in particular. This investment in network and resources has resulted in the development of a vibrant e-gaming ecosystem across regional markets, with Zain Esports leading and involved in multiple gaming activities centered around the main esports titles, namely Fortnite, Counter Strike, Call of Duty, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends, FC 24 (previously FIFA), Valorant, etc: Regionwide: Notably during 2024, Zain Esports partnered with Riot games in more than 15 venues across eight countries to launch the League of Legend MENA servers that saw more than five-thousand gamers participate and received more than 45 million impressions. Kuwait: Zain Esports conducted multiple offline FC (football) tournaments in Kuwait throughout 2024 with hundreds of gamers competing in the 62 matches that were played. Saudi Arabia- Zain Esports local arm PLAYHERA continued to support the Saudi gaming system Bahrain - Zain Esports partnered with universities to launch the Zain University League within the Kingdom, seeing more than 300 up and coming gamers participate in various tournaments and workshops held in the recently established Zain Esports Lab within the Zain HQ offices. Jordan - Zain partnered with the First Jordan Gaming and Esports Summit, as well as being the main sponsor of the Jordanian Esports Federation- collaborating in multiple tournaments across the year. Zain Esports in Jordan holds regular activations at its new state-of-the-art venue, the Dome, in partnership with gamerg.gg, a Jordanian esports company specializing in tournament organization. Iraq - Zain Esports participated in the Esports World Cup 2024 Tekken 8 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Zain Esports in Iraq was a strategic partner of the Iraq International Information & Telecommunication Technology Expo (ITEX), supporting its monthly events of esports tournaments. Malek Hammoud, Zain Group Chief Investment and Digital Officer said, “Gamers around the world are a passionate community, and in the Middle East this is no different. Zain remains committed to supporting the growth and development of this exciting, often youth-oriented activity, and we are extremely grateful to our partners and collaborators with whom we organize events, which capture the imagination and translate into successful opportunities for Zain Esports. All our stakeholders are impressed in how Zain Esports has evolved to become an integral part of the Zain’s data services across our footprint, with its popularity and reach having a positive impact on brand recognition and customer acquisition.” Beyond the brand and financial benefits accruing from participating in online gaming for the players, Zain’s activities in this area support operating companies to connect with the gaming community and provide data and similar high-value services. Spectators are also able watch the gaming and content live over Zain Esports social media channels, predominantly Twitch and YouTube, as well as over regular posts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. With the continual investments in 5G and FTTH network upgrades across its markets, Zain Esports will be empowered to offer more appealing activities and competitions in gaming during 2025 and beyond.
1. A makeup primer from E.l.f. that will grab onto your makeup and not let go until you wash it off at the end of the day. This primer is similar to the beloved original Power Grip formula but with the added ingredient of niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone . Promising reviews: "So affordable, and the grip is amazing! I have dry skin, and this is a game-changer. I love it underneath my tinted sunscreen. I'm in my 40s, and it doesn't sink into wrinkles. I love it!" — Kj "This product is awesome! It’s the best primer I have used for helping keep makeup in place in challenging environments — hot, humid, and sweaty! My makeup artist used this for my wedding, which is why I ended up purchasing it; it’s awesome!" — Randicakes Price: $10 2. An ultra-light Shark corded stick vacuum that's here to make cleaning day feel less like arm day at the gym. Reviewers note that the vacuum's light weight makes moving from room to room so much easier. Promising review: "I have a condo, and this will work great for my space. I love the long cord and the swivel head to get under furniture. I had a heavy upright and a small Dustbuster style, and I replaced both of them with this. I have carpet as well as uncarpeted areas and it works great. It's very lightweight and takes up less space than the upright. " — Minnesota Price: $99.99 (originally $199.99) 3. A Wet N Wild ~cooling~ de-puffer stick that is pretty much the coolest stick you'll ever use. It won't just feel great sliding under your eyes but will also leave your skin looking great. It invigorates with caffeine, vitamin E, green tea oil, and hyaluronic acid so your eyes (and face) can get the *wake-up* call they need. (Keep it in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups!) Promising reviews: "My eyes are always puffy with dark circles. I have tried every under-eye product, and none of them work as well as this one does. It is amazing. Honestly amazing, and for less than $5. Try it, it is more than worth it!" — Christina "Great primer stick, great for my morning routine. It works strides better than I imagined it would for $5, and results rival my favorite high-end eye cream. It’s more like a serum stick to me; because of that, it absorbs super well and does not pill!! It leaves my skin bright, and hydrated with a matte finish after it absorbs. It's easy to apply and can be taken on the go because it’s a roll-on. It feels cool and minty on the skin if you like that sort of thing, 10/10!" — PotatoGirly123 Price: $4.99 4. A First Aid Beauty sensitive skin-friendly face cleanser made for the beauties whose skin irritates easily. This daily wash promises a non-stripping, pH-balanced formula that'll help to maintain your skin's natural acidity without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. Promising review: "Best cleanser ever for hypersensitive skin! Gentle and also effective. I love that it is fragrance-free too." — KVA Price: $12+ (available in two sizes) 5. An extra strength OGX damage remedy and coconut oil designed to penetrate the scalp to tame frizz and leave medium to coarse hair silky, smooth, and hydrated. Oh, and reviewers say it smells *AMAZING.* Promising review: "I have a combination of oily/dry hair. Roots are oily; ends are SO DRY. I have used so many serums including Chi, Paul Mitchell, and other name brands. This one honestly shocked me and how soft it made my hair. It looks like it's restoring my breakage/dead ends, and it smells SO GOOD and I'm not even a coconut fan. Highly suggest, especially for the price!" — Jordan S Price: $7.99 6. An 8-quart dual-zone Ninja air fryer that'll let you cook just about anything you want in a fraction of the time. With the double baskets, you can cook two different foods at the same time, and they'll finish together, so your entire meal will be hot and ready in one fell swoop. Promising review: "I love this!!!! I’ve always said that appliances are useless unless they’re easily accessible. This looks nice on my counter. I use it daily. It’s great that I can cook two things at the same time at different temperatures, and they can finish at the same time!!!! I’m not heating an oven or range top. This is the best appliance ever in invented. I cook everything in it. " — Jackjack Price: $119.99 (originally $199.99) 7. A Byoma brightening body wash that reviewers note is super moisturizing and leaves their skin feeling hydrated and smelling absolutely AMAZING. Promising reviews: "The smell is relaxing, spa-like. It suds a lot, which I love. I use it in the shower with some eucalyptus oil, and the smells merge beautifully." — K " I have eczema and very dry skin, and it’s the only body wash I’ve found that is really moisturizing without causing flare-ups. I don't even need to use moisturizer after my shower! The smell is also AMAZING!" — Alana Note: Everybody’s body and skin are different, so what works for one person may not work for you. For more on how to manage eczema symptoms, check out the National Eczema Association’s Eczema Management guide . Price: $12.99 8. An oversized cable sweater just in time to be your new favorite go-to covering for fall. Promising review: "Love love the material super soft, perfect for fall/winter outfits!!! So chic!!" — Irislozano Price: $28 (available in sizes XXS–4X and three colors) 9. An earth-friendly laundry detergent that's hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and septic-safe. Reviewers say they like to use it on cloth diapers knowing that the detergent is safe for the baby. Promising review: "The price is excellent on its own but this detergent works better than any others that I've tried and doesn't leave residue in the washer. All you need is a little scoop! Great!" — Stephanie Price: $54.99 10. A Zevo flying insect trap because there's nothing more annoying than tiny little bugs flying around you when you're trying to eat a Hot Pocket. These traps fill up fast. Grab a few refills , too. I absolutely LOVE these traps. They work super fast. I didn't even have my bug catcher plugged in for a full 24 hours before I noticed a collection of flying pests trapped inside. And the tray is easy to dispose of, thankfully, because who wants to touch bugs? The trap emits a blue light, which could serve as a night light, too. Promising reviews: "This works way too well. Want to freak yourself out and find out how many hidden bugs accumulate in a room during any period of time? Highly recommend buying this to find out." — M "It’s a 5-star review from me. I’ve been using Zevo for several months, and it truly does catch those pesky mosquitoes, gnats, and moths. It’s been a rainy/wet winter. It’s Mosquito-Ville out here, but this helps a lot. It’s hard trying to hunt a mosquito, so this takes care of it. My family and I can sleep comfortably without worrying about getting bit all night." — Ange Price: $20.99 11. An educational puzzle game of Kanoodle — the viral sensation that'll put that brain to work. There are several levels ranging from easy to extremely difficult, which makes it great for all ages. Promising review: "This is such a fun and challenging brain teaser for elementary-aged kids all the way up to adults. My daughter and I loved it, so I purchased a set for my elementary math team. It's nice that kids/adults can play this independently, too. If your child likes a little challenge, this is it!" — Quality set we LOVE Price: $9.99 12. An Uno No Mercy game — fair warning: relationships may never be the same after playing. Uno games are always tense, but nothing will prepare you for your own mother to slam down a draw 10 with glee. This means war! Promising review: "This game will definitely ruin friendships! It’s really fun to play when you actually follow the rules. It’s easily the best UNO game I’ve played so far. It’s become a staple in my family. It also makes a good stocking stuffer :)" — Steph Price: $9.99 13. A pair of mid-rise skater jeans with a wide leg that'll sit at the waist, giving you comfortable enough wear that you won't even be thinking about changing out of them to get back into your fave black leggings. Price: $30 (available in sizes 00–30 and in two washes) 14. A mushroom decorative pillow to add a touch of ~cottage core~ to your couch, bed, papasan chair, or wherever you want to add a little whimsy. Promising review: "Not only is the shape a super cute mushroom! But it’s also shaped perfectly for different sleeping positions. It’s firm but not hard in any way. Plus, the yellow and white go perfectly with my bedroom colors, which are emerald green and golden yellow. Love, love, love!!! Best pillow accessory I have ever purchased." — Ena Price: $15 15. A Lego flower bouquet that's both an entertaining activity and long-lasting decor. If you (or someone special) love flowers but haven't been gifted with a green thumb, this is the perfect solution. Promising review: "This turned out so cute! Definitely entertaining on a rainy morning, but easy enough to follow instructions. I am going to keep it on my desk at work — I can’t kill this one! :)" — Cassidy Price: $47.99 16. A pastel commuter backpack ready to go with you wherever you roam. It has room for your laptop, headphones, water bottle, and so much more. You can even slide it over the trolley of your rolling luggage for easier travel. It's also really cute and can be worn as a backpack or carried as a handbag. Promising reviews: "Love the bag! It's not a big bag to drag around but has enough space inside for all your needs. I carry two laptops, a bag organizer, two notebooks, a calendar, and more, with space left to add additional items. I like how you can carry it as a backpack or a bag." — anonymous "I love it so much! Got it for college and have gotten so many compliments. It's great for traveling as well! Highly recommend, you won’t regret it." — Amanda Price: $49.99 (available in four colors) 17. A air circulator fan that'll move the air around the room for a cooler and more ventilated experience. Promising review : "My mom lives in a nursing home where the AC isn’t always the greatest. This fan works so well; she sometimes has to turn it off since it gets so cool. Yay! We’ve been through a number of fans! This is 'the one!'" — Michelle Price: $49.99 18. A Milani mascara ready to blast your lashes to the moon, kinda. This mascara provides extreme volume and lift, so your lashes will look like something out of this world. Made with castor oil, you'll get an easy 24-hour wear without clumping or smudging. Yeah, this is definitely from another planet. Cruelty-free and vegan, too. Promising review: "One-hundred percent my favorite mascara. It doesn’t leave under-eye smudges the way other mascaras did for me since this one is not oil-based. Love her so much.