jolibet apk download latest version

jolibet apk download latest version 1. A Lego orchid "plant" that'll keep them busy and could even be a fun activity to do together! This top-rated faux botanical art is *truly* the gift that keeps giving because they'll be able to display it once it's complete, too. Promising reviews: "SO GORGEOUS. Got this as a gift for someone. They absolutely loved it! The instructions were super easy and it was just all around fun to put together. I would totally buy another one for myself. Great-priced legos for what you get." — Allée "I really enjoy building these Lego botanical sets . They look fantastic when they are finished and they really add a sense of accomplishment and feeling like you've done something to stimulate your mind. I love building these and gifting them to my mom to put in her office." — Max Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (also available in tons of other botanical styles ). 2. An ~exclusive~ edition of Chappell Roan's album on vinyl for any fan who believes that "The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess" is a work of art and would absolutely love that the physical record is too. This stunning peaches and cream pressing will be cherished for years to come. OH, and it comes with a Pink Pony Club poster, too! Get it exclusively from Target for $48.99 . 3. A pair of fleece-lined socks with grippy bottoms so your giftee won't go slipping and sliding on their hardwood floors. They're great for wearing around the house or even with a nice pair of boots. Cold feet who? Promising review: "My sister-in-law was gifted a pair for Christmas and she loves them. I ordered a pair in purple to try. I wear them nightly. The [fleece] interior is so soft and warm. The pair are of high quality materials and good sewing. The slip-proof is working so far." — Andromeda Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in women's sizes S–L and in 12 colors/patterns). 4. Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors — a hilarious book filled with negative reviews of famous national parks. It's honestly the perfect gag gift for the nature-loving traveler who has *lots* of opinions on where to go. Promising review: "I give this five stars. Without a doubt, this is my favorite coffee table book and surprisingly also super educational. Perfect combination of sassy and informative while poking fun at one-star reviews of some amazing national parks. I love, love all the added educational snippets along with the review illustrations. And Amber’s writing style is so personal and relatable I feel like we could be friends. Such a fun book, so worth the buy!" — Anna Get it from Amazon for $16.59 . 5. A set of LED lightsaber chopsticks perfect for anyone who's the Chewbacca to your Han Solo (and for the BFF who's always asking you out to sushi). Promising review: "These were purchased for a white elephant party and they were a hit! This was the item that was most sought-after and it was a really great price. If you cannot decide what to get for a white elephant gift or just a gift for someone that you are unsure of, go with these! They are super cute and easy to use. The two-pack is really nice too so that maybe they could have a duel with someone whilst eating." — Samantha Get two pairs from Amazon for $12.97 . 6. And a lightsaber wiper blade cover because ~the force~ that's with you can't possibly ignore seeing this gem and *not* getting it for the obsessed fan you know and love. It's reflective, so it glows! Some of the reviewers suggest that you attach it with Velcro, or another kind of hook-and-loop adhesive, so you can easily remove and re-attach the cover as needed. Promising review: "I bought this knowing it would just be a piece of plastic, but didn't care because I thought it would be fun to have on my car. I've received so many compliments so it definitely was a good buy." — ewitt3 Get it from Amazon for $18.95 . 7. A thumb book page holder to help them ease the annoying task of constantly adjusting the moving pages while reading. No more creasing pages and the holder comes in a number of cool designs! Highland Concepts is a small business that makes beautifully handmade wood gifts such as catch all trays, bookmarks, and more. Promising reviews: "My wife loved it. Would definitely recommend for any avid nighttime readers." — Zay "I love this item. It really helps with holding heavy books open. It is a versatile tool. You can use it in different positions to hold the book. The tool itself is very lightweight." — M. Mack Shipping info: Estimated delivery in 7–14 business days. Express shipping available. Make sure to check estimated delivery from seller before purchase. Get it from Highland Concepts on Etsy for $7.69 (originally $10.99; available in two sizes and four styles). 8. A pair of fleece-lined joggers for when they're already settled on the couch and the blankets are just too far away. These cozy beauties will be their go-to during the winter (or when they're just always cold in general) because of the fleece lining and adjustable drawstring. Promising review: " 10,000,000/5 stars!!!!!! I just shoveled our driveway for an hour in 2-degree weather and my legs NEVER got cold . While my hands, face, feet, and arms were cold...legs were nice and toasty. I am recommending these to everyone!!!" — jc Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 11 styles). 9. A clever bookshelf street sign perfect for the bookworms who essentially have turned their homes into a miniature Barnes & Noble. With options like "Thriller Ave," "Romantasy Rd," and the incredibly helpful " To Be Read " — you're favorite reader will undoubtedly crown you with the Best Gift Giving title. Xtina's Craft Corner is a woman-owned small business and home of the original bookshelf street signs! Promising review: "Super cute gift for a friend, reasonably priced and good quality! Smooth transaction and it shipped out quickly!" — Jenconk "Absolutely perfect! I customized mine to fit with my vampire section of books. I’m already planning at least two more themed ones. This was a perfect addition to my bookshelves, and I’m so happy with it!!" — Tiffany Bennet Shipping info: Estimated delivery in 7–14 business days. Make sure to check estimated delivery from seller before purchase. Get it from Xtina's Craft Corner on Etsy for $10.19+ (originally $16.99; available in 11 street name options, 12 colors, and custom options, too!). 10. A gorgeous pour-over coffee maker set complete with a ribbed coffee dripper, a metal drip stand, and a heat-resistant coffee server. This gem is perfect for any coffee lover who would HATE anything big and bulky in their kitchen (...because aesthetic, hello)! They'll have a delicious cup of joe and a new piece of home decor — the best of both worlds, thanks to you! It comes with coffee filters, too! Promising review: "I love coffee, it's how I start my morning every day; using this pour-over set is perfect! It's beautiful, easy to use, and easy to clean. I feel like I have my own little coffee shop, it a perfect gift for a coffee lover." — Emily Moore Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in two colors). 11. If they're more of a tea drinker, a tea sampler box that comes with 10 different assortments like chamomile citron, green mango peach, and more. Promising review: "It was an absolute pleasure trying this brand of tea... The packaging itself is gorgeous, and is definitely worthy of setting out for guests. It is very inviting. When you open the box, you are gifted with some pretty amazing fragrances. You can tell the ingredients of these teas are high quality and FRESH ... This is my new favorite brand of tea, hands down... For our part, it took us just a few days to go through the entire box, (it's THAT good!) and so we will probably be on the lookout for options of buying this tea in larger quantities." — Benjamin Martin Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in 13 assortments). 12. A sunset projection lamp to gift them gorgeous end-of-day vibes whenever they want it. This lamp can rotate 180 degrees, and provides a light that can go as big or as little as they'd like depending on its position. How can they not see the joy in that? Promising review : "This lamp really exceeded my expectations. I bought it on a whim and honestly wasn't expecting that much, but I'm really happy with it. Feels like it's made of durable, quality material and emits a strong light (but it's not too bright. I use it in the evenings when I'm trying to wind down before bed and it's bright enough to light up my room without feeling like it's going to mess up my sleep cycles). Highly recommend — really does feel like you're watching a lovely sunset :)" — Amazon customer Get it from Amazon $14.99+ (available in three colors). 13. An artful wineglass with a stunning gem-like stem and bold color perfect for any giftee who's the hosting type... or if they just really love gorgeous glassware — an obsession I can truly get behind. Promising review: "Beautiful wineglasses! These glasses are not only stunning and unique, they are very well made." — Pammydavisjr Get it from Anthropologie for $18 /each (available in four colors). 14. A money-saving portable sparkling water maker perfect for die-hard fizz fans who'd much rather have bubbles in their beverage. With this, they'll be able to have sparkling water, juice, and cocktails at home *and* on the go (and won't have to keep buying La Croix in bulk). It's the perfect gift! This sparkling water maker from Ote comes with 20 mini CO2 cartridges used to make the seltzer. If you want to gift more, grab another pack for $28.99 . Promising reviews: "This is amazing for seltzer fans! I gave it as a gift and got to see it in action, and wow! So great! I think I need one for myself... It’s easy to use and fun! My friend is obsessed with the bottle. The packaging and bottle are stunning." — Amanda "This is the best! I am on the road all day and I don't like flat water. This is the perfect solution. Completely portable, just the right amount of fizz, and no plastic bottles to throw away! I will be buying more as gifts." — Deborah Get it from Amazon for $30.82+ (available in seven colors). 15. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook , a drool-worthy cookbook practically made for the Disney Adults who can't get enough...and now, they don't have to! Thanks to you, they'll have their favorite theme park goodies right at home. Promising review: "This is a beautiful hardcover cookbook with so many yummy Disney recipes from the parks! There is a lot of Disney foodie history in it , plus recipes that look easy to follow with high quality ingredients. There are fun maps of each of the parks inside where the food is located from, which makes it fun. As an avid Disney fan I have never seen a cookbook like this. I highly recommend this cookbook for any Disney fan, whether they cook or not! It would even make a beautiful decoration in a kitchen." — Nicole Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 16. A corn-shape hair clip — have you ever seen a more beautiful thing? It's CORN and I'm willing to bet that this hair clip will be the conversation-stating, compliment-earning accessory they didn't know they needed. Jenny Lemons is a woman-owned small biz based in San Francisco, California. Promising reviews: "So adorable and really well made . Easily keeps my thick hair in place ." — Alexandra W. "Cutest hair clip ever! But what really got me was the quality. I break hair clips super easily and this one is very sturdy so I think it’ll last a long time!" — Kaitlin J. Shipping info: All in-stock items within four business days via trackable USPS Priority or First Class mail. Get it from Jenny Lemons for $24 (available in two sizes). 17. A Bluetooth-enabled record player so when they aren't playing a vinyl record from their collection, they have the option to play something from their phones. It comes in six colors, too! So you're bound to find one they'll love. Promising review : "This thing is great! The output is great. Very loud and clear with no distortion. I put the first record on it this morning and the audio quality and overall functionality is awesome . It also makes a great bluetooth speaker as well. The briefcase design makes it great for moving it room to room or traveling places with it. I highly recommend this turntable to both the beginner who's looking to get into vinyl and even the hardcore collector who is just looking for something more portable with some good sound!" — D. Morris Get it from Amazon for $49.98+ (available in six colors). 18. A vintage-looking dimmable candle warmer perfect for the candle-loving giftee who probably doesn't have room for more (I mean, same here). This warmer will evenly melt their candles — no flame necessary. It even has a timer so they'll be able to simply ~enjoy~ their favorite scent and not worry about whether or not they blew out a candle. Promising review: "I'm impressed. I bought it once for myself and another time as a gift. It works great with the remote and releases the scent from the candle slowly. It is not heavy and assembly was easy. I really like the way it looks and makes my room feel warm." — Sunshine Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in 13 styles). 19. A custom nameplate necklace if you're looking to give something that's stylish and sentimental. This piece is made of stainless steel with 18-karat gold-plated detail and is something they can wear every day with any outfit. The necklace chain length is 18", plus a 2" extension. Promising review: "I love it! I’ve had it for a while and take showers in it, go to the gym in it, and it never turns or irritates my skin. Also bought one for my sister, she loved it too. It can be a perfect gift." — Brittany Shipping info: Customization takes 7–10 days to produce. Standard shipping is 2–3 weeks, expedited shipping is about a week for delivery. Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in a variety of names and customizable options). 20. A gorgeous puzzle so cute they could frame it — and I mean that literally. This puzzle comes with puzzle glue and a straight-edge tool to lay it flat on any surface or frame. If they want to save it for their next cozy day inside, it comes with a cute reusable glass jar too! Jiggy is a woman-owned small business that collaborates with female artists to create beautiful puzzles. The 800-piece puzzle pictured above is originally by illustrator Alja Horvat , based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Promising review: "I can’t say enough good things about this puzzle and Jiggy. First of all the packaging is gorgeous and I will definitely be using the canister as a vase. The puzzle itself was so addicting, we knocked it out in less than three days. We framed it and put it near our entryway, it’s such a beautiful and unique piece. Can’t wait for my next Jiggy puzzle." — Natasha Shipping info: Standard shipping orders arrive within 3–8 business days. Get it from Jiggy for $29.40 (originally $49). 21. AND a puzzle plateau that can hold puzzles as big as 1,500 pieces! It comes complete with four drawers so they can easily separate the edges from the rest (or whatever their puzzle organization process may be). Promising reviews: "It is a big board, but I wanted something big enough for my 1,000-piece puzzles. This is it! Love the slide-out drawers to hold my pieces. Very efficient!" — D.T. "Have used this numerous times and it work so well. We start a puzzle and are able to pack it up for another day to complete. The drawers on the side slide out. A great way to sort the pieces . We just lay a cloth over the pieces on the main board and put it underneath the couch." — Cartoongirl Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 22. An adjustable Baggu nylon sling bag big enough to hold all their goodies and daily essentials in one stylish place. You've probably heard them talk non-stop about this brand, and getting them the latest and the greatest from Baggu will *definitely* earn you a gold medal in gifting. Shipping info: Estimated deilivery for standard shipped items in 3–8 business days. Order by Dec. 17 to ensure delivery by Christmas. Get it from Baggu for $48 (available in six colors). 23. A fur bucket hat when a beanie will totally clash with their stylish fit. This hat comes in tons (and I'm talking TONS) of various prints and colors they'll love. Promising reviews: "Not only is it warm for the winter season but sooooo warm and FASHIONABLE!! I have been wearing this hat everywhere!! It’s a bit big but honestly that just makes it more cozy. I love it!!" — Grace Beardsley "Very cute and cozy, fits over my curly hair nicely ." — Naomi Boye Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 42 colors). 24. A commemorative Taylor Swift concert ticket so they can remember the best show ever FORever. Choose the date they saw their fave live, enter the row/section number, and get a gorge, *highly* frameable holographic ticket in return. Swiftes, at this price — it's not a want, but a need! Simply Bespoke Co. is an Etsy shop based in London. Promising review: "Seller was very responsive and helpful... The item was exactly as expected (actually, better!). My daughter will love her souvenir ticket. Thank you so much." — Catherine Cameron Shipping Info: Estimated delivery in 7–10 business days including customization time. Make sure to check estimated delivery from seller before purchase. Get it from Simply Bespoke Co. on Etsy for $11.81 (available in nine colors colors). 25. A giant 750-milliliter wineglass for giftees whose favorite part of the week is the nice "glass" of wine on Friday night. As a wine drinker, this may be the greatest gift to exist?? Promising review: "I love this wine bottle. I even ended up buying my friend one for a wedding present. The shipment arrived much faster than expected and was packaged nicely as to prevent any damage. This wine bottle glass always gets a laugh out of my guests with everyone wanting one. It holds precisely one whole bottle of wine and is super convenient on those nights when you need a little more lubrication and don't want to have to keep getting up to refill. You can always put a wine stopper in the bottom of the glass part if you don't finish all of your wine in one sitting." — Queen Vee Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 26. An adorable silicone AirPod case shaped as a tiny fruit. It's thick and durable to keep their earpieces safe — and it's also just too cute for words. You'll get a million thank yous when they unwrap it! Promising review: "Love this case! It is super cute and very sturdy. The top flips open easily but doesn’t come open by itself even though I just toss it in my purse... It is just a good quality and super cute too!" — LizTX Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in nine styles). 27. A custom pet portrait perfect the pet parent who is always showing you the latest photos of their favorite furry family remember. Simply upload an image of their pet (time to snoop their Instagram!) choose a font, and viola! You'll be counting down the days to give them the best gift ever. BTW, Haus and Hues is a small business! Promising review: "BEYOND PERFECT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! I can't even explain how satisfied I am with this purchase!... The painting was drawn, shipped, and delivered in no time! Not only that but the QUALITY and the details are literally perfect!! What an amazing company!!! I will be placing another order with my cat’s picture! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!" — Mira Shipping info: Estimated delivery for standard shipping is within 10–13 days. Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five sizes, three background colors, four font options, eight frame options, and with or without a frame; fits up to three pets in one portrait). 28. A fun 'n' cozy checkered throw blanket they can use to keep warm while binging their favorite shows and also use as decor because it's just that dang cute. It's clear you're not a regular gift giver, you're a ~cool~ gift giver. P.S. reviewers say it's the perfect Barefoot Dreams alternative! Promising review: "Bought this for my sister-in-law because she loves my Barefoot Dreams throws. This was $145 cheaper than a BFD throw, but t he quality, softness, color, and price made this an incredible gift! Definitely will purchase more of these." — DJ63 "Best blanket ever. I bought the Dusty Rose color first and loved it so much I had to go back and buy the Navy one. They are the softest most comfy blankets I have ever owned! And they keep you warm without making you overly hot, making them great to use year-round." — Katrina Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes and 20 colors). 29. A pair of fun espresso martini earrings for the giftee that can by no means end a brunch, lunch, or happy hour outing without one. The compliments they'll receive when wearing these will give a caffeine-level energy boost and leave a smile on their face. Shipping info: Estimated shipping for standard shipped items is 5–7 business days. Rush and expedited shipping options also available at an additional cost. Get them from BaubleBar for $48 (also available as margaritas, dirty martinis, champagne, and more). 30. A pack of Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers that'll make even a quick shower a mini spa experience for them. This set of six "shower bombs" includes scents like lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit, and peppermint. The variety pack includes lavender, watermelon, grapefruit, menthol and eucalyptus, vanilla and sweet orange, and peppermint. Promising review: "My goddaughter is due to give birth soon. And while everyone is gifting gifts for her soon-to-arrive son, I decided she needed a little something for herself. I wanted her to have something to rejuvenate her in a long shower after a long day with a newborn. First-time moms need a little pampering too. My goddaughter smelled the scent from the unopened box and LOVED them." — Gidget007 Get the pack of six from Amazon for $16.99 (available in different variety packs). 31. A canvas pillow cover (or a sparkly sequin version !) perfect for the throw pillow they use when bingeing The Office for the 100th time. Don't forget to grab a pillow insert while you're at it! Happy Camper Creations is a small biz that provides tons of custom and pop culture-related pillows, keychains, water bottles, and more. Promising review: " This was the most perfect Christmas gift! Not only for the recipient, but it made the whole group laugh. Perfect quality and wonderful customer service!" — Brandy Cassis Shipping info: Estimated delivery in 5–7 business days including customization time. Make sure to check estimated delivery from seller before purchase. Get them both from Happy Camper Creations on Etsy: the canvas pillow cover for $18.46+ (available in two sizes and seven colors) and the sequin pillow cover for $21.24 (originally $24.99; available in 11 colors). 32. A squishy gummy bear table lamp if you think they'd love some extra ambiance in the evening and adorable decor during the day. Plus, it only takes a ~squeeze~ to turn on and off — how fun is that!? Promising review: "This gummy bear light is so cute! It has a nice, glowing light. My teen loved that it's cute and unique. A fun addition to any environment." — tini Shipping info: Standard shipping takes 2–5 business days to arrive. Shipping options as fast as one business day are available at additional cost. Get it from Uncommon Goods for $40 (available in four colors). 33. The original We're Not Really Strangers card game sure to bring everyone who plays just a little closer. This game is the perfect way for your giftee to get to know their family, friends, and partners on a deeper level. Warning: may trigger happy tears and lots of hugging. Between 2–6 players can play at a time (ages 12+), each taking turns and reading out their chosen card to the group. There are three levels of questions and wild cards (level one: perception, level two: connection, level three: reflection) each designed to get everyone to dig deep and have meaningful conversations. Promising reviews: "With the times being, I have been trying to catch up with older friends, and this is the perfect game to break the ice once I get to see them again. It makes new times feels like old times and makes the time between the past and present like it was just nothing. With this whole game, I learn so much about someone as well as myself. I would recommend this for a chill session with a friend." — Wen "This game really had a positive effect on our relationship; we both have a hard time communicating how we feel sometimes and I think this was a great avenue to open up to each other in ways we never had before. ❤️ We both felt so much closer by the end. I highly recommend this game for any couple who’s looking to build a deeper connection." — Teresa Get it original version from Amazon for $24.99 (also available for couples, family, and friends). 34. A sculpted figure vase so they'll have the perfect finishing touch to their bookshelf, coffee table, or vanity. The best part? It can be used strictly for decor purposes OR as a makeup brush/pencil holder. Promising review: "I don't know what it is, maybe it's the pandemic which has us all staying home and not dressing up as much, but this little figurine has been empowering and a great pick-me-up lately. I love how I have it in my vanity area." — xisweetz Get it from Amazon for $16.95+ (available in two sizes and three colors). 35. OR gift a hand-painted, handmade scented body candle with back rolls, hip dips, a full belly, AND smells delicious. You've got your pick between sandalwood, gingerbread latte (LOVE!), and lavender. There's no way this won't put a smile on their face and a little confidence in their soul. Ctoan Co. is a Black-, queer-, and woman-owned small business based in Wisconsin. The body candles are meant to be celebratory and are designed from a completely gender-neutral perspective by founder Jodyann Morgan. Shipping info: All candles are poured to order, with a processing time of 4–6 weeks. Shipping time varies depending on USPS shipping times. Rush orders are subject to a fee of $20. Get it from Ctoan Co. for $29 (available in three scents or unscented, and in three flesh tone colors). 36. A retro Apple Watch stand that'll take them back to the OG gaming days (aka the good times). Who said you can't enjoy your Apple Watch when it's off your wrist? Love this product way too much? There's also an awesome Airpod and Airpod Pro case to match. Promising review: "Got this as a gift for my fiancé and he was so stoked when he opened it. It’s such good quality for the price and it fits the watch super well!! It really looks like the real thing!" — natuuhhhliee Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in four colors). 37. A thoughtful bucket list booklet to gift to the adorable couple who does everything together. This will give them date ideas (and memories!) they'll be forever grateful for. Promising review: "We are starting our life off and wanted to be able to track our bucket list for life. This book was perfect. Not only does it allow room for us to grow but track our list." — Dr. Angel Maldonado Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 38. A Love Island -inspired personalized tumbler any obsessed viewer of the show will treasure a million times over. You've got three lid options to choose from (trust your gut; you know them well), and it features the classic pink font seen on the bottles in the show. Trust me, you can put all of your eggs in this basket because they'll *love* this gift! The Crafty Inu is a California-based small business that creates personalized water bottles, mugs, wine tumblers, and more. Promising review: " Honestly an amazing gift! The item looks great, and arrived on time. Got it for my sister to bring on a cruise and live her Love Island fantasy." — Jacqueline Carlton Shipping info: If all information is provided for customization, the seller can usually ship within 1–3 business days (Mon–Fri). Delivery is typically within 2–7 business days. Make sure to check estimated delivery from seller before purchase. Get it from The Crafty Inu on Etsy for $11.95+ (available in five styles). 39. A "hot dog" tea infuser that'll get a good laugh and good use. It's dishwasher- and microwave-safe, too! Promising review: "I actually bought this because it looks like our dog. It was a double bonus that it's a great tea infuser. It's easy to use, closes well so no random leaves floating in your tea and it's a fast cleanup. I'll definitely be buying a second one. Hubby claimed the first one for himself. I guess it's cuter than I realized." — Zadry Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in 10 animals). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.Rutgers 77, Georgia Southern 60

Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.None

NonePAT McAfee helped announce the newest arrival to the Colorado Buffaloes program. Shedeur Sanders is expected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Deion Sanders has already found his replacement. With the help of Pat McAfee , Julian "Ju Ju" Lewis committed to the University of Colorado Buffaloes as their next quarterback. "He is very similar to CJ Stroud," McAfee said. "Very mature, very calm, football IQ through the roof, and can obviously put a ball everywhere, which is why everyone on Earth is excited to hear where you're going to go to school. "Without further ado, Julian 'Ju Ju' Lewis will be playing football for who?" Read more on Pat McAfee After being led in by McAfee, Lewis shared his commitment to Colorado. "I will be continuing my athletic and academic career at the University of Colorado," he said. "Congratulations, we're incredibly proud of you," McAfee said. College football fans went crazy for the announcement and shared their excitement on social media . Most read in American Football "Man, what a move by Julian," one fan said. "Sounds like he wants that Prime Time slot," another fan said. "Coach Prime is here to stay," a third fan said. "Huge get for Coach Prime," a fourth fan said. "JuJu; you’ll love CU, Boulder and the Buffs forever," a fifth fan said. According to ESPN, Julian Lewis is the No. 2 ranked player in the 2025 high school recruiting class. He is also the No. 2 quarterback behind Bryce Underwood, who just committed to Michigan . BELOW are the matchups for the Colorado Buffaloes for the 2024 college football season Colorado Buffaloes vs North Dakota State (August 29) Colorado Buffaloes at Nebraska (September 7) Colorado Buffaloes at Colorado State (September 14) Colorado Buffaloes vs Baylor (September 21) Colorado Buffaloes at Central Florida (September 28) Colorado Buffaloes vs Kansas State (October 12) Colorado Buffaloes at Arizona (October 19) Colorado Buffaloes vs Cincinnati (October 26) Colorado Buffaloes at Texas Tech (November 9) Colorado Buffaloes vs Utah (November 16) Colorado Buffaloes at Kansas (November 23) Colorado Buffaloes vs Oklahoma State (November 29) Lewis is not as highly ranked by other recruiting service as he is by ESPN though. While ESPN has him as a five star, 247 Sports only has Lewis as a four star, and the ninth-best quarterback in his class. On3 has a slightly better ranking of Lewis, placing him as the sixth-best quarterback in the class. Read More on The US Sun Lewis is having a spectacular college career, throwing for 10,054 yards in just three seasons. He has 136 touchdowns to just 18 interceptions.

Aces guard Kate Martin was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in Friday’s expansion draft. The Valkyries are the WNBA’s 13th franchise and will begin play next season. Martin, entering her second season, averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 11.5 minutes per game last season as a rookie out of Iowa. Her new team will be led by coach Natalie Nakase, who left her role as the Aces’ lead assistant for Golden State. When the Aces selected Martin with the No. 16 pick of the WNBA draft, Nakase was a vocal proponent of the decision. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.CELH Stock News – Lead Plaintiff Deadline Approaching – Robbins LLP Urges Investors with Large Losses to Seek Counsel in the Celsius Holdings, Inc. Class ActionFull Layer Palletizing Robots Market: Long-Term Value & Growth Seen Ahead | ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa

Percentages: FG 39.726, FT .588. 3-Point Goals: 9-21, .429 (Lacey 3-6, McMiller 3-5, Petticord 2-6, Thompson 1-3, Perkins 0-1) Blocked Shots: 3 (Adams 1, McMiller 1, Perkins 1) Turnovers: 9 (McMiller 4, Thompson 2, Lacey 1, Perkins 1, Walker 1) Steals: 8 (Adams 6, Lacey 1, McMiller 1) Technical Fouls: None Percentages: FG 39.394, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 4-21, .190 (Mays-Prince 3-5, Jackson 1-6, Gaines 0-1, Gwynn 0-3, Akinsola 0-1, Eddings 0-5) Blocked Shots: 5 (Johnson 2, Jackson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Turnovers: 16 (Gaines 4, Gwynn 4, Mays-Prince 3, Jackson 2, Johnson 1, Green 1, Akinsola 1) Steals: 5 (Gwynn 2, Eddings 2, Green 1) Technical Fouls: None A_0 Officials_Erika Herriman, Kenya Kirkland, Angelica Suffren

Whether or not Minnesota Wild fans believe in Santa Claus is irrelevant as families all across the State of Hockey gather near their Christmas trees, real or artificial. Whether or not they believe, truly, in the second round of the NHL playoffs is the real factor determining their level of holiday spirit. Save for a recent blip of four straight losses, this has been a hockey season filled with unexpected fun from a team for whom preseason expectations were low. The Wild entered the three-day holiday break in solid contention for the top of not only the Central Division but also the Western Conference with a 21-10-4 record after a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT As the NHL enjoys a holiday break that comes just a few games shy of the 2024-25 season’s midway mark, we offer a quintet of wishes that would help bring a Merry Christmas and, even more importantly, a Happy New Year to the State of Hockey. The Wild have not seen top-line center Joel Eriksson Ek or veteran defenseman Jake Middleton play a game in weeks. They lost top-line winger Mats Zuccarello for a month. They lost mainstay goalie Filip Gustavsson for a week. They have had live through games without Marat Khusnutdinov, Yakob Trenin, Jakub Lauko, Jonas Brodin, Ryan Hartman and Jared Spurgeon. Even superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov missed a game after a nasty knee-on-knee check during a November win in Edmonton. The injury bug pays a visit to every team at some point, and we hear lots of brave talk about the “next man up” and other cool clichés. But a healthy roster in 2025 could mean the difference between sneaking into the playoffs and contending for a new banner for the Xcel Energy Center rafters. On Dec. 6, the Wild won convincingly in Anaheim by a 5-1 count. Roughly 19 hours after that game concluded, they had to face the powerful Kings in downtown Los Angeles and lost 4-1. Last weekend, a home loss to Utah was followed, less than 24 hours later, by a visit to Central-leading Winnipeg, which won handily. On Jan. 11, they will play in San Jose, then have roughly 19 hours to get to Las Vegas for a night with the Knights. Like injuries, everyone deals with schedule quirks, especially in a season like this when things are condensed due to the two-week break for the 4 Nations Cup in February. But the spate of back-to-backs in different rinks has certainly done Minnesota no favors in the realm of getting healthy and staying healthy. Of the Wild’s 21 wins, two have been notably impressive. In October, they went on the road to Florida and blasted past the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers 5-1. A month later, in Edmonton, they rallied from an early deficit and beat the Oilers — who were within one win of the Cup last season — by a 5-3 count. Beyond those two games, the Wild have generally beaten the teams they should beat (San Jose, Anaheim, Chicago, Nashville, Columbus, etc.) and have had trouble with the NHL’s elite. ADVERTISEMENT Heading into Friday’s visit to Dallas, the Wild are a collective 1-6-1 versus the others among the top five in the West — Winnipeg, Vegas, Edmonton and Los Angeles. And it’s worth noting that after those signature wins in Florida and Edmonton, both of those foes won handily during visits to Minnesota in December. More wins, and more signature wins, are going to be needed if this team is to contend for anything notable. In the smiling Russian kid that wears number 97, the Wild have their first true contender for NHL most valuable player honors in the quarter-century history of the franchise. His seemingly nightly habit of getting pucks past the opposing goalie — honed by hours and hours of “we need to drag him off the ice” work post-practice — is like nothing Minnesota fans have seen, maybe ever. On July 1, Kaprizov will be a free agent, and Wild owner Craig Liepold vowed in a preseason meeting with reporters that no other team will offer Kaprizov more money or more years on his next contract. That might mean an eight-year pact worth $15 million a season. Having given fans a taste of the good life with a superstar wearing green and Iron Range red, keeping Kaprizov in Minnesota is their most important New Years’ resolution. The entertainment complex that Marcus Foligno dubbed the “Kirill and Zuccy” show is a sight to behold, with numbers 97 and 36 showing off some amazing chemistry as they torment opposing goalies and defenses. But the Wild need more than an amazing top line if they are to play games in May. The holiday break perhaps comes at the best time for a few players mired in some mid-winter doldrums, such as Marcus Johansson (six straight games without a point), Matt Boldy (one assist in the past five games) and Ryan Hartman, who has not appeared on the offensive score sheet in more than a month, going an unexpected 16 consecutive games without a goal or assist. “I’ve had opportunities to score. I think I’ve made plays where some guys have had opportunities, the puck just hasn’t gone in,” Hartman said as he headed into the Christmas break. “Obviously, if they do, it’s going to make you feel much better.” ADVERTISEMENT And as the Wild’s unexpectedly great season moves into 2025, that is something all Wild fans can agree on. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Taylor Swift Reacts to Josh Allen, Hailee Steinfeld's EngagementLafayette Renaissance guard Mathew Gordon passes the ball against Westgate defenders during their Sunkist Shootout game Thursday at St. Thomas More. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A large group of freshmen led by Cayden Lancelin and Shadon Lee have the Westgate High boys basketball team on a hot streak. Lancelin and Lee combined to score 43 points as the Tigers knocked off another young talented local squad, Lafayette Renaissance, in the opening round of the St. Thomas More Sunkist Shootout on Thursday. It was the fourth win in five games since Dec. 20 for the Tigers, who erased a double-digit deficit for the 68-58 victory. Westgate (5-3) beat Iowa, which reached the 2023-24 Division II nonselect state tourney, on its home court last weekend, and blew out Division V select runner-up J.S. Clark by 17 points on Monday. "We've had some really good wins," said Westgate oach Oliver Winston, whose team will face the St. Thomas More/Patterson winner at 6 p.m. Friday in the second round. "It's really important when you're young like that, to get some success against a tough schedule. We've had a couple of games where we got blown out by teams with older guys." Westgate, which has lost to Lafayette High (9-0), Sulphur (11-2) and H.L. Bourgeois, fell behind LRCA 12-2 in the first quarter as coach Brad Boyd's Tigers made their first five field goals. "It was a little bit of youth and me not doing a good job of making sure we're tuned in at the beginning of a game," Winston said of the slow start. "I thought we did a good job once we started making some adjustments and turning up the tempo of the game." LRCA (7-3) was led by Matthew Gordon (17 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals), Bubba Etienne (14 pts, four rebounds, three steals) and Tavion Gallien (nine points, four assists). There were seven lead changes during the game, which was tied seven times. Antonio Quetel, one of 10 Westgate freshmen, put the Tigers ahead 53-52 with 5:15 remaining. Quetel (seven points, five rebounds, three assists) added a jumper from the baseline a few seconds later after a steal by Lancelin, whose 3-pointer made it 59-56 with 2:13 to go. "Cayden really kept us in the game in the first half offensively," Winston said of the freshman, who made 5 of his first 6 field goals and finished just shy of a triple-double with nine rebounds and eight steals (five assists). "It's good to have a kid who can do that. "In the second half, we had other guys step up and help him. Lee does a good job defensively. He's all over the ball, attacking the rim and making shots. He's an overall scorer." Lee finished with five rebounds and four steals. Freshman forward Chance Archangel (7 pts, 8 rebs) and senior forward Peyton Knatt were able to stay in the game despite foul trouble. The two big-bodies were a force inside. Archangel, who picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, asserted himself in the lane with two buckets in the closing minutes. "I thought we did a good job of hustling, taking charges and getting steals," Winston said. "Once we sped up the game, it's a little better style for us." Four players fouled out and another nine finished the game with either 3-or-4 fouls. "We're carrying 14 players," Winston said. "We're going to play 12. We'll play 14 if we have to. If you're sitting on the bench, you have to be able to play."

America has become unacceptably reliant on foreign competitors for critical materials and manufacturing processes. Post-Cold War assumptions about peace, trade, and eventual liberalizations led the US government and businesses to rely heavily on China – for manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials. Today, the foreign reliance that brought down costs by shipping domestic industrial capacity abroad has become one of America’s most acute weaknesses, particularly in the case of critical minerals. America uses minerals for a range of strategic military and commercial applications, some of which the US relies substantially or wholly on imports to provide. Among the fifty critical minerals that the Department of Energy identified in its 2023 DOE Critical Minerals List , lithium best represents both the threat of American foreign overreliance as well as an opportunity for the US to decrease its critical mineral vulnerability. Lithium’s light weight and high energy density make it an essential component of battery production. According to the US Geological Survey, 87% of the world’s supply goes towards battery manufacturing – with over 60% of the total supply just for electric vehicles (EVs). Despite its vital usage for military and commercial applications, the US is heavily reliant on Chinese refineries for lithium. In the last several years, lithium prices have undergone dramatic fluctuation. Demand grew by 30% in 2023 , largely fueled by EV production. Yet a slowdown in the Chinese EV market and subsequent overproduction caused prices to crater by 75% . This price crash in 2023 followed a sharp increase the year prior, with prices jumping 123% between January and November . This lack of stability has negative consequences for American miners and refiners, and more acutely, disrupts strategic efforts to grow a domestic lithium refining industry. Albemarle, a major player in lithium markets, paused construction of a lithium processing plant in South Carolina as a result of price instability. In his second term, President Trump has the opportunity to capitalize on America’s abundant supply of raw lithium. A newly discovered lithium deposit in southwest Arkansas could contain up to 19 million tons of lithium – enough to meet projected global demand for car batteries nine times over. Already, companies such as ExxonMobil have expressed interest in extracting this new resource, which could lead to new production as soon as 2027. Promoting these partnerships by expediting permitting requests and expanding tax credit eligibility could be a first step to securing our lithium supply chain. But it would not be the only step; the U.S. is even more reliant on China for refining lithium, a process that Elon Musk described as “ much more of a choke point ” than mining. China produces only 8% of the world’s raw lithium, but has 72% of the world’s processing capacity . Even if American companies overcome the technical obstacles of extracting lithium from the Arkansas deposit, more action is necessary to support domestic refineries. For example, policy makers could set higher tariffs on finished lithium than raw lithium products in order to encourage domestic manufacturers to create facilities in the US. In addition, regulators could consider expediting environmental review for new lithium refineries, especially given the enormous EPA backlog . In addition, investments such as Albemarle’s South Carolina factory could be made eligible for additional clean energy tax credits. Finally, regulators may pursue more loan programs like Lithium Americas Corp ’s $2.9 billion guarantee through the DOE Loan Programs Office to build a lithium refinery in Nevada. The Trump administration also needs to find a way to counter Chinese overproduction and state subsidies, particularly in the EV supply chain. Currently, America imports $13.2 billion annually in EV batteries from China’s automotive industry, which is fueled by nearly ​​ $100 billion in state subsidies that aim to forcibly deindustrialize China’s strategic competitors through unfair trade practices. This represents a major national security threat, as well as enabling China to erode traditional American advantages in the auto market, particularly in cost-sensitive third world markets. For example, China’s BYD Seagull has a base price of only around $10,000 , compared to over $40,000 for Tesla’s Model 3. Overall, China produced over 30 million cars last year, twice America’s production while growing at a faster rate. This subsidy-driven production in the Chinese market accompanied weakening domestic demand. Through increased domestication of supply chains and a more resilient manufacturing base, an incoming administration has the opportunity to combat this overproduction and protect America’s automotive industry from destabilizing trade practices. Promoting the domestic mining industry provides a key opportunity to stabilize American manufacturing and combat Chinese influence abroad, particularly through the utilization of tariffs and price floors. The extent to which President Trump will use tariffs is unclear, but when it comes to critical minerals, they could be an essential component of a broader strategy to grow America’s mining and refining capacity. On the other hand, price floors, which were allegedly under consideration in the Biden DOE , could set a minimum price for lithium that would help domestic producers weather price shocks from abroad. In the coming years, national security imperatives will force America to reorient its lithium supply chain. The incoming Trump administration has the opportunity to initiate a forward-looking set of policies that fortify America’s critical mineral supply chains before it’s too late. Building an alternative network of lithium mines and refineries – either domestically or in an allied nation – will force shifts in behavior for American manufacturers and consumers. These policies will be costly – but continued reliance on our competitors for a mineral so essential for automotive and military applications has the potential to be far costlier. _________________ Farrell Gregory is research assistant at the Yorktown Institute. He is currently a visiting student at Mansfield College, Oxford, studying politics, philosophy, and economics. Sasha Gordon is a junior studying economics at the University of Michigan.Juice Wrld's fans weigh in on long-awaited posthumous album The Party Never Ends nearly five years after death

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, has made fresh appointments to fill the positions of the Chief Executive Officers for the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI) and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD). This was disclosed in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson. Among those who made the list were Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri, who was appointed as the national coordinator of NEPAD, and Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani, appointed to fill the position of the executive secretary of the SMDF/PAGMI. READ ALSO : Tinubu hails Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment as WTO Director General Tsauri is a seasoned diplomat who holds a master’s in international Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). Onanuga described him as a seasoned administrator who has an expertise in global affairs and legislative processes. Danfulani, on the other hand, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in arts and management from the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. Other appointments made by the president are Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, appointed as the NUC’s executive secretary, and Salisu Shehu, who was appointed as the executive secretary of the NERDC. Shehu, the new executive secretary of the NERDC had once served as the vice-chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano. Ribadu has also held the vice-chancellor positions at two universities. He had served as the vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and the Sule Lamido University, Jigawa state.Skiing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature in the winter and is one of the few activities that’s as fun to do alone as it is with others. However, whether you’re an advanced skier who likes to keep the good snow to themselves or prefer skiing with a posse of friends, protecting your head is an essential part of a good day on the slopes. With so many options on the market, finding the best ski helmet can be a challenge. If you’re interested in a simple solution that you can count on to protect you at all times, regardless of the conditions, check out the Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet . If your ski helmet is too large or too small, it won’t perform correctly and may not provide any protection at all. To find the right size, measure the crown of your head and cross reference with the helmet’s size chart. Moreover, the helmet should be about an inch above your eyebrows. Make sure to consider your helmet’s adjustability before purchasing. Unfortunately, not all goggles fit with all helmets. Although you likely won’t have an issue with this, ensure that the helmet you want to purchase will work with your preferred goggles without leaving your forehead exposed. In addition to being a good fit for your goggles, the best ski helmets are capable of handling a variety of upgrades if they aren’t standard. For example, be on the lookout for helmets that have slots for audio in the earmuffs and that allow you to strap a handy goggle cleaning cloth to the side. In addition to durable materials and standard EPS shock absorption, the best ski helmets will include additional or new technology to enhance protection. When shopping for a new ski helmet, consider models with MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system) technology, carbon fiber construction or an integrated Recco reflector to get the highest level of safety. Top-quality helmets offer the best ease-of-use technology in addition to superior protection. Features such as magnetic goggle clasps that can be used with gloves, removable linings and dynamic ventilation that allows for directed airflow make your helmet more comfortable, especially during extended wearing periods. Entry-level helmets that provide basic protection usually cost around $60, while higher-end models with innovative technology start around $180 and cost upwards of $250. A. Although this may seem counterintuitive at first, it is not always worth purchasing the most expensive, highest-tech helmet. If you don’t ski often, and find yourself sticking to the easier slopes and staying at low speeds, a traditional helmet will provide all the protection you need. On the other hand, if you ski in the woods or in the backcountry, investing in high-tech helmets is a must, since the danger level is much higher than on the slopes. Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet What you need to know: The Grimnir 2vi helmet from Sweet Protection is made from the finest materials on the market and includes all of the latest safety and convenience technology. What you’ll love: If you like to tackle challenging terrain and push the boundaries of your skills, look no further than the Grimnir to provide the utmost protection. Constructed out of lightweight and highly impact-resistant carbon fiber and reinforced with the latest MIPS technology, you can count on this helmet to keep you safe. Plus, it’s also quite comfortable to wear thanks to its numerous vents, Occigrip dial adjustment system and audio compatibility. What you should consider: State-of-the-art technology makes this one of the more expensive offerings. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet What you need to know: If you’re on a budget, or don’t push the limits while skiing, the Kelvin helmet from OutdoorMaster is perfect for you. What you’ll love: Don’t let the price tag fool you — this helmet offers far more than the bare minimum in terms of features and technology. Constructed from a reinforced ABS shell and a super-absorbent EPS core, you can count on this helmet to project your most valuable asset. Plus, the Kelvin also offers lots of adjustability and unmatched ventilation for the price. What you should consider: While this helmet offers ample protection for the ordinary skier, if you’re a hard charger and prefer off-piste shredding, this helmet likely won’t be enough. POC Meninx RS MIPS Helmet What you need to know: Featuring a sleek design, durable construction and an abundance of serious safety features, the Meninx RS MIPS helmet from POC is high performance and reliable. What you’ll love: Designed from the ground up with safety and convenience in mind, this helmet is ideal for anyone who regularly hits the slopes and will appreciate the thought given to small details. For example, the strap buckle on the back that holds your goggles securely in place is magnetic, which makes it easy to use while wearing gloves or mittens. Furthermore, in addition to the dual-layer ABS shell and MIPS protection system, the Meninx RS comes with an integrated Recco reflector, which is an essential component of safe backcountry skiing. To top it all off, the helmet has an easy-to-use adjustment dial and plenty of ventilation. What you should consider: POC helmets don’t come in individual sizing, and are only available in grouped sizes such as medium/large, which can make finding the perfect fit harder. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A top Romanian court on Friday annulled the first round of the country's presidential election, days after allegations emerged that Russia ran a coordinated online campaign to promote the far-right outsider who won the first round. The Constitutional Court’s unprecedented decision — which is final — came after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence on Wednesday that alleged Russia organized thousands of social media accounts to promote Calin Georgescu across platforms such as TikTok and Telegram. The court, without naming Georgescu, said that one of the 13 candidates in the Nov. 24 first round had improperly received “preferential treatment” on social media, distorting the outcome of the vote. Georgescu denounced the verdict as an “officialized coup” and an attack on democracy, as did the second-place finisher, reformist Elena Lasconi of the center-right Save Romania Union party. Despite being an outsider who declared zero campaign spending, Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner who was to face Lasconi in a runoff on Sunday. Some 951 voting stations had already opened abroad on Friday for the runoff for Romania’s large diaspora, but had to be halted. Iohannis said he would remain in office until a new presidential election could be rerun from scratch. On Dec. 1, one week after the first round of the presidential race, Romania also held a parliamentary election , which saw pro-Western parties win the most votes but also gains for far-right nationalists. Iohannis said that once the new government is formed, the date of the new presidential vote would be set. On Wednesday the president had released intelligence files from the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunication Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In a televised statement Friday, Iohannis said he was “deeply concerned” by the contents of the intelligence reports. “Intelligence reports revealed that this candidate’s campaign was supported by a foreign state with interests contrary to Romania’s. These are serious issues," he said. The Constitutional Court in its published decision cited the illegal use of digital technologies including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of “undeclared sources of funding.” It said one candidate received “preferential treatment on social media platforms, which resulted in the distortion of voters’ expressed will." Georgescu slammed the verdict as putting “democracy is under attack.” “I have only one pact ... with the Romanian people and God,” he said in a video statement. “We are no longer talking about fairness but rather about a mockery that betrays the principles of democracy ... It is time to show that we are a courageous people who know that the destiny and rights of the Romanian nation are in our hands.” Lasconi also strongly condemned the court's decision, saying it was “illegal, immoral, and crushes the very essence of democracy" and that the second round should have gone forward. “Whether we like it or not, from a legal and legitimate standpoint, 9 million Romanian citizens, both in the country and the diaspora, expressed their preference for a particular candidate through their votes," she said. “I know I would have won. And I will win because the Romanian people know I will fight for them, that I will unite them for a better Romania,” she added. Some 9.4 million people — about 52.5% of eligible voters — had cast ballots in the first round in this European Union and NATO member country. The president serves a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments. Most surveys had predicted the top candidate would be Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the ruling center-left Social Democrats. They indicated that second place would be claimed by either Lasconi or the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, George Simion. As the surprising results came in with Georgescu on top, and Lasconi narrowly beating Ciolacu, it plunged the political establishment into turmoil. The same court last week ordered a recount of the first-round votes, which added to the myriad controversies that have engulfed a chaotic election cycle. Following a recount, the court then validated the first-round results on Monday. Many observers have expressed concerns that annulling the vote could trigger civil unrest. The court said Friday that its decision was meant “to restore citizens’ trust in the democratic legitimacy of public authorities, in the legality and fairness of elections.” Simion, of the far-right party, said the development was a “coup d’état in full swing” but urged people not to take to the streets. “We don’t let ourselves be provoked, this system has to fall democratically,” he said. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said the court's decision amounts to a “crisis mode situation for Romanian democracy.” “In light of the information about the external interference, the massive interference in elections, I think this was not normal but predictable, because it’s not normal times at all, Romania is an uncharted territory,” he told The Associated Press. “The problem is here, do we have the institutions to manage such an interference in the future?” Georgescu’s surprising success left many political observers wondering how most local surveys were so far off, putting him behind at least five other candidates before the vote. Many observers attributed his success to his TikTok account, which now has 6 million likes and 541,000 followers. But some experts suspected Georgescu’s online following was artificially inflated while Romania’s top security body alleged he was given preferential treatment by TikTok over other candidates. In the intelligence release, the secret services alleged that one TikTok user paid more $381,000 (361,000 euros) to other users to promote Georgescu content. Intelligence authorities said information they obtained “revealed an aggressive promotion campaign” to increase and accelerate his popularity. Georgescu, when asked by the AP in an interview Wednesday whether he believes the Chinese-owned TikTok poses a threat to democracy, defended social media platforms. “The most important existing function for promoting free speech and freedom of expression is social media,” he said.

Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Light-driven method creates molecular fit that would otherwise be impossibleHoliday gatherings for families like the Romualdezes

Jhon Duran suspended for three games as Aston Villa lose appeal into red cardNone