49ers' Deebo Samuel Says He's 'Just Not Getting the Ball' amid Criticism from Fans
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed an 18-member Presidential Task Force to plan and implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” program. The initiative was first announced by Dissanayake in his inaugural address to Parliament. The Task Force members and its objective was made official via an Extraordinary Gazette Number 2415/59 dated 19 December 2024. The members of the Task Force are Secretary to President Dr. N.S. Kumanayake (Chairman), Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force, Acting IGP W.L.A. Saman Priyantha, Urban Development Authority Chairman Eng. Kumudu Lal De Silva, I.S. Jayaratna, Gihan De Silva, Sandya Salgado, Dr. Gamini Batuwitage, Dr. Anuruddha Gamage, Dilruk Wanasinghe, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, Sisira Amarabandu, Krishantha Cooray, Jayathu Perera, Ruwan Weerasooriya, and Dayan Karunarathna. Senior Additional Secretary to the President G.M.R.D. Aponsu is the Convener/Secretary of the Task Force. Tasks assigned include plan, guide, implement, review the progress, and complete the “Clean Sri Lanka” program within a given time frame aiming to achieve the objectives of elevating society to a more advanced status through a social, environmental and ethical awakening and Create an organisational structure to facilitate the implementation of this programme from the national level to rural level. The Task Force will be required to obtain the subject knowledge and contribution of scholars, professionals, experts and representatives of institutions relating to the subject areas covered by the “Clean Sri Lanka” program and prepare a structure to engage stakeholders such as Government and semi Government sectors, private sector, research institutions, civil society organisations, non-Governmental organisations, international organisations and development practitioners, consultancy and professional organisations, community and citizen organisations, mass media and communication institutions, financial institutions, religious organisations, technology providers and inventors, Sri Lankan diaspora in this program. It will be responsible to raise funds for the “Clean Sri Lanka” fund and provide the necessary instructions and guidance to manage the “Clean Sri Lanka” fund as required. It will also identify programs implemented in concurrence with this program by various stakeholders such as Government institutions, private sector, international organisations and institutions, non-Governmental organisations and align them with the “Clean Sri Lanka” program. The Task Force is also mandated to identify and formulate legal provisions required to ensure the sustainability of the outcomes of this program and establish an institutional framework to which the responsibility for enforcing such laws and rules in the long term is conferred upon. It will also leverage digitalisation to plan, guide, implement, review the progress and sustainably continue this program and develop and implement a multi-mode communication strategy to positively influence and engage all stakeholders. The Task Force is authorised to make inquiries and issue instructions as required for the purpose of executing the tasks so entrusted, and also to obtain the assistance of the public officers from whom such assistance is intended by the Presidential Task Force. The rational for the Task Force and the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, as per the Gazette is that the people of Sri Lanka have become victims in the context of Sri Lanka lagging behind not only economically but also politically, socially, culturally and ethically, the people’s aspirations to take the country towards a new renaissance by changing the situation that they have experienced thus far has been clearly reflected in the recent election results. An approach to make behavioural changes in society can be achieved by role modelling, influencing, providing guidance, and strongly emphasising the need for change, the Government has recognised the need to implement a systematic program to steer the society towards progress and the Government believes that such changes make a decisive impact on the economic development of the country as well. Additional the Government recognises that it is essential to launch a national operation targeting a social, environmental and ethical awakening in the country, as well as fulfilling a transformative initiative ensuring the wellbeing, harmony and progress of the people of this country in line with the vision of “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life.” The Government believes that a transformative initiative is required to be launched to strengthen the environmental, economic and social sustainability and the state machinery, and the present Government has been entrusted with an unavoidable responsibility to act accordingly. Given these factors, the necessity to establish a Presidential Task Force to implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, was recognised at the Meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 2 December 2024.NexOptic Technology Corp. ( CVE:NXO – Get Free Report ) shares fell 20% on Saturday . The company traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02. 480,200 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 387% from the average session volume of 98,644 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03. NexOptic Technology Trading Down 20.0 % The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.90 million, a PE ratio of -1.00 and a beta of 1.14. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is C$0.03 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.33. About NexOptic Technology ( Get Free Report ) NexOptic Technology Corp., a technology company, develops artificial intelligence and imaging products. It engages in developing All Light Intelligent Imaging Solutions (ALIIS), a suite of intelligent imaging solution that processes raw images and video in real time; and NexCompress technological solutions. 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College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out
NoneRumbleOn Announces Commencement of $10.0 Million Fully Backstopped Registered Rights OfferingElon Musk was asked at the recent SpaceX launch if he played League of Legends, to which he said if he did, it "would damage the space program". At the recent SpaceX launch, President-elect Trump and members of his family were in attendance hanging around with the Tesla, SpaceX and now DOGE boss asking him some space-related questions, but then the questions moved to gaming as they Elon is a gamer. The group were talking about the difficulties of getting into space and blasting off to Mars, when Elon was asked: " what's harder, this or Greater Rifts in Diablo 4 ". Elon laughs, but then Kai Trump asks Elon if ever played Fortnite, to which he replied " no, but I did like Quake and a bunch of other first-person shooters ". He was then asked " League, did you play League (of Legends) ". Elon said about playing League: " League... if I started playing League, it will damage the space program ". Elon has a great sense of humor, as he knows a game like League of Legends would time suck his life away, even more than the time he pumps into being a global top 20 player in Diablo 4.
New guidance on the ethical use of AI in public sector workplaces has been shared by Wales' Workforce Partnership Council. The guidance, laid out in two reports, was created collaboratively by the Welsh Government, public sector employers, and trade unions. It aims to harness the benefits of emerging technologies while safeguarding against potential risks to the workforce. The reports provide a framework for AI implementation, focusing on checks and balances, responsible implementation, and post-adoption evaluation. Welsh Government minister for social partnership, Jack Sargeant, said: "As AI continues to shape the future of our workplaces, it is crucial that public service workers and organisations alike benefit from this continued innovation. "Our approach ensures that AI adoption in public services is transparent and underpinned by human oversight." The guidance has been strongly supported by the Social Partnership Council and other key stakeholders. The Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) is also developing complementary resources to further aid public sector bodies in the ethical use of AI. Shavanah Taj, general secretary of TUC Cymru, said: "To get the best from AI systems which manage workers, workers must have a strong voice in their design and use. "TUC Cymru and the public sector unions welcome the publication of 'Managing Technology That Manages People' because it will ensure that workers share the benefits that AI could bring." The Welsh Government and social partners will now implement a comprehensive communications programme to ensure these materials, approaches, and recommendations are effectively embedded in workplaces across Wales.
The new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad that finished with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was gracious, up to a point. “Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the 12 best teams in the country,” he said on social media. He acknowledged — despite all of Alabama’s losses coming against conference opponents this season — that the Tide’s push to schedule more games against teams from other major conferences in order to improve its strength of schedule did not pay off this time. “That is not good for college football," Byrne said. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21. Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21. The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20. Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner faces ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State , Dec. 21. The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballElon Musk attacks Australian government over proposed social media ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress," he said.
Robbie Avila scores 19 to lead Saint Louis over winless Chicago State 85-621. A set of wireless waterproof Bluetooth earbuds with adjustable silicone tips so they'll fit perfectly without constantly falling out no matter who's wearing them. The buzz on these babies is that not only are they affordable, but they are *super* comfortable, too — just take a look at 185,000+ 5-star reviews! These come with a wireless charging case that provides up to 14 hours of charge (with the earbuds able to play for four+ hours with each full charge). The earbuds are also sweatproof and waterproof so you can use them during workouts or runs, (even in the shower!), and have a built-in mic so you can chat on the phone. Promising review: "Professional dog walker here. I've had these for a week and I am extremely pleased with this impulse buy. The sound quality is good. Great for the price. I like how you can use either separately if you've synced properly. I didn't read the description very well before I ordered, just reviews, and was surprised t hey are waterproof, and come with a cordless charging box . The box is awesome, too." — Jimpame2 "[These earbuds] looked cool, were in my price range, and had received a lot of great reviews so I bought them. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't really read much about them before I purchased them. Just another one of my many impulse buys. LOL! When I received the buds and started reading about them I was floored. They're WATERPROOF! That's great!...The carrying case is very solid and it needs to be because its' also the charger for the ear buds. You DO have to keep the case charged with a USB but when you need the buds charged you simply place them back in the case and whamo. Way cool! I've not had any problems with the buds moving around or falling out of my ears . Just follow their advice on sizing. Also, way cool! But the best feature is THEY SOUND AWESOME! I'm not an expert on stereo or sound equipment but I know what I like and I LOVE these. Buy them! You won't be sorry." — Trader by the Sea Get it from Amazon $25.99 (available in six colors). 2. A vintage-looking dimmable candle warmer perfect for the candle-loving giftee that probably doesn't have room for more (I mean, same here). This warmer will evenly melt their candles — no flame necessary. 🎶 It's me, hi. I'm the impulsive buyer, it's me 🎶 After seeing this gooorgeous candle warmer online time and time again (and trying to ignore the urge to buy what I absolutely didn't need)...I finally did it, and WOW am I glad I did. This lamp looks even better in person, it's warms all of my candles evenly , and after moving it to my desk, I figured out it can be used as the cutest mug warmer, too! It comes with two compatible 50-watt warming bulbs that melt candles from top to bottom. The dimming feature is also really convenient for both the brightness of the light and for how fast or slow you want your candle to melt! This would definitely be a 12/10 gift. Get it from Amazon for $32.99 . 3. The cult-favorite Reverse Coloring Book , where instead of coloring things in, they add linework to the images! It's the *perfect* mindless activity to do if they're tired of watching reruns of the same show. Just throw on some music and let your creativity flow. Each book includes 50 pages of watercolor art for you to add lines, along with suggestions for what to add if you want a jumping-off point. B onus: the pages are perforated, so you can easily tear them out and frame them! Check out a TikTok of the Reverse Coloring Book in action. And if you've already tried this copy, there are newer Reverse Coloring Books from the same creator to try! Promising review: "I am most impressed by the quality of the paper. It is fantastic for drawing! I'm blown away by both the heft of the book and the amount of pages that I can draw on. This is a high quality print piece, and I'm already having fun doodling. I am not an impulsive buyer, but this was definitely an impulsive purchase that I will never regret ." — Elise Get it from Amazon for $9.90 . 4. A mini wireless Bluetooth speaker perfect for playing their jams while cleaning the house, spontaneous dance parties alone, and hosting a slew of people on a Saturday night. This little guy may be small, but reviewers say the sound and the quality are powerful! It comes with its own carrying case, too! Promising review: "This thing is amazing! I sincerely wasn't expecting it to be this awesome, especially for the price I paid since it was on lightning deal. It's the perfect size and the sound quality seriously wows me. Buy it. Even if it's not on deal, buy it. I'm super happy with this impulse buy. " — Misty Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four colors). 5. A pair cozy fur-lined Crocs OR classic Crocs — because both styles have impulse buyers singing their praises. Depending on your giftee's style and preference, they may want something just a little more warm 'n' cozy than the OG unlined clogs. Either way, they will be pleasantly surprised with these! (And yes, even the Croc-haters will morph into 24/7 Croc-rockers after trying them out.) Promising review (fur-lined): "Buy them. I was not a Crocs person at all. I bought two pairs on a whim and omg I love them so much. These are the only shoes I wear right now. Super worth the cost." — Nani Promising review (classic): "We all know Crocs are silly. I bought these sort of on a whim as a joke. But now that I work from home a lot, I wear them every day. Good indoor shoes, good outdoor shoes. And they are very comfortable. When they wear out, I'll probably buy some more." — C Get them both from Amazon: the fur-lined Crocs for $44.95+ (available in women's sizes 4–15 and in 20 colors) and the Classic Crocs for $37.49+ (available in women's sizes 4–19 and in 72 colors). 6. A five-pack of hydrating vitamin E-infused lip glosses , each with a different it-factor that takes the OG gloss they love to the next level. The rosehip oil gloss is designed to reduce fine lines on lips, while the strawberry, cherry, and bubble gum glosses provide subtle and translucent color, hydration, and a delicious scent. Each provides an ultra-glossy finish that'll make their lips ✨pop✨. Promising reviews: " I honestly bought this just for fun on a whim, but seriously, I have fallen in love with this lip gloss. It has a great thick consistency to last a long time even on dry lips. It doesn't taste bad and smells amazing. Definitely recommend especially for the price." — aslynn " Better than Fenty lipgloss. Not only [at a] great price, but these beautiful lipgloss shades smell like fruit and feel so darn great and smooth on my lips...I recommend these to [anyone] who has dry, chapped lips and wants shiny, thick not so sticky lipgloss! This is definitely a treatment for my lips! I 100% recommend! I will be buying again!" — Alia Get a five-pack from Amazon for $6.15 . 7. A rattan plant stand so their plant collection isn't full of the same ole boring pots. This stand would look adorable just about anywhere and may encourage a new plant purchase, too! This was another impulse purchase of my own doing and it was so worth it! I got the medium size for myself and it's tall, durable, and fills up an empty corner very very nicely . The plant holder is really well made and holds my humongous Birds of Paradise without a budge, so it's definitely worth the price. And multiple years in and two moves later, it's still holding strong! Kouboo is a family-owned small biz that produces unique home decor items, all made from natural materials sourced around the world. Promising review: "I absolutely ADORE this plant stand! It is unbelievably gorgeous, the perfect size, wonderfully sturdy and stable (level feet to the floor) and is solidly built. Color is true to advertised photos. Arrived in excellent condition (was very securely packaged). While I found it a bit pricey, it absolutely delivers in style, function, and quality. Desperately wanting a second one!!! 🤞🏼" — N.M. Get it from Amazon for $74.50+ (available in three sizes). 8. A dog DNA kit because there's no doubt they'd LOVE to know what kind of pup their dog *really* is? If they've got a rescue mutt, this is a must! Promising review (long but worth the read!): "We rescued this adorable dog a few months ago...Her paperwork had her listed as a Shepard mix and we thought that wasn't right and different paperwork suggested she was a labradoodle which we thought most likely but due to her smaller size we didn't think that was quite right either... When we saw the sale it was impulse to buy it. Got the test in quickly (thanks Amazon) and taking the sample was pretty easy and straightforward. Sent it off and it took a while but just short of a month later we got our results. Before getting our results we did get updates along the way each step. When they received the sample, and a few other times explaining the process which was so neat to learn about. We got out health back a day or two before the breed. It was good to see our dog was healthy and didn't carry a whole host of genetic markers. Then we got the breed information back and we were stunned to find out our dog was part poodle which is what we suspected and her other half was Siberian husky which we did not suspect at all!!... It takes away the mystery and now when people ask what she is we can tell them!... I would 100% do it again! What a blast! — FamilyLife Get it from Amazon for $134 . 9. A sunset projection lamp for gorgeous end-of-day vibes whenever they want them. 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 : " Really great impulse purchase. I really like how the light calms me down. I turn it on when I feel stressed from work or school and I feel some of the tension ease away. I really recommend it and plus it looks cool in your room against a plain wall or posters/paintings!" — Laila T C Get it from Amazon $14.99+ (available in three colors). 10. A set of LED light saber 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: "Absolutely amazing. This was a total impulse purchase, but it was 100% worth it. " — FuzzyNoodles Get two pairs from Amazon for $12.97 . 11. A mini waffle maker that'll have them falling in love with making breakfast all over again. It comes in a bunch of various designs, plus this compact beaut stores away easily, too. Promising reviews: " This was the best 100% impulsive purchases I’ve ever made! So easy to use and have yet to burn a waffle. I use this so much!...I scoop the mix and pour a lil bit in, close the lid, and just stare at the steam coming from the sides while half dressed in my pajamas. It truly is a vibe." — Dray Marrow "At first I thought I was silly for buying it... then I made some waffles and am grinning from ear-to-ear! This was an impulse purchase. I was craving waffles one day and this thing popped up in my search. I'm SO glad that it did! It's super easy to use. It's perfect for one person and doesn't take up huge space. In fact the footprint is about the same size as a large coffee cup... This little thing simply does its job and does it well. If you want something that stirs the batter for you, this isn't for you. However, if you just want a nice toasty waffle, buy this! You won't regret it!" — Mahealani Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in 20 colors/styles). 12. An 18-piece set of 🌟top-rated🌟 fine-point pens specifically designed for planners and journals, so they can color code to their heart's desire. These babies are designed not to bleed through thin pages! Promising reviews: " These are the smoothest writing pens I think I have ever used! I love them! They came packaged separately in their own case. I usually like bold point, but ordered these on impulse and am so glad I did. Very good quality, ink doesn't bleed through. Will purchase again!" — Kasey Taylor "I'm kind of obsessed with these markers. This was an impulse buy. I bought them because they were not super expensive. I read a glowing review somewhere, and I am always looking for good fine-line markers. I was not expecting to like them as much as I do. The colors are good, they write smoothly, and they do not bleed! If you are looking for fine line markers/pens these are a solid choice." — Ally Get a set of 18 from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three different color-packs). 13. A gentle-pressure sleep mask because it's basically like a weighted blanket for their eyes. It's made of soft fabric and weighted, scent-free compression that blocks out light, relieves sinus pains, and reduces puffy eyes. Promising review: "This product is amazing. Probably the best impulsive purchase I've ever made! I often have to sleep during daylight hours and this product not only blocks out all of the light, but is incredibly comfortable ! The microbeads conform to your face and create a wonderful relaxing compression that helps me fall right to sleep. It also helps relieve sinus pressure from my seasonal allergies. LOVE IT! (I will be purchasing more for my friends and family!)" — Flipperchick21 Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 14. A cosmic moon phase garland sure to become their new favorite decor piece. Trust me, they'll be over the ~moon~ when they unwrap this gift! Base Roots is a Nevada-based small business that sells lots of modern and vibrant home decor. Promising review: "Anyone else making a bunch of impulse buys (cough, thanks BuzzFeed, cough)? Just me? This purchase stood out. Arrived quickly, packed in a little box and bag. I literally squealed "Oh, I LOVE it!" to my cat and otherwise empty apartment. My only difficulty is in figuring out where to hang it. Looks good near the bed, over the TV, strung across a doorway. Best impulse buy I've made in like a year. " — Jamie Sunn Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two styles and two colors). 15. A luxe Oak + Fort tote that'll beautifully hold all of their essentials (literally ALL. It's so roomy!) — whether they're headed to work, school, or to the Target down the street. This was an impulse buy of mine back in 2018 and it's still in the top five of best impulse purchases ever. This was my everyday purse when five days a week in the office was still my norm, and it's still my go-to when I know a heavy-duty shopping day is ahead. It's really comfortable and lightweight , the strap is the perfect length, it's *stunning* in person, and the inside is extra extra roomy (which is what I love the most). There's enough room for my 13" laptop, notebooks, a small makeup bag, and there's still room to spare. The two front pockets are perfect for things like phone, keys, etc. I love it! Shipping info : Parcels are shipped with FedEx and take 2–5 business days. Get it from Oak + Fort for $48 (available in seven colors). 16. A plush double-sided shaggy duvet set they'll absolutely love snuggling up in at night. Reviewers say it's thick enough to use as a blanket on its own, but the best part about a duvet is that they can easily switch it out to fit your ever-changing taste! One side is faux-fur and the other side is plush velvet; the twin set comes with one pillow sham, and other size sets include two. Promising review: "Best things I've ever purchased. I’m obsessed with this blanket. It’s seriously one of the best decisions I’ve ever impulsively made. Pair it with the lux satin sheets . Add a little puppy and live like the Sultan you deserve."— Kathryn Cottam Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in sizes Twin, Queen, & King and in 29 colors). 17. A wearable blanket as seen on Shark Tank ! It looks like a giant hoodie but feels like the most warm and comfortable blanket ever. It's even lined with fluffy sherpa to keep in the extra warmth when they're lounging at home or out and about. This wearable blanket comes from The Comfy Store , a small biz that was featured on Shark Tank ! Promising reviews: " Purchased for myself as a quarantine impulse buy. To be frank, the answer is yes. Super comfortable. The only problems I have had are 1. My partner keeps stealing it and 2. I purchased it right before the weather got warm and did not get to use it until recently. I absolutely love it." — Kayla " Best impulse buy and honestly the best Amazon purchase of the year. I bought this camping one night and it is the best thing I own for cold camping weekends." — Warren K Escoe Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in one size, 28 colors/prints, and in quarter zip). 18. Silicone face mask brushes — a great stocking stuffer that'll make their self care routine SO much easier to get through, creating a more even product application and a much simpler clean-up. With these in hand, they'll no longer need to get their hands dirty to get those pores clean! Promising review: "Absolutely love these! I got these out of random impulse just because I liked the concept of them . They help evenly distribute the product. Somewhat like one of those silicone spatulas used to ice a cake. The silicone tip made clean up such a breeze after the mask application. I must say it’s a bit awkward once I got to my nose but overall it was a pleasant experience. Also since I have acrylic nails (tips) it helped in not getting the mask under my nails." — Amanda Lopez Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.38 . 19. AND a wearable nail polish holder to easily get the perfect at-home manicure. No more risk of spilling polish all over the carpet, all thanks to you! P.S. reviewers say it's great for crafters too! Tweexy is a small biz based in Sullivans Island, South Carolina. Promising review: "This weird little ring-pop looking contraption is the BEST. Can't tell you how many times I've spilled my nail polish tried to hold it between my knees or balancing it on something while trying to do my nails. I don't need a flat surface anymore, I can sit wherever. I even made my kids come see (they rolled their eyes) but anyone who does their nails will love it. I have various shaped nail polish bottles and so far they have all fit. Best impulse buy this year 💅. If i was making a little nail-polish gift basket for someone I would definitely throw one of these in there." — SWD Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 10 colors). 20. A leak-proof time-marked water bottle for the person you have to ~always~ remind to drink water. This is the perfect (and most stylish!) way for them to stay hydrated. Reviewers say this bottle is super lightweight, sleek, and motivational. Plus, seeing your progress throughout the day is always fun! Promising review: "Like so many others, I saw these water bottles all over TikTok but sheesh the price for some of the ones they had were atrocious! So when I saw Arc had one PRETTIER and MORE glam feeling for a cheaper price I had to grab it, being the money wise but impulsive shopper that I am :) LISTENNNNN!! I have a hundred other water bottles, this is by far my favorite!! It’s soooo easy to clean , I KEEP Vaseline on my hands and this has yet to fall (so duh it’s easy to hold), but it has fallen a ton because I’m clumsy and it still looks brand new! The minimalist frosted look with the aesthetic times and gold top! Girl, bye you cannot tell me I’m not a rich b**** when I carry my best friend! I love it so much that my little cousins have all asked me to buy them one!!" — I Am Tonya Maria Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three colors and two sizes). 21. A foldable *and* adjustable laptop tray desk ideal for those who love to WFB (work from bed), need an easy way to convert to a standing desk, and even artists who HATE being hunched over while drawing or painting! Along with its adjustable height and angle, the desk features a non-slip leather desktop, a storage drawer, a removable book stand, AND a notebook slip, too. Promising review: "Unexpectedly awesome! This thing is the best impulse/desperation purchase I’ve made. Great for bed, sofas, and even as a low table on the floor. Sturdy. It just makes sense. — Tyler Stratton Get it from Amazon for $92.99 (available in three colors). 22. A compact under-desk bike they'll be able to use while working and sitting down for hours. It has multiple resistance levels and will give them the chance to be active while answering emails! It works with desks as low as 27 inches. If you're tall or you have long legs, you can still use it while working from the couch. Promising review: "This is one of the best impulse purchases I've ever made. LIKE A DREAM!" — Stuff & Things Get it from Amazon for $189.99 (available in three colors). 23. A HyperChiller beverage cooler if they love iced coffee, and iced coffee *only*. This gadget turns hot coffee into iced coffee in 60 seconds (yes, seconds) flat. All they need to do is fill the container with water and keep it in the freezer so it's always ready when needed. The dishwasher-safe container can also be used to cool chill tea, juice, wine , or whatever else you feel like drinking. No water comes into contact with your beverage, so you don't have to worry about dilution, either. Promising review : " Got it on Prime Day as an impulse buy. Can’t believe this works, and have recommended it to many friends. I primarily use it on white and rose wines — it’s perfect for that good bottle you want to buy and drink immediately, but isn’t kept in the refrigerator at the store, leaving you with the moral quandary of having to decide if you’re going to wait to drink it or commit the sacrilege of adding an ice cube. Two minutes in this easy to assemble contraption (four pieces -—just add water, screw parts together, and freeze overnight) and you’ve a perfectly chilled glass of wine. I usually just give it a quick rinse out and toss it right back in the freezer when done, defrosting and cleaning it periodically between what different kinds of things I’m using it on." — Malariana416 Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in five colors). 24. A soft-serve dessert maker to turn their favorite fruits into a creamy, sorbet treat! It's the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth, but especially for that one person who loves ice cream even in the dead of winter. Promising reviews: " Bought this on Prime day as an impulse buy but is now a kitchen staple. My kids LOVE the sorbet that comes out of this just as much as ice cream and it is just 100% ground up fruit...Also it is pretty easy to clean. Just twist off the attachment, unscrew it, and rinse off the blades (not sharp enough to cut me) and gasket. Definitely recommend, even at full price. — N. Whelpley " 100% WORTH IT! Best impulse buy ever!! It is one of my favorite kitchen items I've ever purchased! This thing will pay for itself after you make four bowls of dessert and skip the frozen yogurt place !!...Bananas, berries, pineapple, mango. Boom. FREAKING DELICIOUS AND SO EASY TO MAKE!! THE TEXTURE IS AMAZING. BETTER THAN YOU EXPECT, I SWEAR. it's suuuuper smooth! Not icy like a snow cone, smooth like half melted ice cream. Incredible. I haven't tried the more expensive units but I cannot figure out how they could charge $120. Just buy this model. Worth the money 100%! Such a cool, fun dessert. Easy enough to make one bowl for yourself or a bunch of bowls." — Lamb Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four colors). 25. A string of fairy lights for when they want to bring the starry night sky down to earth. These curtain lights have eight different modes (twinkle, flash, fade, etc.) and can work both in and outdoors. They'll add the perfect ambience and make evening Instagram shoots a thing. If you like vibes of the second photo, you'll want to get some sheer curtains to recreate that hazy glow. Promising review: " Best impulse buy yet!!! Originally bought this for decorating at Christmas but I hung them in my kitchen and put them on a timer so they come on at dusk and off at 10. They make the entire living room and kitchen area feel so welcoming. " — Sarah " One of my favorite impulse buys of 2019. A lot of fun settings that I’ll likely never use but I like having options. The lighting leaves my room feeling more comfortable and relaxed. Would buy again" — Asha Brown Get them from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 26. A rechargeable, *compact* ring light to brighten their frame for work meetings or online classes and provide the perfect lighting for selfies. It's small enough to fit in purses and backpacks too! Promising review: "I always wanted a light for the perfect selfies and videos, and I bought this one on a whim. I was NOT disappointed. I charged it when it arrived, and I haven’t had to charge it since (two weeks). [It has] three levels of brightness for your perfect pic! I’ll buy more as gifts!" — Diana Dawn Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 27. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" so they don't have to move from their cozy setup just to grab a snack or dig for the remote that's buried somewhere under their pile of blankets. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: " I bought this on a whim. My apartment is small and we don't have enough room for end tables near the couch, so we always would have snack tables out and then just put them away when we had company over. When I first received this I tried almost every cup and mug I had to see if they would fit. Everything fits! Even my HUGE tea mugs. It has a little cut-out for the handle of a mug to fit in, which is so helpful. It's great for cups, but also is a great caddy for the remotes as well. I haven't tried to wash it yet, but I know the cover is removable and washable which is a plus. So far I have just had to spot clean it and that has worked fine. I would HIGHLY recommend!" — Randi Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and eight patterns). 28. A convenient desktop dry erase board if you know they'd rather jot something down than use a Post-it. It's perfect for those quick notes and reminders they don't want to forget, fits right in front of a monitor, and even has a storage compartment on the side. It comes with a dry-erase marker, too! Promising review: " I got this as a bit of an impulse buy after seeing this on BuzzFeed. I am one of those who likes to doodle during meetings, so this is a nice addition to my WFH desk ... The writing surface seems to be good quality. A black marker is included, but I also bought the additional Quartet markers to get different colors. Thinking about getting one of these when I return to the office." — LA Girl Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in five colors). 29. A bagel guillotine they can use for muffins, buns, rolls, and of course, bagels. This gadget will give them *perfect* slices every time, is safer than using a regular (and much more boring) knife. Promising reviews: "Not sure why it took me so long to look for this product on Amazon. It was a total impulse buy, but one of the best buys I made in 2020. Can't tell you how many times I've sliced or come close to slicing my fingers trying to get that perfectly even bagel cut...It was super easy to slice - you need to have a good grip on the bottom while simultaneously lifting the blade. Only a little effort required. Still hands-down the best impulse buy ever ." — Brooke " We LOVE this! I bought it as an impulse buy while purchasing a different style of bagel slicer and figured it would not last long in our family. It turns out the "other one" was the waste. T his slicer is easily one of the most used products in our kitchen! It does fine in the dishwasher and is seriously the smartest thing I have bought for the kitchen in a long time! It slices instantly! We have a big family and it has saved me actual measurable time." — Sarah Get it from Amazon for $15.54+ (available in four colors). 30. A pack of Gameboy wall decals that are as easy as peel, stick, and stare in awe. It'll make a fridge or a bedroom door way more fun as it doubles as dry-erase boards, too. If that won't motivate them to write down your grocery list, I don't know what will. Promising review: " I bought this on a whim because I knew my boyfriend would laugh and appreciate the heck out of it...My boyfriend plays video games and has a fair share of Cowboy Bebop figurines, so when I saw it I knew he'd get a kick out of it. 11/10 would buy again just for another chance to see his reaction. And honestly it looks great [and] transformed a boring white fridge we paid no mind to, to a clever and cute conversation piece that ~also~ serves a function. " — Olivia Get a set of six magnets from Amazon for $16.84 . 31. A screaming goat for when they're sitting at work and feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just feeling a little anxious. This little guy will literally shriek whenever they touch it, not only giving them a much needed laugh but also letting out the internal scream *for* them. Promising review: "I saw this on Amazon and it was definitely an impulse purchase. I chuckle every time I hear the scream of the goat. It is just an amusing toy to keep on your desk and let off a little steam , because sometimes you feel like screaming like this goat at work!" — C.C. Get it from Amazon for $7.65 . You, impulse shopping and adding random items to your cart at 2 AM: The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. As we watched acrobats twirl and twist across the air, committing to gravity-defying feats amidst the backdrop of elaborate sets — a full-sized pirate ship, two story-tall books opening their pages — all I can think back to is the pre-show of this performance of Cirque du Soleil ‘s JOYÁ : three seasoned musicians, humbly spotlit on the stage, simply performing the son cubano classic, “Chan-Chan”. One of the most underrated aspects of Cirque du Soleil performances are the soundtracks, unless of course, you’re attending one of their more popular jukebox musical-style residencies ( Love , Viva Elvis , and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour , specifically). It’s easy to understand why — I was captivated at first sight by the lush Mayan jungle environment of VidantaWorld Riviera Maya’s theater , where JOYÁ enjoys its residency. Ambient bird calls play over the speakers, blue jellyfish-shaped lights hung from the ceiling, while vines twist and encroach on an old professor’s expansive study on stage. But as the official show started after dinner, it would be hard not to note the musicians who become almost part of the story’s set themselves, stepping in the background, yet visible at all times. Shows like JOYÁ are a shot of pure, concentrated energy, and worthy traveling miles to witness — the live music is a part of that. From original compositions, to “world” beats (a nebulous genre, yet given CdS’s international presence and influence, feels like an apt descriptor), the conception of the score is almost as important as crafting the narrative of the show itself, according to Executive Vice Chairman and former Cirque du Soleil CEO, Daniel Lamarre. “It’s very important, and I would say that it’s one of the elements that make our shows unique. We think of the music almost like a movie, but even more so, because the performers are part of the cast of characters, playing live.” This brings new creative challenges when producing a fresh concept — continuing a decade-long partnership with Grupo Vidanta, their latest show LUDÕ is set to premiere next year solely at VidantaWorld’s BON in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico (which will also house the world’s first luxury theme park, opening in 2026). LUDÕ (from the Latin word for “I play”) is more than just a show — it’s an ambitious fusion of live music, acrobatics, and gourmet dinner theater. Set in a cutting-edge, 696-seat custom theater, we’re told that “water flows through every aspect of the story”, similar to their long-running show O in Las Vegas . However this aquatic-themed theater will feature a wrap-around aquarium, with advanced acoustics that were made to compliment the “dreamlike” score and fill the unique space. Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time “The score was written with the idea in mind to envelop the performers, as if you, yourself, were underwater,” explains Lamarre. “The only element that we had to be careful about when it came to the music was how it complimented the human performing acts. It was very important that we built some good, basic energy, because there are some comedic acts. The pacing is something that is very important, and we accentuate pacing here because the music is there to sustain the narrative.” The process of choreographing the show was also different due to the nature of the circular, aquarium-esque element of the show. “It took some guts [Laughs]. Just as an example, we’ve seen a lot of aquariums, right? And they’re all flat, right? So here, we will have a glass wall that is surrounding the theater, so just the technology to make sure that would work and that the water won’t leak was a challenge.” However, he says their experience with producing the water elements in O did make a difference. “If you go below the stage basin [at O in Las Vegas ], you can see what’s happening in the pool. It’s a show in and of itself. But we always said to each other, maybe one day we should do something that the public can appreciate. And it’s different skills you have to look for in performers, but it’s worth it.” Related Content Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso Martini Kit Is Back in Stock, Just in Time for Her New 'Nonsense Christmas' Special I Never Regretted Buying This Espresso Machine — Until It Went On Sale Monday Night Football Livestream: How to Watch Bengals vs. Cowboys Game Online Five Holiday Outfit Ideas for Men, Starting At Less Than $150 While that doesn’t mean we expect to see, say, a violin quartet playing underwater (or will we? Specific show details are being kept heavily under wraps), Lamarre does make it clear that similar to other former Cirque du Soleil productions, live music will be another integral part of LUDÕ. “We are probably one of the largest companies in term of hiring musicians, because all of our musical performances are live. You know, a lot of circus shows play with a [soundtrack] tape, and we’ve never done that. We didn’t want to anyways, because we like the idea that the musicians are part of the show. You can feel their energy, and they become part of the room. In our new show, we integrate our musicians in a unique way because, again, that’s something unique to Cirque.” Opening in Nov. 2025, LUDÕ will officially kick off with over 300 planned shows per year, and the only way you’ll be able to see it is at VidantaWorld’s Nuevo Vallarta resort. Whether you’re a Cirque enthusiast, or just see it as an added entertainment bonus to staying at one of the best luxury travel destinations in Mexico, it’s definitely set to become a must-see attraction. VidantaWorld is even offering exclusive vacation packages early next year for LUDÕ so guests can get a closer look into the artistry and technical innovations behind the scenes (package info will become available in early 2025, with priority access for VidantaWorld newsletter subscribers starting in February). Pre-sale sign-ups for dinner show tickets are now live on cirquedusoleil.com/ludo , so be sure to snag those seats before your next trip.How to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Wednesday, November 27