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Metalworking Fluids Market, 39% of Growth to Originate from APAC, TechnavioYOU might think buying beauty products second-hand is icky. But on many websites this means grabbing brand new, unopened items for a fraction of their original price. 8 Find out which websites are best for different types of products Cosmetics are one of the fastest growing areas for pre-owned buys, according to online marketplace Mercari. Lina Cameron, a make-up artist and natural beauty coach, regularly searches sites such as eBay and Vinted for discounted products to use on herself and her clients. On average, she reckons she saves about 50 per cent on the usual price. For example, she tries to buy her favourite cleanser by Eve Lom unopened on eBay. READ MORE MONEY SAVING IDEAS QUIDS IN 50 ways to boost your income as wages fall and cost of living hell hits SUPER SAVE I've saved £1k with savings challenges - I didn't notice it leaving my account She has also bagged Dior eyeshadow pallets and Charlotte Tilbury setting powder for almost half the usual cost. “I have to have products in lots of shades for clients so this saves me a lot of money,” she says. Currently, there are 100ml Eve Lom cleansers in their original, unopened packaging on eBay for £25. They usually retail for £65. Here, Lina reveals the risks and rewards of buying second-hand — and highlights the best sites to use and some of the current bargains. Most read in Money LEAVING TOWN High street giant to shut branch as mystery surrounds shopping centre future CHOC FULL Shoppers rush to buy Cadbury selection boxes at major supermarket for just £1 CASH FLOODS Hardy shoppers defy Storm Darragh to queue for a new Poundland ANN-OTHER ONE Major high street retailer to close store for good and 'all stock must go' VINTED 8 Fenty Beauty skin tint, 32ml, save £17.80 Credit: Fenty SELLERS can post pictures of their beauty products and say how much they want. Buyers can haggle but pay shipping and a buyer’s fee. Vinted rules state sellers can only list items that are unopened, unused and are in original packaging, including new cosmetics, devices and gadgets. First look inside new MAC store opening in Scotland this week - plus all the freebies on offer Fenty Beauty skin tint, 32ml New: £29 Pre-owned: £11.20 eBay 8 Self-tan savings of over £17 here Credit: SPACEUK INDIVIDUALS may advertise beauty items they no longer want, but eBay does not allow cosmetics that have been opened or used. There are also businesses selling “imperfect beauty” items, factory seconds or products that are as new but come in damaged packaging. Tan Luxe The Face self-tan drops, 30ml New: £36 Pre-owned: £18.98 Reliked 8 Milk Makeup Tint spritz, 5g delivers a saving of £8 at Reliked Credit: SPACKENK A SITE that sells pre-loved items, including beauty products, from influencers and celebrities. Discounts can be up to 70 per cent off retail price. The site guarantees every item is genuine and has come from “trusted personalities”. Cosmetics tend to be from online influencers. Milk Makeup Tint spritz, 5g New: £22 Pre-owned: £14 Depop 8 Save over £15 with on this Glossier soft touch lip creme, 6ml with Depop Credit: Glossier ANYONE can list beauty products for sale on Depop and set their own price. But rules say cosmetics and perfumes must be genuine and unused. Buyers now have to pay a marketplace fee on top of the cost of the item, which is up to five per cent of the cost plus a fixed amount up to £1. Glossier soft touch lip creme, 6ml New: £24 Pre-owned: £8.99 This Is Beauty 8 Big savings on Jimmy Choo eau de toilette spray Credit: Jimmy Choo ALL products come directly from UK shops, including online and high street retailers, who cannot sell them due to the packaging being damaged or opened. Items are up to 70 per cent less than normal price. The site does a quality control check before listing an item for sale, stating what the issue is. Jimmy Choo eau de toilette spray New: £79 ???? Pre-owned: £40.95 Bop 8 Philip Kingsley body building shampoo, 75ml with a saving of almost £11 Credit: BOOP OPERATES in a similar way to This Is Beauty, sourcing products directly from brands. Each product is inspected and it only sells those that are new, unopened and safe for use. Packaging may be damaged or items were returned, excess or out-of-season stock, old formulations or had quality control issues. Philip Kingsley body building shampoo, 75ml New: £12 Pre-owned: £1.49 Dangers to be aware of SHOPPING second-hand means a risk of buying fakes. Have a good look at the packaging and only buy items with lots of photographs, rather than just one. Check expiry dates, too. Organic products with few preservatives go out of date quickly. You may want to use a sanitising spray on products. Lina says: “You can spray powders, bronzers and powder product and kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. Lipstick you can also spray or shave, but I would never buy lip gloss or mascara on a resale site.” When buying on Vinted, eBay or Depop, it is at your own risk, whereas some sites sanitise or do the checking for you. Other sites sell products direct from brands and shops that are guaranteed to have never been touched, but they may be missing packaging or have a dented box. GIFT CARDS BEING WASTED 8 An estimated £300million in vouchers and cards expires unspent every year, according to a finance expert Credit: Getty ARE you expecting to receive a gift card this Christmas? If so, check the terms and make sure you use it before it expires. An estimated £300million in vouchers and cards go unspent every year, according to Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. After 18 months, top-selling gift card One4all loses 90p a month until the balance reaches zero. Others may end up being useless within months if a retailer goes bust. Sarah said: “The last few years have taught us that even big household names aren’t immune to this. "If they do go out of business it will be up to administrators whether they continue to accept vouchers, so they could be worth nothing.” Over the past few years, big-name retailers including Wilko, Paper-chase and M&Co have collapsed into admin-istration. While retailers such as Wilko continue to accept gift card payments until they close, this is not always the case when a retailer collapses. Lisa Webb, Which? consumer law expert, said: “You can try to make a claim in writing to the administrators with proof of your vouchers. “But before you do this, it is worth calling or visiting the store to check the voucher can be used.” Read more on the Scottish Sun FERRY WINDY Ferry stranded amid Storm Darragh as passengers stuck on ship for 12 hours HORROR BLAZE Huge fire erupts at Scots industrial estate as emergency crews race to scene Shoppers should also take care with vouchers for experience days as they have two deadlines – one for when the experience must be claimed and another for when the activity must take place. Olivia Marshall BANK ON A FESTIVE BONUS LLOYDS is giving customers who switch to one of its accounts £200 just in time for Christmas – but you need to be quick. The high street giant is offering the cash to new and existing customers who move to its Club Lloyds account. But there are just days left to get the deal as it will be pulled on Tuesday. To be eligible, you must use the Current Account Switch Service to change from your bank to Lloyds. This service moves your direct debits, payments and balance to your new bank. To get the bonus, you need at least three direct debits set up. You cannot have received a switching bonus from Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland since April 2020. Existing Lloyds customers can also get the deal if they swap to Club Lloyds and meet the criteria. The account comes with a range of benefits, including 12 months of Disney+, six cinema tickets or a magazine subscription. But it has a £3 monthly fee unless you pay in £2,000 or more a month. The offer is also available when you switch to the Club Lloyds Platinum Account or Club Lloyds Silver Account, but these have much higher fees. To switch, open the Lloyds account online, in branch, by phone or through its app. When you apply, you will be asked if you want to swap from another bank. The money should be paid into your account within three working days of the switch being complete. Amelia Stout
Share Tweet Share Share Email Games are always more exciting when played with friends, right? But what if I told you that you don’t need to download or buy anything to have hours of fun? That’s where multiplayer browser games come in! These games run directly in your browser, and all you need is an internet connection. No fancy gaming computer? No problem! Whether you’re into competitive battles or just want something light-hearted and relaxing, there’s a browser game for everyone. Platforms like Little games make it super easy to access these games. You can hop in and play with your friends in just a few clicks. Let’s dive into the 8 best free multiplayer browser games that are sure to keep you and your friends entertained for hours. 1. StopotS: A Fun Word Challenge Do you enjoy word games? Then StopotS is the perfect choice for you! In this game, players compete to come up with words that fit into specific categories (like fruits, animals, or countries) and start with a randomly chosen letter. The catch? You have to be quick! Whoever fills in all the categories first can press “STOP!” to end the round. The fun doesn’t stop there. Everyone gets to review the answers, and this often leads to lots of laughs when someone’s creative (or silly) answers come out. With custom categories and the option to create private games for friends, StopotS makes every game session unique and enjoyable. 2. Deeeep.io: The Underwater Adventure Ever wanted to explore life under the sea? Deeeep.io is a game that lets you do just that! You start as a small aquatic creature and eat your way to the top of the food chain by evolving into larger and more powerful sea animals. The game gets even better when played with friends. You can team up and form a swarm or compete to see who can evolve the fastest. With its colorful underwater world and exciting gameplay, Deeeep.io is a great choice for a chilled-out gaming session. 3. Smash Karts: Racing With Weapons Racing is fun, but what if you could race and battle at the same time? That’s exactly what Smash Karts offers. Players zoom around exciting tracks, picking up weapons like rockets and machine guns to knock out their opponents while aiming to cross the finish line. The game is fast-paced, chaotic, and full of surprises. With its easy controls and bright visuals, Smash Karts is a great option for players who love action and competition. 4. Codenames: A Game of Strategy If you’re into strategy games, you’ll love Codenames. In this game, players are divided into two teams, each led by a Spymaster. The Spymasters give one-word clues to help their teammates guess the correct words from a grid, but they must be careful to avoid the rival team’s words and the deadly assassin card. This game is all about teamwork and thinking smart. Whether you’re playing with a big group or just a few friends, Codenames is guaranteed to keep everyone engaged and on their toes. 5. BuildNow GG: Build and Battle BuildNow GG is an exciting game that mixes building and shooting. Players can build structures like walls and ramps to protect themselves while battling others. It’s like playing a creative version of a shooter game, and you can customize almost everything to suit your style. The game has different modes, including a private party mode where you can play with just your friends. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, BuildNow GG is packed with fun and action. 6. Slither.io: A Classic Snake Twist Remember the old Snake game? Slither.io takes that simple concept and turns it into a multiplayer frenzy. You control a snake that grows bigger as it eats glowing orbs. The goal? Become the largest snake on the server while avoiding collisions with other players. It’s easy to learn but hard to master, making it perfect for quick gaming sessions with friends. Plus, the colorful snakes and glowing graphics make it even more enjoyable. 7. Gartic Phone: Draw, Guess, and Laugh If you’re looking for a party game, Gartic Phone is a hilarious option. The game starts with each player writing a random phrase or prompt. Then, other players have to draw it. The catch? The drawings and guesses keep rotating, often leading to funny and completely unexpected results. With its simple tools and creative gameplay, Gartic Phone is perfect for any group of friends. It’s a great way to show off your (sometimes terrible) drawing skills and share a good laugh. 8. Skribbl.io: A Fun Drawing Challenge Do you enjoy drawing? Skribbl.io is like an online version of Pictionary. Players take turns drawing words while others try to guess what it is. The faster you guess, the more points you get! The game is super simple and doesn’t require any fancy skills — just a bit of creativity and a sense of humor. Whether you’re an artist or someone who can barely draw stick figures, Skribbl.io is a fun and easy way to connect with friends. Conclusion Multiplayer browser games are an amazing way to bond with friends without the hassle of downloads or expensive gear. Whether you’re racing in Smash Karts, strategizing in Codenames, or laughing over silly drawings in Gartic Phone, there’s something for everyone. Want to jump in? Check out Littlegames.io, where you can play all these games and more with just a click. Game nights have never been so simple or so much fun! So gather your friends, pick a game, and let the fun begin ! Related Items: 8 Best Free Multiplayer , 8 Best Free Multiplayer Browser Games Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsERIE, Pa. (AP) — Alex Chaikin's 20 points off of the bench helped Lafayette to a 77-73 victory against Mercyhurst on Saturday. Chaikin went 7 of 8 from the field (6 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Leopards (5-5). Justin Vander Baan added 13 points while shooting 3 of 5 from the field and 7 for 9 from the line while he also had six rebounds and five blocks. Andrew Phillips had 10 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field and 1 for 3 from the line. Shemar Rathan-Mayes finished with 21 points and four assists for the Lakers (5-6). Aidan Reichert added 18 points, six rebounds and three steals for Mercyhurst. Jeff Planutis also recorded 13 points. Chaikin scored nine points in the first half and Lafayette went into the break trailing 38-31. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK) Mangaluru, Dec 15: Featherlite, a pioneering name in workspace furniture, has unveiled its stunning new Experience Centre in the heart of Mangaluru. Located at Mathias Interiors, Bridge Road, Balmatta, the state-of-the-art 5,000-square-foot facility, opened on December 15, showcases the latest designs and trends in workspace furniture. It offers a comprehensive range of products tailored to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses, educational institutions, and healthcare sectors. A hub of design inspiration and innovation Featherlite’s Experience Centre is more than just a showroom – it serves as a hub for design inspiration and ideas. From height-adjustable workstations and meeting pods to modern office chairs and soft seating, visitors can explore a wide array of options that can transform any workspace into a creative and productive environment. The centre displays thousands of meticulously designed furniture solutions, aimed at inspiring clients, architects, designers, business owners, and facility managers. Featherlite seeks to help businesses create spaces that reflect their brand identity while fostering innovation and success, in response to the evolving work culture and environment. Grand inauguration The grand inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of several dignitaries, including MLC Ivan D'Souza, Anand G Pai, president of KCCI, A R Deepak D'Souza, principal Architect-General Corporation, managing director of Rohan Corporation, Rohan Monteiro, and chairman of MCC Bank, Anil Lobo. The dignitaries also unveiled the new logo of the Mathias Group. In his address, MLC Ivan D'Souza praised the Mathias family's business journey: "The key to success for any businessman is understanding that the sky is the limit, even though challenges will arise. Gregory Mathias and his son are destined for success in business. Thanks to Gregory's dedication, he has excelled in his profession. Featherlite offers the best exclusive products with exceptional finishing. There is great potential for business growth if it remains customer-friendly." Anand G Pai, president of KCCI, also congratulated Featherlite on its new showroom: "Featherlite is known for its quality, and I can personally attest to it. It is also cost-effective and provides excellent service to its customers. Featherlite’s products are especially suited for the IT sector. If the IT sector thrives in Mangaluru, Featherlite will succeed too." chairman of Mathias Group, Gregory Mathias, welcomed the gathering, while managing director Gavin Mathias proposed a vote of thanks. Royson Pinto compered the event. Featherlite's associate director, Kiran Chellaram, also spoke at the inauguration, commenting, “With our new showroom, we expect to serve the dynamic state of Karnataka and Mangaluru more effectively. We invite corporates, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and the public and government sectors to visit our new Experience Centre in Mangaluru and explore the cutting-edge designs and innovative solutions that Featherlite is known for.” Special connect with Mangaluru Mangaluru offers a unique opportunity to focus on industries such as IT, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and education. The city’s status as a major industrial and commercial hub makes it an ideal location for Featherlite, which has served respected organizations in Mangaluru and nearby areas, including Mangalore International Airport, MRPL, Vertex Workspaces, EGDK India Pvt Ltd, Almasons Technologies, Straecon India LLP, and Bix Byte Solutions, among others. Educational furniture Featherlite, headquartered in Bengaluru, has expanded into the booming market for high-quality, agile educational furniture. Its educational furniture range includes ergonomic classroom seating, modern benches, library racks, hostel furniture, soft seating, and presentation stations designed to transform educational institutions into hubs of debate, discussion, and collaboration. These solutions also optimize the use of real estate and improve the aesthetics of institutions. Kiran Chellaram added, “Our new manufacturing unit in Bengaluru, set to open in February 2025, will be dedicated to producing our educational furniture range. With this new plant, we will have a total of 600,000 square feet of manufacturing space.” About Featherlite Featherlite is a leading provider of innovative workspace furniture, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary environments. With a legacy spanning 60 years and a presence in 70 retail locations, the company manufactures over 55,000 chairs and 15,000 workstations for more than 35,000 corporate clients. The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity, with two new plants set to open by the end of 2024. Featherlite is committed to sustainability, aiming for Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040. It has adopted 14 UN Sustainability Development Goals, and its targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI). Among its sustainability initiatives is the installation of rooftop solar panels at its Karnataka factory, generating 3MW of energy. Contact information: Featherlite Bridge Road, Balmatta, Mangaluru Mob: +91 9945099141 (Gavin Mathias) Website: www.featherlitefurniture.com Email: gavin@mathiasgroup.in Photo Album: Click here...
Christmas events planned across the county
Fantasy Sports Market , 37% of Growth to Originate from North America, Technavio
Beirut, Dec 7 (AP) Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumours that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the US and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands rushed the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some shops were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. Assad's status Amid the developments, Syria's state media denied rumours flooding social media that Assad has left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Pedersen said a date for the talks in Geneva on the implementation of UN Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN-supervised elections. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria's military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began November 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad's government. The Britain-based Observatory said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle is looming. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement Saturday that it has carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it is setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. Tartus is home to the only Russian naval base outside the former Soviet Union while Latakia is home to a major Russian air base. Diplomacy in Doha In the gas-rich nation of Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkiye met to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkiye is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticised Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. “Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. On Friday, US-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces captured wide parts of the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq as well as the provincial capital that carries the same name. The capture of areas in Deir el-Zour is a blow to Iran's influence in the region as the area is the gateway to the corridor linking the Mediterranean to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. With the capture of a main border crossing with Iraq by the SDF and after opposition fighters took control of the Naseeb border crossing to Jordan in southern Syria, the Syrian government's only gateway to the outside world is the Masnaa border crossing with Lebanon. (AP) GRS GRS (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Technology is a great leveller, says MurthySouth Korean president narrowly survives impeachment attempt
Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.
Partsol Secures Technology-Enabled Service Subscription with the US ArmyJaland Lowe flirted with a triple-double as Pitt improved to 6-0 with a 74-63 win over LSU on Friday afternoon at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Lowe finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for the Panthers, who have won their first six games of a season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. It would have been the second straight triple-double for Lowe, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against VMI Monday. Ishmael Leggett chipped in 21 points and Cameron Corhen supplied 14, helping Pitt outshoot the Tigers (4-1) 44.4 percent to 37.3 percent overall. Vyctorius Miller and Jalen Reed recorded 14 points apiece for LSU, with Reed also snatching seven boards. Cam Carter contributed 11 points. Pitt took control in the first four-plus minutes of the second half, opening the period on a 13-0 run to build a 40-28 lead. The Tigers were held scoreless following the break until Carter converted a layup with 13:13 to go. It was still a 12-point game after Zack Austin hit a pair of free throws with 12:50 remaining, but LSU then rallied. Corey Chest, Reed and Jordan Sears each had a bucket down low for the Tigers during an 8-1 spurt that made it 43-38. However, Lowe stemmed the tide, answering with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Panthers up 49-38 with 9:31 left. Miller did everything he could to keep LSU in contention, scoring eight points in a span of 1 minute, 23 seconds, with his four-point play getting the Tigers within 56-52 with 6:03 to play. But Pitt never let LSU get the upper hand, and it led by at least six for the final 5:05 of the contest. The Tigers had a 28-27 edge at intermission after ending the first half on an 8-2 run. LSU overcame a quick start by the Panthers, who raced out to a 12-6 advantage and led by as many as eight in the first 20 minutes of action. --Field Level Media
Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
A widespread social media scam involving fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp has defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars, according to FTC complaints obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Gizmodo reports that the FTC has received 197 complaints nationwide detailing a sophisticated fraud scheme where scammers pose as Johnny Depp on social media platforms, primarily targeting victims in their 60s and older. This type of scam, known as “pig butchering,” typically begins with contact on Facebook before moving to messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Zangi. According to McAfee, Depp is among the ten most popular celebrities whose likeness is used in scam deepfake videos. The 61-year-old actor’s popularity among older generations appears to make him an effective lure for fraudsters targeting senior citizens. The financial impact of these scams has been severe. In one case from Alabama, a victim reported losing $350,000 of their inheritance. Another victim from California, aged 80 or older, lost approximately $200,000. A Michigan resident in their 70s was defrauded of $175,000 through various wire transfers and gift cards. The scammers employ multiple tactics to extract money from their victims. Some pose as Depp’s manager, often using the name Jack Wingham, while others claim to be the actor himself. The fraudsters frequently request funds through various payment methods, including Coinbase, Bitcoin ATMs, Zelle, PayPal, and gift cards. Victims report being manipulated through various false pretenses. In Minnesota, a scammer claimed to need help paying the IRS, successfully convincing the victim to wire $100,000 to a bank in Utah. Other victims were promised romantic relationships, marriage, or investment opportunities in cryptocurrency. Family members have reported numerous cases where elderly relatives with declining mental faculties were repeatedly targeted. In Alabama, a daughter reported that her 65-year-old mother, showing signs of intellectual disability and early Alzheimer’s, lost $20,000 to scammers who continued to exploit her vulnerable condition. The emotional impact on victims is significant. A Minnesota woman in her 60s, who lost $1,700 before her bank intervened, expressed profound distress in her complaint, stating she lost not only money but also her self-respect and mental well-being. Law enforcement agencies note that these scams often involve sophisticated social engineering tactics. Scammers may send photoshopped images of Depp in various situations, such as in hospital stays, to create convincing narratives for requesting money. They frequently instruct victims to keep their communications secret, further isolating them from potential help. Read more at Gizmodo here. Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.
Democrat Predicts 'New Era of Prosperity' Under Donald TrumpDefense fund established by supporters of suspected CEO killer Luigi Mangione tops $100,000Luxurious gifts and artsy options