Sindh CM explains what actually constitutes true leadershipBy CHRIS MEGERIAN and COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he’s tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he’s daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump’s attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country’s top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed as attorney general. Trump chose for a replacement Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general who defended him during his first impeachment trial and supported his false claims of voter fraud. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump’s other picks might exceed his party’s willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he’s denied. So far, Republicans are rallying around Hegseth , an Army veteran and former Fox News host. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s other choices. He said they would be considered “one at a time.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump’s election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . The transition team hasn’t pursued federal background checks for Trump’s personnel choices. While some of his selections have extensive experience in the areas they’ve been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth’s lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn’t the only hurdle for Kennedy; he’s spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there’s grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale.” “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke,” Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.
Susan Shelley: Slow counts show election system needs reform
Pictured: Samurai Sword show-off, 24, who posed with his parents' weapon on Snapchat and said 'Where's Tommy Robinson?' before adding 'need to smash up this white lot' - as he's jailedFans Are Split On College GameDay's Guest Picker For SEC Championship Game
NoneThe Bears look for an interim coach bump when they visit the struggling 49ers
We've all heard someone claim they have a "high pain threshold" as if it's a mark of strength or resilience. But does science support the idea that some people genuinely feel less pain than others? Pain is an experience shaped by our psychology and social context, with many variables. In our interviews with children about their experiences of pain, many link pain to "toughness". It seems that social expectations shape our understanding of pain from a young age. There are also plenty of misconceptions about pain thresholds, which contribute to health-care inequities that affect millions of people. What is (and isn't) a pain threshold? A pain threshold technically refers to the point at which an event – such as heat, cold, or pressure – becomes painful. While these two terms often become muddled in everyday language, they describe different facets of the pain experience. Distinguishing between them is crucial, especially in research settings. How stable is a pain threshold? The stability of a pain threshold is controversial, and probably depends on how it is tested. Certain techniques produce fairly consistent results. But the pain threshold may be more of a "zone of uncertainty" than a fixed point of transition from non-painful to painful. We have argued that how variable someone's pain threshold is may, in future, provide valuable information that could help us understand their risk of chronic pain and the best treatment options for them. Biological influences on pain thresholds Pain thresholds are influenced by a variety of biological factors. For now, let's explore genetics, hormones, and the nervous...An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onNone
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Social media is buzzing with rumours former Bachelorette stars Georgia Love and Lee Elliott may have ended their relationship. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Love’s recent Instagram posts show her enjoying time with friends but missing one key accessory — her diamond wedding ring. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former Bachelorette Georgia Love’s quokka selfie. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In one video, the 36-year-old is seen decorating her Christmas tree at home with her left hand notably bare. Another image features Love at a café with a male friend — once again, no wedding ring is visible. Followers descended on the comments to question the state of Love and Elliott’s relationship. “Thinking they have broken up,” one person speculated. Another asked if Elliott would be joining Love on her upcoming trip to New York City. “Haven’t seen posts of them together for a long time,” one more noted, while yet another wondered if they might become “the first Bachelor divorce”. But Love was quick to squash rumours, by liking a comment that noted: “I don’t think they have (broken up) she’s got a ring on”. Then when a fan asked “where is Lee?” in a reference to a video about Love’s holiday plans, the reality star responded outright: “He’s literally in the video.” However, some followers suggested the footage was old, with one commenting, “Haha, they are all old pics of them together.” Love confirmed as much. “They’re all old photos, they’re from past holidays,” she said. The last time Love shared a current photo with Elliott was in September, while Elliott’s most recent post featuring Love was in August. The couple, who found love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, tied the knot in 2021. Their wedding took place at the Frogmore Creek Winery near Hobart, with an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery. Originally, the pair planned to marry in Italy in 2020 but were forced to cancel due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Buffalo Bills re-signed Nicholas Morrow on Tuesday and placed fellow linebacker Baylon Spector on injured reserve. Morrow, 29, recorded three tackles in 11 games (zero starts) this season before he was waived on Dec. 7. He has totaled 468 tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 105 career games (58 starts) with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Bills. Spector, 26, had 40 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 11 games (four starts) this season before sustaining a calf injury in Buffalo's 24-21 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. He has totaled 52 tackles to go along with those 1.5 sacks in 26 career games (four starts) with the Bills since 2022. --Field Level Media
Packers WR Christian Watson avoids serious injuryNov 30, 2024; Killington, Vermont, USA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States is taken off the course on a sled in the second run of the women's giant slalom at the Stifel Killington Cup alpine skiing race at Killington Resort. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images/File Photo Nov 30, 2024; Killington, Vermont, USA; Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States crashes in the second run of the women's giant slalom at the Stifel Killington Cup alpine skiing race at Killington Resort. Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images/File Photo Mikaela Shiffrin will be sidelined for at least a few weeks after she suffered a puncture wound in her abdomen and severe muscle trauma during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, the twice Olympic gold medallist said on Monday. Shiffrin was chasing a milestone 100th World Cup win on Saturday when she caught an edge and crashed into the safety netting at full speed, remaining down for several minutes before being taken to a medical clinic. Shiffrin thanked her fans for their support on social media on Monday and said it would take "a few weeks minimum" to be able to "take on much of any force." "I literally have a puncture wound and some pretty significant muscular trauma around my whole right oblique area," said Shiffrin. "We're starting the process to be on the mend and I hope to get back to being able to ski soon-ish." Shiffrin previously missed six weeks after injuring her knee in a high-speed crash in January while competing in a World Cup downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo and subsequently dropped the discipline from her schedule. Shiffrin is already considered the most successful Alpine skier in World Cup history when she topped retired Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark's record 86 wins in March. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowFALMOUTH — It was 25 degrees at 9 a.m. Saturday on the artificial turf field at Falmouth High School. But dreams of playing professional soccer kept everybody warm. “Ever since they announced the Hearts of Pine, I was hoping they’d do some sort of tryout,” said Alex Fernald, a goalie from Bath who played collegiately at Castleton University in Vermont. “Soccer is just something I really enjoy. I just want to have fun with it.” The Hearts of Pine, the professional soccer team that will begin its inaugural season in the USL League One this spring, is looking for players. Saturday, wearing wool hats and gloves along with their cleats, dozens of Mainers took the pitch to make their case to make the team. The 100 or so players hit the field in waves, first playing 7-on-7 in the morning before a full-field scrimmage and drills in the afternoon. Each paid $50 for the chance to showcase their skills for Hearts of Pine Coach Bobby Murphy at this Mainers-only tryout. Joshua Joseph battles for the ball against Mardoche Kikobo during a 7 vs 7 where Mainers tryout for a spot on the Hearts of Pine at Falmouth High School on Saturday. Sofia Aldinio/Portland Press Herald One of them was Portland’s Francisco Andre. A 2021 graduate of Casco Bay High School who played high school soccer for Portland High (Casco Bay students are allowed to play sports for either Portland or Deering), Andre has been playing semipro soccer in the United Premier Soccer League. “I just wanted to come out here and show what I’ve got,” said Andre, a student at Southern Maine Community College. “There’s some really good talent over here. It’s not easy, but that’s really good.” Talking after playing in the morning’s first 7-on-7 game, Andre was happy with his effort. He’s been practicing for this. What’s this opportunity without the effort? “Mostly I do one-on-one drills. Sometimes I work with my brother, one vs one, stuff like that,” Andre said. “The best-case scenario is the coach saw how I did, and he liked it, and I get to make the team.” Making the team is a long shot for all the participants, Murphy acknowledged, but that hardly makes Saturday’s tryout one that’s just for show. “It’s a new landscape for me. You hear that there are players, so you’re just hoping to find maybe one or two. If you can find one or two, I think that’s a pretty good number. In reality, everyone wants to be a pro. But it’s hard to be a pro. A lot of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle have to fit together for it all to work. We’re hopeful we can see one or two that we can bring back and see where we go,” Murphy said. “I think it would be great for the community to have one of their own. There’s nothing better than that. I think that makes everyone proud, everyone excited.” During a break in play, Murphy told a group of players he’s looking for each of them to do something to catch his eye, without him telling them what he was looking for that would catch his eye. He kept his coaching tips simple. Protect the middle of the field, and press as a group. Basically, show us your individual skills but work as a team, too. Ivan Domingues goes up for the ball over Mardoche Kikobo during a 7 vs 7 where Mainers try out for a spot on the Hearts of Pine in Falmouth High School on Saturday. Sofia Aldinio/Portland Press Herald “There’s a certain athletic component that has to be met. You’ve got to be a good athlete, first and foremost. People would be shocked at the level of athleticism in the league,” Murphy said. “I just call it good feet and good brains. Guys who get the game a little bit and guys who have the feet to pull it off.” Soccer is a global game, with talented players everywhere, Murphy said. You never know what one of these tryout days will uncover. Murphy remembered a tryout like this one in California in 2009. There, Yordany Alvarez, a player who defected from Cuba a year earlier, earned a spot on the Austin Aztex, also a USL League One team. Alvarez played professionally until a heart ailment forced his retirement in 2014. So yeah, you put the local guys through their paces, and maybe you find a gem. “It’s like every kid soccer player’s dream, ‘I want to go play pro.’ Then I went to college and realized that really wasn’t for me,” said Fernald, now a social worker at Mt. Ararat High and a soccer coach at Morse, his alma mater. “But I’ve had some time away and time to enjoy the sport again, and I think, yeah, I might as well relive some of that child nostalgia.” During the full-field scrimmage Saturday afternoon, Fernald left his net. A collision with another player left the bridge of his nose cut and bleeding. “I think it was contact with that guy’s head,” Fernald said. “The ball didn’t go in, did it?” No, he was told. “Perfect,” Fernald said, giving a thumbs-up. We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors.UCF will attempt to shake off a dreadful offensive performance when it collides with LSU on Sunday afternoon in the third-place game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. The Knights (4-1) couldn't get anything going against No. 19 Wisconsin on Friday, going 21-for-62 from the field (33.9 percent) and just 2-for-17 from 3-point range (11.8 percent) en route to an 86-70 loss. Jordan Ivy-Curry finished with 13 points while Keyshawn Hall and Dior Johnson added 11 apiece for UCF, which never led and fell behind by as many as 23. Knights coach Johnny Dawkins is hoping that his team's struggles don't carry over into the meeting with the Tigers (4-1). "We have to do better offensively," Dawkins said. "We have to space the floor better. We have to balance our offense between our perimeter and our bigs. Those are things that we didn't do consistently (on Friday)." LSU also needs to clean things up after committing 15 turnovers in a 74-63 setback against Pitt on Friday. Tigers forward Jalen Reed doesn't believe giving the ball away will be a lingering issue. "I feel like a lot of our turnovers were more on us than them," Reed said. "I feel like a lot of the turnovers were careless, but we're a better team than that and I feel like we'll take care of the ball better moving forward." Reed and Vyctorius Miller each posted 14 points in the loss to the Panthers, with Reed also hauling in seven rebounds. Cam Carter chipped in 11 points. Carter is putting up a team-leading 16.4 points per game. Jordan Sears (12.0 points per game), Reed (11.0) and Miller (10.2) also have scoring averages in double figures. Ivy-Curry (16.8 points per game), Hall (16.2) and Darius Johnson (13.0) have been leading the way for UCF. Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between the Knights and Tigers. --Field Level Media
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Saylor Poffenbarger had 17 points and 13 rebounds and Bri McDaniel scored 16 points off the bench to lead No. 7 Maryland women’s basketball to a 78-69 victory over Purdue on Saturday. Kaylene Smikle scored 13 points and Shyanne Sellers added 12 for Maryland (10-0, 1-0 Big Ten). Christina Dalce had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Rashunda Jones scored 17 points, Reagan Bass had 16 and Destini Lombard added 15 for the Boilermakers (5-4, 0-1). The Terps rallied after a slow start, hitting just 2 of 17 shots in the first quarter to fall behind 18-6. The Boilermakers led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. Purdue shot 52% while holding Maryland to 29% to take a 38-29 lead at halftime. “Conference play in the best league in the country,” coach Brenda Frese said. “Anyone can beat anyone on any given night. ... I’ll never take a road win for granted, especially with our start.” McDaniel hit a pull-up jumper with 2:24 left in the third quarter to give the Terps their first lead at 48-46. That capped an 8-0 run for Maryland, which led 55-52 after three quarters. “I thought that Bri set the tone for us in that third quarter,” Frese said. Purdue tied it at 55 before the Terps went on a 6-0 run to take the lead for good. “It didn’t really surprise me because that’s Bri,” Poffenbarger said regarding McDaniel’s big second half. “Every day that she comes in, she shows up, she brings the energy, she’s going to give you everything she has.” Maryland: The Terps rebounded from a rough start to take control defensively. Purdue: After surrendering the lead in the third quarter, Purdue kept fighting until the final minutes. The Boilermakers hit 6 of 13 free throws while Maryland was 14 of 19 from the line. After Purdue’s Lombard tied the game at 55 on a 3-pointer, Poffenbarger started a 6-0 run with a second-chance basket. The Terps shot 63% in the second half. Maryland was 2 of 12 from 3-point range in the first half but improved to 6 of 21 in the second. UP NEXT William & Mary at No. 7 Maryland Thursday, Dec. 19, 11 a.m. Stream: Big Ten Plus
The hosts of MSNBC ’s Morning Joe , Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski , allegedly met with President-elect Donald Trump over fears that then-attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz would investigate the death of an intern in Scarborough’s office during his time as a Florida Republican congressman, according to a Puck News report. On Monday, Brzezinski said: “For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, ‘Why wouldn’t we?’” “Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him,” she added. Their mostly liberal audience dropped by 17 percent in the hour after they made the revelation about the Trump meeting, and their ratings were down 38 percent the following day compared to the average for the year. Scarborough and Brzezinski have reportedly told friends since the election that they’re concerned about retribution from Trump over their consistent criticism of the president-elect since they last met with him seven years ago. Those worries grew when Trump nominated former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general. Gaetz announced on Thursday that he would be stepping down as the nominee. The Morning Joe hosts told friends and allies before the departure that they were concerned that Trump and Gaetz would bring back up baseless conspiracy theories regarding the death of 28-year-old intern Lori Klausutis, who died from complications from a heart condition in 2001, Puck News noted. The concerns were linked to worries that Gaetz and Trump would use the conspiracy to put legal pressure on Scarborough. In 2022, former White House communications director and current The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin testified before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot, saying that she once encountered Gaetz outside the Oval Office, adding that Gaetz was carrying a folder with “conspiracy theories about Joe Scarborough murdering his intern.” Gaetz presented the contents to Trump, who subsequently posted about it on what was then Twitter. A source told Puck that the hosts were “petrified of retribution” and concerned that Gaetz, who represented the same Florida congressional district as Scarborough, would probe the death of the intern. The source said the fears had “nothing to do with ratings or Comcast.” A separate source told Puck that Scarborough and Brzezinski thought that by meeting Trump, they could lessen his desire for revenge. A spokesperson for MSNBC told Puck that this characterization of the motivations for the meeting was false and inaccurate. The Independent has contacted MSNBC for comment. Trump said on Fox News on Monday morning that the meeting with the Morning Joe hosts had been “very cordial.” “Many things were discussed, and I very much appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication,” he said. “The meeting ended in a very positive manner, and we agreed to speak in the future,” Trump added. The president-elect went on to say that he expected that other meetings would occur with others in the press “even those that have been extremely hostile.” The former president said he has “an obligation to the American public, and to our country itself, to be open and available to the press. ... If not treated fairly, however, that will end. The media is very important to the long-term success of the United States of America.”A boat explosion at a South Florida marina kills 1 and injures 5 others
The controversial Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill is being presented by its architect, ACT Party leader David Seymour, primarily as a matter of lawmaking – a clarification through legislation. The bill seeks to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – established by decades of case law and jurisprudence – and instead enshrine new principles in law. But the bill goes deeper than that, and touches on delicate but fundamental questions of what it means to be a New Zealander. In the heated debate since the bill's introduction, two ideas of national identity come head to head. And the implications for social cohesion and the quality of democratic debate are serious. Equal and democratic vs bicultural nation For the first few decades of colonial settlement, New Zealand's identity was contained within an imperial one. The colony aspired to be a "Britain of the South". It was only from the 1950s that European New Zealanders began to develop a distinct identity. Pākehā national identity was constructed around ideas of political and economic egalitarianism. These emphasised hard work and social mobility, and portrayed New Zealand as a "land of opportunity" or a "classless society". Alexander Turnbull Library But these notions of the "equal and democratic" nation excluded Māori and perpetuated a monocultural vision of New Zealand. In fact, for Māori, the process of colonisation was anything but an egalitarian experience. Not only did the loss of ancestral land – through forceful confiscations and the introduction of private property laws – fuel poverty and economic inequality, but Māori were also denied the political rights promised to them in the Māori text of te Tiriti o Waitangi. Grievances over cultural assimilation, historical injustices and...Teacher Dies After Bat Attack in Classroom1. A set of Lego gingerbread ornaments so cute Santa might skip the cookies you lay out for him and go straight for these adorable little buddies. Promising review : "They are so cute and fun to use. We had a blast making these. I like that they have a hook included." — Nitropilot Get it from Amazon for $12.08 . 2. A set of rainbow aesthetic coloring pencils for some extra adventurous artists who aren't afraid to shake things up — each pencil has a whole bunch of different shades woven into it, so you never know just *quite* what it will look like as you draw. It's worth the risk, though — the beautiful results speak for themselves! Promising review: "Got these just to have a change of pace in my sketchbook. Kids loved them as well. They are fun to use. They write and draw smoothly. Great for any age artist." — angela Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $8.49 . 3. A unique colorblock water bottle that is just an adorable little CHONK of a thing, and also super practical. It's designed to keep liquid cold for up to 36 hours and hot for for up to 24, comes with a nifty handle for easy carrying, and has a silicone bottom to avoid that noisy clanking sound when you put it down. Promising review: "Finally replaced my emotional support water bottle!!! ! I love the colors, the handle is easy to hold, and my drinks stay cold!!! I t’s been hard finding an ergonomic water bottle, the small handles or lack there of can be really hard on my hands. I’m so happy with it I almost don’t want to sticker it. (Almost.) 💛" — Sarina Get it from Amazon for $31.19+ (available in five styles). 4. The 2025 updated version of The Original Gratitude Journal , a science-backed prompt journal to help you cultivate more mindfulness, appreciation, and joy in your human existence by writing for just five minutes each day. Promising review: "I love how it keeps me consistent. I’ve never had a journal in my life until I bought this one. I am glad I got it. I love how it looks styled and cute. Also it’s a high quality book, because I've been bringing it with me wherever I go and it doesn’t really get an old look at all. Highly recommended!" — Yagmur Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four colors). 5. A Mickey Mouse-shaped selfie phone light so now the magic of Disney can light you up from the inside AND out. iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. Promising review : "Bought a whole bunch of stuff for an upcoming Disney World trip and saw this on TikTok and needed it! It has three brightness settings. (Each work amazingly!) Takes good selfies in dark lighting!" — Ashley W. Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in Minnie Mouse ). 6. A mini inflatable tube guy for your desk to cheer you on (or remind you to take a lil' dance break whenever you overwork yourself). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 7. A set of rainbow bath fizzes so magical that you will walk into the bath a mortal being, and walk back out an enchanted fairy witch lawlessly spreading joy wherever you roam. Promising review: "These bath bombs are pure joy for kids and adults alike! They smell amazing, are long-lasting, and turn bath time into a delightful experience. While a tad pricey, the fun and luxury they bring make them worth the splurge. A treat for the senses!" — Neha Get a set of three from Amazon for $15.99 . 8. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for anyone on their "happy accidents" beat — this itty bitty set comes with everything you need to create three tiny masterpieces of your very own. The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel. Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross) and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 9. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza , a DEEPLY beloved, fast-paced card game suitable for kids and adults that will have everyone in fits of high stake giggles in no time. Bonus: each game only lasts 10–15 minutes, so you can go one or a few rounds depending on how much time you've got together. Dolphin Hat Games is a small business that specializes in family-friendly card games. Okay, so the rules: you divvy up all the cards equally, and then all the players take turns putting down cards that have different illustrations on them, saying "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza" in order. If the card put on the table matches the word that's being said in that moment, whoever slaps a hand down on the card first gets all the cards under it. You keep playing until someone comes in possession of all the cards (or until you all start craving tacos and pizza so much you drive yourselves to the nearest combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell). Promising review : "This game is hysterical! I played with my 7-year-old daughter and my 70-year-old father and we all enjoyed it. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!" — bobkopolow Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 10. A bubbling, textured sensory toy that's basically a hybrid between a lava lamp and fidget toy. The outside has soft silicone ridges designed to promote calm and the inside has an oh-so-mesmerizing bubbling liquid that will enchant you even when all that stress from capitalism is coming for your brain. Promising review: "This sensory toy is calming. I just sit in my recliner and run my finger along the bumpy silicone texture that encloses the plastic bubbler. It’s removable also, exposing a surprisingly thin bubbler, which I get joy out of flipping over and over in my hand. I have high anxiety and this toy actually makes me focus and relax. I like the colored liquid inside, it draws my attention, allowing me to calm and focus on something else. This is a good tool to help me ground and recenter myself. I highly recommend." — Tanya Elizabeth Get it from Amazon for $6.63 (available in four colors and two sizes). 11. A set of festive straw toppers for anyone who's wants to infuse some real Buddy the Elf energy into their hydration goals this holiday season. Promising review: "These are extremely cute! I used them as stocking stuffers, and the kids loved them. They fit very well on their straws and help prevent leaks. They are a great value for the amount you get. They clean up very well, and can be used on a lot of different water bottles." — KG271 Get it from Amazon for $6.39 (available in three styles). 12. A rechargeable, dimmable Dodo Duck Night-Light so cute that it won't be *that* much of a surprise when you imprint on it and start calling it your son. (Psst — this is the new baby cousin of the viral Depressed Duck Night-Light , if that's more your speed.) Check out a TikTok of the duck night-light in action. Promising review: "This little lamp is so cute! Gently squeeze it to turn it off or on. It leaves a nice soft glow. Purchased for a teenager, and she loves it." — WendyAnne Get it from Amazon for $12.79 . 13. A wonderfully ridiculous yodeling pickle with such potent "instant joy" powers that you really ought to be careful before you pull it out at a party. The serotonin is going to be LAWLESS. Dr. Dingus is a small business that specializes in unique gag gifts that encourage human interaction. Promising review : "I'm a CPA specializing in tax at an accounting firm; we get very tense, stressed and fatigued nearing the many tight deadlines. The laughter and snorts the yodeling pickle elicits are priceless and never fail to dispel some of the the above negative states. I purchased this to rival the screaming goat in the next office!" — Ting Peterson Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 14. A set of TikTok-famous Globbles , which are about to be your favorite stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are squishy, stretchy, and stick to pretty much any flat surface you throw them at *without* leaving any messy residue. TikTokers have a blast tossing these at walls and ceilings to see the satisfying way they glom onto them. Promising review: "I have bought these over and over again for gifts. My own children have played with these balls repeatedly. We even left one on the ceiling to see how long it would stay for. It lasted four months before we decided to take it down. Since they are so sticky, they get dirty pretty quickly. All you have to do is a quick rinse in the sink and an air dry, then you are good to go. Great for adults and children! Will be buying again. " — Valerie Young Get a set of six from Amazon for $7.49 . 15. A container of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust so absurdly delicious that all food will just become a mere canvas for putting Cinnadust on. Reviewers use this on everything from coffee to toast to yogurt to fries to popcorn to sweet potatoes to ice cream to — you know what, I'll let you decide on your cinnajourney for yourself. Check out a TikTok of the Cinnadust in action. Promising review: "I would order again, 10 out of 10. Try it on yogurt, ice cream, toast, carrots, and amazingly I saw a TikTok challenge with it on hard boiled eggs. It is stupendous!!!" — ThatGuy Get it from Amazon for $3.49 . 16. A "girl dinner" print that's actually just an illustration of your credit card bill. (Listen, it's cute of other food to exist ... but we all know the holy girl dinner trinity reigns supreme). La Maison De Jo is a California-based Etsy shop established in 2023 that specializes in European-inspired prints and home goods. Promising review: "As always, Kailey’s products are superior! I have 8 of her prints and this one is adorable, just like the others!" — Kelly Get it from La Maison De Jo on Etsy for $12.75+ (available in six sizes). 17. A beautifully illustrated undated planner perfect for anyone trying to get their life in order in 2025, but with a dash of ~whimsy~ to keep you motivated. Each week changes over to a new flower theme to keep the vibe light and lovely even when your schedule is anything but. Promising review: "Perfect size. Each page is a beautiful work of art. I cannot wait to start using it! Absolutely love it!" — Karla Ramirez Get it from Amazon for $7.11+ (available in two styles). 18. A " You're Made Of Magic" sun catcher sticker you can apply to the window to refract beeeeauuuutiful rainbows all over your space and make you feel like you're living in a fairy tale. Check out a TikTok of the rainbow window sticker in action. Peachy Keen Design Co. is a Colorado-based Etsy shop established in 2020 that specializes in art prints, stickers, and other designs. Promising review : "Absolutely gorgeous! Vibrant colors! Exactly what I wanted and then some!" — Kristen Killebrew Get it from Peachy Keen Design Co. on Etsy for $8.25 . 19. A teensy candy vending machine for your desk to make the endless grind of capitalism a little sweeter (and to establish yourself as the Coolest Employee In The Office). Promising review: "Keep this on my desk to snack on M&Ms. It’s perfect for smaller sized candy. Love the color. Glad it fits in with my aesthetic." — Dunn Get it from Amazon for $18.30 . 20. A sweet little s'mores-themed ChapStick collection so you can live your best summer camp life even when you're still trucking at your nine-to-five. Each set comes with three flavors: a Milk Chocolate, a Marshmallow, and a Graham Cracker flavor. Basically, it's like a deconstructed s'more for your lips. Promising review: "My mom and I are ChapStick fans, so I bought us both a pack of these. The marshmallow is clear, the chocolate is brown, and the graham cracker is tan. The color isn’t too extreme, but it will leave a little bit of tint on your lips. The flavors are DELICIOUS. Graham cracker reminds me of Golden Grahams cereal and chocolate is just perfect. I love the marshmallow best because it tastes slightly toasted." — Elle Ardee Get it from Amazon for $4.99 . 21. A set of pastel glitter highlighters I saw on Instagram recently and NEARLY BLACKED OUT from the cuteness. If you like highlighting your planner pages, favorite passages from books, or lines from your journal, please do yourself a favor and purchase these subtle but oh-so-sparkly colors to jazz them up ✨. Promising review: "These are amazing!!! Beautiful colors and the sparkle/shimmer is more than I imagined it would be. Mr Pen did it again! If you don’t have these pens, you need to get them!! Great addition to my journaling supplies!" — FBJH12 Get a set of eight from Amazon for $6.99 . 22. A delightfully nonstick smiley face pancake pan reviewers use for mini pancakes and eggs to instantly ~pizzazz~ what is indisputably the most delicious meal of the day. Promising review: "So much fun to make pancakes on this pan. Since it makes such small pancakes, they cook very quickly. My kids love the emoji designs and it makes breakfast fun." — Rosa D. Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 23. A spinning disco ball wax warmer with rotating colors so you can have a lil' dance party and celebrate how glorious your bedroom smells. Promising review: "Surprised at the good quality of this product. It works great and heats up wax cubes in no time! Would definitely recommend." — Megan Hughes Get it from Amazon for $29.96 . 24. An bunny and bear egg mold set because, respectfully, life is short, and we have no business ignoring opportunities to make it as adorable as possible. Reviewers mention this also works well for rice! Promising review : "Love this! This does exactly what it’s supposed to! My daughters fave lit up seeing her hard boiled eggs look like bunnies. So easy and a breeze to clean." — Karen Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.87. 25. A ~Magical Flame~ colorant you can use in your fireplace at home or in outdoor campfires to basically flex to everyone on Instagram that you are, in fact, a wizard now. Magical Flames is a small business that specializes in color-changing fire products. Note : You shouldn't use flames with the colorant added to cook or roast s'mores. Promising review: "This product is so easy to use. Just toss a packet into the fire and watch the flames change color. The colors were beautiful and received a lot of oooooos and ahhhhhhs. Surprisingly, it lasted for quite a while. We will enjoy this addition to our campfires this summer." — Debra L. Musselman Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $12.99 . 26. A little popcorn bucket vase for a fun punch of color that basically DEMANDS you go to Trader Joe's and get the most colorful mini $4 bouquet to put in it, STAT. Ban.do is a US-based small business that specializes in quirky accessories, home products, and stationery. This vase is so quirky and ADORABLE — every time I see it in my living room, it makes my heart happy. I am on a mission to make my living room space as un-boring as possible, and this may be a small piece, but it's got a BIG personality. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun piece of decor! Get it from Amazon for $28.95 . 27. A set of removable 3D butterfly stickers you can lawlessly put all over your walls for an *instant* storybook aesthetic. Reviewers also love these for party decorations because they're easy to stick and remove! Promising review: "SOOO pretty. They come with little sticky adhesives — you get a lot of them for the money and they are beautiful! They make for very cute decoration. Super happy with the purchase, and not to mention it only took like 20 minutes to put all of them up." — Haley Pelletier Get a set of 48 from Amazon for $9.54+ (available in 21 colors and styles). 28. A set of glow-in-the-dark "tree elves" so the next time you take an enchanted midnight stroll through your front walkway to get home at night, you'll have a whole host of magical critters to welcome you back. Promising review : "I have actually bought a couple of packs of these. I think they’re so cute and fit so well in a little plant or around the house. Sometimes, I like to let my friends pick out some little guys as members of their families. Plus, did I mention how cute they are? And they glow in the dark very well." — Jen Get a set of 20 from Amazon for $13.98 (available in green or green and blue as well as a set of 10). 29. A cheerful fruit bowl for a pop of deeply functional color in your kitchen — this thing is secretly also a colander, so you can wash your fruit and leave 'em sitting pretty on the counter to dry. Promising review : "I LOVE the look of this fruit bowl. I also love that its pedestal minimizes the space it takes up on the counter. I wasn't sure about whether I would like that it is plastic but now consider it a big plus. It keeps the bowl lightweight (but it is still sturdy) and makes it easy to clean. I highly recommend this fruit bowl. I couldn't be more pleased with mine. " — Opinion o'Jen Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in four colors). 30. A shaker of edible cocktail glitter , because why go through life without taking advantage of every opportunity to make it sparkle??✨ Reviewers add a touch to glam up their Prosecco or jazz up colorful-themed cocktails. Bakell is a small business established in 2016 that specializes in edible glitters for food and drink. Promising review: "Don’t think any further and just buy it. This was so cool and everyone loved it! I got the clear one because it will go with any drink. I will be the one to put this in all my friends drinks. Also had no taste so it was just the look. Sooooooo cool!" — gigi Get it from Amazon for $9.75+ (available in 17 colors). 31. A set of delightful bird-themed hair clips bound to get you so many compliments from fellow bird enthusiasts that your heart will take flight. Promising review: "Super cute, holds all my curly hair well, good size!" — Elizabeth Blank Get a set of four from Amazon for $12.59+ (available in four other styles). 32. A unicorn head squirrel feeder because you know what the world needs?? More mildly terrifying TikToks and Instagram stories of hybrid creatures frolicking in your backyard. This is your task. Go forth, my friend. Accoutrements is a small business that specializes in offbeat home and lifestyle products. Promising review: "This is both ridiculous and spectacular. It just might be my best Amazon impulse buy ever." — Meredith Get it from Amazon for $19.64 . 33. A rainbow eyeshadow palette that is basically like a fun playground for your face — these super long-lasting, blendable, high-pigmented shades give you all the WOW factor of the more expensive brand name versions without the OH NO factor of the price. Promising reviews : "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m., and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." — Daniel T Adams Get it from Amazon for $9.49 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.