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We will soon put 2024 in the history books, and what a year it was for the stock market. So far, the S&P 500 index has reached a new all-time high a whopping 50 times. There are multiple reasons for the rise, like a resilient economy and expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep lowering interest rates. However, perhaps the largest reason is artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiasm. Some believe that the stock market is in a bubble, or at least overextended, and there are definitely stocks that appear overvalued. However, the AI market is massive and expanding quickly, as shown below. The AI market could more than quadruple 2024 revenues by 2030, so companies (and investors) are scrambling for a piece of it. AI covers a lot of different applications, one of which is voice recognition technology. This tech communicates with people conversationally and has many applications. One of the leading companies in the field is SoundHound AI ( SOUN 12.60% ) , whose stock has rocketed 578% in 2024 as of this writing. Will this continue in 2025? SoundHound's market opportunity The financial implications of conversational speech recognition are gigantic. Order-taking at drive-thru restaurants and automated customer service will save companies vast sums of money on employee costs. Well-known companies like White Castle, Papa John's , Applebee's, and many more are testing or deploying SoundHound's tech. SoundHound just reported that Torchy's Tacos rolled out the tech at their locations. Automotive is another massive market using SoundHound. The tech accesses a vast database to answer questions like "What's the most scenic route?" "What will the weather be like in Detroit this weekend?" or "Where is a nearby Italian restaurant, and what is the fastest way to get there?" This is a significant advancement from the days of "call so and so" and "play music." I believe that voice recognition tech like this will soon be the standard at drive-thrus and automobiles. Statista predicts the market will more than double by 2030, as you can see below. Revenue is growing faster than the market for SoundHound. Is SoundHound stock a buy now? SoundHound reported an 89% year-over-year increase in revenue to $25 million in the third quarter. It also expanded its customer base significantly in 2024. The company expects sales of $82 million to $85 million for 2024, potentially doubling sales with $165 million as the guidance midpoint of 2025. The revenue growth is incredible; however, investors should note that the company is not profitable and does not produce positive cash flow from operations. This makes the stock riskier than profitable companies. SoundHound's valuation is in question after its recent epic run that saw the stock soar 171% over the past 30 days. The company trades for 33 times its potential $165 million in sales for 2025 based on its $5.5 billion market cap at the time of this writing. That is quite high for any company, let alone one that isn't profitable. Analysts put an average price target on SoundHound of $8.07, well below the current price of $14.62. I am enthusiastic about SoundHound's future and was recently high on the stock; however, investors should consider waiting for a pullback after this run."Ho-Ho-Hold on to your PowerWashers, it's about to get chilly in Muckingham❄️," says developer FuturLab in their announcement for Ice Rink, the new, free winter seasonal relesae for smash hit PowerWash Simulator. "Put all your plans on ice, this is no rinky-dink clean up. With the grand reopening of the Ice Rink just around the corner, and the place nothing short of a glacial grime-fest, you’re the power washer wielding hero Muckingham needs this holiday season." The release will have you cleaning up a wintry wonderland of an ice rink, full of festive cheer and absolutely disgusting filth to blast off surfaces in a satisfying manner. It has a classic PowerWash Sim-style story told via text messages and a new wintry suit, gloves, and washer skin to unlock. You know, I never appreciated before now how the washers of PowerWash Simulator get to wear proper Personal Protective Equipment for their job. Great modeling of correct behavior, folks. Really earning that family-friendly image. This is actually the second Christmas holiday release for PowerWash Simulator, which dropped Santa's Workshop as a cleanup spot last year . That's still available—for free—as well. You can find PowerWash Simulator - Ice Rink on Steam . "PowerWash Simulator lets me obliterate dirt into nothing and now I'm more powerful than ever," said Rachel Watts back in 2020, and those words have rung true through an outstanding amount of muck, mess, and weird crossover DLCs ever since. So true, in fact, that some research scientists wanted to know if PowerWash Simulator makes you feel better after playing it. They discovered that, yes, you felt better, but not as good as food or sex . The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.Audit to generate revenue
Criticising the federal government's 'unilateral decision-making', Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri has warned such actions could have far-reaching consequences, stressing that threats or coercion could not resolve the party's serious issues with the government. Marri condemned the decision to construct six new canals from the Indus River, calling it a blatant violation of the IRSA Act and the 1991 Water Accord. "Whenever the 1991 Accord is misused, the PPP has raised its voice," she asserted. Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, the PPP leader said party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari didn't indulge in 'politics of ambiguity' and remained vocal when Pakistan's people were in distress. She further slammed the federal government for addressing the country's challenges superficially, presenting impressive statistics without tangible benefits for the public. "Bilawal is deeply concerned about the federal government's approach to addressing the country's challenges", she said. Referring to Bilawal's recent statements, Marri said that the Bhutto scion rightly pointed out that the people of Pakistan desired political and economic stability, relief from inflation and poverty, and demanded prosperity. However, she said, while the government presented impressive statistics, they did not translate into tangible benefits for the people. Addressing international criticism, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Shazia Marri remarked that when staunch supporters of Israel in the US spoke against Pakistan's defence assets, their local allies celebrated. She noted that these pro-Israel elements were not only advocating sanctions on Pakistan's missile technology but also supporting an accused in prison. Marri challenged PTI founder Imran Khan to openly condemn such actions if he truly believed these individuals were wrong to target Pakistan's defence assets. However, she noted his silence on the matter and declared that the PPP would not allow anyone to compromise Pakistan's interests. Shazia Atta Marri criticised the federal government for failing to convene a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, terming it a constitutional violation. She highlighted that the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) had allocated only seven projects worth Rs77.2 billion to Sindh, compared to 34 projects worth Rs693.4 billion for Punjab, 21 projects for Balochistan, and 30 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She also criticised the federal energy minister for his 'arrogant attitude' and 'unserious demeanour' in parliamentary sessions. Marri recalled that the minister admitted in the House to providing incorrect answers initially, only to correct them later. She stressed that the PPP's rejection of politics based on hatred and division should not be mistaken for weakness. Additionally, Marri condemned the federal and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments for neglecting the people of Parachinar, leaving them without support amidst their struggles. Shazia Atta Marri remarked that the enthusiastic participation from every corner of the country on the 17th martyrdom anniversary of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had set a new precedent. She expressed confidence that the spirit and determination with which people had gathered in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh was a testament to their commitment to continuing the mission of Benazir Bhutto. She reiterated Bilawal's assertion that if Pakistan's nuclear assets or missile technology were ever under threat, the entire nation must unite to defend them. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourCaitlin Moran’s Celebrity Watch Awards 20241. A copy of Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors filled with a ton of hilarious 1-star reviews of national parks that, somehow, might make them want to get out there and explore 'em all. Promising review: "Without a doubt, this is my favorite coffee table book and surprisingly also super educational. Perfect combination of sassy and informative while poking fun at 1-star reviews of some amazing national parks. I love, love all the added educational snippets along with the review illustrations. And Amber’s writing style is so personal and relatable that I feel like we could be friends. Such a fun book, so worth the buy!" — Anna Get it from Amazon for $16.59 . 2. A "Through The Seasons" Reverse Coloring Book , which is a newer edition of the fan favorite Reverse Coloring Book — perfect for anyone who is tired of coloring *inside* the lines and needs more of a challenge — in this scenario they'll be the one to draw the lines around the colors on the page! Basically, instead of adding the color to these, you draw lines to create images within the colors. Fun! Pair it with these fabulous black fine point pens for $9.99 on Amazon to complete the gift. Promising review : "Kendra Norton’s beautiful art books, Reverse Coloring books, have changed my world! My whole life, I thought I was not creative and, therefore, had zero artistic ability. Now this has become my favorite form of artistic expression. I turn on music and/or an audiobook and allow myself to go for an adventure outside of my mind, beyond my mind, if you will. T his has become my favorite way to process through difficult emotions and experiences I’m working through ." — K. DeWitt Get it from Amazon for $8.29 . 3. A bag of Reindeer Farts cotton candy because how could anyone not crack a smile from something as silly as this??? It's also made from a small business that donates 10% of all profits to charities that bring toys to kids in need — now *that* is worthy smiling about. Little Stinker is a small business. Promising review: " This was absolutely the best stocking stuffer of all this past year! Everyone, young and old, loved it! The laughs were many and the cotton candy inside was so good! Awesome product! I will buy again." — Peggy N Get it from Amazon for $8.95 . 4. A shaker of Thin Mint seasoning for your bestie who perks up at the mere mention of Girl Scout cookie season — now they'll be able to indulge in their favorite flavor whenever the mood strikes. BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord loves this stuff: "I stared at this for months online before caving and buying it, and when I tell you!! It jazzes up my morning coffee in a way that makes my little '90s baby heart sing. I've also loved it on Greek yogurt, oatmeal, and mug cakes. Plus, when I am feeling lonely for a real Thin Mint, and we're not in Girl Scout cookie season, I'll shake this on an Oreo Thin to stave off the despair." Get it from Amazon for $4.98 (and try their s'mores seasoning blend, too!). 5. Disney: Cooking With Magic: A Century of Recipes , a cookbook inspired by 100 years of Disney movies. The recipes will take them on a magical journey from 1928 ( Steamboat Willie !) all the way to 2023 ( Wish !) and everything in between. BRB, need to go get all the ingredients for Tiana's "Big Daddy Beignets." Promising review: "A perfect gift for the Disney fan in your life! Very high quality pages showing recipes from Disney movies through the ages all the way up to 2023's Wish !" — J. R. Coutu Get it from Amazon for $25.99. 6. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for your BFF who insists on watching "The Joy of Painting" every night to soothe themselves to sleep. It comes with three pre-printed canvases, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and a mini easel (how cuuuuuute) to display their work of art when they're done. The kit's three paint-by-number canvases include two landscapes and one portrait of Bob. They'll also get an instruction sheet and a mini book all about Bob! 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 . 7. An Instax Mini 7 camera bundle (including film) so you can snap pics of you and your loved ones exchanging gifts this holiday season then put 'em all together in an album as a keepsake. So fun! The bundles comes with a camera, 40 sheets of film, a carrying case, and a cute photo album. Promising review: "Good bundle and fun product. Pictures are classic look and won't be sharp (but hopefully that's not why you bought this). My partner and I use this to log a lot of our hikes and everyday cameos." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $129.95+ (available in five colors). 8. A dimmable sad duck night-light guaranteed to bring a smile to their face each time they glance down at it. He'll not-so-happily become their companion. (We all need one, honestly.) Promising review : "I ordered this lamp because of its appearance. I didn't NEED a depressed duck lamp ... but it has totally filled a void in my life I didn't know existed. Everyone who sees it pokes it. The lamp is actually very functional. It's got a really nice set of brightness options and the glow is yellowish, which is much nicer than white in a dim/dark room. One thing that isn't mentioned in the description is that its legs are utterly floppy. It's terrific." — Literated Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 9. A tabletop USB-powered Super Mario Bros. Super Star tree for anyone looking to bring some holiday cheer to their gaming station. It'll also give you an excuse to make punny jokes like "It's ah-meeee, a Christmas tree!" or maybe that's just me... Promising review: "This little Super Mario Christmas tree is absolutely adorable. It’s perfect for any desk or shelf. It comes with lights already attached. You can always add mini ornaments if you wanted to. It’s perfectly cute without. It comes with a USB cord already attached. I definitely recommend this for any Super Mario fan." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $33.88 . 10. A Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas cross stitch kit so they can *~live like Jack and Sally if they want~* or at the very least add them into their home decor. This beginner's kit comes with thread, printed fabric, needle, step-by-step instructions, and a 3-inch plastic hoop, Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 11. Crayola Globbles , a fun lil' toy they can use to burn off some steam in between meetings or when they just need a quick mental break. Don't worry, they won't leave residue on their walls. Promising review : " I waited over two months to write my review! My daughter is four and plays with these DAILY! YES, they do attract dirt and hair. HOWEVER, they are so easy to rinse off it's not a big deal! We took these to a family gathering and ended up giving two away because they were SO loved! The two we gave away went to a 12-year-old and my 19-year-old brother. They discovered throwing them at the ceiling fan and watching them shoot across the room, which was pretty entertaining! None of these have busted or ripped, and they are definitely NOT gentle with them! I will definitely be buying more! " — Kindle Customer Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.65 . 12. A set of custom stickers you'll be able to make of whoever you want — your pet, your own face, Harry Styles, the list goes on and on. And all you have to do is click 'Customize Now' and then upload a well-lit image! I bought these as a funny stocking stuffer for my husband a few years ago and it was a big hit. My Sticker Face is a small business. Promising review: "I think this might be one of the best things I've ever bought on Amazon. I bought one sheet for my mom for Christmas, and they just came. She hasn't seen them, but I know they'll crack her up. They look fantastic. I'll definitely buy more!!" — Claudia Basile Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 13. Or a personalized straw topper that'll hilariously help them mark which cookie cutter tumbler is theirs — I'm begging you, please get one made of something extra silly like a cut out of *your* face or Nicolas Cage's. Promising review: "I was very surprised by the quality of the straw cover. I sent in a picture of my dog with the order, and it was cropped perfectly without compromising the quality of the image. Sooo cute!" — Kim Veliky Get it from Amazon for $4.99 . 14. A " Liquipen " for anyone who grew up with a lava lamp but knows setting one up at their desk probably isn't *ideal*. Watching the little blobs float up and down will ease their mind and give them a chance to regroup before diving back into a project. Promising review: "I broke up the three-pack and gave one pen as a gift for a class gift exchange and put the other two in stockings for Christmas. Good quality and approved by both the 8-year-old and 49-year-old husband who is a kid at heart! Definitely recommend." — Kindle Customer Get a set of three from Amazon for $17.99 . 15. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza — a card game they can play with their squad (turn it into a drinking game?!) on cold nights or even at the beach when the weather is warm. You deal all the cards out to your two to four players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck face down. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle of the table, saying one of the words "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone slaps their hand on the card in a pile as quickly as possible. The last person on the pile has to take the stack and add 'em to their cards, and whoever runs out of cards first wins! Additionally, this game comes from a small business! Get it from Amazon for $9.95 or check out the festive version Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman (we love a theme!). 16. A toothpaste cap for anyone who typically wakes up singing "Somebooooody once told me the world was gonna roll me" a la one of the greatest soundtracks of all time... Shrek . CasualChicken is a small business based in Irvine, California that sells an array of unique 3D printed items. Promising review: "My order came well packaged and on time. Gifted it to my friend and she thinks it is hilarious." — Grace Get it from CasualChicken on Etsy for $11.99 . 17. A Michael Scott reversible dishwasher magnet that'll make loading/unloading just a bit more fun — I dare them not to giggle to themselves while thinking about what unfathomable things "Prison Mike" might shout about their dishes. Promising review : "My whole family is a fan of The Office , so when I was searching for a magnet we could use on our dishwasher, this was the hands-down winner. Does it go with my farmhouse decor? Nope, not at all. But it does get the attention of two teenage boys. Had I gone with something a bit more my decor style, I can guarantee you it would not be as useful. I mean, we all would much rather see Prison Mike staring back at us than suit and tie Michael Scott, right? And there is only one way for that to happen...clean out the dishwasher!" — R. Funk Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 18. A set of quirky cat-themed hair clips , so fun they'll want to start planning all of their outfits around them. Everyone's going to want to know where they got these playful accessories. Promising review: "Super cute, holds all my curly hair well, good size!" — Elizabeth Blank Get a set of four from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four styles). 19. A teensy version of Atari that'll transport them right back to the '80s — a perfect gift whether they actually lived through that iconic gaming era or simply wish they did. Promising review: "I've put probably 10 hours in playing with this little system . It's an excellent little Atari clone, the screen is crystal clear, the games play exactly as expected , the sound is great the controller is a joy. This is an absolute must for anyone who loves retro games." — Doug Welyczko Get it from Amazon for $25.95 . 20. A bookmark book tracker that'll motivate them to actually settle down and read the novel their book club decided on for this month. After they finish a book they can add the title into the spine on the bookmark and color it in — adorable. This shop also offers other versions of the bookmark themed around zodiac signs, very gift-worthy! Britishbookart is a small business based in the UK that sells paintings of literary characters, like Belle from Beauty and the Beast (my personal fave) and Arya from Game of Thrones , as well as reading trackers and bookmarks. Get it from britishbookart on Etsy for $3.92 and check out the zodiac versions here. 21. Murdle, Volume 1 , a compilation of murder mystery–themed logic puzzles that are reminiscent of the ever-popular Wordle game. This version will encourage your pal to use powers of deduction and a variety of clues to solve the mysteries throughout the book. Sherlock Holmes, who? There are 100 puzzles total, and four different levels of difficulty to tackle —each puzzle features a logic grid to help you solve it! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . If you want to keep the fun going you can *also* snag Murdle: Volume 2 and Murdle: Volume 3 for more puzzling. 22. A hilarious and random "screaming goat" button they can slap every few hours to keep their coworkers on their toes. Who wouldn't love THAT? Novelty888 is a small business that specializes in delightfully and oddly specific talking buttons. Promising review: "Got this for my wife to keep on her desk. She said it’s been a big hit in the office! If she or her coworkers are having a tough time, this lightens the mood with just the press of a button." — Daniel Get it from Amazon for $17.99 . 23. A Calico Critters keychain that'll leave your bestie cackling and forever thinking about those unhinged staged dramas you send each other back and forth on TikTok (IYKYK). If you're not already in on this very niche TikTok trend, please indulge yourself . Promising review: "The absolute cutest thing to hang on your keys or bags. I bought each one available because I couldn’t decide. They are just that cute. Highly recommend!" — Autumn12 Get it from Urban Outfitters for $14 (available in four styles). 24. A Taylor Swift lyric–inspired coloring book which will have their brain screaming "Drop everything now!" a la "Sparks Fly." It has 45 intricate pages to color that are loosely designed to follow the Eras tour in order. (Genius!) Don't forget to snag a fresh colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review : "I never thought I would enjoy adult coloring as much as I do with this book. It provides many opportunities to be creative, mix colors, be whimsical, and enjoy the lyrics." — Sherry Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 25. And an updated version of the Taylor Swift Little Golden Book fans will take one look and say I'm "enchanted to meet you." The new *~style~* comes with 22 (ooOoOh ooOoOh) bonus pages including stickers and fill-in-the-blank activities. You might find see a lil' Travis cameo within. 😉 I have this book (as pictured above) and by that I mean the second I saw it available for pre-order I added it to my cart faster than you could say "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." As the parent of a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old, I have many Little Golden Books in my home. However, this one is just STUNNING. I'm a big fan of Taylor (obviously) but was really enamored by how beautiful the pages in the first version was — so, naturally, I had to get the updated version! It's a short book, looks cute on my daughter's shelf, and is a hit for bedtime story time with my son who has, ahem, been mildly encouraged to *also* love Taylor Swift. What more could you want??? Get it from Amazon for $8.78 . Note: If they're a diehard Taylor fan here are some other book options they might enjoy: The Story of Taylor Swift: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers You Are Fearless: A Book for the Littlest Taylor Swift Fans Let's Meet Taylor: Story of the Superstar Taylor Swift Taylor Swift Style: Fashion Through the Eras 26. Bullseye microfleece pajama pants , because there are few things as beautiful as stepping into warm, cozy PJs adorned with the icon of your favorite Target mascot. My best friend and I bought these for each other for Christmas, including the matching top . Shopping at Target is basically the only hobby I've got these days. 😅 Promising review: "The Bullseye print on the pants is so cute! They are soft and warm and a must have for the Target lover!" — boymom2 Get them from Target for $7 (available in unisex sizes XS–2XL) 27. French Truck Coffee K-Cups they can easily pop into their Keurig machine to take their tastebuds on a trip to New Orleans — I can't think of a better way to start the day. This blend is made in small batches and packed with that chicory flavor anyone who has sipped a cup o' Joe in NOLA will recognize. French Truck Coffee is a small business based out of New Orleans that sells small-batch, fresh-roasted coffee. If K-cups aren't your thing you can also check out their whole bean options and their cold brew pods . Get a pack of 12 from French Coffee Truck for $17. 28. A carbonated bubble clay mask that starts to bubble once it's applied — get one for both of you to prepare for a fun night of selfies (all the while banishing blackheads). Promising review: "Wow! I purchased this on a whim after seeing one of my favorite YouTubers try it out. I didn't expect a lot from it. I tried it out and was shocked!!! The mask was simple (and fun) to use. I wasn't sure I felt a lot happening while it was on, but it was pretty cool how the bubbles started to grow off of my face. Upon inspection after using this mask I was completely amazed. My face felt cleaner than it has in a very long time AND my pores looked amazing! I don't remember a time when I felt like my pores looked great before using this mask. I would highly recommend this mask to anyone. It's also so much cheaper than the GlamGlow ones I have been using (and didn't see near these results from)." — Phil Textor Get it from Amazon for $8.65 . 29. An embroidered hat for the Bella to your Jacob — a gift that'll surely elicit some giggles from you both. Where'd U Get That Hat is a small business based in Washington, DC that sells embroidered hats. Promising review: "Every hat I've gotten from this seller has been awesome, 10/10." — Sabrina Jagielski Get it from Where'd U Get That Hat on Etsy for $25 (available in 17 hat colors and 11 thread colors). 30. A Mitzvah Moose (yes, you heard that right) with antlers that'll double as a Hanukkah menorah — if this doesn't turn your pal's frown upside down I'm not sure what will! This precious plush also comes with a cute picture book. You may have seen this adorable Moose on Shark Tank alongside the other Mensch on a Bench (a small business) products! Promising review: "I bought one for my grandson and before I clicked to buy my finger slipped 😉 and I ordered one for myself. I'm very happy with both of them." — Belle Get it from Amazon for $24.99 . 31. A Dracula garlic mincer that'll make even the most serious of chefs let out an audible laugh. Promising review: "I purchased this as a gift for my friend who is a fantastic cook — she uses fresh ingredients almost exclusively — but pressing fresh garlic is a task usually delegated. No longer — Gracula is there for her. She uses him nearly every time she needs garlic (which is basically daily) and, months later, still makes a point of saying how much she enjoys the gift. I'm pretty sure she likes it better than other gifts I've gotten her which were more expensive/thought out , and I'm fairly certain it's what took me from 'good friend' to 'best friend,' but it be that way sometimes. Anyway, definitely recommended for people who cook with garlic and have a sense of humor." — L Get it from Amazon for $9.94 . 32. A realistic Dr. Pepper can(dle ) for when they want to indulge in the scent of their favorite vice but it's a touch too early in the morning to crack open the real thing. Promising review: "I love this candle as it smells exactly like Dr. Pepper. This candle is the same exact size as the real soda can too! This is going to be the perfect Christmas gift for my friend." — Chrysanthemum Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 33. A reviewer-beloved ~croc~ veggie chopper they can use to dice onions in a flash — save the uncontrollable crying for the next Hallmark holiday movie. It can also spiralize, slice, and chop! Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my husband, who loves cooking AND crocodiles! He loves it! Best of all, it works great too. We’ve used it so many times, and the blades are still sharp. It’s easy to use and clean. Love it!" — Niki Mitchell Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . 34. A light hearted "In This Economy?" candle featuring a lovely floral and amber woody fragrance and cheeky label that says: spent the rest of my non-existent savings on this." It'll surely give anyone a laugh while helping them decompress with it's soothing smell. Evil Queen is my all-time favorite small business, and my go-to shop for candles. They're woman-owned and sell all kinds of candles with fun labels that'll make you want to try 'em even if the scent isn't your typical go-to. Naturally, as a shopping editor, I *needed* this candle. The label makes me giggle and looks great on my desk while the scent is relaxing and helps me focus on my work. The sparkles on top are an added bonus, hehe. Get it from Evil Queen for $24 . 35. A hilarious 100-piece cat puzzle depicting them as graceful lil' ballerinas — I dare anyone not to dissolve into laughter just looking at the box. Promising review: "Whimsical picture, bright colors and easily lockable and uniquely shaped pieces. Very happy with this puzzle experience!" — Karen Bleizeffer Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 36. And/or cat tarot cards that'll have your friend saying "are you kitten me?" when they open it and offer to give you a reading right on the spot. Promising review: "These cards are great! As someone who owns more than a couple of tarot decks, the card stock on these is superb for the price. This deck is friendly and has a very aesthetically pleasing color palate — even some of the darker cards of the deck are rather light hearted. The images themselves are fantastic, cute, colorful without overdoing it, and harmonious and for the most part true to the tarot and not too gimmicky. My only gripe is that the images don't always lend themselves to intuitive interpretation, however this deck comes with a guidebook so it's not that big of a turnoff. The guidebook itself is great and includes interpretations for upright and reversed cards. I haven't used it for a reading yet because i just got it today, but I am more than pleased with this purchase. If you like tarot and you also happen to like cats get this deck!" — A. Asher Get them from Amazon for $17.90 . 37. And a microwaveable hugging sloths filled with soothing lavender — who better to spend a cold wintry night with?! The pair breaks apart so they can share the love with their roommate when they're having a rough day. 🥹 My sister bought my son a Golden Retriever Warmies plush before he was born and it's recently become a staple in his collection of "crib friends." It smells incredible and is so soothing for bedtime. I love that they're weighted but not *too* heavy that I'd be worried to let him snuggle with it overnight. Promising review: "I have a sloth obsession so I'm adding these to my collection! Perfect size and absolutely adorable! Not sure I'll use them for warming, but I have other Warmies for that purpose!!" — Heather W. Get it from Warmies for $29.99 or Amazon for $26.95 . Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
‘We may see an elected govt next year’Avalanche warning issued for Uttarakhand's ChamoliJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
Fifty years ago this month I moved to Sacramento and a few months later, just after Jerry Brown became governor, began covering politics for the long-defunct Sacramento Union newspaper. I have lived in five different homes — soon to be six — and my workplaces have always been in downtown Sacramento, near the Capitol. That experience, plus research for my 1985 book on California megatrends, forms the background of some observations about the Sacramento region’s evolution. So here goes: In 1974 the six-county region (Sacramento, Yolo, Yuba, Placer, Sutter and El Dorado) was home to barely a million people. However it was on the cusp of explosive growth, as was the entire state, thanks to a wave of migration and a baby boom. Today the region has about 2.5 million residents, making it the nation’s 28th largest metropolitan region, equal to the Las Vegas and Austin, Texas areas. Much of the growth has been in Sacramento’s suburbs, so the city now contains just a fifth of the region’s population and has ceased to be its economic center, while jobs and businesses have flourished in the suburbs. As the local economy evolved from state and federal government employment — including four large military bases — into technology and other fields, voters had two opportunities to merge the city with what were mostly unincorporated communities in Sacramento County. Merger would have made Sacramento the nation’s seventh or eighth largest city, with the economic and cultural clout that comes with size. But voters rejected both proposals, one in 1974, the other in 1990, and several suburbs incorporated into cities. The consolidation failures reflected historic economic and political conflicts between the city and its suburbs which today still undermine cooperative policymaking and are visible in chaotic responses to the ever-growing homelessness crisis and the perpetual wrangling over transportation issues. Glen Sparrow, who headed the 1974 consolidation effort, later blamed Sacramento’s “civic gentry” — its long-dominant families — for torpedoing its passage because they didn’t want Sacramento to grow. The 1990 effort died because suburban voters saw city officials as incompetent ideologues, while Sacramento’s dominant Democrats feared that suburban Republicans would take control. The failures blocked the city from controlling development outside its borders, and its downtown commercial district, once full of department stores, withered. It regained some momentum after the Sacramento Kings downtown basketball arena opened in 2016. But the proliferation of homeless encampments, a fatal gang shootout, a violent demonstration and the pandemic, which emptied state offices, erased much of that progress. Meanwhile city government has become a model of dysfunction, with officials squabbling over mundane issues, chronic budget deficits and ceaseless conflicts with the county government, particularly over homelessness. The lack of cohesion means that Sacramento has flubbed opportunities to gain status among metro regions. Two examples involve its unique positioning at the juncture of two major rivers, the Sacramento and the American. Local officials blocked a canal that would have connected the Sacramento River to the channel that carries ocean-going ships to a Yolo County port and its lake, thereby missing an opportunity for spectacular waterfront development a la Southern California’s Marina del Rey. While the city is redeveloping an old railyard adjacent to downtown, it could have done something truly special by redirecting some American River water through canals, emulating San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk. A third is a failure to fully capitalize on the closure of McClellan Air Force Base in the 1990s. While the base has undergone a workable conversion to civilian use, its unique facilities also could have become another campus of the California Polytechnic State University, fueling off-campus technology businesses. Regions prosper when they have united and visionary leadership — such as North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Sacramento lacks that vision.
Emanuel Wallace, 27, from east London, is better known as Big Manny by his 1.9 million followers on TikTok, where he shares videos explaining various science experiments from his back garden while using Jamaican Patois phrases and London slang. In early December, Mr Wallace won the Education Creator of the Year award at the TikTok Awards ceremony, which he said is a “symbol that anything that you put your mind to you can achieve”. The content creator began making videos during the coronavirus pandemic when schools turned to online learning but has since expanded his teaching from videos to paper after releasing his debut book Science Is Lit in August. He believes his “unconventional” teaching methods help to make his content relatable for younger audiences by using slang deriving from his Jamaican and British heritage. “The language that I use, it’s a combination between Jamaican Patois and London slang because I have Jamaican heritage,” the TikToker, who holds a bachelors and masters degree in biomedical science, told the PA news agency. “That’s why in my videos sometimes I might say things like ‘Wagwan’ or ‘you dun know’. I just want to connect with the young people more, so I speak in the same way that they speak. “The words that I use, the way that I deliver the lesson as well, I would say that my method of teaching is quite unconventional. I speak in a way that is quite conversational.” Examples of his videos include lithium batteries catching fire after being sandwiched inside a raw chicken breast, as well as mixing gold with gallium to create blue gold, earning millions of views. Mr Wallace hopes his content will help make the science industry more diverse, saying “the scientists that I was taught about, none of them look like me”. “Now me being a scientist is showing young people that they can become one as well, regardless of the background that they come from, the upbringing that they’ve had,” he said. “I just want to make it seem more attainable and possible for them because if I can do it, and I come from the same place as you, there’s no reason why you can’t do it as well.” The TikToker has seen a shift in more young people turning to the app as a learning resource and feels short-form videos will soon become a part of the national curriculum in schools. “I’m seeing (young people) using that a lot more – social media as a resource for education – and I feel like in the future, it’s going to become more and more popular as well,” he said. “I get a lot of comments from students saying that my teacher showed my video in the classroom as a resource, so I feel like these short form videos are going to be integrated within the national curriculum at some point in the near future.” He also uses his platform to raise awareness of different social issues, which he said is “extremely important”. One of his videos highlighted an anti-knife campaign backed by actor Idris Elba, which earned more than 39 million views, while his clip about the banning of disposable vapes was viewed more than 4.6 million times. He said there is some pressure being a teacher with a large following online but hopes he can be a role model for young people. “I’m aware that I am in the public eye and there’s a lot of young people watching me,” he said. “Young people can be impressionable, so I make sure that I conduct myself appropriately, so that I can be a role model. “I always have the same message for young people, specifically. I tell them to stay curious. Always ask questions and look a little bit deeper into things.” His plans for 2025 include publishing a second Science Is Lit book and expanding his teaching to television where he soon hopes to create his own science show.
I’M A Celebrity’s Dean McCullough is a new favourite to walk after a body language expert declared he could be “susceptible”. Dean has been repeatedly chosen for the gruelling Bushtucker Trials, despite him failing to get more than four stars in any of them. He's also quit several of the trials midway through after panicking, earning cheeky swipes from hosts Ant and Dec. Friday night’s show saw him finally earn eight stars when he was paired up with McFly’s Danny Jones, but even then it was noted he only bagged two himself, and lost them two after he freaked out over creepy crawlies. Nicole Greenfield-Smith, in collaboration with Mecca Games , has since teased that his inability to get over his fears and come through for the camp meals could be his downfall, prompting him to leave early. “I thought [Wednesday's] trial was interesting and if Dean flunks many more trials, it could leave him susceptible to walking,” she said. READ MORE I'M A CELEB Branding his attempt to do a trial with GK Barry “a disastrous combo”, she added: “We all have 'mirror neurons' which enable us to connect and empathise with others. This means we are highly sensitive to the mood, tone of voice and body language of those around us. "So, if we hear someone screaming and panicking it intensifies our own fear, which is exactly what happened with the hapless duo and why they left the trial with zero stars." "The challenge moving forward is that hunger, the rain, and tiredness will serve to escalate the emotional responses of the campmates and reduce their tolerance significantly,” she added. “If Dean continues to be selected for trials and lets his fear dominate, it's likely that some of the other campmates will lose patience with him for not delivering the goods. Most read in TV "Our brains are wired for social connection and cooperation. Disappointing others can trigger feelings of rejection, shame, or guilt, which may well tip Dean over the edge." On Friday's show, after his trial with Danny, Dean was offered some consolation when he was picked by Maura Higgins and Richard Coles to join them in the jungle junkyard. Unbeknownst to the main camp, the Jungle Junkyard is actually a luxury camp including hot water, food and beds – allowing him to spend the night in the lap of luxury. But a visit from Coleen Rooney soon sparked trouble, with her rumbling the secret within minutes as she figured out something didn't quite add up. Tonight, they get the chance to confront them on the subterfuge, but will they own up? I'm A Celebrity continues nightly at 9pm on ITV1.Intraoral Scanners Market to Grow by USD 915.75 Million (2024-2028), Driven by Enhanced Accuracy, Productivity, and AI-Driven Market Transformation - Technavio
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As one of cinema’s most legendary artisans, Francis Ford Coppola has helped shape the world of entertainment for over half a century, even when he wasn’t really trying to. In a recent interview with The Washington Post ahead of him receiving a Kennedy Center Honor this weekend, Coppola reflected on his career, including the surprise success that came from “The Godfather” and how the studios forced him into the position of making a sequel despite not initially having an interest in doing so. As a ploy to cause issues for Paramount, Coppola pitched titling the film “ The Godfather: Part II ” even though most sequels up until that point in Hollywood used unique titles like “The Bride of Frankenstein” or “After the Thin Man.” When “Part II” became another hit in its own right, it spurned a tradition that lasts to this day and one that Coppola himself resents. “So I’m the jerk that started numbers on movies,” he said. “I’m embarrassed, and I apologize to everyone.” Coppola is no stranger to controversy. The production of “Apocalypse Now” was spurned in the press even before the film’s release, and his most recent film “Megalopolis” attracted controversy over accusations against Coppola of unprofessional on-set behavior , as well as his desire to cast problematic talent . “I love my cast,” Coppola added to the Post. “There were people on this side of the present political thing, and that side. People who had been canceled, people who should have been canceled.” Coppola in the interview felt having this wide array of personalities was key to the sense of risk he was trying to bring into production, adding later, “Making movies without risk is like making babies without sex. You can do it. It’s possible, but it’s not very fun.” To Coppola, what’s even riskier is not staying true to your vision, even when that vision changes over time. Known for recutting many of his films, including “Apocalypse Now” and “One from the Heart,” Coppola points to the failure of his 1984 jazz musical “The Cotton Club” and how it was stripped down by the studio as a moment he knew he had to trust his own abilities. His later, personal cut of the film, released in 2017 as “The Cotton Club: Encore,” went on to receive much higher acclaim. “I mean, who would suggest to cut 30 minutes of Black people tap-dancing out of a movie about Black people tap-dancing?” Coppola said of the studio’s decision to tamp down the film. “Now it’s balanced. It’s beautiful.” Throughout his career, Coppola has had to work against these forces trying to impose on his artistry, and every time, he’s found a way to maintain his independence and prove his value. “I was almost fired on all of them,” said Coppola, adding, “The lesson is that the same things that they fire you for are the same things that later they give you lifetime achievement awards for when you’re old.” The Kennedy Center Honors are hosted in Washington D.C. tomorrow, December 8, and will be broadcast on CBS December 22 at 8:30pm ET.
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The government was lobbied to do more to assist former paramilitaries to get jobs and integrate back into society months after being released from prison in 1998. Declassified files show the then Northern Ireland Office minister, Adam Ingram, resisting the pressure by stating society was “not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up”, expressing concerns that ex-prisoners could end up teaching the children of their victims. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland and led to the establishment of the Stormont powersharing Assembly. The deal also saw the release from prison of hundreds of paramilitary prisoners. Among those who attended the meeting for Projex 2000 were John White of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), Brendan Mackin of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), businessman Ken Cleland and Paul Mageean of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). A minute of the meeting shows that the minister advised the group to start lobbying the local parties in the Assembly as he said much of the responsibility for what they were concerned about would fall to Stormont. Mr Cleland says the government had committed to providing assistance for politically motivated prisoners in the Good Friday Agreement, but there had been “no tangible signs of this apart from the prisoner releases”. “There was already a huge reaction in society to the prisoner release programme.” The group raised concerns about the exclusion of former political prisoners from compensation schemes and highlighted difficulties in finding employment, suggesting a partnership between the prisoner groups, the government and the private sector. The minute states: “John White interjected to say that the prisoner groups were also concerned about media reporting that prisoners were getting huge sums of money on leaving prison.” It continues: “Mr Mackin said the reality at present is that prisoners’ groups do not see anything tangible coming from the Good Friday Agreement. “It seemed to him to be a complete waste of resources for prisoners to come out of prison highly educated but unable to get jobs.” The minister responded that the government had “taken a lot of gambles with no payback”. The minute continues: “As an after-thought he (Mr McCleland) added that it was ironic that someone like David Ervine may end up as a Minister in the New Assembly yet would be unable to employ civil service staff who were politically motivated ex-prisoners. “Again, the Minister emphasised that we are not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up. “There were legitimate concerns that ex-prisoners could end up for instance teaching the children of their victim.” It says Mr Mageean said it was “ironic that the Government had signed up to the release of several hundred prisoners but yet would not allow them to get a job in somewhere like a passport office”. It continues: “The Minister reminded him that a sizeable part of the Northern Ireland community are not signed up to the (Good Friday Agreement), we have to move carefully; there is a much wider issue here.” As an action point after the meeting, the minister said he would write to all political parties in the Assembly to ask them to nominate someone to deal with the issue of prisoner re-integration.TikToker teaching science hopes short-form video will become part of curriculum
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Undergraduate occupational and environmental health and safety programs at Utah State University, Brigham Young University, the University of Utah and Weber State University have formed a first-of-its-kind partnership to collectively promote their degrees and career opportunities. The partnership’s effort has included hosting informational sessions for prospective students featuring all four universities, a unified marketing campaign and collaborative management. The occupational and environmental health and safety field focuses on protecting the health, safety and well-being of workers by identifying, assessing and managing workplace and environmental risks. From 2018-2022, the most recent five-year data available from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 257 people died in occupational fatalities in Utah and 161,400 people suffered workplace injuries Reducing both numbers by producing well-trained graduates is a core objective of all four of the partner occupational and environmental health and safety programs. Academic advisor for USU’s Public Health program , Carl Farley, said the Occupational and Environmental Health field has incredibly high job placement, and starting salaries for bachelor’s-level professionals range from $68,000 to $100,000. Farley said they could easily double the number of program graduates and still have 100% job placement, but attracting students has always been a challenge. “Unfortunately, it’s the best kept secret. And we’re trying to change that,” Farley said. He said most of their students find out about the program by word of mouth, which is how USU senior Ethan Fullmer found the program. Fullmer is a pre-dental student from Hyde Park. He said he started as a human biology major, which is common for pre-medical students, but a student in the public health program recommended it to him. “I talked to Farley, and it seemed like a degree with lots of career options, smaller class sizes and opportunities to get my hands dirty outside of the classroom,” Fullmer said. He said he likes that the program is so hands on, and every student has to do an internship, so they get real world experience. The field encompasses a range of disciplines, such as industrial hygiene, ergonomics, occupational health psychology, occupational medicine, occupational health nursing, occupational safety and mining safety. “We’ve had graduates work in every field from oil and gas to hospitals and technology,” said program director Scott Bernhardt. “We’ve had students work at Intel, Amazon, Tesla, you name it.” Program lecturer John Flores said for incoming freshmen interested in STEM, public health is a good place to start. “If they decide they don’t like it, the foundation they will have from entry level classes will meet any other science requirements,” Flores said. Tori Joy, who is leading the partnership as the occupational and environmental health and safety pathways coordinator at Weber State, said students don’t often learn about these types of jobs in high school or grade school. She said they want students to learn about the field, get excited about it and enroll in one of these programs, no matter which university they choose to go to. “The enthusiastic involvement of all four undergraduate programs — which ostensibly compete against one another — sends a rare and powerful message,” Joy said. “It speaks to the importance of what we’re doing and our shared commitment to both students and workers. The graduates of our programs literally save lives and positively impact hundreds of thousands of Utahns — and they’re rewarded with meaningful, fulfilling careers.” To learn more about any of the programs in the partnership, go to rmcoeh.com/undergraduate-degrees .
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday hospitals have only two days' fuel left before they must restrict services, after the UN warned aid delivery to the war-devastated territory is being crippled. The warning came a day after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant more than a year into the Gaza war. The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Gaza medics said an overnight Israeli raid on Beit Lahia and nearby Jabalia resulted in dozens killed or missing. Marwan al-Hams, director of Gaza's field hospitals, told reporters all hospitals in the Palestinian territory "will stop working or reduce their services within 48 hours due to the occupation's (Israel's) obstruction of fuel entry". World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was "deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of 80 patients, including 8 in the intensive care unit" at Kamal Adwan hospital, one of just two partly operating in northern Gaza. Kamal Adwan director Hossam Abu Safia told AFP it was "deliberately hit by Israeli shelling for the second day" Friday and that "one doctor and some patients were injured". Late Thursday, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, Muhannad Hadi, said: "The delivery of critical aid across Gaza, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies, is grinding to a halt." He said that for more than six weeks Israeli authorities "have been banning commercial imports" while "a surge in armed looting" has hit aid convoys. Vowing to stop Hamas from regrouping, Israel on October 6 began an air and ground operation in Jabalia and then expanded it to Beit Lahia. Gaza's health ministry says the operation has killed thousands. The UN says more than 100,000 have been displaced from the area, and an official told the Security Council last week that people "are effectively starving". Issuing the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the Hague-based ICC said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe they bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity including over "the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and specific medical supplies". A furious Netanyahu said: "Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it." He said the judges were "driven by anti-Semitic hatred of Israel". On Friday, he thanked his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban for inviting him to visit in defiance of the ICC warrant, which Orban branded "political". Hungary currently holds the rotating EU presidency. US President Joe Biden, whose country is Israel's top military supplier, called the warrants against Israeli leaders "outrageous", but other world leaders supported the court. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Netanyahu would be arrested if he set foot in the country. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday discussed efforts towards a ceasefire in Lebanon, the White House said. The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, saying it had grounds to suspect him of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the attacks on Israel that sparked the war, and including "sexual and gender-based violence" against hostages. Israel said it killed Deif in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death. On Thursday, a UN representative said an Israeli raid on Palmyra in Syria this week was "likely the deadliest" by Israel on the country so far. On Friday, a war monitor said the strikes killed 92 pro-Iran fighters. Israel again bombed Gaza on Friday. In Gaza City, just south of Jabalia, one man who said he took his cousins to hospital after a strike urged "the world... to put an end" to the war. Belal, who gave only his first name, said 10 members of his family had been killed. At least 44,056 people have been killed in Gaza during more than 13 months of war, most of them civilians, according to figures from Gaza's health ministry which the United Nations considers reliable. Hamas triggered the war with the deadliest attack in Israeli history, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. The war expanded to Lebanon in late September when Israel escalated air strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah and later sent ground troops into southern Lebanon, after nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border exchanges which Hezbollah said were in support of Hamas. Lebanon says more than 3,580 people have been killed in the country, most of them since late September. A strike on Baalbek in the east killed the director of Dar al-Amal university hospital and six colleagues, the health ministry said late Friday. Israeli strikes again targeted Hezbollah's south Beirut stronghold and south Lebanon, the official National News Agency said. UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon have reported being fired on numerous times, blaming both Israel and "non-state" actors. On Friday, Rome said Hezbollah was probably behind rocket fire that lightly wounded four Italian peacekeepers. bur-ami/srm/kirNEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin extended its streak of record highs after ticking above $99,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency has rocketed more than 40% in just two weeks. Now, bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000, just two years after dropping below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . The dramatic rally rolls on as industry players expect the incoming Trump administration to bring a more “crypto-friendly” approach toward regulating the digital currency. Bitcoin was trading at $99,526 Friday afternoon, according to CoinDesk. As with everything in the volatile crypto markets, the future is impossible to know. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Here’s what you need to know. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But, chances are, you've heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but the large majority of daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Crypto industry players have welcomed Trump’s victory, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, recently pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. How of this will actually pan out — and whether or not Trump will successfully act quickly on these promises — has yet to be seen. “This is not necessarily a short-term story, it’s likely a much longer-term story," Citi macro strategist David Glass told The Associated Press last week. "And there is the question of how quickly can U.S. crypto policy make a serious impact on (wider adoption).” One step Trump must take in the short-term is name a new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shares oversight of cryptocurrencies. Gary Gensler, current chair of the SEC, has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on crypto over recent years, penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. But he's also faced criticism from industry players in the process, like the chief legal officer of Robinhood , who described Gensler's approach toward crypto as “rigid” and "hostile.” Gensler will step down in January when Trump takes office. Adam Morgan McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko, thinks the industry is craving “just some sort of clarity.” Much of the approach to regulating crypto in the past has been “enforcement based,” he notes, which has been helpful in weeding out some bad actors — but legislation might fill in other key gaps. Despite crypto’s recent excitement around Trump, McCarthy said that 2024 has already been a “hugely consequential year for regulation in the U.S.” — pointing to January’s approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, for example, which mark a new way to invest in the asset. Spot ETFs have been the dominant driver of bitcoin for some time now — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. According to Kaiko , bitcoin ETFs recorded $6 billion in trade volume for the week of the election alone. In April, bitcoin also saw its fourth “halving” — a preprogrammed event that impacts production by cutting the reward for mining, or the creation of new bitcoin, in half. In theory, if demand remains strong, some analysts say this “supply shock” can also help propel the price long term. Others note it may be too early to tell. History shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of Federal Reserve rate hikes. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs. But experts still stress caution, especially for small-pocketed investors. And lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could mean less guardrails. “I would say, keep it simple. And don’t take on more risk than you can afford to," McCarthy said — adding that there isn't a “magic eight ball” to know for certain what comes next. Assets like bitcoin are produced through a process called “mining,” which consumes a lot of energy. Operations relying on pollutive sources have drawn particular concern over the years. Recent research published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal found that the carbon footprint of 2020-2021 bitcoin mining across 76 nations was equivalent to the emissions from burning 84 billion pounds of coal or running 190 natural gas-fired power plants. Coal satisfied the bulk of bitcoin’s electricity demands (45%), followed by natural gas (21%) and hydropower (16%). Environmental impacts of bitcoin mining boil largely down to the energy source used. Industry analysts have maintained that clean energy has increased in use in recent years, coinciding with rising calls for climate protections