NoneParents have been spending an entire month every year cooking for their families, according to a study by Philips. One in ten parents admit to slaving over the stove for up to two hours a night and use six pots, pans and trays for just one meal. Luckily, Philips has come up with a solution to these troubles in the Philips 5000 Series Airfryer and Steamer . It could be the best way to get into air frying yet with is sleek design and incredible functionality. It's on sale at Currys for £249.99. It's also being sold at John Lewis for the same price. Fifty-two per cent of parents in the study say planning what to feed the family is a source of daily stress, but this could be a great reliever - Philip's first air fryer with a built-in steam function. The steam function defends against overcooking of food and can also be used to reheat leftovers. It also features a Steam Clean function to clear out fat in the larger drawer. Not to mention, this uses around 70 per cent less energy than a traditional oven. READ MORE: Furry electric throw with £45 off 'keeps heating costs down' and 'envelops you in soft warmth' The air fryer has a very large capacity at nine litres across two different baskets. There are 11 preset functions and each basket is an independent cooking zone so you can cook several things at once in entirely different ways. You can set each zone to finish at the exact right time too so you can serve up as soon as cooking is done. The Philips 5000 Series also features RapidAir Plus technology's unique star shaped design which means hot air is circulated evenly through the food ensuring a perfect cook every time. To see all the best Deals, Sales and Bargains in London, check out our Facebook group . The study found that 82 per cent of parents put off cooking a meal due to the amount of washing up required but the parts are also dishwasher safe, making washing up that much easier. In the study, many admit to making sacrifices just to ensure families are fed - with over half (51%) compromising on taste and one in five parents resorting to cooking from frozen eight times a week. Convenience (39%) is the factor parents most value when cooking, followed by taste (32%), simplicity (14%) and affordability (13%). This is partly solved by the the HomeID app alongside the air fryer with access to hundreds of delicious meals and step-by-step guidance tailored to your air fryer . You can now join MyLondon 's new WhatsApp Community to get the best deals, sales, bargains and much more. Through WhatsApp, we'll send the latest exciting new products and bargains straight to your phone, both across London and online. To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'join community' . No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . Click here to join our WhatsApp community . Sara Vaum, Senior Product Manager at Philips, said: “For many parents, when it comes to feeding the family, finding that balance between tasty, healthy and simple is not straightforward. It means some mums and dads are spending up to a month a year in the kitchen, juggling multiple pots, pans, and often a dose of daily stress in order to keep their little ones fed. “At Philips, we want to help people achieve a better balance, which is why we’re proud to unveil our latest innovation - the Series 5000 Airfryer and Steamer. By combining traditional Airfryer technology with a unique steam fry function - a delicious and nutritious family meal is at your fingertips in a matter of minutes - without a mountain of washing up to confront afterwards.” Alternatively, you can buy the Tower Vortx 7L air fryer with Steam Technology for £77.99 at Amazon. You can buy the Philips 5000 Series Airfryer and Steamer from Currys and John Lewis . You can get the Tower Vortx 7L air fryer with Steam Technology at Amazon .Navy beats Oklahoma, 21-20, in Armed Forces Bowl on 2-point conversion stop
‘Friend, philosopher, guide’: Sonia Gandhi pays tribute to Manmohan SinghOne of the government’s most senior female staffers is suing Defence Minister Richard Marles and the prime minister’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, for allegedly ousting her after she complained of bullying by other colleagues. The legal team for Jo Tarnawsky, who is still technically Marles’ chief of staff, confirmed she had launched legal proceedings against Marles, Gartrell and the Commonwealth on Monday. Jo Tarnawsky and Richard Marles. Credit: AAP, Alex Ellinghausen Tarnawsky’s lawyers – solicitor Michael Bradley and barrister Rebecca Davern – claim under the Fair Work Act that the government engaged in adverse action against the staffer by effectively pushing her out of her role after she raised concerns about bullying in Marles’ office. Last month, the chief of staff alleged she was effectively ousted from her job after seeking help for alleged bullying by her colleagues that left her with suicidal thoughts. Marles himself is not accused of bullying Tarnawsky – who is a former diplomat and one of the most senior women in government – but she claims he shunted her aside in April to work in a lesser government role despite never previously taking issue with her performance. “My workplace situation remains unresolved,” Tarnawsky said at a press conference in Parliament House on Monday. “Today, after untenable delays and inaction from the government, I’m lodging legal proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.” “Taking legal action has come at the end of a very long and traumatic road,” she said. “The government has been afforded multiple opportunities to rectify the wrongs done to me, but it has done nothing except duck and cover, collude and delay.” The legal action represents a major test for Labor’s commitment to creating a more respectful workplace culture in parliament as well as a major distraction from the government’s agenda to pass up to 20 pieces of legislation in the last sitting week of the year. Tarnawsky previously said the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service was briefing lawyers to deal with her after she engaged her own lawyers to access more counselling services. Loading Marles has previously praised Tarnawsky and said he had worked to support her wellbeing and that of his other staff as he managed the situation. “She has given me great service, and I remain deeply grateful for that,” Marles said. His spokeswoman has also disputed unspecified parts of Tarnawsky’s “assertions and recollections” in a statement. Earlier this month, this masthead revealed the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service handled 339 cases in its first nine months, including some categorised as relating to serious issues such as sexual assault, with 10 formal complaints. The support services’ annual report prompted former staffer Brittany Higgins to ask if perpetrators working in politics are being held to account. Bradley said the workplace support service had been “set up to fail”. “[It] ends up being a support service for the member of parliament, including providing the member of parliament with free legal support, and the staffer is left on their own,” he said. More to come. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Political leadership Anthony Albanese Richard Marles Workplace culture ALP Parliament House Olivia Ireland is a workplace relations and federal breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based at Parliament House in Canberra. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Politics LoadingSuper 8 motel in Rotterdam sold for $3 million
Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings
English Premier League side Arsenal are reportedly planning a £25 million move for Nigeria international Ademola Lookman, who has been in scintillating form for Italian side Atalanta this season. The Gunners are looking to bolster their attacking options, with Gabriel Martinelli’s underwhelming performances this season prompting the North London club to seek reinforcements on the left wing. Lookman, who has scored 10 goals and five assists this season, has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham, and Newcastle United. The 27-year-old’s stock has risen considerably following his historic hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen. He became the first player to achieve this feat in a European Cup final. His impressive performances have also earned him a nomination for the 2024 CAF African Footballer of The Year award, and he has been tipped as the favourite to win the prestigious prize in Marrakesh on December 16. Related News Bakambu tips Lookman for CAF award EPL: Arsenal denied by VAR as Fulham hold gunners to 1-1 draw [ICYMI] Serie A: Lookman's late header secures Atalanta 2-1 win over Milan However, Premier League recruitment staff have expressed concerns about Lookman’s previous spells in England, where he struggled to make significant impacts at Everton, Fulham and Leicester City. GiveMeSports reports that scouts will continue to monitor the forward’s performances over the coming months before making a final decision. Lookman’s current form has been crucial in Atalanta’s Serie A title challenge. The Nigerian has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 12 league games as La Dea battle Napoli and Inter Milan for the Scudetto. The forward, whose current contract runs until 2026, has also caught the attention of European giants Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Richard Marles’ chief of staff launches legal action over claims she was bullied out of jobChandigarh: Former National Commission for Women chief and BJP nominee Rekha Sharma filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Haryana here on Tuesday. She submitted her nomination papers to returning officer Ashok Kumar Meena. Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli, ministers Krishan Lal Panwar, Rao Narbir Singh, Mahipal Dhanda, Vipul Goel, Shyam Singh Rana, Krishan Kumar Bedi and Shruti Choudhry, Arti Singh Rao, Rajesh Nagar, and Gaurav Gautam, and BJP leaders were present on the occasion. The chief minister said Sharma is a senior party leader who has been working at the grassroots level to strengthen the party for a long time. Saini elaborated upon Sharma’s political journey and thanked the party high command and senior leaders for picking her as the party candidate. He expressed confidence that Sharma would effectively represent Haryana in the Rajya Sabha, benefitting the state significantly. The CM said that the double-engine govt in Haryana and the Centre is running numerous schemes for women, including self-help groups, “Drone Didi,” “Lakhpati Didi,” and programmes for women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the Prime Minister's “Nari Shakti Vandan Bill,” which provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, will empower women and allow them to play a crucial role in the country’s development. Meanwhile, Sharma while interacting with mediapersons expressed gratitude towards party high command and Saini. She reiterated that having worked in Haryana for decades and then serving at national platform, she would effectively take up the issue of development in the upper house and would always be available. A resident of Panchkula, Sharma is seen as a close confidant of PM Narendra Modi and is among the few like Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar who have worked with Modi during his stint as in-charge for Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in 1990s. We also published the following articles recently BJP nominates former NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma for Rajya Sabha from Haryana Rekha Sharma, former NCW Chairperson, has been nominated by the BJP for Haryana's Rajya Sabha seat. The election is scheduled for December 20, and Sharma is expected to win due to BJP's majority. The seat was vacated by Krishan Lal Panwar, who resigned to contest the assembly elections. Sharma's Rajya Sabha term will last approximately four years. Modi government to purchase all farm produce at MSP, assures agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reassured Parliament that the Modi government is fully committed to procuring all farm produce at minimum support prices (MSP). He emphasized the government's policy of calculating MSP with a 50% profit margin over production costs, contrasting it with previous administrations. Five Rajya Sabha MPs in contention for UP BJP chiefs post The BJP is searching for a new Uttar Pradesh state president to lead the party into the 2027 assembly elections. Five Rajya Sabha MPs have emerged as potential candidates: B.L. Verma, Babu Ram Nishad, Amar Pal Maurya, Dinesh Sharma, and Laxmikant Bajpai. The party is considering caste representation and experience, with some speculation that an OBC leader may be favored. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
New Caledonia’s Union Calédonienne, one of the main and oldest components of the pro-independence movement, has elected Emmanuel Tjibaou as its new president at the weekend. The election was one of the main items of the agenda of UC’s Congress, which was held in the small village of Mia (near Canala, East Coast of the main island of Grande Terre). Tjibaou, 48, was the only candidate for the position. Tjibaou’s election on Sunday comes as UC’s former leader, Daniel Goa, 71, announced last week he did not intend to seek another mandate, partly for health reasons, after leading the party for the past 12 years. Goa told his pro-independence supporters this was a “heavy burden” his successor will now have to carry. He also said there was a need to work on political awareness and training for the younger generations. He said the youths’ heavy involvement in the recent riots, not necessarily within the UC’s political framework, was partly caused by “all these years during which we did not train (UC) political commissioners” on the ground. “This has been completely neglected,”” he told local media at the weekend, saying this was his mea culpa. After the riots started, there was a perception that calls coming from all political parties, including UC, were no longer heeded and that, somehow, the whole insurrection had gotten out of control. “Now we need to open (UC) to the youth. Now we got the message they have sent us”, he said. Tjibaou was also elected earlier this year as one of New Caledonia’s two representatives within the French National Assembly (Lower House). Tjibaou’s rise to the helm of UC comes as New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement is deeply divided. Last week, two of the main components of the 40-year-old FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), the more moderate UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party), reiterated they wished to distance themselves from the Front. They said they did not recognise themselves anymore in the way the UC has been operating since last year and more recently since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, causing extensive damage and 13 dead. UPM and PALIKA did not take part in the most recent FLNKS Congress, late August 2024, which, among other resolutions, appointed Christian Téin as its new President. Téin is the leader of a UC-created CCAT (Field Action Coordinating Cell) which, since October 2023, has been tasked to organise protests, marches and demonstrations. Initially organised peacefully, they later degenerated into the riots and destruction that broke out in May 2024. Téin is currently jailed in Mulhouse (North-east of France) following his arrest in June and pending his trial. Emmanuel Tjibaou is perceived as a man of dialogue and moderation and his election at the head of UC could also signal a gradual softening of the party’s hard-line stance, which could contribute to a more united approach from New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement. The development comes as New Caledonia, post-riot, faces a whole array of challenges. These include the French territory’s reconstruction and the necessary multi-billion Euro assistance from France, but also crucial political talks that are likely to start in December between all political parties and the French government in order to map out the political future. The talks (between pro-independence, anti-independence parties and the French State) are scheduled in such a way that all parties manage to reach a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement no later than March 2025. Over the past few days, earlier this month, from Paris to Nouméa, several references have been made with regards to what shape New Caledonia’s future status could take. Such wordings as “shared sovereignty”, “independence in partnership”, “independence-association” and, more recently, from the also divided pro-France camp, an “internal federalism” (Le Rassemblement-LR party) or a “territorial federation” (Les Loyalistes). After this, heavy campaigning will follow to prepare for crucial provincial elections to be held no later than November 2024. Tjibaou is the son of charismatic pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, who signed the Matignon-Oudinot agreements with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur and the French government in 1988, to end half a decade of a quasi-civil war. One year later, in 1989, he was shot dead by a hard-line pro-independence militant.... PACNEWS/RNZ PACIFICNew Delhi: Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor received a rude jolt in the debut election for his Jan Suraaj Party, which ended up in the third and fourth positions in four assembly bypolls in Bihar. Having covered a distance of 3,500 kilometres across Bihar districts since 2022 to interact with people on the ground in what was called the Jan Surahj Padyatra, Kishor formally launched his party only last month. On Saturday, as the results poured in, Kishor put up a brave front. His one-month-old party, Kishor asserted, secured 10 percent votes, though the overall performance was not up to expectations. Speaking on the party’s future, he said the Mahayuti bounced back in the Maharashtra assembly election within six months of the Lok Sabha polls, and he has a whole year to prepare for the next assembly election in Bihar. In three of the four assembly seats in Bihar—Belaganj, Imamganj and Tarari—JSP candidates secured the third position. On the fourth seat, Ramgarh, the party came fourth. Promising to give the Bihar electorate clean politics, with leaders of proven efficiency and clean records, Kishor floated the Jan Suraaj Party on October 2—Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Supposed to be a bi-polar contest between the NDA and the INDIA bloc, the bypolls became a triangular contest when the Jan Suraaj Party fielded candidates in all four seats. Instead of nominating himself as the party president, Kishor appointed a former IFS officer, Manoj Bharti, to the position. During the bypoll campaign, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressed four meetings and Lalu Prasad one. Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor addressed 125 meetings, covering four constituencies. In his addresses, he told voters that Lalu and Nitish ruled Bihar for over three decades, and their time was up. “I am giving you an alternative (in the form of JSP) to all those tired of the Lalu and Nitish rule over the last 34 years,” he kept mentioning. He urged the voters to help the new crop of leaders grow. On the other hand, the Jan Suraaj Party faced criticism when three of the four candidates for the bypolls, it turned out, had pending criminal cases against them. The party’s choice of candidates went against Kishor’s promise to give tickets to candidates with a “clean image”. Their defeat in the bypolls now is a jolt for the party. Just after the results became clear, Prashant Kishor addressed a press conference, accepting defeat but adding that he will bounce back. He said, ”We will contest all 243 seats in 2025 assembly seats, with more preparation. It was just a start; we will bounce back after reviewing these results.” Speaking to ThePrint, political analyst Dr Tanvir Aeijaz, vice-chairman of Centre for Multilevel Federalism, New Delhi, said, ”Prashant Kishor is trying to give political alternatives in Bihar, but his ideology is very unclear. Bihar is a politically savvy state where the public knows whom to vote for. There is no clarity on his stand on reservation and privatisation. He only targets mainstream parties, but what alternative will he give? No clarity. So, why would the public be attracted to vote?” Jan Suraaj Party fielded Mohammad Amjad in the Belaganj assembly constituency. With 17,285 votes, he came third. Janata Dal (United) candidate Manorama Devi won the seat with 73,334 votes. In the Imamganj assembly constituency, JSP candidate Jitendra Paswan also stood third, with 37,103 votes. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)’s Deepa Manjhi, the daughter-in-law of Union Minister Jitendra Ram Manjhi, clinched the seat by winning 53,435 votes. In the Tarari assembly constituency, Jan Suraaj Party candidate Kiran Singh also could secure only the third position by winning 5,592 votes. With 78,564 votes, BJP candidate Vishal Prashant, son of former MLA and ‘Arrah strongman’ Sunil Pandey, emerged as the winner. In the Ramgarh assembly constituency, JSP candidate Sushil Kumar Singh could manage only 6,513 votes, finishing fourth. BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Singh secured the seat by winning 62,257 votes. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Shocked Congress cries ‘targeted manipulation’ after Maharashtra debacle, says BJP ‘misused machinery’ Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump's hush money case while upholding convictionAmerica loves a parade. America also loves to learn from Oprah, to rock with Ryan Seacrest on New Year’s Eve and to belt out the hits with Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. The list of the year’s top 25 most-watched entertainment specials is topped by NBC’s Turkey Day telecast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which hauled in 23.4 million viewers in Nielsen’s Live-plus-7 measure covering live viewing plus seven days of delayed viewing. Two Oprah Winfrey-hosted specials made the list, one for ABC (coming in at No. 19) and one for CBS (No. 24). The Rose Parade, the annual New Year’s Day trek of floral floats through Pasadena, nabbed two slots on the list (No. 14 and No. 17). NBC’s national coverage grabbed 5.4 million viewers while ABC’s coverage of the parade leading in to the college football game at the Rose Bowl garnered 5.1 million. A number of music-themed specials made the cut, led by ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” (No. 4). The prime 90-minute portion of the five-hour telecast brought in 18 million viewers from 11:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 through 1 a.m. ET on Jan. 1. Billy Joel’s milestone 100th consecutive performance in his Madison Square Garden residency (No. 10) pulled in 6.5 million fans for CBS in April. A starry tribute to the late country artist Toby Keith (No. 20) drew 4.6 million viewers for NBC in August. Kudocasts, of course, dominate the top 10. The “Barbenheimer” effect helped ABC’s Academy Awards telecast rebound well after several down years to rank No. 2 with 20.2 million viewers. The Grammy Awards (No. 3) and the Golden Globe Awards (No. 6) easily outpaced the two Emmy Awards telecasts (No. 7 and No. 18) of the year. The American Music Awards (No. 12) had a solid showing with its 50th anniversary special on ABC. The rankings below cover non-sports broadcast TV specials that aired in 2024. Honorable mentions are warranted this year for two streamers who put up ambitious live efforts: Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady,” which aired live May 5 and generated quite a bit of pop culture buzz; and Peacock’s first-ever live special, “Colin Jost & Michael Che Present: New York After Dark,” which ran Sept. 12. THE 25 MOST-WATCHED ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALS OF 2024 (Pictured top: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”)
S&P/TSX composite up on shorter Christmas Eve session, U.S. markets also riseStock up on these popular board games for your next get-togetherI was buying motorcycle parts well before eBay was a thing. Back in the day, we had to either visit our local motorcycle shop, find someone with a suitable parts bike, or peruse mail order catalogs to find the parts we needed. Today, eBay carries parts, accessories, and supplies for all major motorcycle brands as well as some obscure brands. Since anyone can sell motorcycle parts on eBay, it's possible to find parts in brand-new condition shipped directly from the manufacturer or the third-party seller's private stock. Other options include "Used" or "Remanufactured" condition. If you're looking to save some money, it could be worth buying pre-owned items on eBay , especially if they're advertised as like-new or refurbished. eBay has an extensive library of listings, encompassing nearly anything you'd need for a motorcycle. You'll find maintenance items such as filters, spark plugs, and supplies to properly clean and lubricate your motorcycle chain . You can even buy a used engine on eBay , although there are a few things you should know before buying motorcycle parts from the popular auction site. Whether you prefer shopping on eBay's website or on a mobile app, you can choose to do so through the main site, or eBay Motors. However, using the eBay Motors app on your smartphone is the quickest, most convenient way to search for the motorcycle parts you need unless you have a laptop in your garage. Whichever route you take, you'll be prompted to create or sign in to an eBay account when you arrive at the site or launch the app. The next step you should take is adding a vehicle to your eBay garage. If you have multiple motorcycles or other vehicles, adding all of them to your eBay garage makes it easy to choose among them. The best part is that eBay will remember all the details of your garage, so it's quicker to find what you need when you come back to look for another part. However, it's important to provide accurate details if you want to avoid the frustration and wasted time of returning the wrong parts. When adding motorcycles or other vehicles to your eBay garage, you'll need to know the exact year, make, model, and sub-model of everything you're adding. While a lot of motorcycle parts are interchangeable across different models, and I hate standing at a parts counter and having some keyboard jockey ask if my truck has air conditioning when I'm buying brake pads as much as anyone, putting all of the vehicle information into eBay one time will save you time later on, I promise. Once your motorcycle is added to your garage, selecting it leads to a prompt to search for parts that fit it. For example, I have a 2023 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS in my eBay garage, and searching for brake pads returned 60 results. I can filter those results to show U.S. or worldwide suppliers, Condition (fortunately all the brake pads are listed as New), Authorized Sellers, and/or those sellers offering free returns. I can also sort the results in several ways, although sorting by ascending or descending price makes the most sense. On the product listing page, you'll notice some items with a blue tab with a star to the side identifying them as "Top Rated Plus." Top rated plus items come from top-rated sellers offering a money-back return policy that's good for at least 30 days and trackable shipping (handed over to a shipper) within one business day. Once you've selected an item to view, take note of the sellers' rating, shown as a percentage of positive feedback they've received, while the number in parentheses is the volume of feedback overall. This is also a good time to check the sellers' return policy, as it can vary widely. Some may not take returns at all, others have short return windows, and the best allow at least 30 days. Return shipping costs swing from the buyer being 100% responsible to the seller covering all costs. In addition to the sellers' return policy, eBay protects buyers with the eBay Money Back Guarantee . When a buyer requests a return, the seller has three days to respond. After that, and within 30 days of receipt of the product or estimated delivery date for items that don't arrive, eBay will work to get your refund.
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a friend or loved one? A hair straightener could be just the ticket - practical, thoughtful and sure to bring sleek, shiny joy to their daily routine. But let's be honest, choosing the right straightener isn't as straightforward as it seems. Hair isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither are the tools designed to tame it. What works wonders for thick, unruly hair might not do the trick for fine or fragile strands. That's why it's crucial to know their hair type before you choose their ideal styling companion. To save you from endless Googling (and the risk of buying something that ends up gathering dust in a drawer), we've rounded up the best hair straighteners for every hair type. Whether your giftee has luscious thick locks, bouncy curls or struggles with frizz, there's a straightener here that's just right for them. If your friend’s hair is so thick it feels like they’re styling it for hours, the Cloud Nine Wide Iron is the answer to their prayers. With extra-wide ceramic plates, this straightener gets through larger sections of hair in one go, making it a total time-saver. Plus, the mineral-infused plates leave hair looking silky and smooth rather than frazzled. Another win? The adjustable heat settings. Whether they prefer a lower temp to protect their hair or a hotter setting to power through tough sections, it’s got them covered. It’s the ultimate tool for anyone with a thick mane to tame. Curly or coily-haired friends/family will love you forever if you gift them the Dyson Corrale . This straightener is as high-tech as it gets. Its flexible copper plates hug every strand (yes, even those stubborn baby hairs), distributing heat evenly and requiring fewer passes to achieve sleek results. The cordless feature is a game-changer, too—it’s so much easier to tackle curls without being tied to a power socket. And because it doesn’t rely on extreme heat, it’s much gentler on textured hair, leaving it soft and smooth. The Platinum+ Styler is just what you need if your hair is fine because it styles in one pass, reducing damage. This smart little device uses predictive technology to adjust its temperature based on the hair’s thickness and speed of styling. Fancy. It stays at a steady 185°C, which is the sweet spot for effective styling without causing damage. Whether they’re going for a sleek, straight look or loose waves, this straightener makes it happen while keeping their hair healthy and shiny. Plus, its chic design is just chef’s kiss. For those battling with frizzy hair, especially during winter, the Revamp Progloss Steamcare Hair Straightener is a game-changer. Currently priced at £59.99 (down from £119.99), this straightener combines ceramic plates with a steam function to lock in moisture and smooth out hair. Plus, the plates are infused with keratin, argan, and coconut oils for that shiny, salon-fresh finish. It's perfect for anyone whose hair has a mind of its own. On the other hand, if you know someone whose hair breaks easily due to heat styling, the Shark FlexFusion Straight 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer & Ceramic Straightener, priced at £369.99, is the ultimate saviour. This versatile tool is part dryer, part straightener, and all about protecting fragile strands. It uses air-styling to smooth and straighten hair, causing less stress and damage. Not just for straightening, it can also curl, wave, and dry. It's the ideal gift for those who love experimenting with styles but don't want to risk further breakage.MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.