Trump’s bizarre plot to expand US by seizing Panama Canal, buying Greenland & making Canada 51st stateLOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ signing of Blake Snell became official Saturday, adding the two-time Cy Young Award winner to front a starting rotation stocked with question marks. Snell, who will turn 32 next week, agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract that includes a $52 million signing bonus and $65 million in deferred salary. That deal was pending a physical which Snell passed. The 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner with the Tampa Bay Rays, Snell won the National League Cy Young in 2023 after going 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA for the San Diego Padres. He became a free agent last winter but stayed on the market well into March looking for a long-term deal that never materialized despite his Cy Young history. The Dodgers were involved with Snell at one point before he signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an opt-out clause. He exercised that opt-out after going 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in an injury-interrupted season with the Giants. He had 145 strikeouts and just 44 walks in 104 innings. But he made just 20 starts due to two trips to the injured list with a groin injury (likely related to his late signing affecting his preparation for the season). The 20 starts were his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2016 (19 starts). Snell goes to the front of a rotation that includes a number of players returning from injury and/or surgery. Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to pitching after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023. But his return to the mound will be delayed by surgery on his non-throwing shoulder following the World Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished the 2024 season healthy but missed three months with a rotator cuff strain. Neither he nor Ohtani will be asked to pitch on less than five days of rest and the Dodgers are planning to go with a six-man rotation in 2025. Related Articles Tyler Glasnow’s 2024 season ended early with an elbow injury and his status for 2025 is uncertain. Tony Gonsolin will be returning from Tommy John surgery. Dustin May did not pitch in 2024 while recovering from his own elbow surgery and a torn esophagus. Emmet Sheehan is expected back at some point in 2025 after his Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw is expected to re-sign at some point. But he underwent foot and knee surgeries in November and is not likely to be available for a full season. Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty are free agents. The Dodgers will start the 2025 season early again with another trip to Asia. They are scheduled to open the regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
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LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ signing of Blake Snell became official Saturday, adding the two-time Cy Young Award winner to front a starting rotation stocked with question marks. Snell, who will turn 32 next week, agreed to a five-year, $182 million contract that includes a $52 million signing bonus and $65 million in deferred salary. That deal was pending a physical which Snell passed. The 2018 American League Cy Young Award winner with the Tampa Bay Rays, Snell won the National League Cy Young in 2023 after going 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA for the San Diego Padres. He became a free agent last winter but stayed on the market well into March looking for a long-term deal that never materialized despite his Cy Young history. The Dodgers were involved with Snell at one point before he signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an opt-out clause. He exercised that opt-out after going 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in an injury-interrupted season with the Giants. He had 145 strikeouts and just 44 walks in 104 innings. But he made just 20 starts due to two trips to the injured list with a groin injury (likely related to his late signing affecting his preparation for the season). The 20 starts were his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2016 (19 starts). Snell goes to the front of a rotation that includes a number of players returning from injury and/or surgery. Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to pitching after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023. But his return to the mound will be delayed by surgery on his non-throwing shoulder following the World Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished the 2024 season healthy but missed three months with a rotator cuff strain. Neither he nor Ohtani will be asked to pitch on less than five days of rest and the Dodgers are planning to go with a six-man rotation in 2025. Related Articles Tyler Glasnow’s 2024 season ended early with an elbow injury and his status for 2025 is uncertain. Tony Gonsolin will be returning from Tommy John surgery. Dustin May did not pitch in 2024 while recovering from his own elbow surgery and a torn esophagus. Emmet Sheehan is expected back at some point in 2025 after his Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw is expected to re-sign at some point. But he underwent foot and knee surgeries in November and is not likely to be available for a full season. Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty are free agents. The Dodgers will start the 2025 season early again with another trip to Asia. They are scheduled to open the regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo.5 ways astronauts overcome hygiene challenges in space
Boys basketball photos: Pitman at Eastern, Monday, Dec. 23What is the technical outlook for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)? Can I buy now? Maneel ONGC (₹257): The stock has come down sharply from the high of ₹344.60 made in August this year. Support in the ₹250-₹240 region is holding well. However, resistances are at ₹270 and ₹290, which has to be broken to become bullish and clear the way for a rise to ₹430-₹450. On the charts, ONGC is still vulnerable to break ₹240 and fall to ₹220 and ₹210. The region between ₹220 and ₹210 will be a good level to enter the stock. So, if you intend to buy the stock wait for a fall and enter at ₹225 and ₹215. Keep a stop-loss at ₹175. Trail the stop-loss up to ₹240 as soon as the stock goes up to ₹290. Move the stop-loss up to ₹320 when the price touches ₹360. Exit at ₹430. I have shares of Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) bought at ₹79. What is the outlook? Kumar G IEX (₹176): The long-term outlook is very bullish for IEX. There is a huge rounding bottom formation on the chart. Strong support is in the ₹155-₹145 region which can halt the current fall. Resistance is around ₹245. We expect IEX to breach this resistance in the coming months. That break will have the potential to take IEX share price up to ₹370 over the long-term. However, this rally may take a long time, say at least two years. You will now have to protect your profit. Keep a stop-loss at ₹132 and hold the stock. You can even consider buying more at current levels. Move the stop-loss up to ₹220 when the price goes up to ₹270. Revise the stop-loss further up to ₹310 when the price touches ₹340. Exit the stock at ₹360. I have shares of MMTC purchased at ₹102. Should I continue to hold or exit? Reshma, Nagpur MMTC (₹78.60): The stock has declined sharply after spiking to ₹131.88 in July this year. The downside is still open to see ₹63 – an important support. To avoid this fall, the stock has to sustain above ₹72 and rise past ₹90. If that happens, a rise to ₹150 can be seen. Else the stock can fall to ₹63 and then rise back. If you cannot hold the stock for more time, then exit and accept the loss. On the other hand, if you can withstand more loss and accumulate on dips, then wait. Buy more at ₹65. Keep the stop-loss at ₹57. Move the stop-loss up to ₹78 as soon as the stock goes up to ₹93. Revise the stop-loss further up to ₹105 when the price touches ₹120. Exit the stock at ₹150. I bought Swan Energy at ₹262. Should I book profits now or continue to hold? Swadesh Majumdar Swan Energy (₹611): The stock has been very volatile since the beginning of this year. Support is in the ₹475-₹455 region. Below that ₹400 is the next strong support. In the short-term there are good chances to see a rise to ₹750. A break above ₹750 will be bullish to see a fresh rise to ₹1,100 over the long-term. But a reversal from ₹750 can drag the stock to ₹500 again. You can consider exiting 30 per cent of your holdings now. Keep a stop-loss at ₹420 for the rest of the holding. Move the stop-loss up to ₹680 when the price goes up to ₹730. Exit another 20 per cent at ₹750 and move the stop-loss up to ₹730 for the balance holdings. If the stock breaks above ₹750, hold the stock for ₹1,100. Send your questions to techtrail@thehindu.co.in Comments
Authors in Iceland aren’t pleased with the manner Storytel is treating them with, the website reported. They claim it to be too low to be to their liking. This has prompted the board of the Writers’ Union of Iceland (Rithöfundasamband Íslands) to advise authors not to submit their works to Storytel. This comes on the back of a survey conducted recently that revealed some startling figures. What has come to the fore is that Storytel contributes to 0 – 5 percent of the total wages of 84 percent of the authors. No wonder, a whopping 88 percent of those who participated in the survey said they aren’t satisfied with what they receive from Storytel. It is just a minuscule 3 percent of the authors who said they received more than 20 percent of their wages from the streaming service. The survey was conducted in the summer of 2024 and was aimed at finding out how much authors were earning from Storytel or how satisfied they were with the company. For this, it was two surveys that were prepared and sent out to the authors. The survey however threw up something that can be considered quite startling. A whopping 96 percent said they favor the publishing of more physical books over production of audiobooks. This is something that defies the global trend where audiobooks are seen gaining a consistently higher popularity compared to content in other formats. With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lopsided, shutout loss has left the beat-up New Orleans Saints limping into the final two games of a lost season — and into a rather cloudy future beyond that. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi figured that a visit to playoff-bound Green Bay would be a tall order for his injury-riddled squad, whose prominent missing players included starters at quarterback, running back and receiver. And when New Orleans' mostly healthy defensive front struggled against a Packers ground game led by running back Josh Jacobs, the rout was on. Nothing "stuck out on film other than a lack of execution and lack of playmaking,” Rizzi said Tuesday after reviewing video of Monday night's 34-0 loss at Green Bay . “We played against a playoff team, at their place, that has very few holes on their team,” Rizzi added. “It was a little bit of a perfect storm." Rizzi, a special teams coordinator who has made no secret that he sees his eight-game interim stint as an opportunity to further his head-coaching ambitions, has two more games left in what has been an up-and-down audition. The Saints are 3-3 on his watch, which includes one of New Orleans' most lopsided losses since the turn of the century. With the playoffs unattainable, and with a lot of reserves pressed into service, the final two weeks will serve primarily as a player-evaluation period heading into the offseason, when there are bound to be myriad changes on the roster and perhaps the coaching staff. Rizzi said the Saints, realistically, have been in evaluation mode “for the last month or so,” but added that there maybe be additional young or practice-squad players getting longer looks in the final two games. “My big thing this week is to see how we can respond,” Rizzi said. “We’re going to find out a lot about a lot of people.” What’s working Of the Saints' four punts, three were inside the Green Bay 20 and New Orleans did not allow a single punt return yard. The punt team might have been the only unit that executed its job (even the kickoff unit allowed a 38-yard return). What needs help The Saints had trouble protecting the quarterback (three sacks) and protecting the football (two turnovers). They couldn't run the ball (67 yards). They couldn't stop the run (188 yards allowed). They couldn't pass the ball consistently (129 yards) or stop the pass when they needed to. As former Saints coach Jim Mora once said, they couldn't do “ diddly poo .” Although rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler largely struggled and was responsible for both New Orleans turnovers, he had enough highlights — including a jumping, first-down pass on third-and-long — to keep him penciled in as the starter if the injured Derek Carr remains unable to play, Rizzi said. “It was definitely a performance where we got to take the good with the bad,” Rizzi said. “We've got to get rid of those negative plays.” Stock up New Orleans native Foster Moreau has emerged as one of the Saints' most reliable offensive players. The sixth-year NFL tight end made two catches for a team-high 33 yards on Monday night, giving him 25 catches for 335 yards this season. His four TDs receiving entering the game remain tied for the team lead. Stock down Rizzi was riding high after two wins to start his interim term as head coach, but Monday night's ugly loss is the club's third in four games and took a lot of luster off his candidacy for a longer-term appointment. Injury report Center Erik McCoy left the game with an elbow injury, while guard Lucas Patrick hurt his knee in the closing minutes. Rizzi said McCoy won't need surgery but could miss the rest of the season. The coach said Patrick needs more tests but is not expected to play again this season. While the chances of Carr (non-throwing, left hand) or top running back Alvin Kamara (groin) playing again this season appear slim, the Saints have declined to rule that out. Rizzi said Carr is getting closer to being able to play and wants the opportunity to go against his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Rizzi said Kamara “is working his tail off to try to come back” this season. “Alvin told me this morning, in my office, that he really would like to play again,” Rizzi said. Key number 24 — The number of years since the Saints suffered a more lopsided shutout loss, 38-0 against San Francisco in 2002. Up next The Saints' home finale against lowly Las Vegas will be an anticlimactic affair bound to generate a level of fan interest similar to, if not less than, a preseason game. But the game will be important to the current regime, which needs victories in each of the club's final two games to avoid the franchise's worst record since it was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and went 3-13. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBy MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Wisconsin 58, VCU 45
OAKLAND — The race to be Oakland’s next mayor may have officially kicked off Monday, but the starting line is eerily quiet — and may continue to be until Rep. Barbara Lee makes up her mind about whether to run. Lee, the longtime East Bay congresswoman and stalwart of progressive politics, said late last week in a social media post that she will announce her decision in early January, noting the decision was “not one I take lightly.” In the meantime, Lee has held numerous private meetings with city officials about the issues affecting Oakland, from the ongoing budget crisis to homelessness to policing, two sources with direct knowledge of those conversations told this news organization. The policy “deep dive,” as a source not authorized to speak publicly put it, might offer reassurance to skeptics who worry that the retiring legislator, who has represented Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and San Leandro in Congress since 1998, would struggle to adapt to running a city full-time. But the larger consequence of Lee’s decision-making timeline is that the run-up to the April 15 special election to replace Mayor Sheng Thao has largely stalled. Most candidates are holding off until Lee makes a move. Hours after the formal start on Monday of the candidate filing period, which lasts until Jan. 17, only two people had scheduled appointments to pull papers for the office — Peter Liu and Mindy Ruth Pechenuk , a pair of fringe prospects who are unlikely to make a dent in the race. Loren Taylor, the runner-up in the 2022 mayoral election, said Monday he plans to pull papers in the coming days, noting in an interview that his desire to help Oakland grow as a city won’t be affected by whom he’s running against. But others, such as former Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente and lobbyist Isaac Kos-Read, have said they’re holding off. “To be candid, I’m getting a little restless — but out of respect I have to wait,” De La Fuente said Monday in an interview. “Hopefully, she’ll make a decision soon.” An open letter published last week by numerous Oakland leaders urging Lee to run included sign-offs from City Council members Nikki Fortunato Bas, Treva Reid and Dan Kalb, as well as prospective candidate Kos-Read. The letter included signatures from both labor leaders and local political figures who otherwise have often clashed on issues like crime and public spending. “We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve,” the letter read. “That person is Barbara Lee.” There are other examples of weighty political races symbolically put on hold amid “will they, won’t they” tension involving potential candidates, including late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s indecision to run for California governor in 1998. But the upcoming special election in Oakland is unique in how strongly some local leaders seem to be thinking past the election entirely in their overtures to Lee, said political expert Dan Schnur. “These communities and business and labor leaders aren’t begging her to run because they think she’s the only one who can win,” Schnur said. “They think she’s the only one who can govern.” The clearest sign of how many in the city view Lee — who has often weighed in on local affairs to oppose Thao’s recall or support striking teachers or chastise the departing A’s — might be a billboard that popped up in recent weeks along Interstate 880 in East Oakland. “Thank You, Barbara Lee,” it reads, “for bringing over half a billion dollars of federal funds into Oakland in 2024!” The billboard, hoisted near the highway’s High Street exit, also links to a website, thankyoubarbaralee.com, which lists some of Lee’s accomplishments and includes a sign-up form “to add your name to our letter of gratitude!” Both the physical and digital ads were created by the East Oakland Youth Development Center. Selena Wilson, the nonprofit’s CEO, said the gesture had nothing to do with the upcoming special election and was solely intended to honor the congresswoman for her longtime support of the center. Nationally, Lee is perhaps best known for being the only member of Congress to oppose the use of military force following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Her entry into the race would bring a layer of gravitas to the top political office in Oakland, a city whose reputation took a hit after crime rose and the economy declined during the pandemic. But it may also bring back memories of the mayoral tenure of the late Rep. Ron Delllums, whose decorated legacy was hurt by the perception that he was an absentee leader during the Great Recession, or former Gov. Jerry Brown, whose time as mayor coincided with the infamous Riders police brutality scandal. Taylor, meanwhile, is steadfast about wanting to lead, an ambition that has not diminished in the two years since his loss to Thao by fewer than 700 ranked-choice votes. “I think the fact that the others are playing a game of political calculus,” he said, “is indicative of where their leadership commitment is and how confident they are in what they’re bringing to the table.”1. The friend who always wants tea — and by tea, we mean Nami Matcha . Nami Matcha specializes in single-origin matcha sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, offering a flavor journey that starts with steamed and buttered greens, transitions to a nutty richness and finishes with a delicate floral note. Unlike typical matcha, it leaves behind an invigorating sweetness rather than bitterness, and for a lower-caffeine option, Nami also offers the toasty and satisfying Nami Hojicha . Promising review: "This is the best matcha I've ever tasted. It's a super vibrant green that doesn't taste bitter. Spent so long finding the perfect high-quality matcha, and this is it! 🍵✨" — Emily Get it from Nami Matcha for $34 . 2. For the friend who loves functional fashion, a Hauter Water hydration backpack . Hauter Water creates cute hydration backpacks for festivals, hikes, and more! The Hauter Water Bag seamlessly blends style with practicality, allowing you to wear it on all your adventures while matching your aesthetic. It’s also got a lot of hidden pockets to keep your belongings safe and sound! Promising review: “I love the color and the space for all of my essentials, especially as a rave mom. Although the bag may seem small, there are a lot of pockets and extra space for a phone charger, makeup bag, fan, jacket, etc. This provides the ability to use it not just for raving but hiking or camping with friends.” — Annie Get it from Hauter Water for $88 . 3. For the friend who collects hobbies like it's their job, a Woobles beginner crochet kit . The Woobles is dedicated to providing beginners with the simplest way to learn crochet, but it encompasses more than just the craft itself. It's about empowering individuals to embrace continuous learning, transforming their self-perception and belief in their ability to grow, and fostering the confidence to tackle any challenges that arise. Promising review: " I’m usually impatient and hard on myself, but this is by far the best kit ever to get started on crocheting. I have always been intimidated by the activity but Woobles really made it so much more approachable. Also love the cuteness! Definitely worth the price." — Mel O Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in seven styles). 4. For the friend who always needs that boost of energy but doesn't want to drink coffee, a pack of Neuro gum . Neuro combines sustainably sourced natural caffeine, L-theanine, and vitamins B6 and B12, all scientifically proven to improve focus and enhance attention. A clinical study by BrainCo found that individuals achieved faster and sharper focus when using Neuro compared to not using it. Please note, that according to the Mayo Clinic , “up to 400 milligrams of caffeine appears to be safe for most healthy adults,” but you should talk to your doctor about what’s right for you. Promising review: "I love this product. I travel a ton, and 80% of my time is spent outside the US, so I need something that gives me energy, that's consistent, clean, that I trust, and these guys have it going on." — Apolo O . Get 54 pieces from Neuro for $22.49 . 5. For the exercise enthusiast, aka gym rat, friend, a pack of FitBites boba milk tea protein powder . FitBites creates bubble tea-flavored whey protein powder that stirs nostalgia within the Asian community. The brand has a variety of flavors, including milk tea, taro, durian, black sesame, honeydew melon, and more. Promising review: "I’ve been trying to find more flavorful ways to get my daily protein intake. I’ve found myself struggling to drink it sometimes, but then I came across this. I read the reviews and bought it based on that. I was very pleasantly surprised. The flavor is really good! I love milk tea and this is a really good milk tea flavor. The instructions say to mix it with milk; I didn’t like the thickness of it with all the milk, so I’ve added 1/2 homemade sugar-free iced tea and 1/2 milk. That’s the perfect flavor! I would recommend this and I’ll be buying it again. Oh, it mixes really well, too. Some protein powders don’t mix well and have a gritty consistency. Not this one. I use a handheld shake mixer, and it works great." — K.P Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in seven flavors). 6. For the friend who is focused on sustainability, a set of Keiko Furoshiki Silk Wraps Keiko Furoshiki designs versatile, reusable fabric wraps that blend Japanese tradition with modern functionality as a sustainable alternative to disposable paper gift wrapping. For centuries, Furoshiki has been used to carry meals, accessorize fashion, and wrap gifts, and the brand aims to reintroduce this timeless practice into today’s eco-conscious world. Promising review: "Absolutely adorable! I ordered my Furoshiki to wrap a special birthday gift , and now I don’t want to give it up. I will be ordering more! I’ve styled it in my hair, as an accessory on my purse, and on my cute puppy. Thank you for the beautiful craftsmanship and love put into each one!" — Nicole G. Get it from Keiko Furoshiki for $20 (available in 16 styles). 7. For the friend whose phone is always at 20%, a Casetify 2-in-1 charging stand . Casetify crafts device cases that are as protective as they are stylish. With a wide range of designs to reflect your personality and handy accessories to simplify your daily life, Casetify seamlessly combines function and flair. Beyond the brand's sleek aesthetics, their charging stands come in a variety of designs, such as pastel gradient squiggles , Donald Duck , Barbie , and more! Get it from Casetify for $92 . 8. For the friend who wants to have a little bubble tea with them at all times, a Boutique De Mai boba car diffuser . Boutique De Mai is a California-based, Chinese-owned business crafting unique and beautiful handmade items such as earrings, keychains, stickers, enamel pins, and more. Get it from Boutique De Mai on Etsy for $6.50 (available in five scents). 9. For the friend who is always decked out in jewelry, an En Route Jewelry silver bow necklace set . En Route Jewelry is a New York-based jewelry brand that is dedicated to crafting thoughtful pieces without compromising quality or cost. The shop creates jewelry to fit many different aesthetics, including minimalist , Y2K , and more! In addition to jewelry, En Route also creates hair accessories that would look great with your outfits. Promising review: "It's so hard to find jewelry that's both unique and classy, but this set nails it." — Tamara Get it from En Route Jewelry for $40.50 (originally $54). 10. For the friend who always complains about dry skin, a Hey Dewy humidifier . Cindy Kang, co-founder of Hey Dewy , was tired of big, ugly humidifers and was searching for something small, light, and portable that could go with her anywhere. Hey Dewy offers five different colorways and a wired version of their iconic wireless humidifier. Promising review: "I collect humidifiers and nebulizers, which are essential elements for my daily survival. I suffer from an auto-immune disease that completely dries up my nasal passages (along with my mouth and eyes). Breathing is difficult on a daily basis. Long story short, this Hey Dewy humidifier is a SPECTACULAR find for me. The reasons? Once charged, the Hey Dewy humidifier can be taken anywhere, is long-lasting, emits a mist that is fine enough to humidify the upper nasal passages, needs only tap water, and can be handheld. Although somewhat pricey, it is worth the price. I bought two and will buy another one now." — Dieu N. Get it from Hey Dewy for $47.96 (originally $59.95; available in five colors). 11. For the constantly dehydrated friend, a Mizu Lab yogurt drink with strawberry electrolytes . Mizu Lab was born from founders Angelina and Soomi's realization of not drinking enough water daily and their desire for unique, Asian-inspired flavors. The brand combats dehydration, offers zero sugar, and is non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Reminiscent of Yakult, a Japanese sweetened probiotic milk beverage, it comes in various flavors including lychee and mangosteen, and yuzu and mango. Promising review: "I’ve honestly never been great about drinking enough water, but these flavors have completely changed that for me. They’re so delicious that I actually find myself looking forward to hydrating now. Big thanks to Mizu Lab!" — EP Get it from Mizu Lab for $24.99 . 12. For the friend who’s obsessed with cute-ass things, an Artket Good "Cute Ass" candle . Artket Goods is a Toronto-based lifestyle brand that creates cute and unique home goods items. They also offer uniquely shaped candles such as this Not A Sewing Kit Butter Cookies Candle , Bonsai Pillar Candle , Cute Shumai Candles , and more! Get it from Artket Goods for $29 (available in five scents). 13. For the skincare-obsessed friend, a pack of four House of M Beauty Saffron Glow Jelly Masks . House of M Beauty, a Vietnamese-owned skincare brand, offers luxurious, high-quality products infused with saffron. Founder Anne Oliver's research led to a curated range designed to nourish, protect, and brighten skin while uplifting mood. With a focus on saffron's potent properties, the brand aims to help customers achieve radiant skin. Get a four-pack from House of M Beauty for $35 . 14. For the culinary-inclined friend, a Brightland mini olive oil stocking stuffer . Brightland is the AAPI-owned, California-made cult-favorite pantry essentials brand known for offering the freshest, highest quality olive oils, honey, and vinegar that stand apart from their mass-produced counterparts with a focus on integrity and transparency. Founded by Aishwarya Iyer, the often-sold-out, 8-figure brand launched in 2018, and has since captured the hearts of home cooks and culinary aficionados alike. Promising review: "Every Brightland Oil has an amazing flavor and is packaged in pretty, colorful bottles that look great on the counter or in a serving display. I keep mine on the counter. I've sent the sets as gifts, and they arrived quickly in beautiful gift boxes and packaging. Everyone loves them. Yesterday I reached out to customer service with a question and received an email back within an hour with the answer. I love these oils and this company. They do it all right!" — Hope S. Get it from Brightland for $20 (available in four flavors). 15. For the DIY beauty pal, a set of Glamnetic's Venus Lashes . Glamnetic, the viral beauty sensation founded in 2019 by AAPI and female entrepreneur Ann McFerran, is known for its TikTok-famous press-on nails and first magnetic false lashes and eyeliner duo innovation. When Ann immigrated from Thailand to the US as a young child, she shared she could never imagine where her life is today. As a young Thai woman, she didn’t feel beautiful and wanted to create a brand that could help with her self-confidence. Ann’s vision for Glamnetic is rooted in the belief that beauty should enhance confidence effortlessly. She hopes through her entrepreneurialism she can inspire other young AAPI children to follow their dreams, take risks, and do the big thing! Promising review: "I only use Glamnetic Magnetic Lashes. This pair is very natural looking with a little pop! On Christmas, I got home and ended up losing one of them. My cat took it lol and I never found it, so I ordered these again!!! Probably top five favorite pairs!!!!" — Holly H. Get it from Glamnetic for $29.99 . 16. For the friend whose favorite animal is the sky bison, a Dream Cream Co's Appa-inspired hair claw . Dream Cream Co. is a California-based shop that specializes in creating cozy blankets, colorful stickers, whimsical enamel pins, ultra-soft micro-fiber glasses cloths, and much more. Founder Kristie Tai has infused her passion for creativity and warmth into her brand, and this hair claw design is also available on blankets, festival fans, tote bags, peeker stickers, and more! Get it from Dream Cream Co. for $14.40 . 17. For the friend whose diet subsists solely on noodles, an 18-pack of A-Sha x Hot Ones ramen soup. A-Sha is a Taiwanese-owned, Taiwan- and California-based noodle brand known for its 100-year-old legacy noodle recipe from Tainan. You may have seen their products at your local Costco, Target, H-Mart, Walmart, and other mainstream stores. With each dry noodle dish and tasty snack, A-Sha gives you the authentic taste of Taiwan in a convenient, easy-to-make form. Get an 18-pack from A-Sha for $46.49 . 18. For the friend who always smells nice, an Elorea four-piece Element Discovery Set . Elorea is a brand inspired by and honoring Korea's rich but lesser-known history of scent and culture. The brand offers eau de parfum, candles, and hand care collections that capture, preserve, and share the stories of the founders' heritage in modernized interpretations. For the utmost care and quality, Elorea uses celebrated regional ingredients native to Korea in small-batch productions. Promising review: "I’m like the model in the commercial; I can’t stop sniffing 'heaven scent!' I’m so happy with this scent, especially! I’ve never smelled anything like it before. It is very unique. I love all the scents in the discovery kit but really fell in love with 'heaven.' It is so soft and fresh, not strong at all. I plan on buying the bigger bottle and drenching myself in it. It’s so pure!! Thank you, Elorea. 🙏" — Sherry Get a four-piece set from Elorea for $35 . 19. For the friend who always loves their nails done, a Gellae Nails DIY semi-cured gel nail sticker kit . Gellae Nails offers a convenient solution to achieve salon-grade gel nails at home without the need for appointments or spending a lot of money. They are real gel nail polish in sticker form that lasts more than two weeks and can be easily applied by peeling, sticking, and curing with a UV lamp for 60 seconds without causing any nail damage, long dry times, strong smells, chipping, or messes. Promising review: "Absolutely my favorite one I’ve put on so far, and it is so much easier than other brands I've ever tried!!! All my coworkers thought I went and had them done at a salon!!!" — Jenna L. Get it from Gellae Nails for $17 . 20. For the friend who wants to try every Japanese snack, a Tokyo Treat subscription box . Tokyo Treat is a snack box subscription service that curates a variety of unique Japanese snacks and mystery boxes, offering an authentic taste of Japan's distinct flavors and textures. Founded by Ayumi, the brand aims to share Japan's vibrant snack culture with the world, bringing the joy of Japanese treats to global audiences. Promising review: "This box was amazing with what it has to offer! I enjoyed the spicy, sweet, and savory treats that I was able to try. I’m looking forward to what new things I’ll be able to have." — Juan S. Get it from Tokyo Treat for $32.50+ . 21. For the friend who loves little luxuries, a Superegg NYC hand cream . Superegg NYC is a premium vegan skincare brand founded in 2020 by lifestyle influencer and licensed aesthetician Erica Choi, inspired by holistic Korean beauty philosophy. Promising review: "Smells SO GOOD. I love this eucalyptus scent, and it’s a huge hit when I whip it out at parties. Also will never use another hand cream since this one has collagen in it 😍 love this vegan beauty brand so much." — Elaine C. Get it from Superegg NYC for $30 . 22. For the spicy friend (aka the friend who loves spicy food), a Fly By Jing Sichuan four-piece starter gift set . Founded by Jing Gao, Fly By Jing was inspired by the amazing flavors of Gao's hometown Chengdu, and its famous fly restaurants. Described on the website as "soulful hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract diners like flies, Fly By Jing doesn't conform to anyone else's notions of value, taste, or tradition. It is one person's recipes, one person's vision, and one person's story." Promising review: "Great set for a newcomer to the Fly By Jing. We handed this out to one of our office mates who has been Jing curious. This is the way." — David H. Get a four-pack from Fly By Jing for $45 . 23. For the friend who just loves the smell of rice, a Baisun Candle Co. steamed white rice-scented candle . Baisun Candle Co. is a Chinese-owned, Delaware-based business that creates handcrafted artisanal soy candles . They've perfected their blends to replicate specific notes that resemble fragrances and aromas many Asian Americans grew up with. Get it from Baisun Candle Co. for $20 . The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.Trump calls meeting with Trudeau 'productive' after tariff threat