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fortune ox bet Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI?WESTERLY, R.I., Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: WASH) (the "Corporation"), parent company of The Washington Trust Company, of Westerly (the "Bank"), today announced it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $55,000,000 of the Corporation's common stock. The Corporation also expects to grant the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of its common stock sold in the offering. BofA Securities is serving as the sole book-running manager for the offering. The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes to support continued organic growth and capital generation, which are expected to include investments in the Bank and Bank balance sheet optimization strategies involving the sale of lower-yielding loans and available for sale debt securities, the repayment of wholesale funding balances and the purchase of debt securities with current market yields. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE OFFERING The common stock offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-274430), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 8, 2023, and declared effective by the SEC on September 29, 2023. A preliminary prospectus supplement to which this communication relates has been filed with the SEC, and a prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC prior to the closing of the common stock offering. Before you invest in any securities, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, including the risk factors set forth therein, the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein, and the other documents that the Corporation has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Corporation and the offering. Copies of these documents are available at no charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering may also be obtained from BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201, North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com . NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. There will be no sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements." Forward looking-statements include all statements that are not historical facts and include any statements regarding the proposed offering and the intended use of net proceeds from the offering. We may also make forward-looking statements in other documents we file with the SEC, in our annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by our officers, directors, or employees. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "assume," "outlook," "will," "should," and other expressions that predict or indicate future events and trends and which do not relate to historical matters. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of factors that could affect our results is included in the Corporation's SEC filings, including Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. You should not rely on forward-looking statements, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the anticipated future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations, except as required by law. ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST BANCORP, INC. Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., NASDAQ: WASH, is the publicly-owned holding company of The Washington Trust Company ("Washington Trust", "the Bank"), with $7.1 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is recognized as the oldest community bank in the nation, the largest state-chartered bank headquartered in Rhode Island and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust values its role as a community bank and is committed to helping the people, businesses, and organizations of New England improve their financial lives. The Bank offers a wide range of commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management services through its offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts and a full suite of convenient digital tools. Washington Trust is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-trust-announces-stock-offering-302330754.html SOURCE Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.Maine's voter-approved limit on PAC contributions triggers lawsuit in federal court

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Former Minnesota Senate leader Kari Dziedzic passed away Friday after a long battle with caner. Her family released a statement on Saturday saying Dziedzic "entered eternal life surrounded by her family" and "Kari will be remembered by her family and those she served for her enthusiastic and humble leadership, which inspired all who knew her. She had a heart of gold, willing to go to any measure to help those she loved." Dziedzic stepped down as the Minnesota Senate Majority leader in Feb. of this year, after learning her cancer had returned. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2023. Dziedzic's personal health struggles prompted a policy proposal: Health insurance should cover wigs for cancer patients. Her bill requires insurance coverage with a doctor's prescription for wigs up to $1,000 per year. The bill is set to go into effect on Jan. 1. Dziedzic was tapped to take over the DFL leadership role after they secured a one-seat majority in the senate in 2022. During the 2023 session, under her leadership, legislators swiftly passed laws codifying abortion rights, securing school meals for Minnesota students and expanding voting rights for prior felons. Dziedzic is survived by her mother, five siblings and their spouses and her nieces and nephews. Her family is requesting privacy at this time. Note: The above video originally aired in March 2024. Caroline Cummings is an Emmy-winning reporter with a passion for covering politics, public policy and government. She is thrilled to join the WCCO team.

A federal appeals court panel on Friday upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the US. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law, which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January, is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court’s opinion. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance—another plaintiff in the lawsuit—are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term and whose Justice Department would have to enforce the law, said during the presidential campaign that he is now against a TikTok ban and would work to “save” the social media platform. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, culminated a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. The US has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect. However, a significant portion of the government’s information in the case has been redacted and hidden from the public as well as the two companies. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the US hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the US. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel heard oral arguments in September. Some legal experts said at the time that it was challenging to read the tea leaves on how the judges would rule. In a court hearing that lasted more than two hours, the panel—composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges—appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. The judges pressed Daniel Tenny, a Department of Justice attorney, on the implications the case could have on the First Amendment. But they also expressed some skepticism at TikTok’s arguments, challenging the company’s attorney—Andrew Pincus—on whether any First Amendment rights preclude the government from curtailing a powerful company subject to the laws and influence of a foreign adversary. In parts of their questions about TikTok’s ownership, the judges cited wartime precedent that allows the US to restrict foreign ownership of broadcast licenses and asked if the arguments presented by TikTok would apply if the US was engaged in war. To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around US user data. The company also argues the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient. Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm—the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan—would turn the US version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s US business. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators—for which the company is covering legal costs—as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. If TikTok appeals and the courts continue to uphold the law, it would fall on Trump’s Justice Department to enforce it and punish any potential violations with fines. The penalties would apply to app stores that would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services that would be barred from supporting it.By JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts Things To Do | Make these Tahini-Roasted Sweet Potatoes for Thanksgiving If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.

NEW YORK — When Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. circled up aboard the president-elect’s plane over some McDonalds burgers and fries recently, Donald Trump Jr. was seated in the center of that power foursome. The central spot occupied by Trump’s eldest son, as captured in a photo widely shared online, reflects how Trump Jr. has become a prominent player in his father’s political orbit and a potential heir to his Make America Great Again movement. For the son of a president-elect, Trump has already had an outsized impact on the next White House. He lobbied hard for the former president to choose his good friend, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to be his running mate. “I exerted 10,000% of my political capital,” Trump Jr. said of his effort in an interview with Tucker Carlson on the night of the election. “I may get a favor from my father in like, 2076. I used it all.” As an honorary chair of the Republican president-elect’s transition team, Trump Jr. is part of a core group of people deciding who will fill top jobs in the next White House, and his imprint is clear. Trump Jr. pushed in particular for roles for former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whom the president-elect has chosen to be director of national intelligence, and Kennedy, who is in line to lead Health and Human Services. Another close ally, Sergio Gor, will be running the personnel office. He and Trump Jr. run a publishing company, Winning Team Publishing, which has published two of the former president’s books. The younger Trump has said he has no plans to join his father’s administration in the way his younger sister Ivanka Trump did during the first Trump term. His brother Eric is also an honorary chair of the transition but hasn’t been as much of a political player. Eric’s wife Lara has been more involved, serving as co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Trump Jr. is expected to continue to be a vocal supporter of his father and his agenda and has made it clear he wants to be an influential voice from the outside, according to a person familiar with his thinking who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning. The president-elect’s style — brash, indelicate and pugilistic — is distilled in his son. Donald Trump Jr. often takes a more aggressive tack than his father, in his calls for disrupting government as usual, in the way he dives into the culture wars with gusto and in his enthusiasm for trolling. “He’s probably the best embodiment of the take-no-crap attitude of the Republican Party,” said Scott Jennings, a Republican political strategist. Trump Jr.’s attitude and the way he communicates don’t make him sound like a regular political figure, Jennings said, and that’s part of the appeal. “I think that’s one thing about the Trumps that is probably broadly true but certainly for him: They just don’t participate in the normal political pablum that sort of pre-Trump politicians were schooled in or trained to do.” The 46-year-old is fluent in the online world of conservative politics and attuned to cultural issues that catch on with the MAGA faithful. The posts on Trump’s X account, where he has more than 13 million followers, are often peppered with exclamation points and emojis. On Instagram, he is a prolific poster of conservative memes. He flexes between interviews on established media outlets like Fox News and an array of podcasts influential among young conservatives, and he hosts his own twice a week, “Triggered With Don Jr.” During the campaign, he pushed for the former president to make appearances on podcasts as part of an effort to reach young men, including the popular Joe Rogan podcast. Trump Jr.’s aggressive style has particular appeal with younger men. “I think that’s one of the reasons a lot of these young men like it because that’s how they talk,” Jennings said. Trump Jr. has said he has no plans to run for office himself, but he’s been working to cultivate the next generation of his father’s movement, boosting like-minded, communication-savvy Republicans. Beyond his political activity, the father of five also serves as executive vice president at the Trump organization’s main family business, has launched a new crypto platform and recently announced he’s joining a venture capital firm that invests in conservative-focused businesses. In an earlier time, Trump Jr. appeared with his father on “The Apprentice,” the reality show that helped propel the billionaire’s first presidential campaign. When Donald Trump launched his White House bid in 2015 and faced skepticism from swaths of the Republican Party, Trump Jr.’s outreach helped his father win more support, especially among conservatives who saw someone who espoused their views and as an avid hunter and fisherman who is a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. He’s been increasingly visible in Republican politics since then, campaigning not just for his father but for like-minded candidates. He was a backer of Vance in his 2022 Ohio Senate race, nudging his father to do the same, and this year threw his support heavily behind successful Republican Senate candidates Jim Banks in Indiana, Bernie Moreno in Ohio and Tim Sheehy in Montana. Trump helped broker a relationship with Kennedy as the Democrat-turned-independent suspended his presidential campaign, working to bring him into the MAGA fold and endorse his father. He floated the idea of Kennedy joining the administration early, saying in an interview with conservative host Glenn Beck that “I loved the idea,” of Kennedy joining a Trump White House. “I love the idea of giving him some sort of role in some sort of major three-letter entity or whatever it may be and let him blow it up,” Trump Jr. said, a reference to the many initials for government agencies. The two hit it off, and Trump Jr., an avid outdoorsman, shared images on social media in October of a day he spent with Kennedy enjoying the latter’s favored hobby: falconry. The choice of anti-vaccine activist Kennedy to run the nation’s public health agencies is sure to draw tough scrutiny during confirmation proceedings in the Senate, even with a Republican majority, Trump Jr., in a recent interview on Fox News, acknowledged some of his father’s choices will face pushback. “They are going to be actual disrupters,” he said. “That’s what the American people want.”By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.For Thomas Brown, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But all he’s thinking about right now is preparing the Bears to play the 49ers on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. Yeah, right. Brown already has the coach-speak down in his fourth day as the interim head coach of the Bears after Matt Eberflus was fired on Friday. But nobody’s ultimate job in the NFL is to be the interim head coach. “Every job I’ve had that’s led me to the future is based on the current work I do. So that’s all I care about,” Brown said. “I’m not worried about what happens in five weeks. I really don’t. It’s not even in my thought process. It’s a waste of time.” Though he’s a long shot candidate for the full-time job right now, Brown has the wind at his back as he attempts — one week at a time, of course — to bypass more enticing candidates. For one, he’s not Eberflus, whose 46-game tenure ended with a house divided — Bears players in revolt after Eberflus botched the final 32 seconds of a 23-30 loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. But he also inherits a favorable situation relative to teams that fire their head coach. Not only is quarterback Caleb Williams on a roll and arguably the best thing the Bears have going for them, but Brown is a big reason why. Williams has a 99.2 passer rating (five touchdowns, no interceptions) in three games since replacing Shane Waldron as the Bears’ offensive coordinator. In Williams’ last three games under Waldron, Williams’ passer rating was 64.7 (no touchdowns, no interceptions. And the Bears’ roster, while certainly flawed, overall is built to win rather than headed for a rebuild, with players in most positions who are expected to be on the next playoff team. The Bears are 4-8 with a six-game winning streak, but have lost four of those games on the final play. Coaching has made the difference in every one of those six losses, which is where Brown comes in. To win the interview he has to win games. Though Brown’s work with Williams is critical, he has to be more than a quarterback-whisperer to become a legitimate candidate for the full-time job. With a no-nonsense, straight-forward approach, Brown already has the presence of a coach built for this job, even though he’s been a position coach most of his NFL career. He quickly tied up loose ends Monday: He will still call plays. He will work from the field instead of the press box (“I thought about it, though,” he said,). He promoted wide receivers coach Chris Beatty to offensive coordinator — technically Williams’ third offensive coordinator in 13 games in the NFL. And defensive coordinator Eric Washington will call plays, with Eberflus gone. Richard Hightower remains as special teams coordinator. “I am not a micromanager,” Brown said. And Brown will still be “heavily involved” in Williams’ development, including helping run quarterback meetings with quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph. “A few more things that I’ve put on my plate, but that won’t change at all,” he said in regard to his work with Williams. But he can show off his qualifications for the permanent job by fixing the issues that triggered Eberflus’ demise. And he addressed those with the team in his first meeting with them as head coach Monday. “I talked about making sure our house is right. The initial goal is to unify this football team,” Brown said. “Everybody’s on the same accord, moving in the same direction, speaking the same language and attacking with effort. No more divisions.” Brown also emphasized discipline, including penalties. “Pre-snap penalties kind of boil down to a lack of focus,” Brown said. “Post-snap penalties are a lack of attention to detail when it comes to techniques. We need to do a better job as coaches to coach it the right way.pre-snap and post-snap penalties. If we do that, our guys will execute when it’s time to execute.” Eberflus acknowledged those same issues, but wasn’t able to do anything about them. Will Brown be any more effective? He has a head start with the players’ support. But they have to not only like him, they have to play for him. If he can command that kind of respect, he’ll get more than a token interview for the full-time job.

Déjà Vu All Over Again? NLRB Faces Partisan Overhaul Again with Key Legal Issues Hanging in the BalanceTejashwi Yadav, Sharad Pawar Back Mamata for I.N.D.I.A. Head

Open defecation practice among traders in Ebute-Ero and four other major markets in Lagos has become a public health threat to the residents as they have raised the alarm over looming disease outbreaks. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports The scorching sun blazed down that Tuesday afternoon, overpowering the usually cool breeze wafting through the Ebute-Ero waterside community. Though the breeze offered a momentary reprieve from the heat, it carried a stench enough to make one lose one’s lunch. Ebute-Ero, an ancient community on Lagos Island, is known for its bustling Ebute-Ero market. Ebute Ero market which is lined with open stalls and lockup shops is one of the oldest and largest markets in Nigeria. It is located in the Lagos Island Local Government Area. Currently, the market has become infamous for the unchecked dumping of human waste directly into its surrounding water bodies (lagoon). The cause of the stench, PUNCH Healthwise discovered during visits to the market, was the indiscriminate passing of human waste into the water bodies. Our correspondent during the visits saw some of the traders squatting down on the concrete barriers to defecate inside the water bodies. Also, along the CMS-Ebute-Ero route, others were spotted relieving themselves on patches of green vegetation. Further observation of the area revealed a frequent influx of individuals, traders, artisans, drivers, and visitors to water bodies to relieve themselves. It is common to see them rushing to the concrete barriers with one or two sachets of water or a plastic bottle of water to clean up after defecating. Women, it was observed, often sought more private areas, which was why some squat between closely parked vehicles, defecate in nylon bags, and toss them into the water. Pretending to be pressed, our correspondent squatted down on the concrete barriers to observe. A few minutes later, a young man joined the throng of men mounting the concrete barriers and relieved himself into the water. Striking up a friendly conversation with the newcomer to the scene, 26-year-old Basiru Olateru, a wholesaler in beverages, our correspondent confirmed that many visitors and workers alike answered nature’s call in the water body. The Osun State indigene noted that many of the public toilets meant to serve their needs were often in a filthy state, creating an easy excuse to pass their waste into the Lagoon. Olateru said the public toilets in Oke-Arin and Apongbon markets close to Ebute-Ero market were notorious for their lack of cleanliness, maintenance, and the absence of basic hygiene supplies. He said, “The public toilet is usually dirty and lacks maintenance. In some cases, you will go there to defecate but the state of the toilet will push you away. The place lacks maintenance, and there is no soap or disinfectant. “Apart from the smell that comes from there, in some cases, people use the toilet and leave them in a terrible position until the operators come and clean it up. You will see stains and patches of excreta in the toilet bowl that would make you uncomfortable. “They would want you to sit down to defecate, but that is the part I don’t like because it brings my body in close contact with the bacteria that can cause infections.” He claimed to have treated an infection he got from a public toilet and would not want a repeat of the situation, hence his decision to defecate outside of the public toilets. Available but dirty toilets A middle-aged driver at the Ebute-Ero park, Jide Adesola, waited his turn to call passengers into his vehicle. He told PUNCH Healthwise that he paid N100 each time he used the toilet. Uncomfortable with the charges, Adesola chose to defecate directly into the lagoon, undeterred by the presence of law enforcement officers. However, that seemed not to be his only alibi. He mentioned that despite the N100 charge, the toilets were dirty. The driver said, “In most cases, the toilets are dirty and overcrowded. I feel uncomfortable and unsafe using them. Even the smell will not allow you to breathe, and that is why I use the one in the water each time I visit. At least our wastes go into the water and do not smell.” Water from Lagoon However, this practice poses serious environmental and health risks for some residents who depend on this water for fishing and other domestic purposes. Online maps show that Makoko, a community known for its fishing and living on the Lagoon, is situated south of Ebute-Ero. This implies that the excreta deposited at the Ebute-Ero end of the lagoon would be carried towards the fishing town, polluting the water body. Our correspondent further learnt that the Ebute-Ero community relied on water from the lagoon for daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and fishing. Residents who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise said this practice had exposed the entire community to waterborne diseases including cholera, diarrhoea, and even incurable hepatitis B and C, among other infections. They raised concerns about the lack of sanitation facilities in the markets, saying that existing ones were often in poor condition, dirty, and overcrowded, thereby pushing people to practice the outlawed open defecation by using the lagoon. The residents lamented that efforts to address the situation have been hindered by a lack of government oversight and willpower to restore sanity, thereby creating a public nuisance. Street boys built toilets in water While the state is grappling with this unwholesome practice, louts defied the environmental and sanitation laws and built a toilet directly in the water for people to use at a fee. However, the legality of the toilet built in the Marine Water at Ebute-Ero, opposite the Oke-Arin Market, was yet to be unravelled. This unwholesome practice is happening at a time when the state was battling cholera and other infectious diseases. Findings revealed that the Lagos State Ministry of Environment had at a point dismantled the toilet but was rebuilt by the boys, and since then, no government official, not even the local government council, had raised an eyebrow at this menace. Over 3.9 million toilets needed According to the Joint Monitoring Programme, Open Defecation, popularly known as OD, refers to the practice of defecating in fields, forests, bushes, bodies of water, or other open spaces. “Defecating in the open is an affront to dignity and a risk to children’s nutrition and community health,” it added. Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund said Nigeria will need to build no fewer than 3.9 million toilets annually to meet the 2025 target for ending open defecation practices. UNICEF chief, Jane Bevan, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day Maiden Toilet Business Owners Conference in Abuja, saying, “About 1.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, or N455 billion, is lost annually due to poor access to sanitation—health, health care savings, and productivity.” She stated that current toilet construction in the country stood between 180,000 and 200,000 toilets annually, describing it as inadequate. More so, Nigeria presently occupies the topmost level on the ladder of OD and in order to combat the menace, former President Muhammadu Buhari declared a state of emergency on OD as contained in Executive Order 009 titled: The Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025 and Other Related Matters. The declaration was expected to be followed by actions from each state to domesticate the Order and plan towards its application and sustenance to achieve Open DefecationFree status by 2025. Sequel to this, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo–Olu, took the lead role and set the pace for others to emulate by signing an Executive Order titled: Enforcement of Law and Order in Respect of Traffic and Sanitation Matters. This Order was to restore stability and accountability to all citizens to become active stakeholders in bringing necessary changes to transform Lagos into the desired state. However, these have not achieved the desired goal as over 46 million Nigerians still practise OD, according to UNICEF’s report. Bridge turned toilet To further examine the extent of open defecation and the neglect of public toilets in other markets in the state, our correspondent visited Oke-Arin, Apongbon, Oshodi, and Iyana-Iba markets. At Iyana-Iba, street urchins, popularly called Omo-Ita, traders, and their visitors turned a newly constructed bridge adjoining Ojo General Hospital’s site into an open defecation destination. Traversing the bridge from the Expressway to the back of the hospital is a difficult and unpleasant journey, as one is forced to hold one’s breath to avoid the overpowering stench of faecal matter scattered across the bridge. PUNCH Healthwise noticed an inscription written in red ink on the sidewalls of the bridge, “No Toilet. N5,000.” This warning, perhaps intended to discourage people from using the bridge as a latrine, yielded no success as our correspondent observed several individuals defecating there without restraint or fear of punishment. A 23-year-old petty trader, Juliet Obor, explained that there were three major toilets used by people in the market, emphasising that many, particularly the ‘area boys,’ still preferred using the bridge as a toilet. Obor, who sells grains, noted that while the privately owned toilet was well-maintained and disinfected, the government-run toilets were often neglected and dirty. When asked why the government toilets were not as clean as the privately owned ones, she responded, “Can the government toilet ever be neater than the private one? Who cleans it? But here, the operator cleans it immediately after someone uses it.” Obor explained that although she used the private toilet whenever she needed to urinate, she preferred to go to her house nearby to defecate. The state of the bridge, she added, was an embarrassment to the environment and government, expressing concern about how the construction company would continue work at the site amid such extensive faecal contamination. Related News Lagos residents decry incessant crashes in Badagry N5m donation tears Celestial church apart, founder’s son disrupts service Sanwo-Olu swears in eight new perm secs, tutors-general Similar situation in Apongbon A trader, Chizoba Ndilika, said the scarcity of clean public toilets pushed him to urinate in the open. He said, “If the toilets are well maintained, I will be using the public toilet. But with the experience I had with the public toilet, I don’t like using it anymore. It is hard for you to see clean public toilets. “I can urinate there but can’t sit on that bowl to defecate. Like I said, the least I can do is to be there.” Deplorable toilet walls At Oshodi, the story is similar, as our correspondent spotted some individuals defecating on the railway towards Mushin. One of the perpetrators, identified as Taju, and suspected to be one of the louts on the street of Oshodi, said he had no time for public toilets. Some of the toilets visited at Oshodi were in extremely poor condition. One was dilapidated to the extent that the exposed blocks on the walls were visible through the crumbling plaster. Fear of contracting disease Some traders who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise at the market said the fear of infection was the reason they did not patronise certain toilets in the market. One of the traders who deals in baby wear, Hayatu Ishola, said it was a common practice to see women covering themselves with wrappers while urinating on the streets rather than going into the public toilets. She said that squatting down to urinate in a dirty toilet could make women contract infection. But when she was heavily pressed, she would manage the toilet but would get antibiotics immediately after to prevent infections. “Ordinarily, I don’t enter those public toilets because they are dirty. The only one I manage to use is the one at the BRT plaza. But each time I use it, I must take antibiotics to protect myself against infections. “Women’s bodies are open, and you don’t urinate or defecate anywhere you see else you will carry infections. It pays me to go to the nearby bush to ease myself rather than to go to a public toilet unless that toilet is clean. “There is always water on the floor of the toilet, and the water is not free from bacteria, and there are many sicknesses in the country now. The best is for you to avoid this market toilet unless the toilets are well disinfected. I pity the women who use public toilets regularly,” Ishola said. Totally against our sanitation laws –Lagos Speaking on the development, the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, said constructing such toilets on the water bodies was strange. He said, “Some of these are managed by local governments while some are managed by private owners with whom we have a very robust relationship. What is however strange, is the fact that this toilet you are talking about has been built on the water body which is totally against our sanitation laws. “The relevant department in the Ministry will investigate this and apply necessary sanctions where necessary. For the umpteenth time, open defecation has no place in this state. We will continue to enforce the provisions of the law against them. “The problem of open defecation is a major social issue that the present administration is tackling headlong. We are combining enforcement with moral suasion because the state believes that if advocacy is stepped up as it is being done now, people will come to realise the health hazards of open defecation and refrain from it.” The Lagos State Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to eliminate open defecation and prioritise good sanitation practices across the state. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known at the Year 2024 World Toilet Day celebrations held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, saying the government would continue to proffer solutions to all sanitation challenges across the state. He said every World Toilet Day celebrates the importance of toilets, raising awareness of the 4.2 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation. He added that the day was also about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030. Wahab stated that the national theme, “Use the Toilet and Have Peace,” was very apt as it focused on the fact that for billions of people, sanitation was under threat arising from conflict, climate change, disaster and neglect. He said, “When sanitation services are destroyed, damaged or disrupted, untreated human waste spreads in the environment, unleashing deadly diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea which affect community health and the well-being of citizens.” Wahab explained that in addressing the menace of open defecation in the state, the government had developed four cardinal roadmaps which are advocacy/sensitisation; bridging the infrastructure gap; standardisation and regularisation of existing facilities as well as ensuring adequate monitoring and enforcement. In 2022, UNICEF stressed that the impact of open defecation in Nigeria was huge, indicating that more than 100,000 children under five years of age die each year due to diarrhoea; of which 90 per cent was directly attributable to unsafe water and sanitation. It noted that one in four children under five years of age exhibit severe stunting, while one in 10 is wasted, due to frequent episodes of diarrhoea and other Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene-related diseases. UNICEF also launched a national campaign tagged ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ to jump-start the country’s journey towards becoming open defecation-free by 2025. 90% households consume faeces-contaminated water – NBS Also, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey carried out in 2017 by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with UNICEF, said 90 per cent of households in Nigeria consume faeces-contaminated water and other impure substances. According to UNIC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Mrs Maureen Zubie-Okolo, the water and sanitation situation in the country is worrisome; water-borne diseases, such as diarrhoea have been the leading cause of hospital admissions, especially among under-five children. The World Health Organisation ranked Nigeria as fifth among countries practising open defecation, while India topped the chart with 626 million people. We’ve warned them Reacting to the situation, one of the market leaders, Rassaq Azeez, said that the market leadership had warned them to stop using the place as a toilet but they refused to listen. “We have written a warning on almost all the pavements there to stop them, but they paid a deaf ear. You can see the heap of faeces on the bridge and how the company would handle it is what I don’t know. “We have several toilets here, not as if we don’t have toilets in this place, but the majority of them will not want to pay N100 or N50 to use the toilet. The money paid is to keep the toilet clean,” he said. Also, an operator of a privately owned toilet, who simply identified herself as Sola, said that some people make use of the toilet, while others don’t. “My toilet is the most used because I keep it clean. We disinfect it immediately after someone finishes using it,” said the operator of a privately owned toilet. We have enough toilets – Market leader Reacting to the condition of the public toilets, one of the market leaders working with the Iyaloja, Ade Olakunle, said, “We have enough toilets in this place. Each new building comes with toilet facilities.” On the reason people preferred open defecation to public toilets, he said, “Don’t mind those people going there to defecate. The practice has mastered them. It is a decision they have taken over a long period. “As for this Oke-Arin market, we have enough toilets to take care of the traders and visitors to the market. The one over there was provided by the area boys where they defecate. They collect N100 for others to use.” Asked why Lagos State allowed such environmental and aquatic degradation, he said, “It used to be bigger than this but the Ministry of Environment came and scattered it, but the area boys put it back. “When the local government came back, they couldn’t do anything about it. And the structure has been there for a long time. The area boys resisted the government. “So, we have enough toilets, but if you are talking about other markets, I don’t know. There are several markets here. They are also called the Ebute-Ero market.” The leader of Methodist Plaza, Emeka Onubogu, affirmed that some of the toilets were dirty, saying that he only used toilets in Methodist Plaza and another at the Post Office side along Oshodi Road for fear of infections. He, however, said that most of the people who practice open defecation in Oshodi were the street boys who were not ready to part with a dime even if the toilet was at their doorstep. Onubogu said, “We have enough toilets here but not all are clean and infections can be gotten from such dirty places. I use only the toilets in my plaza and one at the Post Office. Outside these two, I do not use anyone again.” Re-orientation way out – Experts Reacting to the spate of open defecation in the state, an environmentalist and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Ibadan, Dr Oladapo Okareh, said Nigerians should be given proper re-orientation on the dangers of OD, saying that the practice could lead to an outbreak of diseases like cholera and diarrhoea. “Open defecation constitutes a major public health problem. It’s a public menace because it easily leads to outbreaks of communicable diseases like cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, intestinal infections, and respiratory diseases,” he added. Also, a public health expert at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Mrs Joy Anichebe, said water-borne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea were deadly diseases that could kill a child within one hour of the ailment. She noted, “Diseases like urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, skin infections such as cellulitis, and even Hepatitis B and C, could be prevented if our public toilets are well taken care of and the people stop contaminating the water bodies and the land with faeces of infected persons.” We’re partnering with locals, transport unions – MOE&WR The MOE&WR Director of Public Affairs, who earlier spoke with PUNCH Healthwise, said the state government was constructing 100 new public toilets. “These new eco-friendly toilets will complement the existing toilets, which will be available for use at minimal charges. We will continue to enlighten residents on the dangers. “For Iyana-Iba market and similar locations where we have rampant cases of open defecation, the state is partnering with locals and transport unions to have people monitor the areas and apprehend people who try to defecate there. “Most of them use the cover of darkness to perpetrate this act. A success of this template has been recorded at Ojodu Berger which used to be a scene of unprecedented open defecation but is being policed round the clock by volunteers now,” Adeshina said.

How to watch Army vs. LA Tech football today: TV, oddsMasterChef contestant claims Gregg Wallace 'constantly' made sexual innuendos and reveals one that left her in tears By ARTHUR PARASHAR Published: 21:20 GMT, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 22:19 GMT, 2 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments A former MasterChef contestant has claimed that Gregg Wallace 'humiliated' her and drove her to tears with a sexually inappropriate comment during filming. Jackie Kearney, a chef and author who finished fourth in the BBC hit show in 2011, claimed Wallace made sexual innuendos 'constantly' in front of crew members. Wallace, 60, has stepped away from hosting MasterChef after nearly 20 years while allegations of inappropriate comments he made towards staff and celebrity guests over 17 years are investigated. He is facing claims from at least 13 women who have accused him of inappropriate behaviour, including roaming around on set naked with a sock on his penis, inappropriate jokes and groping crew members. The presenter has defended himself, pinning the blame on 'middle class women of a certain age'. But today he apologised for his controversial comments, admitting he was 'not in a good head space' when he posted the rant. But the scandal deepened tonight as Ms Kearney has spoken about how Wallace left her breaking down in tears in the toilets after making a lewd joke about his penis. She told Sky News : 'There were several times that he would comment on my legs, or comment on the skirts I was wearing... he made a comment once: "If I'd known you had legs like that, maybe you'd have made it further".' Ms Kearney returned to MasterChef as a guest judge in 2017, where she hoped to impress Wallace and co-host John Torode with her book about vegan food which she had published two years prior. But recalling how the interaction went, she claimed: 'I came into the studio and was like, "Hi Gregg, I've got something for you!" And he said, "Oh, is it a present for my c***?''' Jackie Kearney (pictured), a chef and author who finished fourth in the BBC hit show in 2011, claimed Wallace made sexual innuendos 'constantly' in front of crew members. The celebrity chef apologised for 'any offence I caused' after his controversial comments on Instagram on the weekend The BBC have decided to go ahead and broadcast the rest of Masterchef: The Professionals, which will conclude on December 12 Ms Kearney said the comment left her feeling 'humiliated' and 'embarrassed' and that she broke down in tears in the toilets. She said she also walked around hating what she was wearing because Wallace had allegedly already made a comment about her legs earlier in the day. Ms Kearney thought that someone would check up on her, but that nobody said anything. She claims that Wallace was mic'ed up when he made the sexual comment. The chef claims that Wallace created an environment where his sexual remarks were 'normalised in way that you would expect to see in a '90s lads mag'. As pressure mounts on Wallace and the BBC, best-selling author Marisa Mackle also claimed the MasterChef host ruined her birthday with lewd sex comments for up to two hours. Read More BREAKING NEWS MasterChef: The Professionals WILL be aired tonight despite Gregg Wallace scandal Ms Mackle claims that she flew to a five-star resort in Marbella for her 40th birthday in 2013 to enjoy a Michael Bolton show before sharing dinner a restaurant with the singer and Lord Sugar. But her night was allegedly ruined when she was moved to a table for dessert with her friends next to Wallace who she claims was bragging about sex positions. Ms Mackle told The Mirror : 'Up until I sat down beside Gregg Wallace that was probably the best night of my life, and he turned it into one of the worst nights of my life. I've been saying for years that man, he's just got a foul mouth on him.' She added: 'I don't mind people being loud and laughing, but the next minute, I was like, hearing all this really vulgar stuff about this man. I didn't know who he was. It was just this loud English accent talking about sex positions, you know, a favourite sex position.' A spokesman for Banijay UK, MasterChef's producers, said: 'Banijay UK takes this matter incredibly seriously but while the external investigation is ongoing, we won't be commenting on individual allegations. 'It is important to note, that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors. These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. 'HR contact details are promoted, and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.' Wallace's representatives were approached for comment. It comes as BBC aired the Masterchef: The Professionals semi-final tonight, despite growing calls to pull the broadcast following the Gregg Wallace scandal . Executives at the corporation held crisis meetings today as the claims about Wallace threatened to undermine its Christmas schedule, which includes two MasterChef specials. The BBC have decided to go ahead and broadcast the rest of Masterchef: The Professionals, which will conclude on December 12, and the two Christmas editions, while they await the conclusion of the investigation into Wallace by production company Banijay. It is understood that the BBC and Banijay have been scouring the forthcoming episodes of MasterChef that have yet to air for any sexually inappropriate comments by Wallace. With four episodes yet to air, Masterchef: The Professionals is a key part of the BBC's festive schedule. Masterchef itself also supports a lucrative merchandising operation, with knives and cookware featured in the series sold as Christmas gifts. Following speculation about the fate of tonight's MasterChef semi-final, a BBC spokesman told the Mail earlier in the day: 'MasterChef is life-changing for the chefs that take part and the show is about more than one individual.' Wallace's Wife Anne-Marie Sterpini was seen looking downcast as she was pictured in Kent today Wallace continued to address the scandal today, this time apologising for pinning the blame on 'middle class women of a certain age.' In a fresh video on social media posted this afternoon, the under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: 'I wasn't in a good headspace when I posted it. I've been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion. 'I felt very alone [and] under siege yesterday when I posted it. It's obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway. 'I hope you understand and I do hope that you can accept my apology.' Wallace's lawyers say 'it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature'. Today, Anita Rani also joined the growing number of women who have spoken out against Wallace after he blamed 'middle class women of a certain age'. The presenter wrote: 'It's important to remember that many middle class women of a certain age grew up as working class girls who were, and are, fierce as f**k. With long memories.' Sir Keir Starmer also said Wallace was 'completely inappropriate and misogynistic' for making the comments. And in a further sign of Wallace's fury, he has today unfollowed co-host John Torode and his wife on social media. After spending nearly two decades presenting Britain's best-loved cooking show together , the legacy of famed duo Gregg Wallace and John Torode appears to have come crashing down in just a matter of months. Torode has not uttered a word on Wallace's MasterChef exit, despite working together since 2005. But previous comments in which he admitted he had never been a 'friend' of Wallace's, as well as claims about them moving to opposite sides of the room when the cameras cut, show that all was not well in their partnership. Wallace stepped down from MasterChef last week after it was revealed that 13 people, including Newsnight host Kirsty Wark , accused him of 'wrong' and inappropriate 'sexualised' behaviour during filming. Former Celebrity MasterChef contestants say they raised concerns about Wallace's alleged behaviour as far back as 12 years ago, with actress Emma Kennedy - who won the series in 2012 - alleging she had witnessed Wallace 'grope' a camera assistant during a photo shoot that year. The grocer turned broadcaster appeared to make things worse yesterday when he posted a series of incendiary videos online where he hit back at critics by saying: 'Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef, female contestants, have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?' Wallace had said: 'I've been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life . Gregg Wallace posted on Instagram on Sunday hitting back at the allegations made against him - claiming they were all from 'middle-class women of a certain age' Gregg Wallace (right) has been co-host of BBC1 show MasterChef alongside John Torode (left) Actress Emma Kennedy (pictured), who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2012, has alleged that she witnessed Wallace 'grope' a camera assistant during a photo shoot that same year Read More Gregg Wallace is FURIOUS at John Torode for failing to defend him - and has unfollowed him 'Apparently now, I'm reading in the paper, there's been 13 complaints in that time. I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn't right'. But his posts caused outrage and were branded 'shocking' and laced with 'thinly veiled misogyny' - and did not touch on the sexual allegations made by numerous MasterChef celebrities, producers and contestants on the show he left last week. One insider told MailOnline today: 'Gregg has gone rogue and ignored all advice'. Another expert said: 'He needs to shut up'. Ulrika Jonsson, who competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, saying she was 'seething' after seeing the comments - while Kirstie Allsopp described his response as 'unacceptable '. And Mark Borkowski, one of the UK's leading PR gurus and crisis managers, told MailOnline today that Wallace was 'only listening to his own ego' instead of advice, adding: 'The first law of PR in a crisis is never let your emotions rule your Instagram.' There are also allegations related to four other shows Wallace worked on. There are 13 people, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, who have formally complained about Wallace's behaviour over a 17-year period across five shows, between 2005 and 2022. The Sunday Times yesterday reported that BBC executive Kate Phillips raised concerns Wallace's behaviour was 'unacceptable and cannot continue' after broadcaster and former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Aasmah Mir complained about inappropriate comments during filming. Co-host of Masterchef The Professionals Monica Galetti (right) appeared to throw her support behind the beleaguered chef last week BBC News said it had been told of other allegations, including the presenter 'talking openly about his sex life among others Gregg Wallace and his wife Anne-Marie pictured at the London Palladium in July What are the allegations against Gregg Wallace? Gregg Wallace is alleged to have made inappropriate sexual comments towards 13 women who worked with him on a variety of television programmes in a 17-year period . BBC News contacted the star's representatives on Tuesday outlining the full range of allegations. Gregg is alleged to have told 'sexualised' stories and jokes while on the MasterChef set, and openly spoken about his sex life in front of colleagues . He is also alleged to have taken his top off in front of a female colleague saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and to have told another junior worker he wasn't wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans. Further to this, BBC News reported claims Gregg: Showed topless photos of himself to a MasterChef worker and asked for massages Told a female worker on Channel 5's Gregg Wallace's Big Weekends he was fascinated by the fact she dated women and spoke about sex and spanking Showed another worker on the 5 show photos of a woman in her underwear Stared at a female colleague's chest at the BBC Good Food Show in 2010 Openly spoke about his sex life, including how often he was having sex and his ability as a lover, on the show Impossible Celebrities Allegedly told an Eat Well for Less colleague: 'You can come to my car but can you handle the fact everyone will think you got off with a celebrity?' After receiving the letter, Gregg said he would step back from presenting MasterChef while Banijay UK said the presenter was co-operating with its own internal investigation. Advertisement The newspaper claimed Wallace received another warning the following year after a complaint was raised about his behaviour on the quiz show Impossible Celebrities. Meanwhile, the Sunday Telegraph reported that producer Georgia Harding, who worked on MasterChef between 2014 and 2015 and later Eat Well For Less, claimed she raised concerns about 'inappropriate' behaviour from him while working on the show. She alleged the presenter undressed in front of colleagues and 'made inappropriate sexual jokes' in front of the crew and people appearing on the shows, and said 'nothing was done' about concerns raised, claiming there was 'an acceptance' of his behaviour. Wallace has also been accused of being 'obsessed' with a female colleague who was dating a woman, and repeatedly asked how questions about the 'logistics'. Meanwhile more claims about Wallace's alleged behaviour continue to appear. TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp claimed Wallace made an inappropriate sexual joke to her while she was on Masterchef. She wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Within 1hr of meeting Gregg Wallace he told me of a sex act that he & his partner at the time enjoyed 'every morning', she'd just left the room, we were filming a pilot. Did he get off on how embarrassed I was? It was totally unprofessional.' And previously aired clips from shows Wallace has appeared on, including Masterchef and Strictly Come Dancing - where he was a contestant in 2014 - are resurfacing in light of the recent allegations. In a resurfaced clip from his Strictly stint Gregg, then 50, left Aliona, 30, visibly uncomfortable following his wardrobe malfunction. After tearing his trousers he confessed, giggling: 'I don't wear underwear' while gesturing to his crotch, leaving his stunned partner to asked: 'Are you for real?'. Beaming he explained, while shaking his hips : 'It's easy to move with [no underwear] I've never worn underwear. I wear socks.' Aliona then told the camera: 'I'm just way too distressed about the situation' before begging him to 'put it away' as he seemingly teased her, with viewers only seeing the grocer from the waist up. Meanwhile Charlotte Crosby branded Gregg 'extremely unpleasant' on Instagram as she joined celebrities slamming the BBC star. Gregg Wallace, 60, left Strictly partner Aliona Vilani 'distressed' during show rehearsals as he touched his crotch after ripping his trousers and declared he 'never wears underwear' Aliona then told the camera: 'I'm just way too distressed about the situation' before begging him to 'put it away' as he seemingly teased her, with the camera only showing the grocer from the waist up Charlotte Crosby branded Gregg 'extremely unpleasant' on Instagram as she joined celebrities slamming the BBC star Read More Calls for MasterChef to be taken off air while Gregg Wallace misconduct allegations are investigated She wrote: 'He [Gregg] was extremely unpleasant to me when I was on MasterChef'. Actress Katy Brand has also broken her silence about the 'awkward' moment Gregg told her he would 'munch the living daylights out of her little tart' on Celebrity MasterChef. A shocking video from the 2013 series of the programme shows Wallace making the apparent innuendo about the comedian's egg tart. The grocer turned broadcaster tells Brand: 'I find this quite pleasant. Left to my own devices, I'd probably munch the living daylights out of your little tart.' Reacting to the resurfaced video of Wallace's tart comment, Brand called the encounter 'awkward' and recalled her immediate 'shock and disbelief' at the 'crass and idiotic joke'. 'I took it as an innuendo-laden remark at the time, and I still see it that way now,' she said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held talks with BBC bosses in the wake of the Wallace row, Downing Street said. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The Culture Secretary spoke with the BBC leadership at the end of last week on this matter and wider workplace culture issues to seek assurances that there are robust processes in place to deal with complaints. 'Clearly the comments we have seen from the individual over the weekend were completely inappropriate and misogynistic. 'More broadly the BBC is conducting an independent review into workplace culture which must deliver clear and timely recommendations. It's essential that staff and the wider public have confidence that the BBC takes these issues seriously.' Asked whether MasterChef should be pulled off air, the spokesman added the decision was for the BBC and the show's production company, and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is 'right' that a thorough investigation is conducted. The production company Banijay UK confirmed it had appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead an investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour. A BBC spokesperson said: 'We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them. We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated. 'Where an individual is contracted directly by an external production company we share any complaints or concerns with that company and we will always support them when addressing them. 'It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of Banijay's ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.' Breaking News John Torode Keir Starmer BBC Share or comment on this article: MasterChef contestant claims Gregg Wallace 'constantly' made sexual innuendos and reveals one that left her in tears e-mail Add comment

After starting 2-0 in its inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, SMU looks to make the month even more special on Sunday, hosting Longwood in Dallas, Texas. The Mustangs seek a seven-game win streak in their final nonconference test before welcoming No. 4 Duke to Dallas on Jan. 4. In recent victories over Alabama State, Virginia, LSU, and Boston College, SMU (10-2) averaged 85.3 points per game, allowed just 66.0 ppg, and climbed to No. 30 in the NET rankings. "We're a different team right now than we were earlier in the season," SMU head coach Andy Enfield said at the beginning of December, his words ringing even truer as the season progresses. "They'd never been under pressure together until recently, so they're starting to learn and figure things out." Longwood (11-3) enters its third consecutive road game, having won five of its last six overall. That includes a major 82-67 win at North Carolina Central on Dec. 20. It was only the sixth nonconference home loss for NCC since 2016, and Longwood head coach Griff Aldrich saw it as a result of his team's growing cohesiveness. "We got great contributions from so many players," Aldrich said. "We have been working to play more and more connected, and this team has really taken positive steps this week." The Mustangs' Matt Cross is among the biggest threats to Longwood's defense, which allows just 66.6 points per game. A 6-foot-7 forward, Cross had 36 points over SMU's last two wins, including a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double against LSU. What Cross does with the ball in his hands is impressive -- he is averaging 13.5 ppg in December -- but it is also what he does off the ball that increases his value. "He's extremely tough," Enfield said after Cross' performance against LSU. "His wall up in transition, where (Corey) Chest came down, was going to dunk the ball, and he stood there and took the contact. ...That's a big-time basketball play." Longwood is paced by Michael Christmas, a veteran forward in his fourth year in the program. A hard-nosed wing who can score at all three levels, Christmas is Longwood's only returner who started at least 30 games on last year's NCAA Tournament team. He is averaging a team-high 11.9 points per game. "(He) loves this university, loves this town and community," Aldrich said of Christmas. "He opted to come back here to really invest in the program." --Field Level Media

Boston College holds on down stretch to top Fairleigh DickinsonDollar General ( NYSE:DG – Get Free Report ) was upgraded by investment analysts at Bank of America from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm currently has a $95.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America ‘s price target points to a potential upside of 16.44% from the stock’s previous close. A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on DG. Telsey Advisory Group cut their price objective on shares of Dollar General from $103.00 to $90.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. Gordon Haskett raised shares of Dollar General from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. HSBC cut their price objective on shares of Dollar General from $100.00 to $88.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Oppenheimer reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Dollar General in a report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Daiwa America lowered shares of Dollar General from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $98.27. Get Our Latest Stock Report on DG Dollar General Price Performance Dollar General ( NYSE:DG – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 5th. The company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.97 by ($0.08). Dollar General had a net margin of 3.57% and a return on equity of 20.62%. The business had revenue of $10.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $10.14 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.26 EPS. Dollar General’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Dollar General will post 5.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Dollar General news, Director Warren F. Bryant purchased 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $80.83 per share, for a total transaction of $80,830.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 42,030 shares in the company, valued at $3,397,284.90. The trade was a 2.44 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, EVP Roderick J. West sold 2,510 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.25, for a total transaction of $208,957.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,163 shares in the company, valued at $762,819.75. This trade represents a 21.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.49% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Dollar General Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DG. Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Dollar General by 99.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 759 shares of the company’s stock valued at $100,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the last quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Dollar General by 32.5% during the 2nd quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 3,956 shares of the company’s stock valued at $523,000 after acquiring an additional 970 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Dollar General by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 41,860 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,535,000 after acquiring an additional 3,240 shares during the last quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Dollar General during the 2nd quarter valued at about $10,474,000. Finally, Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Dollar General by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 4,341 shares of the company’s stock valued at $574,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. 91.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Dollar General Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Dollar General Corporation, a discount retailer, provides various merchandise products in the southern, southwestern, midwestern, and eastern United States. It offers consumable products, including paper and cleaning products, such as paper towels, bath tissues, paper dinnerware, trash and storage bags, disinfectants, and laundry products; packaged food comprising cereals, pasta, canned soups, fruits and vegetables, condiments, spices, sugar, and flour; and perishables that include milk, eggs, bread, refrigerated and frozen food, beer, and wine. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Dollar General What is the Euro STOXX 50 Index? Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued 3 Stocks to Consider Buying in October Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 How to Invest in the Best Canadian Stocks Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? 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The Wanted star Max George has said he is “staying positive” while in hospital waiting for tests that could shine a light on issues with his heart. In a post to Instagram on Thursday the singer, 36, explained that he went to hospital after feeling “really unwell” and added that he needed “a lot more tests” to determine “what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.” Updating his fans, George posted a video from his hospital bed on Friday, and said he “had a bit of a rough day”. He added: “My heart rate dropped a bit this morning, which was, it was a little bit scary. “But everyone here is amazing, so wanted to get it back up a little bit and get it stable again, which is great. “Reason I’m not... like a lot of friends and family are asking why I’m not just going in and having anything (like surgery) done yet, because there’s so many tests that need to be done before we do anything. “So I just need to get through till, I guess, next week. Get all the tests done, and then they’ll know exactly what to do, because otherwise, obviously, they’ll be able to do something, but it’ll be better doing it with all the information that they need. “But, yeah, it’s shit, but still here and staying positive. “And thanks everyone as well for all the lovely messages and any friends and family and that that have messaged that I haven’t got back to. “I see you all and yeah, means a lot. Much love and have a nice Friday night.” George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low, Glad You Came and Heart Vacancy. His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life. Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House Of Games. George’s girlfriend is former EastEnders star Maisie Smith , who appeared on BBC One dancing competition series Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 at the same time as George, though they have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022. He was due to appear on a MasterChef Christmas special before the BBC pulled the show from its festive schedule amid allegations about the conduct of judge Gregg Wallace across a range of shows.Letter: Be thankful for Quad City Arts, Festival of TreesBy JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.