Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator aircraft completed its eighth flight earlier this month, setting a new record for altitude and matching its top speed as it prepares to go supersonic by the end of the year. The flight is part of a series of demonstration flights showcasing Boom’s intention to bring commercial supersonic travel back to America’s skyways. The rising costs of supersonic travel were slowly killing the industry even before the Concorde’s final flight in 2003. But private companies and federal agencies are devising ways to repopularize the previously deafening way of getting around, and the recent Boom flight inches the company closer to that goal. The XB-1’s eighth flight took place on November 16, and achieved a maximum altitude of 25,040 feet (7,632 meters), its highest altitude so far. The flight lasted 54 minutes and the aircraft achieved a top flight speed of Mach 0.82, tying its record speed to date. The demonstrator aircraft’s first flight took place in March 2024, and Boom plans approximately two more subsonic flights before achieving Mach 1. Mach 1 is the speed of sound—about 767 miles per hour (1,234 km/hr). When objects exceed the speed of sound, they induce a sonic boom—the sharp, thunderous crack of an object breaking the sound barrier. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibited civil supersonic flight over land in 1973, due in part to the constant sonic booms overhead and the booms’ rattling of windows freaking people out. Boom Supersonic’s work on the XB-1 runs parallel to NASA’s development of the X-59 supersonic aircraft, which won a Gizmodo Science Fair award this year. At 99.7 feet (30.39 meters) long with a wingspan of just 29.5 feet (9 m), the stiletto-shaped X-59 has an arguably more eye-catching design than the XB-1. That’s because the X-59’s raison d’ětre is to mitigate the sonic boom that caused so much uproar when supersonic flight was more common. One NASA engineer told Gizmodo that, to an observer on the ground, the X-59’s sonic boom will sound akin to the closing of a car door. In other words, the sonic boom will become a sonic thump. Boom’s ultimate goal is to run commercial passengers on its Overture jet, for which the XB-1 is a technology demonstrator. Though the Boom XB-1 will be capable of exceeding the sound barrier, the company plans to fly its passenger jet at reduced speeds over land—specifically, at Mach 0.94, about 20% faster than subsonic flight. Meanwhile, supersonic enthusiasts are hoping that the X-59 proves the “sonic thump” can mitigate the impact of sonic booms over land. After the aircraft’s in-flight performance is tested, the plane will be flown over several U.S. cities and residents will be surveyed on the invasiveness of the aircraft’s presence. If the aircraft doesn’t disrupt life on the ground, the FAA may change its regulations surrounding civilian aircraft traveling faster than Mach 1 over land. That would not happen until 2027 at the earliest, so you may as well keep your focus on the Boom demonstrator for now.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are climbing Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 was pulling 0.7% higher, as of 2:45 p.m. Eastern time, after flipping between modest gains and losses several times in the morning. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise.By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” Related Articles National News | Massive balloons take shape ahead of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade National News | Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial National News | Ex-US Sen. Bob Menendez seeks new trial, citing prosecutors’ recently admitted error National News | Federal court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Fox News for Jan. 6 conspiracy theory National News | Northern lights may be faintly visible across parts of the US this Thanksgiving John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.
Pep Guardiola has taken Manchester City to places they have never been before. Now they have taken him to somewhere he has never been before. To a fifth consecutive defeat, to their worst run for 18 years, to the worst by any defending champion in England since Chelsea in 1956. Is Guardiola a good manager to have in a crisis? There is no evidence, because he has never been in one . He brought a sense of permanent domination. Until now. “The exceptionality we lived in eight years is not eternal,” he said. He has made it seem that way at times, demoralising a division with a relentlessness that stemmed from perfectionism. Now, and despite their record of going on lengthy winning sequences in the past, it feels as though it won’t take 115 charges to knock City off their perch. There have been annual autumnal stumbles in the past, but not a collapse like the last five games. There had been hints of decline last season, camouflaged by another league title and a five-month unbeaten run . They were more pronounced this season, with a lack of clean sheets, with a reliance on late goals, but obscured by results that suggested they were still serial winners. Now there is no obscuring them, no camouflaging the problems. “It is little things wrong from the beginning of the season that are getting worse, a little bit worse in situations,” said Guardiola. Some issues are caused by the misfortune of injuries, but some City’s fault. Even in the week when Guardiola signed his new contract, their future-proofing has proved deficient . After 52 games unbeaten at the Etihad, penalty shootouts excepted, came their heaviest ever loss at the Etihad , a 4-0 rout. Tottenham have a history of counter-attacking brilliantly against Guardiola’s City. They did so again on Saturday. A common denominator among the setbacks in the Catalan’s eight-and-a-half season are the winners breaking at devastating pace and scoring in quick succession. Now Sporting Lisbon have three goals in 11 minutes, Brighton two in five, James Maddison two in seven. “In this moment we are fragile defensively,” said Guardiola. Only seven teams have conceded more Premier League goals. City look susceptible in many ways. Josko Gvardiol has proved an unexpectedly brilliant attacking left-back but has struggled defensively of late. On the right, there has to be a concern Kyle Walker ’s race is run: his age-defying pace looks gone, the symbolic moment coming when Fulham’s Adama Traore left him stuck in quicksand, a repeat when Timo Werner scooted past him. Yet the biggest issue defensively is no secret. Rodri had his name up in lights on Saturday; literally. City presented him with the Ballon d’Or in manner that seemed modelled on Elvis in Vegas. Take out the world’s best defensive midfielder and the defence has been exposed; that centre-back partnership has had to change so often hardly helps. But time and again, opposing attacking midfielders have too much freedom, as Maddison did to score twice, as Brighton’s Matt O’Riley did for his winner; the zone in front of the back four is not protected. Two years on, the failure of Kalvin Phillips’ signing has belatedly harmed City. This is when they required an alternative defensive midfielder; their version of Nicky Butt to stand in for their answer to Roy Keane. They have none; a squad that has evolved in strange ways has a lone specialist defensive midfielder and a solitary specialist striker. “I think the squad when all the squad is there is exceptional,” said Guardiola but City look negligent in their recruitment. There is a lack of balance; enough players in some positions, but not others. Mateo Kovacic seemed Plan B, preferred when Rodri was absent. But the Croatian is not as mobile and City were vulnerable on the counter-attack when he played. With the Croatian injured, there seems to be no Plan C. On Saturday, Guardiola played 4-4-1-1, with two banks of four and a huge space between them, with no defensive midfielder. His two men in the middle were Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan ; two of the greatest midfielders in City’s history, but two thirty-somethings. And Gundogan is looking his 34 years, losing Maddison for the opener, lacking the huge influence he used to exert. He was a talisman in his first spell at City. Now he is a microcosm for another reason. In a physical league, this is an ageing team, without the speed and running power many an opponent exhibits. "We cannot make up and downs because they are stronger than us,” Guardiola rued after the shellacking by Spurs. City have allowed this team to grow old. Some 52 per cent of the minutes played for City in the Premier League this season have gone to footballers 29 or more, the highest in the division. Perhaps it is picking on Gundogan, but he is part of another problem. City were powered by Erling Haaland ’s goals earlier in the season but they are now too reliant on them. They have four non-scoring wingers. Neither Silva nor Savinho has scored in his last 16 outings. Jack Grealish has no club goal this season. Jeremy Doku has one in the Premier League. Among midfielders, neither Phil Foden nor Gundogan has a top-flight goal this campaign. The midfield, often the greatest strength of a Guardiola side, is now contributing neither defensive protection nor goals. They still have the technique but not the athleticism when they lose the ball. “This is not a team created to do box to box 40 times in a game - we are not good at that,” said Guardiola. So a loss of cohesion and control has come at a cost. “I trust these players more than ever,” said their manager. But those players are failing more than ever. City are the only Premier League team without a point in November. They have lost five in a row in all competitions - even San Marino have won more recently than Guardiola’s City. “Now everything is a little bit against,” said Guardiola. He is accustomed to everything being for. But football, and the normality of his football, has been turned on its head.
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FORT WORTH, Texas — Arizona stumbled in its final road trip of the season and fell to the TCU Horned Frogs 49-28 at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday. Arizona’s setback knocks the Wildcats out of bowl contention for the sixth time in seven years. Here are notable storylines, statistics and quotes from Arizona’s latest loss as the Wildcats shift their attention to the season finale in Tucson: Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita during the first half against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Different issues, same road struggles Arizona completed its road schedule with a 1-4 record, tying its road win total from the 2021 season, the year the Wildcats finished with a 1-11 overall record. Arizona was outscored 187-89 on the road this season after outscoring its opponents 222-154 on the road last season. For the second time this season, Arizona won the turnover battle on the road, edging TCU 2-1 with an interception by safety Jack Luttrell and a scoop-and-score touchdown by defensive end Sterling Lane II with a minute left in the game. Arizona’s only turnover was quarterback Noah Fifita’s interception on the first play from scrimmage, which set up TCU for a five-play touchdown drive. The Wildcats had five takeaways on the road this season, while their opponents had eight. However, coughing up the football wasn’t the major issue for Arizona against TCU. Arizona’s offense failed to reach TCU territory on the first three drives, while the defense allowed the Horned Frogs to score two touchdowns and put the Wildcats behind 14-0. Arizona forced two three-and-out drives in the first and second quarters and the Wildcats cut the deficit 14-13 following wide receiver Chris Hunter’s acrobatic, toe-tapping touchdown and a pair of field goals by kicker and Dallas-area native Tyler Loop. “I thought it was great how the team battled back there,” said Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. On TCU’s final offensive possession of the first half, the Horned Frogs converted on two third-down plays, including a third-and-18, then gained 24 yards on a third-and-25 to set up Savion Williams for a 20-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-short. Arizona defensive back Tacario Davis (1) lines up against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. “It comes to those little plays,” said safety Dalton Johnson, who had a career-high 15 tackles. “Everyone wants to talk about the touchdown, but what about that third down? We just gotta finish drives.” Williams had another fourth-and-short conversion on TCU’s opening drive of the second half to extend the scoring drive and the Horned Frogs grabbed a 28-13 lead and never looked back. “Those are momentum plays,” Brennan said. “That one play, I think we wished (that) we attacked the football more. All of those are hard lessons to learn. We allowed drives to get extended and we didn’t get off the field. We knew they were getting the ball coming out of half, so we would’ve felt a lot better if it was 14-13 going into halftime. But I think our defense played their tails off, it just wasn’t enough, it wasn’t good enough. In all three phases, it wasn’t good enough.” Brennan said Arizona’s struggles on the road this season are “something we have to look at as a staff.” “As a head coach and coaching staff, we’re constantly evaluating every part of the program every step of the way,” said the Arizona coach. “That’s something we’ll continue to do as we come down to the last home stretch of the season.” Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lines up during the first half of a game against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. T-Mac etches name in UA history book With Arizona no longer contending for a bowl game, the Wildcats will get one more game with Arizona star wide receiver and projected first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, who set the all-time receiving yards record on Saturday. McMillan passed current Arizona wide receivers coach Bobby Wade for the career record and now has 3,355 yards, along with 207 receptions and 25 touchdowns. McMillan, who had nine catches for 115 yards against TCU, set the record in the fourth quarter on Saturday. Fifita said McMillan “deserves it more than anybody.” “God has blessed me with a bunch of opportunities, especially this opportunity, being able to put my name in the record books,” McMillan said. “At the end of the day, it’s a team sport.” Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) lines up with teammate Jeremiah Patterson (2) during the first half against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Passing Wade for the all-time receiving record has “been the plan since Day 1 when he stepped into the building,” McMillan said. “His idea and vision for me was to break his record,” he added. “We were able to do that tonight. It’s been a blessing to be under his wing and for him to show me the ropes about the game.” McMillan signed with Arizona’s stacked 2022 recruiting class, a batch of players that were the catalyst to turning around the UA football program under former head coach Jedd Fisch. McMillan signed with the Wildcats as Arizona’s highest-rated recruit in the modern recruiting era. He came to Arizona with high expectations and met them — if not, exceeded them. “T-Mac has been such a great player here for so many years, and lots of people have a hand in his process and development, but I think Bobby has, too,” Brennan said. “Bobby is an important part of that. They have a great relationship. Watching him play is really, really special. “It’s not every day that a player like that comes around. ... He’s an incredibly hard worker, he’s a high-level competitor and that shows up every week. The beauty of that, is you have a star player and the season isn’t going the way he wants it to go, but that’s not changing how he approaches the work, that’s not changing how he competes on game day.” Even though McMillan is a sure-fire draft choice and the Wildcats aren’t bowling, he said he’s going to play in Arizona’s finale on Saturday. McMillan said his career at Arizona has “been a blessing.” “Despite the season not going the way we planned it to go, shoot, I don’t regret any decision I made,” McMillan said. “Whether it’s coming to Arizona out of high school when they went 1-11, I don’t regret it. Coming back to Tucson when Coach Fisch left, I don’t regret it. I’m here because I’m supposed to be here.” Arizona head coach Brent Brennan, right, yells during the first half against TCU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Unfulfilled expectations The Wildcats entered the season ranked for the first time since 2015 and were widely considered a top-tier team entering the Big 12. It was conceivable for the Wildcats to contend for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. “Overcoming the (plethora of) injuries” and missing key players — including running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who hasn’t played since the season opener due to eligibility concerns — has hindered the Wildcats this season. Arizona added another injury with left tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, who limped off the field on Saturday, but Brennan said, “I don’t know the extent of it yet.” Considering the expectations for Arizona entering the season, “everyone is disappointed,” said Brennan, who joined Fisch and Kevin Sumlin as recent head coaches to not lead the Wildcats to a bowl game in their first season. “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t difficult,” said Fifita. “It’s a difficult year with the expectations that we had as a team. Just trying to process it, trying to learn. A lot of things we can learn from.” Brennan said the season has been “challenging on every level.” “I love these players,” he added. “I think they’re amazing and they come to work every day. They don’t complain, they just continue to bust their tails for each other. I think that’s really special. Now we have a one-week season.” By the numbers 23: Missed tackles by Arizona, tying the season-worst, according to Pro Football Focus. The Wildcats also had 23 missed tackles against UCF. 6: Rushing touchdowns scored by TCU, which is the most allowed by Arizona’s defense since the Oregon game in 2022. 51: Tight end Sam Olson hauled in a 51-yard catch on Saturday, the longest of his career. They said it McMillan, on Arizona wide receiver Chris Hunter, who caught Arizona’s only two touchdowns on Saturday: “Sky’s the limit for the kid. ... He’s going to be an up-and-coming receiver, for sure. I wish him nothing but the best. We’ll see what happens.” Brennan, on Hunter: “I’m just excited about the development of him,” Brennan said of Hunter. “He’s making great progress. ... It’s exciting to see him play with confidence and make the plays he’s able to make.” Brennan, on the direction of the UA football program: “We’re building a championship football program and it takes time to do it the right way. We’re going to do it the right way. We’re going to recruit our asses off and bring good football players, good people into this program and we’re going to do it the right way. I can’t wait.” Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) hoists the cup after the Wildcats won the 97th Territorial Cup with a 59-23 road win over rival ASU on Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe. Looking ahead With Arizona out of bowl contention, the upcoming rivalry game against Arizona State in Tucson is the last game of the season for the Wildcats. No. 14-ranked ASU, following the Sun Devils’ win over BYU on Saturday, is one victory away from securing a spot in the Big 12 championship and potentially the College Football Playoff. “That’s our bowl game, that’s our Super Bowl,” Fifita said. “Being able to beat them at our home, send our seniors off the right way and keep the Territorial Cup in Tucson, that’s the end all, be all for us.” Added Johnson: “It’s been a ride, but we have ‘scummy’ week next week, so we’re going to focus on keeping this team together and not letting guys wander off and think the season is over, because it’s not. “It’s a very important week next week and that’s all we’re focused on, the ‘scummies.’ “ Contact Justin Spears, the Star’s Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com . On X(Twitter): @JustinESports Who: No. 14 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2) at Arizona (4-7, 2-6) When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Where: Arizona Stadium Watch: Fox Listen: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Reporter
Aaron Rodgers is feeling healthy and will be the New York Jets' starting quarterback as long as that remains the case. Whether he's in the huddle beyond this season is still to be decided — by the Jets and Rodgers. “Football life is interesting because there’s no guarantees,” Rodgers said Wednesday. "Even with injuries, obviously, with contract situations, with age, with coaching changes, new scheme possibly, new system. There’s a lot of unknowns, so that stuff is out of my control. “I’m just going to enjoy these times here and let the future take care of itself.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers returned from the team's bye-week break appearing physically refreshed and ready to go. The quarterback was not on the Jets' injury report Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. “Definitely, as long as he’s healthy, my plan is to play him,” Ulbrich said. “And I know talking to him, that’s the way he wants to do it, too.” Rodgers, who turns 41 on Monday, has dealt with various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. And that’s after coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the same leg that limited him to just four snaps last season. “He’s doing better today than he has for quite a while now,” Ulbrich said. “After my conversations with him the last five or six weeks, he has felt healthier today than he’s felt in that time span.” That echoes what Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, when he said he “feels good.” Rodgers said he's still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season, but would prefer it be with the Jets if he does return. He reiterated that Wednesday after practice and explained why his tone has changed a bit from a few weeks ago when he said “I think so, yeah,” when he was asked if he planned to play next year. “If you look at what transpired in those two weeks, Joe (Douglas) got axed,” Rodgers said, referring to the Jets' former general manager who was fired last week. "Joe brought me in here. There’s uncertainty with, you know, everybody on the staff, so I’m not naive to what the situation is. And if a new GM comes in and they don’t retain Brick, I have to fit in those plans, so that’s kind of the first part. “Like I said, on ”The Pat McAfee Show," this is my first option. I’d love to play here if I end up deciding to play. But there’s got to be a want for them to want to bring me back, and for me to want to play. But ‘I think so’ was the truth, and ‘I’m not 100% sure’ is also the truth today." Rodgers, who is having a subpar season statistically, has been noticeably affected by his leg ailments — and that's something that could be much improved starting Sunday against Seattle. “I’m super excited about getting him going, whether it’s the keepers, the boots, a little bit more quarterback movement,” Ulbrich said. “Taking advantage of the stuff that he’s done at a Hall of Fame level his entire career. So, excited to see a healthier version of Aaron out there.” There was some speculation that the Jets, who are 3-8 and close to falling mathematically out of the playoff hunt, could opt to sit Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor with his playing future uncertain. “He is a very prideful person,” Ulbrich said. “He wants to finish this thing off right. He wants to celebrate this team that we have and have a good taste in our mouths as we leave this season.” Rodgers has been very complimentary of Ulbrich as a leader, saying he's “definitely all-in” on the interim coach and would like to see him get the full-time job for next season. “Again, that’s out of my control,” Rodgers said. "I mean, I’m not going to say Brick or nothing. I need to see how I’m feeling. Obviously, I would love to play for Brick again. He’s a fantastic human being, but there’s a lot of things that can change in the next six weeks. “There could be some really good feelings coming out of this or there could be wholesale changes — and I might be a part of that.” Those changes could include two coaches Rodgers is closest with in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing game coordinator Todd Downing. “Them not being here would not be a deal breaker for me,” Rodgers said, “although I obviously love them.” Owner Woody Johnson is using The 33rd Team, with former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman leading the project, to identify and analyze candidates for the Jets' coach and GM searches. Rodgers is unsure if Johnson will seek his input on those decisions. “I’m always available if my opinion is wanted, but I’m going to focus on playing right now,” Rodgers said. “If I get drawn in those conversations, fantastic. If I don’t, that’s fantastic, too.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
1. The friend who always wants tea — and by tea, we mean Nami Matcha . Nami Matcha specializes in single-origin matcha sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, offering a flavor journey that starts with steamed and buttered greens, transitions to a nutty richness and finishes with a delicate floral note. Unlike typical matcha, it leaves behind an invigorating sweetness rather than bitterness, and for a lower-caffeine option, Nami also offers the toasty and satisfying Nami Hojicha . Promising review: "This is the best matcha I've ever tasted. It's a super vibrant green that doesn't taste bitter. Spent so long finding the perfect high-quality matcha, and this is it! 🍵✨" — Emily Get it from Nami Matcha for $34 . 2. For the friend who loves functional fashion, a Hauter Water hydration backpack . Hauter Water creates cute hydration backpacks for festivals, hikes, and more! 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I read the reviews and bought it based on that. I was very pleasantly surprised. The flavor is really good! I love milk tea and this is a really good milk tea flavor. The instructions say to mix it with milk; I didn’t like the thickness of it with all the milk, so I’ve added 1/2 homemade sugar-free iced tea and 1/2 milk. That’s the perfect flavor! I would recommend this and I’ll be buying it again. Oh, it mixes really well, too. Some protein powders don’t mix well and have a gritty consistency. Not this one. I use a handheld shake mixer, and it works great." — K.P Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in seven flavors). 6. For the friend who is focused on sustainability, a set of Keiko Furoshiki Silk Wraps Keiko Furoshiki designs versatile, reusable fabric wraps that blend Japanese tradition with modern functionality as a sustainable alternative to disposable paper gift wrapping. For centuries, Furoshiki has been used to carry meals, accessorize fashion, and wrap gifts, and the brand aims to reintroduce this timeless practice into today’s eco-conscious world. Promising review: "Absolutely adorable! I ordered my Furoshiki to wrap a special birthday gift , and now I don’t want to give it up. I will be ordering more! I’ve styled it in my hair, as an accessory on my purse, and on my cute puppy. Thank you for the beautiful craftsmanship and love put into each one!" — Nicole G. Get it from Keiko Furoshiki for $20 (available in 16 styles). 7. For the friend whose phone is always at 20%, a Casetify 2-in-1 charging stand . Casetify crafts device cases that are as protective as they are stylish. With a wide range of designs to reflect your personality and handy accessories to simplify your daily life, Casetify seamlessly combines function and flair. Beyond the brand's sleek aesthetics, their charging stands come in a variety of designs, such as pastel gradient squiggles , Donald Duck , Barbie , and more! Get it from Casetify for $92 . 8. For the friend who wants to have a little bubble tea with them at all times, a Boutique De Mai boba car diffuser . Boutique De Mai is a California-based, Chinese-owned business crafting unique and beautiful handmade items such as earrings, keychains, stickers, enamel pins, and more. Get it from Boutique De Mai on Etsy for $6.50 (available in five scents). 9. For the friend who is always decked out in jewelry, an En Route Jewelry silver bow necklace set . En Route Jewelry is a New York-based jewelry brand that is dedicated to crafting thoughtful pieces without compromising quality or cost. The shop creates jewelry to fit many different aesthetics, including minimalist , Y2K , and more! In addition to jewelry, En Route also creates hair accessories that would look great with your outfits. Promising review: "It's so hard to find jewelry that's both unique and classy, but this set nails it." — Tamara Get it from En Route Jewelry for $40.50 (originally $54). 10. For the friend who always complains about dry skin, a Hey Dewy humidifier . Cindy Kang, co-founder of Hey Dewy , was tired of big, ugly humidifers and was searching for something small, light, and portable that could go with her anywhere. Hey Dewy offers five different colorways and a wired version of their iconic wireless humidifier. Promising review: "I collect humidifiers and nebulizers, which are essential elements for my daily survival. I suffer from an auto-immune disease that completely dries up my nasal passages (along with my mouth and eyes). Breathing is difficult on a daily basis. Long story short, this Hey Dewy humidifier is a SPECTACULAR find for me. The reasons? Once charged, the Hey Dewy humidifier can be taken anywhere, is long-lasting, emits a mist that is fine enough to humidify the upper nasal passages, needs only tap water, and can be handheld. Although somewhat pricey, it is worth the price. I bought two and will buy another one now." — Dieu N. Get it from Hey Dewy for $47.96 (originally $59.95; available in five colors). 11. For the constantly dehydrated friend, a Mizu Lab yogurt drink with strawberry electrolytes . Mizu Lab was born from founders Angelina and Soomi's realization of not drinking enough water daily and their desire for unique, Asian-inspired flavors. The brand combats dehydration, offers zero sugar, and is non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Reminiscent of Yakult, a Japanese sweetened probiotic milk beverage, it comes in various flavors including lychee and mangosteen, and yuzu and mango. Promising review: "I’ve honestly never been great about drinking enough water, but these flavors have completely changed that for me. They’re so delicious that I actually find myself looking forward to hydrating now. Big thanks to Mizu Lab!" — EP Get it from Mizu Lab for $24.99 . 12. For the friend who’s obsessed with cute-ass things, an Artket Good "Cute Ass" candle . Artket Goods is a Toronto-based lifestyle brand that creates cute and unique home goods items. They also offer uniquely shaped candles such as this Not A Sewing Kit Butter Cookies Candle , Bonsai Pillar Candle , Cute Shumai Candles , and more! Get it from Artket Goods for $29 (available in five scents). 13. For the skincare-obsessed friend, a pack of four House of M Beauty Saffron Glow Jelly Masks . House of M Beauty, a Vietnamese-owned skincare brand, offers luxurious, high-quality products infused with saffron. Founder Anne Oliver's research led to a curated range designed to nourish, protect, and brighten skin while uplifting mood. With a focus on saffron's potent properties, the brand aims to help customers achieve radiant skin. Get a four-pack from House of M Beauty for $35 . 14. For the culinary-inclined friend, a Brightland mini olive oil stocking stuffer . Brightland is the AAPI-owned, California-made cult-favorite pantry essentials brand known for offering the freshest, highest quality olive oils, honey, and vinegar that stand apart from their mass-produced counterparts with a focus on integrity and transparency. Founded by Aishwarya Iyer, the often-sold-out, 8-figure brand launched in 2018, and has since captured the hearts of home cooks and culinary aficionados alike. Promising review: "Every Brightland Oil has an amazing flavor and is packaged in pretty, colorful bottles that look great on the counter or in a serving display. I keep mine on the counter. I've sent the sets as gifts, and they arrived quickly in beautiful gift boxes and packaging. Everyone loves them. Yesterday I reached out to customer service with a question and received an email back within an hour with the answer. I love these oils and this company. They do it all right!" — Hope S. Get it from Brightland for $20 (available in four flavors). 15. For the DIY beauty pal, a set of Glamnetic's Venus Lashes . Glamnetic, the viral beauty sensation founded in 2019 by AAPI and female entrepreneur Ann McFerran, is known for its TikTok-famous press-on nails and first magnetic false lashes and eyeliner duo innovation. When Ann immigrated from Thailand to the US as a young child, she shared she could never imagine where her life is today. As a young Thai woman, she didn’t feel beautiful and wanted to create a brand that could help with her self-confidence. Ann’s vision for Glamnetic is rooted in the belief that beauty should enhance confidence effortlessly. She hopes through her entrepreneurialism she can inspire other young AAPI children to follow their dreams, take risks, and do the big thing! Promising review: "I only use Glamnetic Magnetic Lashes. This pair is very natural looking with a little pop! On Christmas, I got home and ended up losing one of them. My cat took it lol and I never found it, so I ordered these again!!! Probably top five favorite pairs!!!!" — Holly H. Get it from Glamnetic for $29.99 . 16. For the friend whose favorite animal is the sky bison, a Dream Cream Co's Appa-inspired hair claw . Dream Cream Co. is a California-based shop that specializes in creating cozy blankets, colorful stickers, whimsical enamel pins, ultra-soft micro-fiber glasses cloths, and much more. Founder Kristie Tai has infused her passion for creativity and warmth into her brand, and this hair claw design is also available on blankets, festival fans, tote bags, peeker stickers, and more! Get it from Dream Cream Co. for $14.40 . 17. For the friend whose diet subsists solely on noodles, an 18-pack of A-Sha x Hot Ones ramen soup. A-Sha is a Taiwanese-owned, Taiwan- and California-based noodle brand known for its 100-year-old legacy noodle recipe from Tainan. You may have seen their products at your local Costco, Target, H-Mart, Walmart, and other mainstream stores. With each dry noodle dish and tasty snack, A-Sha gives you the authentic taste of Taiwan in a convenient, easy-to-make form. Get an 18-pack from A-Sha for $46.49 . 18. For the friend who always smells nice, an Elorea four-piece Element Discovery Set . Elorea is a brand inspired by and honoring Korea's rich but lesser-known history of scent and culture. The brand offers eau de parfum, candles, and hand care collections that capture, preserve, and share the stories of the founders' heritage in modernized interpretations. For the utmost care and quality, Elorea uses celebrated regional ingredients native to Korea in small-batch productions. Promising review: "I’m like the model in the commercial; I can’t stop sniffing 'heaven scent!' I’m so happy with this scent, especially! I’ve never smelled anything like it before. It is very unique. I love all the scents in the discovery kit but really fell in love with 'heaven.' It is so soft and fresh, not strong at all. I plan on buying the bigger bottle and drenching myself in it. It’s so pure!! Thank you, Elorea. 🙏" — Sherry Get a four-piece set from Elorea for $35 . 19. For the friend who always loves their nails done, a Gellae Nails DIY semi-cured gel nail sticker kit . Gellae Nails offers a convenient solution to achieve salon-grade gel nails at home without the need for appointments or spending a lot of money. They are real gel nail polish in sticker form that lasts more than two weeks and can be easily applied by peeling, sticking, and curing with a UV lamp for 60 seconds without causing any nail damage, long dry times, strong smells, chipping, or messes. Promising review: "Absolutely my favorite one I’ve put on so far, and it is so much easier than other brands I've ever tried!!! All my coworkers thought I went and had them done at a salon!!!" — Jenna L. Get it from Gellae Nails for $17 . 20. For the friend who wants to try every Japanese snack, a Tokyo Treat subscription box . Tokyo Treat is a snack box subscription service that curates a variety of unique Japanese snacks and mystery boxes, offering an authentic taste of Japan's distinct flavors and textures. Founded by Ayumi, the brand aims to share Japan's vibrant snack culture with the world, bringing the joy of Japanese treats to global audiences. Promising review: "This box was amazing with what it has to offer! I enjoyed the spicy, sweet, and savory treats that I was able to try. I’m looking forward to what new things I’ll be able to have." — Juan S. Get it from Tokyo Treat for $32.50+ . 21. For the friend who loves little luxuries, a Superegg NYC hand cream . Superegg NYC is a premium vegan skincare brand founded in 2020 by lifestyle influencer and licensed aesthetician Erica Choi, inspired by holistic Korean beauty philosophy. Promising review: "Smells SO GOOD. I love this eucalyptus scent, and it’s a huge hit when I whip it out at parties. Also will never use another hand cream since this one has collagen in it 😍 love this vegan beauty brand so much." — Elaine C. Get it from Superegg NYC for $30 . 22. For the spicy friend (aka the friend who loves spicy food), a Fly By Jing Sichuan four-piece starter gift set . Founded by Jing Gao, Fly By Jing was inspired by the amazing flavors of Gao's hometown Chengdu, and its famous fly restaurants. Described on the website as "soulful hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract diners like flies, Fly By Jing doesn't conform to anyone else's notions of value, taste, or tradition. It is one person's recipes, one person's vision, and one person's story." Promising review: "Great set for a newcomer to the Fly By Jing. We handed this out to one of our office mates who has been Jing curious. This is the way." — David H. Get a four-pack from Fly By Jing for $45 . 23. For the friend who just loves the smell of rice, a Baisun Candle Co. steamed white rice-scented candle . Baisun Candle Co. is a Chinese-owned, Delaware-based business that creates handcrafted artisanal soy candles . They've perfected their blends to replicate specific notes that resemble fragrances and aromas many Asian Americans grew up with. Get it from Baisun Candle Co. for $20 . The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
After months of relentless promotion (remember ?), “Wicked” has finally landed in theaters, delivering a lavish and stealthily political adaptation of the beloved musical. Yet beyond hoping to defy the box office gravity of the streaming era, the film’s brightly colored explosion of pink and green makes it the movie a lot of people can surely use right now: buoyant escapism from a bruising election cycle and the uncertain future left in its wake, with a whole lot of heart — and not incidentally, a message. Movies take years to produce (director Jon M. Chu told NBC’s “TODAY” show during the process of making the film), so they’re a highly imperfect instrument to address, or divine, public moods. Still, “Wicked’s” arrival, along with sequels to “Gladiator” and the animated “Moana,” could tell us quite a bit about how festive the holidays will be for Hollywood as well as how eager Americans are to embrace distractions in this moment. Like “ ” (which also featured lots of pink and earned a whole lot of green), “Wicked” is a showcase for its female leads, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, she who will become the Wicked Witch of the West in the Oz story; and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the popular fashion plate. Initially defined by hostility — or loathing, as the song goes — their relationship serves as the backbone of the film as they gradually and sweetly bond, until Elphaba’s opportunity to meet the legendary Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum, the one questionable casting choice) sets them on very different paths. Much of the audience will surely know most of the songs by heart, but as with any musical translated to the screen, film allows Chu to expand upon the scope of the visuals in dazzling ways. The two-part format also enables this first chapter to probe Elphaba and Glinda’s characters more deeply, although at two hours and 40 minutes, the length and more leisurely pace might be the most obvious quibble. (The distributor of the film is Universal Pictures, like MSNBC, a unit of NBCUniversal.) On its face, “Wicked” serves as a character-driven leap into a fantasy grounded by friendship and female empowerment, as the shy, disrespected Elphaba finds her voice (and then some, thanks to Erivo) and sense of purpose. While it’s hard to match the theatrical experience, don’t be surprised if opening-weekend audiences occasionally erupt in spontaneous applause. Again like “Barbie,” with its resonant feminist message, “Wicked” will surely provoke political conversations the wholly escape-minded might wish to avoid. Because by Gregory Maguire (while taking certain liberties), the story incorporates “a powerful allegory of how societies can sleepwalk into fascism,” , where a disenfranchised group gets exploited to achieve those ends. That includes, in the most chilling line, the observation that if the goal is to bring folks together, “give them a real good enemy.” Some of that nuance might get overlooked when Erivo (whose stage credits include a Tony Award for “The Color Purple”) unleashes that Broadway belt, but “Wicked’s” wickedly clever approach to turning the classic story on its head, making us question what we think we know about good and evil, and the origins of these characters, feels both timeless and inordinately timely. For Elphaba, that includes taking a principled stand, even if that means challenging authority and personal sacrifice. It’s a classic hero’s journey, but again, has undercurrents that won’t be lost on anyone who has spent the last two weeks doomscrolling headlines. Although the movie , a known title and a marketing onslaught, some have sought to replicate that strange summer of “Barbenheimer” magic by touting “Wicked” and “Gladiator” as an unlikely double feature (“ ,” as Variety put it). The pairing actually seems unlikely, even a bit lazy, since the two seem particularly well matched, demographically, to complement each other. Where director Ridley Scott’s long-delayed Roman Empire sequel revels in visceral thrills, the musical, while offering epic qualities, strikes other emotional nerves. In her show-stopping number, Elphaba famously notes, “Everyone deserves the chance to fly.” Whether viewed as a flight of fancy or something deeper, “Wicked” deserves the chance to be seen and shared, which, given the film’s charms and the current cultural moment, could leave the holiday season’s other box office hopefuls feeling green with envy.WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges Tuesday night. The FTC had earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
NoneJohn Fury has thrown down the gauntlet to Logan Paul - with the American responding by telling him to "start training" as he expresses his eagerness to fight the YouTube star in a match that could feature alongside his son Tommy's potential rematch with Logan's brother, Jake. After a period out of the public eye following Tyson Fury's loss to Oleksandr Usyk, John has made headlines at a recent press conference for Tommy's called-off bout against Darren Till. In light of Tommy pulling out, due to Till's warning of a head kick if he found himself behind, John took to social media to lay out a challenge to the Paul brothers. READ | John Fury breaks silence with brutal Logan Paul call-out and makes one condition "This is a message to Logan Paul," said John on social media. "You keep going on about Tommy Fury not wanting to fight your brother. Here's one for you my friend. He does want to fight your brother and I'll tell you what else... I will fight you on the undercard. As soon as possible... ASAP. I'm sick of people saying 'I won't do this and I won't do that.' I will show you how I'll do." "Tommy will fight your brother as early as end of February or end of January and I'll fight you on the undercard. You're a lot younger than me, we know that. You're a 15st man, but I won't do as other fighters do... I will let my punches go at you. I'm sick of the critics saying; 'I won't do this' or 'I won't do that and I'm a coward'. "I will show you how much of a coward I am, I will fight you anywhere in the world - except America - on your brother and Tommy's undercard. Get back to me if you're interested... I will fight you Logan Paul and I will throw punches at you." "I will let my hands go and I won't s*** myself. I'll let my f****** hands go. "So, if you're interested, let me know and then I'll fight you on your brother and Tommy's undercard wherever it may be in the world." Logan has now responded to John Fury's call-out on Instagram, responding with a short message: "Start training". Logan - despite being well-known in the world of WWE - also has some experience inside the ring, as per reports from The Mirror .
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