Donald Trump met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris as he attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, - the iconic 900-year-old landmark that was devastated by fire in 2019. Trump, Jill Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Prince William are among the 1,500 guests in attendance at the historic reopening of the Cathedral that took nearly two centuries to build and has been restored in a record time of just five years. The event is a massive security operation involving surface-to-air missiles and anti-terrorist units. This also marks Macron's attempt at converting the opening into a diplomatic event as he battles domestic woes including the recent political gridlock and no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Attending the ceremonial reopening will mark Trump's first public event on the world stage ahead of his second term. Trump met Zelensky and Macron as the world waits with bated breath to see what Trump's transition to power might mean for Ukraine . Ahead of Trump's transition into the White House, outgoing President Joe Biden 's administration has ramped up support and military aid for Ukraine fearing a reversal of policies with the new government. In videos released from Paris, Trump seems to appear stoic as Macron stands in between him and Zelensky. Body language expert Judi James told Daily Express US that there seems to be "some very difficult, frosty-looking body language here between Trump and Zelensky, while Macron seems to place himself in the role of mediator and, at one point, pacifier." "Trump looks subdued but not submissive here, standing upright with his arms hanging at his sides, looking ahead but not into the cameras, with a jutting of his lower lip giving an expression of sulky displeasure. He looks unwilling to socialize or to showboat here, looking distant rather than present and socially active at the moment, " she said. DON'T MISS: Zelensky has a similar posture but unlike Trump, seems keen to talk to the cameras, she said. "There is a pose where the three leaders sit together and, as Trump leans forward to make his point with an index finger point of authority, Macron leans a hand across to hold Zelensky’s arm in what looks like an appeasement gesture, as though stepping in to diffuse a fight or disagreement," she explained. When he met Macron ahead of the ceremonial reopening, he grabbed the French president's hand in a show of strategic friendship before they posed for photographs. In a video, President Macron says, "It is a great honor for French people to welcome you five years later. I remember the solidarity and your immediate attention. Welcome back again, we are very happy to have you here." Trump expressed his gratitude as he shook hands and called French people in America "talented and energetic," before saying, "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot together... We had a good time together and we had a lot of great success working together on defense and offense too. And it seems like the world is going a little crazy right now." I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President @realDonaldTrump and President @EmmanuelMacron at the Élysée Palace. President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting. We all want... pic.twitter.com/eKMtuhp2ZI "The ‘bros’ relationship between Trump and Macron seems to hold true with a very macho bonding greeting ritual that you’d normally see between Superheroes in movies or battleground comrades, with the tight clutching of the upright hands hinting at valor, courage and bonding," James said. Zelensky shared on X that he had a "good and productive trilateral meeting" with Trump and Macron at the Elysee Palace. "President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him," he said. "We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace. We agreed to continue working together and keep in contact. Peace through strength is possible," Zelensky added. Ahead of his meeting with the US and France, Russian airstrikes in two cities in southeast Ukraine killed 12 and injured over 40. " Russia 's words mean nothing, but its bombs and missiles speak volumes. On the evening of St. Nicholas Day, aerial bombs in Zaporizhzhia hit a service station directly, cars with people inside," Zelensky said on Telegram . "Putin does not seek real peace — he seeks the ability to treat any country this way, with bombs, missiles, and all other forms of violence. Only through strength can we resist this. And only through strength can real peace be established," he added.
Gibson Energy Announces Contract Extension at Gateway, Sanctioning of the Gateway Dredging Project and $200 million in 2025 Growth Capital & Share BuybacksGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Not so much lately, though. Green Bay limited San Francisco to 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 rout of the 49ers on Nov. 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey gaining 31 yards on 11 attempts. Four nights later, the Packers beat Miami 30-17 by holding the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time since 1995 — and only the second time since 1950 — that the Packers had allowed fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back games within the same season. “I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “And that’s how you play good defense.” That defense needs to be at its best Thursday as the Packers (9-3) close a stretch of three games in 12 days by visiting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense thanks in part to a rushing attack featuring the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the physical David Montgomery. “Gibbs is a great running back,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.” The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions rushed for 194 yards but didn’t have a touchdown on the ground in a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124 in the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 at Lambeau Field. Montgomery rushed for 73 yards while Gibbs ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 yards this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Montgomery ran for a combined 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers last season. Green Bay’s run defense has come a long way since. The Packers have allowed 106.6 yards rushing per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league. The Packers haven’t closed a season in the top 10 in run defense since 2016 and have finished outside the top 20 in four of the last six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. “I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.” The Packers are yielding 4.2 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worst in that category each of the last three seasons. They haven’t closed a season ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per carry since 2017. Hafley says the improvement starts up front. “The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends. They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball. “And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.” Green Bay's defense has the Lions’ attention. “They’ve been playing well,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.” AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
SCOTLAND'S last remaining greyhound track should be demolished for much needed housing, campaigners have claimed. Thornton Stadium in Fife is worth up to £6million in prime housing land according to a report commissioned by a US-based campaign group. 1 Campaigners want to shut down Thornton Stadium near Kirkcaldy The document calculated the stadium, just outside Kirkcaldy, currently contributes a total economic impact of just £62,000 –and two jobs – towards the Scottish economy . But alternative use as a site for housing development would add to the capital stock of Fife, to the value of £5.9million. Animal rights groups have claimed the latest evidence underlines why the track must close. But supporters of the track have hit back, claiming a report by campaigners in the US on the economic situation of a small town in Fife lacks credibility. read more scottish news AIR DEATH HORROR Tragedy as pilot dies in horror plane crash near Scots airport PLOT SUNK Two Scots who used a dinghy to smuggle £42m cocaine haul caged for 22 years total GREY2K USA Worldwide, the largest greyhound protection organisation in the world, commissioned the economic impact study . Its president and founder Christine Dorchak, from Arlington, Massachusetts, told the Daily Record : “Wherever it persists, greyhound racing is a dying and exploitative form of gambling that results in severe pain, suffering and death for the gentle dogs forced to race . “It is staggering that this infamous and discredited form of entertainment has been prioritised at Thornton over alternative land uses, such as housing, which would bring significantly more benefit to the local community, and help tackle a growing crisis in Scotland and Fife. “Dog racing at Thornton has had its day, and it’s long past time that this run down, dilapidated site be repurposed for something which would bring wider community benefits , rather than just a flutter for a tiny minority who like to bet on cruelty.” Most read in The Scottish Sun LOW BLOW Rangers 'open to transfer offers' for star once targeted by Manchester City 'GORGE' 'Absolutely beautiful' - Scots footie wag stuns in tiny black sparkly dress SIMPLE DECISION Celtic-daft singer made Italian team change blue strips to green hoops AIR DEATH HORROR Tragedy as pilot dies in horror plane crash near Scots airport But one owner who races at Thornton, who asked not to be named, said he was stunned at the way the track was being singled out for extinction. They said: “There are so few owners left here and we are racing the dogs for a hobby. There’s very little betting and there is absolutely no cruelty – these dogs are pets for most of us. Crayford Greyhound Track attack: Shocking moment handler is punched and kicked by racecourse ‘invader’ “My advice to Christine Dorchak would be to keep her nose out of what’s going on in Fife, as she really doesn’t have a clue.” Thornton Stadium owner Paul Brignal invited Dorchak to visit the track to see the dogs in action. He said: “If Christine Dorchak came to our track she would see that all our dogs are well looked after, and come off the track wagging their tails. “Her report shows that we are not doing it for the money so how can she accuse us of exploiting our greyhounds. "Greyhound racing at Thornton Stadium is just for fun, just like whippet racing, dog agility, and flyball, which bears little resemblance to commercial greyhound racing.”
Robbins LLP Urges V Stockholders with Large Losses to Contact the Firm for Information About the Visa Inc. Class Action LawsuitAden Holloway established career highs of 26 points and eight 3-pointers to help No. 5 Alabama roll to a 105-82 nonconference victory over South Dakota State on Sunday at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Freshman Labaron Philon had the best game of his young career with 21 points and six assists for the Crimson Tide (11-2). Mark Sears had 20 points, including 6-for-14 3-point shooting. Grant Nelson added 17 points and eight rebounds and scored the game's first eight points. Alabama coach Nate Oats has sometimes been critical of his squad's defensive effort and the second half against the Jackrabbits will provide more fuel for that concern. Alabama did connect on a season-best 19 3-point shots but also attempted 55 long-range shots (34.5 percent). The Tide also saw South Dakota State put up 49 points in the second half to keep the score relatively competitive. Alabama claimed a fifth straight win with its third 100-plus point performance of the season. South Dakota State (9-6) was led by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff, who had 21 points and 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. The Jackrabbits connected on 11-for-26 3-point shooting (42.3 percent), with guard Isaac Lindsey scoring 11 points, including 3-for-6 on 3-point tries. After Nelson's personal 8-0 run to open the game, South Dakota State pulled with 16-14 on a shot by William Whorton with 11:45 to play in the opening half. But Alabama then broke the game open, going on a 24-3 run culminating in a Holloway 3-pointer to give the Tide a 40-17 edge with 7:37 left in the opening half. South Dakota State trailed 57-33 at halftime, but played a much more competitive second half offensively by connecting on 17 of 33 shots (51.5 percent). Alabama will open 2025 with a home game against No. 12 Oklahoma on Saturday. South Dakota State will host Summit Conference opponent Denver on Thursday. --Field Level Media
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Boone County grand jury indicted a Springfield, Missouri, man Friday with murder in a local crash. The documents were unsealed in Boone County court on Monday. Carl D. Simon was charged with second-degree murder and aggravated fleeing from police in connection with the Dec. 7 crash on Creasy Springs Road. A deputy tried to stop a vehicle for a registration violation on Clark Lane and Ballenger Lane. The vehicle did not stop and the deputy lost sight of the vehicle, the sheriff's office says. According to a social media post from the sheriff's office, the driver of the vehicle led deputies on a chase around the Columbia area before crashing in some woods on Hinkson Creek Road. A 32-year-old passenger was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead. Authorities still have not given the passenger's name. The grand jury complaint does not give details about why Simon is a suspect. Simon was arrested Monday in Columbia, Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said. Simon was in the Boone County Jail on Monday without bond. Simon's record includes convictions for drug dealing, robbery and domestic assault.1. Cookie Swap! , a cookbook with 50 recipes: everything from thumbprints and oatmeal to flaky cardamom palmiers and matcha sandwich cookies with almond cream — does anything sound more fun than missing school AND spending the day making cookies?! No way. This snow day is gonna be a core memory you're all sure to treasure forever. I have this book! My husband loves baking and *I* love baking...recipes that are not hard. We make cookie tins for friends every year (I know, how wholesome, right?) and this book was a great way to shake up our ideas! The recipes are clear, the pictures are gorgeous, and this definitely a fun gift. Promising review: "I love the concept for this book! I organize a cookie swap every year for by neighbors at holiday time. This book is absolutely perfect for ideas and recipes. It even tells you how to organize a swap and the recipe yields are all divisible by 12. The author has thought of everything, including advice on a 'bag of tricks,' which includes discussions on chocolate, types of butter, equipment, and types of cookies." — Falmouth Get it from Amazon for $12.09 . 2. And How to Cook Everything Kids — this is a cookbook that'll grow with your kids, encouraging them to participate more and more in the kitchen as they get older. Initially, the book's cute illustrations (such a clever idea!) engage tiny minds and interest them in learning about HOW to cook. After that, the images of kiddos cooking and the meals themselves help readers feel confident that they, too, can make a *real* meal! Promising review: "This book will grow with your children. With it, you can teach them about the utensils used in cooking, how to use a stove, oven, mixer, and food processor. If you have young children they can add and mix some of the ingredients while the adult or older children chop and cook over the stove or oven. This book teaches them how to organize the ingredients needed to make food, prepare it, and cook it. They will enjoy surprising their friends with guacamole, chicken chowder, and chocolate chip cookies! " — Terry Biehl Get it from Amazon for $28 . 3. A 1986 version of Clue , a beloved board game complete with a dark and foreboding mansion, sinister suspects, and hidden weapons sure to be a hit with older kids. You're gonna need to use your powers of deduction to solve the mystery and be the first to identify the killer, the weapon, and the location. Good luck! Number of players: 3-6 Recommended age: 8+ Pieces: Illustrated mansion board, pewter candlestick, knife, wrench, pipe, and gun, plastic rope, weapon cards, character cards, one case file, and six plastic character pawns. Promising review: "We try to get the family one game every Christmas and we chose this one! This retro edition is so fun. My girls love the mystery of this game and we enjoy being brought back to our childhood. Great for family night or rainy day!" — GreenChile33 Get it from Amazon for $21.99 . 4. A portable ping-pong set to turn your dining room table into *the* place to hang out (even when there isn't a crumb of food around). Set includes a retractable net, two paddles, three balls, and case. Promising review: "I got this for my son for Christmas. We don’t have a lot of space for a full ping pong table but I have a long dinning table that is perfect. This is easy to assemble and it changes up family game night. Great fun!!" — Heather Gould Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three set styles). 5. An indoor-friendly scavenger hunt game that'll save the day when said day is cold, snowy, dreary, and dull. Rather than coming up with specific objects, this game gives your kids a chance to be extra creative by finding things that are "scratchy," "warm," "fuzzy," and more! Promising review: "These are a lifesaver for us during the quarantine. My 7-year-old is enjoying challenges that I time, having to find five things to match five cards in five minutes. There are also two games with instructions that are fun. My kiddos are being so creative finding things. My son found a compact mirror and breathed on it to steam it up for 'steamy.' Hooray for igniting thinking skills. Grandma gets involved finding silly things that make the kids crack up. I love the bag they come in and that it’s a compact card game that can be played anywhere." — Jami Lilo Get it from Amazon for $7.69 . 6. A terribly charming toadstool tent sure to be beloved by imaginative kids who prefer pretend play to structured sets and games. If your family has too much energy for your *regular* house, send your little faeries off into the "forest" and have them scavenge for things to fill up their toadstool home. Promising review: "The mushroom playhouse tent added enchantment to my daughter's 4th fairy-themed birthday party! It became the whimsical centerpiece, creating a magical space where imagination soared. The easy setup was a parent's dream. I will be moving it to her bedroom after the party and probably to the backyard during summer. This mushroom tent playhouse is a must-have for fairy-tale tykes! 🍄✨👧🧚♀️" — Gizem Aktan Get it from Amazon for $99.99 . 7. A World Full of Spooky Stories , a compilation of stories that'll give your older kids a cultural world tour *and* keep those little thrill seekers entertained when they're old enough to enjoy a good spooky story. If scary stories aren't your family's thing, you can also get A World Full of Animal Stories and A Year Full of Stories , both are filled with fun folktales from around the world. Promising review: "This book has wonderful short stories from all around the world to broaden a child’s cultural knowledge and imagination." — Jamie Rodriguez Get it from Amazon for $17.97 . 8. Acorn Soup — this cooperation cooking game is sure to be to your *taste* if you're teaching your kids how to take turns. It also provides risk-free family fun because there's no winner (and thus, no frustrated kiddos at the end). To play, pick an ingredient card and place the correct number of each item inside the pot to make Squirrel's favorite meals. Dinner's served! Number of players: 2–4 Recommended age: 2+ Pieces: 8 recipe cards, 1 wooden spoon, 24 wooden ingredients, instructions, and a parent guide Promising review: "My kiddos (3 and 2) love this game! There are a few different ways to play with different instructions and varying degrees of difficulty, so the game grows with your little one. The ingredient pieces are wooden and feel sturdy in your hand. Even the recipe cards are on thick cardboard, so this game will last you a long time even with players who may not be gentle. :) My kids love just 'making soup' with it even if we are not playing the game as directed. I love that it helps with number recognition, counting items, identifying items, and recognizing colors. There is no real 'winner' which is fine as we are working on teaching turn-taking right now and not necessarily the idea of win/lose. This is a great, fun game for toddlers and preschoolers." — CA gal in TX Get it from Amazon for $21.95 . 9. A Dungeons and Dragons essentials kit so you can finally give this cult-classic a chance and expand your kids' gaming skills beyond screens. It's time to put your creativity to the test by controlling all of your family's fates as THE Dungeon Master. Number of players: 2 to 6 Recommended age: 12+ Promising review: "Honestly, this kit is what the original starter kit should have been. The story is easier to follow for a newer DM. The adventure is a lot more streamlined. The breakdown of character creation is amazing and simplified. It doesn't just toss you some generic character that you have no connection too. It simplifies character creation and allows you to ease into more complicated characters later on. The cards that come with this kit are something I wish I had when I first started. They help with initiative, conditions, and the sidekick cards and magic item cards are awesome. I would recommend this kit over the original to any person wanting to start playing DnD." — Bryan Get it from Amazon for $17.69 . 10. Pokko and the Drum , a laugh-out-loud funny book that's sure to be an instant classic loved by both kids and kids-at-heart who need *drumroll please* ATTENTION. Promising review: " This book is clever and cute and unexpectedly hilarious. The kids and I were all a little surprised at one point when one of the members of the friend group spontaneously eats another member of the group, but, well...that's nature? :D This is a great little story with beautiful illustrations." — Tripp Get it from Amazon for $12.39 . 11. Zingo! , which is a new take on Bingo that's gonna be *extra* fun. It's fast paced and the toy does all the hard work for you! Just slide it and watch the tiles fall down...here's hoping you get your bored covered first! Number of players: 2-7 Recommended age: 4+ Pieces: 1 Zinger tile dispenser, 6 double-sided Zingo cards (for two levels of play), 72 double-sided tiles, and a parent's guide Promising review: "My 4-year-old loves Zingo! We play almost every night. Not only is this game fun but it teaches kids patience and to take turns. We love playing this as a family." — Bri Get it from Amazon for $24.97 . 12. A pack of Crayola Globbles (sans sticky residue) — these cling to the wall and slowly drop down...tricking your kids into being patient after they've thrown these as high up as their little arms can manage. Promising review : "Amazing toys! My 1- and 2-year-old LOVE them! They scream 'sticky balls!' and run around throwing them on the fridge, windows, cabinets, walls, etc. Easy to wash and air-dry, and don't lose their stickiness! My new go-to gift! Love them!" — Rachel Get a pack of six from Amazon for $7.49 (also available as a 16-pack). 13. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine — this'll walk your space rangers through 50 cooperative space missions in a trick-taking format (like Spades) that only gets more difficult as they move along. Spooky! Number of players: 3–5 Recommended age: 10+ Promising review: "I gave this game to my brother for Christmas, and that night we all stayed up until 4 a.m. playing! Takes a little time to learn, but the instructions walk you through it." — Jackie Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 14. A pair of Wackadoo dice for Bluey fans who jump up and dance every time the intro song turns on. One die has a direction, like "dance," "jump," or "floss," and the other has a selection of critters your child will pretend to be while doing the action. Get ready to see a bunch of flossing kangaroos in your basement! Number of players: 1+ Recommended age: 3+ Pieces: 2 large Bluey dice Promising review: "These have provided hours of fun. They are very durable and lots of fun. Gets the kids moving and active." — Kendall & Robyn Nash Get them from Amazon for $19.14 . 15. A jealousy-inducing Melissa & Doug ice cream counter — it'll be a total (ice) scream playing retro soda shop with this fun set. One egg cream please. The wooden ice cream counter comes with eight ice cream scoops, six toppings, two cones, cup, scooper, tongs, wooden spoon, reusable menu card, and six pretend dollar bills. Promising review: " Fun toy set for a creative toddler. My newly-turned-3-year-old daughter instantly fell in love with this set! She loves seeing how high she can stack the ice cream cones and pretending to serve Mom and Dad her creations. She's been obsessed with climbing things around the house, and we *desperately* needed a distraction to get her to stop, and this is working so far — she plays with this thing for HOURS! " — West Family Get it from Amazon for $38.99 . 16. A 100-piece set of Picasso Tiles that reviewers say work with and are comparable to Magna-Tiles (which is helpful if your tiny architect already has that brand), because apparently building blocks are now blasé and kids are going wild for these shiny tiles. Promising review: "I wish I had known about these sooner! PicassoTiles are *exactly* like Magna-Tiles but way more affordable. We just received the 100-tile set today - an early birthday gift for our soon-to-be-four-year-old. We have two sets of Magna-Tiles — one with the grommets (purchased new last year) and one without (purchased secondhand [no idea how old they are]). The PicassoTiles are the same weight and size as the MagnaTiles and have the same exact magnets. They do not have metal grommets, but the old MagnaTiles are indestructible, so I know that these will be too. And PicassoTiles are much prettier, in my opinion, because they are slightly more translucent and have brighter colors. They integrate into the collection seamlessly. I highly recommend this product. And if you are considering buying any kind of magnetic tile toy for your child, I recommend purchasing as big a set as you can for versatility of play. Our son has played with these all day and night off and on every single day since we bought them last year. After integrating the new PicassoTile set, he hugged his enormous structure and declared them his favorite...twice. A wonderful toy!" — skater mom Get it from Amazon for $39.99 . 17. A Barbie Dreamhouse so your child's favorite dolls can live in style with a working elevator, a PARTY ROOM WITH A DJ BOOTH, a slide, puppy area, balcony, and a rooftop deck. If we can't have it all, at least our kids... dolls can. Promising review: "I got this for my granddaughter for Christmas, and she absolutely loves it! Putting it together was very easy, all the pieces just snapped together, no tools required, except a screwdriver for the battery compartment. It comes with a great variety of accessories and realistic sound effects with the push of a button throughout the house! There's so much to do; keeps my granddaughter busy for hours at a time! Her favorite part is the dance music and flashing lights for Barbie and her friends to have dance parties! But it's not just fun for my granddaughter, my daughter and I also have fun playing with it. It did cost a lot but it's well worth every penny , and I would highly recommend it! It makes a great gift that would make any little [kid[ very happy!" — Barbara Gratton Get it from Amazon for $224.99 . 18. A 2-in-1 rocking bike from Strider that'll help your baby become confident on the seat of a bike even before they're able to walk! This grows with your child, starting as a "rocking horse" that'll stay in place as they ride it inside your home. Once they're a little bigger, the base can be removed, and you'll have a classic pedal-free bike for your little tyke! My baby started using this around nine months old (pictured above, right) and she is a HUGE fan. She loves this *practical* "rocking horse." I love its durability (her older cousin used it on our deck and was riding it so wildly we were sure he'd end up doing a front flip...this thing held up - and kept the kid intact - like a champ). The bike can be removed from the rocking base as your child starts walking, making it a prime choice for teaching your kiddo how to balance on a bike. Promising review: "The bike paired with the rocking base has been a favorite since day one! Some days he rocks other days we take it off the stand and ride in the backyard! This is learning how to ride a bike made easy!" — Tracy Get it from Strider for $209+ (available in eight colors). 19. Eatz-A-Lotl , a card game for kids who love (even if they can't spell ) axolotls! This is a fast-paced but simple matching game featuring an axolot eating popcorn, pretzels, pizza, Popsicles...and other food that probably doesn't start with the letter P. Probably. This card game is suitable for kids ages 4+ and works with 2-4 players. Promising review: "This is a super cute and fun game! We love Mudpuppy products and this one was no exception. Super cute game, easy to learn, and fun. My axolotl-loving daughter was so happy to get this as a gift. I would totally buy it again!" — Callie Larson Get it from Amazon for $9.39 . 20. A sushi-making kit that'll keep your family's cooking skills on a roll as your kids continue growing comfortable in the kitchen (without an oven...which is a stress-free win for everyone). It comes with two rolling mats, a rice spreader, a rice paddle, and five pairs of chopsticks, along with a downloadable recipe guide! Promising review: "I got this kit on a whim, basically I just wanted to try to make sushi for the first time. For the price, you can't really go wrong! The mats were great and everything else included was helpful. It comes with an online guide which is nice, but you can also go online and find a ton of videos on how to roll sushi. I've made about four rolls over the course of two nights and am really satisfied. Making rolls is a breeze and fun! A great starter kit for anyone interested in trying this out." — J. Leaver Get it from Amazon for $8.48 . 21. A Blipblox synthesizer — a fully functional synthesizer for kids of parents who laugh in the face of quiet time. This has a learning curve so simple that babies can start jamming right away. Turn it on, twist some (kid-friendly, indestructible) knobs, and you've got a beat! It's intended for ages 3+ and a toddler hit, but it's also a great way for older kids to learn the ins and outs of electronic music — next thing you know, your kindergartener will be lecturing you about oscillators and low pass filters. We bought this toy for my daughter's first birthday and it is now the coolest thing in our entire apartment. Recently we were having a party and while I was looking for my daughter I went into the living room and found her surrounded by our friends who were waiting (impatiently) for their turn with this thing. It's TOO cool. Promising review: "The built-in beats and effects are a blast. Super fun to just mess with. For adults you can learn more about how the signal is impacted by each nob to get to some more reproducible sounds. Lastly you can hook it up to a midi keyboard or sequencer to use it as part of your actual musical kit!" — Dreyco Get it from Amazon for $199 . 22. A magnetic shape-shifting puzzle cube that'll bend your kid's brain as they manipulate it into over 70 different shapes, revealing mesmerizing colors and patterns. It's like instant origami, and I'm INTO IT. You can also collect all 12 puzzle box designs to connect different magnetic cubes to build even larger structures and sculptures. Promising review: " Fun for older teens. I bought one each for my 16- and 19-year-old son and daughter for Christmas. It made a great stocking stuffer. It was very intriguing and they enjoyed linking them together for new shapes. The boxes were sturdy enough for teens to manipulate without breaking and the magnets are strong. Not sure if younger hands would be too rough. If forced to move in the wrong direction they could break. The designs were beautiful. I plan to buy a few more for a bigger variety of shapes!" — Shellbug99 Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 19 designs). 23. A 5-in-1 gym so your child can get out their energy without turning *you* into their personal jungle gym. It can be configured in various ways so your tiny rock climber can switch up their routine whenever they want. Check out Avenlur's landing page for more gorgeous kid products and see all that they have for sale this Prime Day! Promising review: "This was easy to put together, my husband and I did it in less than an hour. The packaging is nice and doesn’t feel cheap. It feels very solid and the wood smells like wood, so that’s nice. Also all the holes are drilled where they are supposed to be and only two holes (of about 64 total) were slightly stripped once fully tightened, but it doesn’t seem to impact the structural integrity and nothing is loose." — Gullyfluff25 Get it from Amazon for $179+ (available in three colors). 24. A 1,000-piece video game-themed puzzle that'll combine your love of puzzles with your boo's video game addiction. Romantic! Promising review: "Great puzzle of retro games and consoles. Each piece is unique and fit together snuggly. Image is high quality (text and small details are easy to see/read). Finally, it was fun! Glued and mounted." — AJ Koch Get it from Amazon for $19.95 . 25. Azul just might be the only game to convince the craft-lover in your life to put down their crochet and play a game with you! The whole point of this board game is to create gorgeous (and point-scoring) tile mosaics featuring Moorish art-inspired designs. Number of players: 2–4 Recommended age: 8+ Promising review: "This is such a great game for both board game fanatics and non-gamers. It's easy to teach, simple to set up, plays in under an hour, and it's FUN! Azul is an abstract tile placement game that features drafting, set collecting, and pattern building. It's pleasing to look at and the components are well made. The tiles feel especially nice. This is one of those games that everyone we've introduced it to loves and wants to play again right away. It hits the table quite a bit." — Shelly Get it from Amazon for $31.97 . 26. Horizontal Parenting , a laugh-out-loud funny (and surprisingly clever!) book that'll beloved by parents who would happily do ANYTHING if they could lie down for just a minute . Grab this book, draw some roads on one of your old shirts, hand your kid a toy car, and let them play "Back Street" while you fall sound asleep. Promising review: "My kid loves this, and so do I! The games are good and are wonderful for days when you are low energy. It's a must-have." — Miai G. Get it from Amazon for $12.85 . 27. Slapburger — it's sure to be a hit with anyone who has a real appetite for game night! On each turn, a player will lay a card face up in the center of the table, then everyone slaps cards down to make some primo meal combos: like a SlapBurger card, Double Decker or Sandwich. The last player holding all the cards wins. Number of players: 2-6 Recommended age: 4+ Pieces: 52 cards Promising review: "This is a perfect family game. It's a fun card game that is easy to learn. I got it to play with my 4-year-old daughter and she loves it! It's a perfect gift and compact for traveling purposes." — Zoro Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 28. What Do Machines Do All Day? , a brilliant and bright picture book full of color and information on every machine your child could possibly name. Promising review: "My son LOVES this book. It teaches us so much about various professions and machines and it is a great jumping off point to discuss so many other things !" — Sarah A Get it from Amazon for $13.02 . 29. The Reverse Coloring Book sure to have your child feeling soothed as they sketch out a story about a princess fire-breathing dog living in some watercolor woods...or something like that. Each book includes 50 pages of watercolor art for you to add lines, along with suggestions for what to add if you want a jumping-off point. B onus: the pages are perforated, so you can easily tear them out and frame them! (Psst — check out these cult-fave black fine point pens for $8.99 on Amazon for a good doodling option!) Check out a TikTok of the Reverse Coloring Book in action. And if you've already tried this copy, there are newer Reverse Coloring Books from the same creator to try! Promising review: "Changed my life. So I get anxious doing the adult coloring books. This was so much fun and made me really think outside of the box. I'm not the best at drawing, but I felt like I was when I was a kid doodling in my textbooks in school." — Carley C. Get it from Amazon for $9.90 . 30. A LeapFrog animal book , which is frequently on the Amazon bestsellers chart. The interactive book teaches kids fun facts about all kinds of critters, and it'll even sing songs in both English and Spanish. Promising review: "This talking book is hands down the best thing I bought my daughter. She was a bit delayed in speech and since buying this book she’s been spitting out new words left and right. It responds well to touch and the pages are very durable which is great in the hands of a toddler!" — ApL Get it from Amazon for $12.97+ (available in six styles). 31. Forest Friends , which is a 3D board game that's sure to shake things up during game nights when you're away. You can play two unique games with this set. First is "Hide and Seek," where players help Mia Mouse guess which hole her animal friends are hiding in. If you guess correctly, you get a wooden star. If not, you shout out what you see, and the other players try to remember that info for their own turn. You can also play "Animal Tracks," where the animal tiles are flipped over to only show their footprints. Then you've gotta figure out which animal that footprint belongs to before your search begins! Number of players: 1-4 Recommended age: 2+ Pieces: 1 3D cube board, 8 star tokens, 1 wooden mouse, and 8 unique animal/footprint chips Promising review: "These games are the best for really young kids! We love the wooden pieces. This is a high quality product overall and lots of fun for the youngest board gamers ." — N. Robinson Get it from Amazon for $23.99 . 32. A pair of toddler-sized Unicorse and Bob Bilby hand puppets for Bluey fans who watch these two mischievous characters on television and would love to play with them for real life . Promising review: "Our daughter, her cousins, and my husband love playing with Unicourse and Bob Bilby. They look just like the cartoon characters and have given us hours of entertainment." — Naturecrazed Get them from Amazon for $15.99 . 33. A giant Jenga set to put everyone's stacking skills to the test. This version is 4 FEET, which makes sense, because finding family-friendly games this fun is a tall order. Promising review: "I purchased this for get togethers with friends and family and this is, and always has been, a party favorite. Good quality as well." — Mark Get it from Amazon for $99.95 . 34. Pancake Pile-Up! for the tiny chef in your home who would love starting up their own brunch spot while the parents go out to dinner. They can get their home restaurant-ready by flipping an order card. Once flipped, they make the pancake shown as fast as they can, using the spatula to place it on their plate, race back to the starting point somewhere in the room, and hand the plate and spatula to the next player (like a relay-race). The team or individual that correctly completes the stack shown on the card wins the round! Number of players: 2-4 Recommended age: 4+ Pieces: 10 plastic pancakes in 5 flavors, 2 plastic patties of butter, 2 plastic plates, 2 plastic spatulas, 10 order cards, and a plastic griddle game board Promising review: " I’m a Preschool teacher and a mom to a 4-year-old and I’ve recommended this game to every parent with young ones! This game is great quality, fun, and teaches so many concepts. Highly recommend" — Chris and Brittany Causey Get it from Amazon for $19.87 . 35. A pop-up tunnel play set — your kids are gonna love crawling in and out of these obstacle course of tunnels. (BTW, it also has a ball pit!) Promising review: "One thing my kids never tire of is hideouts and tents. I'm always hearing, 'Mom can you build us a tent?' So, instead of sticking blankets in drawers and hanging them from bookcases, I ordered this set. They play in them for hours and love them. This play set is great. It has three sections for them to sit and play in and three tunnels." — Stephen schuresko Get it from Amazon for $64.95 (also available in a princess version). 36. An open-ended marble run set for inquisitive kiddos who would love creating a massive marble run all on their own — no rulebook included! Promising reviews: " My 5- and 3-year-olds (and me) have spent hours building towers and watching marbles clatter down these chutes, steps, gears and spirals, HOURS! And they’re not bored yet! It’s also educational learning the physics of slopes by experience. Plus, it comes with enough marbles so that losing a few doesn’t matter." — Joyce Parker " This is a really neat toy that has provided literally hours and hours of enjoyment for my 4-year-old nephew (and me!). The pieces fit well together, it is very sturdy and stands up well even on carpet. There are an infinite number of ways to build these runs, and this toy never gets boring. Highly recommended." — Becca Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four kit sizes). 37. A modular kids' couch made with sturdy foam and easy-to-clean fabric so you can take your family's play fort skills to the next level, while saving your own sofa from destruction. Promising review: "This 'couch' is wonderful — exactly what we had been looking for. The covers are super soft and the color is gorgeous. We have built several different forts and tunnels so far and the kids love it! We had a tiny problem with one of the arches but customer service took care of it. I would definitely buy from this company again." — Chris and Charly Get it from Amazon for $168.99 (available in 10 colors). 38. A Play-Doh restaurant for parents who can't bear to wait another year for the next season of, well, The Bear . Okay, okay, this is actually gonna be a gift for your kid . But will the two of you have a ton of fun making meals and filling orders together? Yes, Chef! This set includes 2-oz. tubs of red, yellow, blue, green, and brown Play-Doh. It can stamp up to two food shapes at a time and make burgers, pizza, chicken, or spaghetti! Along with the prep table, this comes with a spatula and plate. This is suitable for kids ages 3+. Promising review: "This is a fun activity. Just great overall! It's a fun gift idea or to keep at home. Lots of variety in shapes and molds. And the pieces clean easily. Definitely worth having." — Em Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 39. A children's digital camera with 32 GB of storage, photo and video capabilities, sticker filters they can add to their photos, and even games (watch yourself steal this from your kid to play a nice game of old-school Snake)! After a full charge, your kid can take nonstop photos for 1–2 hours. Enjoy watching your kid run all over the place, taking creative photos of the world from their own special POV. This is suitable for children ages 3–8 and it's a HIT with reviewers! It has over 18,000 five-star reviews . BTW, it's shock-proof and includes a lanyard to keep it secure around your kiddo! Promising review: "I purchased this for my 3-year-old grandson. It is far more high tech than any 3-year-old will fully take advantage of but taking simple photos was accomplished with ease. I was astonished at the quality of the photos as well as the storage capacity. It is a fantastic value for the money. " — KayBee Get it from Amazon for $26.39 (available in five colors). 40. Flushin' Frenzy , a game specifically made for families who are *very* pro potty-humor. Players must plunge away and do their best to catch the, ahem, flying poop before anyone else. Number of players: 2-4 Recommended age: 5+ Pieces: 1 toilet, 1 plunger, 1 die, and 10 score tokens Promising reviews: " My 5-year-old niece loves it! What can be said really? It's a game where you use a toy plunger to make a smiling rubber poop fly through the air to be caught for points. My niece, like many little kids, is going through a phase where anything related to poop is absolutely hilarious, so I thought this game would be just the thing for her. She loves it! The game is very easy to pick up for 4- and 5-year-olds, the components are well-made, and the poop is...oddly realistic, except for its smiling face of course. This is without a doubt the cleanest option for playing with poop on the market. Your kids'll love it." — Brendan Williams Get it from Amazon for $39.86 . 41. Ooko , a clever character you'll be thrilled to introduce your family to. This savvy little fox's heart is searching for something that can't be stored in a tree trunk (which is already full of everything a fox could need; a stick, leaf, and rock)...Ooko simply wants a friend. Promising review: "I want to be Ooko's friend! Esme Shapiro is a very talented artist/writer. In a brief and successful journey, Ooko finds what he's (or maybe he's a she?) been missing his whole little fox life. With fanciful illustrations and the best fox dialogue around, Shapiro takes the reader into the world and psyche of a carnivorous mammal with a yearning heart. " — Brody Madrid Get it from Amazon for $13.85 . 42. And finally, a talking, singing, rainbow poop , which, upon first glance, may not be the toy you want in your house. Think again! This thing plays hide-and-seek with your kids — which means a piece of poop just saved you from hiding inside the bathtub until your five-year-old finds you. Ugh, they are so bad at seeking. Look, potty humor is the funniest thing this side of the second grade. BTW, this runs on two AA batteries (which are included). To play someone hides the toy and it will, ahem, "fart" to give the seeker hints as to where it is. Once it's found, it sings a victory song! Promising review: " I was looking for a game to play at our 5-year-old's b-day party, which had ages 5-15, and this was an absolute hit! All the kids loved it and we even got in on the fun for a few rounds. I can see this being very popular in our house on a regular basis. It's nice to get the kids up and active looking for it rather than just sitting playing a game. Countless people of all ages can play. When it was just the two older boys they timed themselves to see who could find it faster. It was very entertaining just to watch them too!" — Lisa Meade Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as an egg). Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Although Queens (Reinas) is Switzerland’s entry for the International Feature Oscar this year, the movie is actually set in Peru and told in Spanish. Director and co-writer Klaudia Reynicke , who left her native Peru at the age of 10, says the film helped her reconnect with her roots after spending most of her life in Europe and the U.S. “I didn’t think it in a conscious way, but I had a need of going back to Peru and shooting something in Spanish,” she said during a panel at Deadline’s Contenders Film: International awards-season showcase. “Now that I have done it,” Reynicke added, “I can see that it was actually very important this reconnection, something has changed. I guess cinema allows this, right?” While Queens is not Reynicke’s own personal story, “it’s definitely very, very connected to it,” she said. The touching family drama — which also has comedic elements — is set in 1992 Peru as the country undergoes social and political upheaval. Single mother Elena is making plans to leave the country with her daughters Lucía and Aurora, but needs their predominantly absent father, Carlos, to sign papers to allow the daughters to cross a border. The girls, whom the well-intentioned but hapless Carlos calls “queens,” are at first skeptical of him. But they eventually warm to their father as the impending farewell from home and family draws ever nearer. RELATED: Contenders International — Deadline’s Complete Coverage This is Reynicke’s third feature, and premiered at Sundance before going on to win the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature in the Generation Kplus strand of Berlin. In Locarno, it won the Audience Award and took Best Screenplay at the Festival de Lima in Peru. Gonzalo Molina , who plays Carlos, describes the character as “a broken man” who thinks the only way to be forgiven “by these two lovely kids is calling them queens ... Carlos thinks that they are better in many ways than him.” He also “doesn’t know how to repair the damage, but he tries to make things a little better.” RELATED: Best International Feature Film Oscar Winners Through The Years: Photo Gallery Luana Vega , who plays Aurora, says she had to “search for these feelings” when playing “the resentment Aurora has ... Aurora has lived more of this not-present father and Lucía hasn’t, so I think that’s why she tries to take advantage of him.” And yet, the family does come together before parting ways, with Reynicke framing them as a unit. “When you feel that this group of people is becoming a family finally, and the camera embraces them, that’s when you know there is going to be a big separation,” she said. “But to me it’s not really a bad ending, it’s actually life. The family has gained in love and has gained in solidity.” Check back Monday for the panel video.
President Jimmy Carter may have only had one term in the White House, but he remained a familiar figure on the world stage long after clearing his desk at the Oval Office. Despite a resounding defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the Democrat forged a new path promoting causes such as electoral probity abroad, social justice and drives to rid the world of medical conditions. His first foreign visit as president was to the UK where then prime minister James Callaghan, as well as the usual visits in London, took his guest to the North East with a visit to Newcastle, Sunderland and Washington – the village bearing the name of the first ever president. Mr Carter delighted crowds in the North East by saying “Howay the lads” during a speech to the assembled throng. He also received a miner’s lamp from 12-year-old Ian McEree in Washington. The 39th US president also carried out more traditional presidential duties, including meetings with western European leaders during his time in London while the Cold War was still ongoing. The practising Baptist continued his globetrotting ways after leaving power, even without Air Force One as his vehicle. He was also part of the Elders, a group of experienced statesmen and women drawn from all corners of the world.
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