22 jili slot Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent MideastIn a spirited end to the week, all three major U.S. stock indexes recorded notable gains, reflecting investor confidence in America's economic vitality. A November spike in business activity, fueled by anticipated pro-business policies under President-elect Donald Trump, saw the small-cap Russell 2000 outperform with a 1.7% hike, marking a weekly rise approaching 4%. Despite this upswing, Alphabet's shares fell 1.4% amid continued scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice on its search engine dominance, while Nvidia faced a 3.2% decline following mixed quarterly forecasts. In the broader market, an S&P 500 value index edged up 0.74% as investors shifted from tech-heavy growth stocks, reflecting a broader leadership transition in market strength. Investors remain watchful of Federal Reserve policy moves and geopolitical developments, particularly the Ukraine-Russia tensions. With a potential interest rate cut in December, market sentiment leans towards cautious optimism. Meanwhile, news from the corporate sector showed mixed reactions as Gap Inc soared by 11% on upbeat sales forecasts, whereas Intuit's forecasts led to a 5.3% drop. (With inputs from agencies.)

“Are you guys chefs or something?” It’s a question Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascencio and Alex Martinez get asked a lot when they tailgate at Bears home games. They hear it while setting up their butane burners and putting the blue-and-white tablecloths on their folding tables. They hear it when doing prep work. And they definitely hear it once the various dishes — seafood paella, truffle-topped soft scrambled eggs and brioche French toast with foie gras, for example — are ready and shared with those fortunate to be nearby. No surprise then that the answer is a resounding yes. Poilevey is chef/partner at Le Bouchon, Obelix, Mariscos San Pedro and Taqueria Chingon; Ascencio is chef/partner at Mariscos and Chingon; and Martinez is chef/partner at Mariscos. ( Taqueria Chingon ‘s last day in Wicker Park is Nov. 26, but the search for a new location is underway.) Season ticket holders for the last three years, the trio regularly bring their A-game to their tailgating at the 31st Street parking lot near Soldier Field — even if the Bears don’t bring theirs. Of the three, Poilevey is the biggest Bears fan and gets the most heartbroken over the team’s losses, while Ascencio and Martinez have learned to roll with the inevitable punches. Whether they’re doing a crawfish boil, steakhouse-style fare, or whatever the three conjure up, the menu planning often begins at the previous tailgate. “We’re constantly like, ‘Hey, what should we do next week?’” says Ascencio of the informal planning, which is sometimes influenced by the team the Bears are playing, or more often by what they have on hand at the restaurants. Poilevey admits having top-notch ingredients at their fingertips is a major advantage. For a recent tailgate, the plan was to do dishes that represented all their restaurants. At the end of one Saturday night’s service, the chefs gathered last-minute ingredients for the next day’s tailgate. A large plastic bin was stocked with steaks, duck breasts, caviar, cheese, butter and chorizo. Containers of various sauces, their names and dates clearly marked on blue masking tape, went into the bin too. “You don’t want to save too much of that stuff for the day of, especially if it’s a noon game,” Poilevey says. “You’re waking up at 7 a.m. after working the night before and you will forget something.” Alex Martinez says hello to an octopus while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Martinez and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey and Marcos Asencio, who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. Crispy octopus glazed with tare was on the menu at the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio works with chorizo to be used in a paella while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Asencio and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey (cq) and Alex Martinez (cq), who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio cuts up chorizo to be used in a paella while prepping in the kitchen, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio organizes items to be used in a paella, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the next day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio scans a cooler while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro ahead of his Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the next day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez breaks eggs for a French scramble dish while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez uses an immersion blender to mix eggs and cream for a French scramble eggs dish while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez says hello to an octopus while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Martinez and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey and Marcos Asencio, who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. Crispy octopus glazed with tare was on the menu at the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Aiding in the preparation process is a ready-to-go kit that includes the basics — dubbed “the Bear essentials” — such as towels, knives, seasonings, wipes, cutting boards and utensils. Post-game, the kit goes back to one of the restaurants where items are cleaned and replaced as needed. An avid camper, Ascencio takes charge of the kit. Ideally, everything goes back in the box, except for that time when the salt didn’t (don’t ask). On game day, Ascencio typically arrives first as his SUV is packed with the equipment, kit and coolers. The unpacking of it resembles those circus clown cars with item after item endlessly coming out. Setup, on the other hand, looks like a race car pit change with each chef quickly organizing their respective stations. Conversation isn’t needed as they know exactly what to do. Ascencio lights the charcoal for the small Japanese grill and sets up the paella propane cooker, while Poilevey readies the snacks, such as freshly shucked oysters, pate en croute and raw tuna topped with salsa negra. “We like to have something to eat as we work,” says Poilevey, who’s also in charge of caviar bumps. “This man never leaves the house without caviar,” quips his girlfriend, Sonia Balzak. Freshly baked croissants and doughnuts grabbed from Obelix that morning are unboxed. Meanwhile, Martinez is warming up duck consommé, which will be paired with maitake mushrooms that Poilevey has thinly sliced and placed into cups for easy serving. Chicken stock for paella is warmed up on a second butane burner. Once it’s done, Martinez will get started on the soft scrambled eggs prepared in a bain-marie. Their handiwork hasn’t gone unnoticed. “You guys are fun to watch,” says Clarence Boot of Naperville, who, along with two friends, has been eyeing the chefs from their neighboring spot. “You guys are doing it right,” adds Dick Patton, also from Naperville. After the duck consommé is served — a paper cup is MacGyvered as a ladle as they forgot to bring one — Martinez gets to work on the torre de mariscos, think a multi-layered cake but with tuna, octopus, shrimp and scallops. The fish tower rests on a bed of red and green salsas and is topped with sliced avocado. Poilevey steps away from his station to help man the grill and lightly sears Wagyu steak, octopus and duck breasts. Those are topped simply with salt and sliced, making for tasty finger food. “Typically, we’re not trying to put together really complex dishes with a bunch of ingredients,” Poilevey says. “It’s more about really great product, cooked well and seasoned right.” Little by little friends and co-workers arrive, as do the Champagne splits, bottles of wine and beer. The tequila comes out later. “They all know we tailgate for home games and are invited,” Martinez says. Ascencio is now in full paella mode, methodically adding each ingredient to the large pan. There’s chorizo, mussels, shrimp, calamari and squid in addition to the rice. Chicken stock is added in waves. At 10:30 a.m., the finished product is topped with peas and drizzled with a spicy crema before being handed out to anyone who asks, including some who have gotten to know the trio from previous tailgates and search them out. “If you’re making something nice, bring enough to share,” Ascensio says. “Spreading love is what food and hospitality is about.” “Oh, paella, holy s−−−,” shouts a guy walking by. “That’s a work of art.” At the parking spot next door, Robert McClendon of Crown Point, Indiana, has been watching closely, sampling dishes here and there. Initially, he wasn’t so sure about the paella, but after trying it, he comes back for a heaping plate to bring home to his wife. “I’m glad we got parked next to them,” he says. Sharing their culinary knowledge is a big part of the chefs’ tailgating experience. “It’s not only about cooking and enjoying that but also educating too,” Martinez says. “We like to show people what we do and introduce them to new stuff.” An added bonus: Some of those folks end up visiting the restaurants. By 11 a.m. attention turns to cleanup. There is, after all, a Bears game to go to in case you forgot. Like other aspects of their tailgating, that has a system too. Early on, Ascencio sourced out where still-warm coals and garbage can be discarded, a process that’s been ongoing. Another tip? “I always tell people when they tailgate to clean as you go,” he says. Similar to setup, the breakdown is equally disciplined, although now those co-workers and friends help. Soon the only evidence of their tailgating is a small piece of octopus on the ground. Then they start their 30-minute trek to Soldier Field. So why would these chefs want to spend their day off once again cooking for others? “We don’t turn this off. It’s in our blood,” Poilevey says. “We’re chefs for a living because we love to cook and host and that carries over to all other aspects of our lives.” Lisa Shames is a freelance writer.MG has been busily overhauling its model range, and the next cab off the rank is the ZS SUV. It’s arguably the brand’s most important vehicle launch this year, too, as the ZS is its best seller. Not only that, it’s Australia’s best-selling small SUV. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Unusually, MG is launching the ZS as a hybrid first. While the outgoing model was offered with hybrid power overseas, wearing the VS nameplate, this is the first time such a powertrain has been offered in the car locally. The 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+, as it’s known, is due in showrooms this month. MG says petrol-powered models will follow during the first quarter of 2025. It hasn’t detailed their powertrains, but says the ZS will offer two separate petrol engines. The current ZS EV will be replaced by an unrelated model that wears the ES5 nameplate in China, and which rides on the MG 4’s dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform. This is due during the second quarter of 2025. The new petrol and hybrid ZS use the same platform as the latest MG 3 , which was launched earlier this year. The Hybrid+ system is also borrowed from the light hatch. The new ZS wears the brand’s latest corporate face, as seen on the latest MG 3 and HS . It’s a meaner mug than that of the outgoing ZS and ZST , but otherwise the design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. There are defined side creases and hip lines like the outgoing car, but the belt line doesn’t have as sharp an uptick behind the rear doors. The tail lights don’t have the cool ‘piano key’ look of the outgoing ZST, either. The result is a design that ultimately doesn’t look much different and, where it does, appears more conservative. If you parked a new ZS against the old ZST, you could definitely tell the difference, but a layperson mightn’t be able to tell which one is newer. In a segment with some bold designs like the Hyundai Kona and Chery Omoda 5 , the ZS looks rather... generic. Where it looks better than Chinese rivals like the Omoda 5 and the GWM Haval Jolion is in its stance. Those models both have an awkward, narrow-track look, like their bodies are too big for their chassis. No problem here with the ZS. The ZS also has a particularly handsome interior, but more on that later. How much does the MG ZS cost? The MG ZS is joining a growing contingent of small hybrid SUVs, which includes the Toyota Corolla Cross and its more stylish C-HR cousin; the Hyundai Kona; and another Chinese crossover in the GWM Haval Jolion. MG is launching it with promotional pricing which will remain in effect for an unspecified period of time. It sees the ZS Hybrid+ Excite, priced at $33,990 before on-road costs, wear a sticker of $33,990 drive-away. Likewise, the top-spec Essence is priced at $36,990 before on-road costs and, for an unspecified period of time, $36,990 drive-away. In terms of pricing, its closest rival is the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid which is currently being offered for $31,990 drive-away in Premium guise, $34,990 drive-away as a Lux, and $37,990 drive-away as an Ultra. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the MG ZS like on the inside? The exterior mightn’t look radically different from the old ZS and ZST, but the interior is a major step forward in terms of useability and modernity. There’s a distinctive (and large!) new gear shifter, as well as hexagonal air vents and even hexagonal cupholders. It all looks very modern. The 8.0-inch touchscreen of the old car is gone, replaced by a larger 12.3-inch unit running the brand’s latest generation of infotainment system. There are still no physical buttons for the climate control apart from an on/off button and switches for the front and rear demisters, but it’s now much easier to adjust climate settings. The home screen has a climate control widget where you can easily tap the screen to adjust the fan speed or temperature without diving into another menu. This sits next to widgets for smartphone mirroring, media and navigation. Not only this, but you can also program one of the rectangular toggles on the steering wheel to adjust climate control settings. Few cars let you adjust these settings with a steering wheel switch, and it helps make up for the lack of physical dials and buttons on the dash. The infotainment system is more responsive and attractive than the old car’s, while the physical switches underneath the touchscreen are nicely damped and allow you to easily jump to the home screen or adjust the volume. Smartphone mirroring does require a cable, and this must be plugged into a USB-A outlet; there’s a USB-C outlet next to it, but it’s only for charging. The ZS also has a USB outlet behind the rear-view mirror. Oddly, there appear to be two obvious spots on the centre console for a wireless charging pad, and yet this feature isn’t available on any Australian-market ZS. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, which contains a 7.0-inch central screen flanked by a pair of digital readouts. It’s attractive, although there are some usability issues when you’re on the go. Having the speed readout on the left of the cluster means you often can’t see it behind your hand, while the central screen’s insistence on switching to a screen depicting the car and other surrounding vehicles is frustrating. Yes, I know there’s a car ahead of me to the left – I can see it out the windscreen! While everything looks different from the old ZS and ZST, some things feel the same. The Essence’s leatherette-upholstered front seats are very soft and squishy in Chinese car fashion, just like the old ZST. Also soft is the trim used for the top and front of the dash, as well as the inserts of the door cards. This is much like the previous-generation vehicle. It’s a shame the tops of the doors are finished in hard plastic though, while the slope of the door cards means you can’t easily rest your arm. In the Excite, the dash features grey cloth inserts that are quite handsome and tie in with the seats; in the Essence, this trim is leatherette. The Essence can also be had with an optional pale interior colourway which looks quite modern, though may not be ideal if you’re using the ZS as a family vehicle. The Excite’s interior has a cheaper headliner and halogen lighting up front, while the Essence upgrades to a nicer ceiling and LED lighting. In terms of storage, there’s a small open shelf on the dashboard, a decently large glove compartment, a not-so-large centre console bin, and bottle holders in the doors. Those hexagonal cupholders may prove awkward for certain receptacles, however. Step into the back and you’ll find a spacious place to sit. At 180cm tall I could sit behind my seating position with plenty of headroom and legroom. The battery and hybrid control unit sit under the rear bench, but don’t impact back-seat space. Amenities include air vents, a single USB-A outlet and, in the Essence, map pockets. Boot space is good. There’s 443L of cargo volume – more than the Kona and Haval Jolion – expanding to 1457L with the rear seats folded. However, there’s no spare wheel under the boot floor, just a tyre repair kit. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What’s under the bonnet? At launch just one powertrain will be offered: a petrol-electric hybrid shared with the MG 3 hatchback. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the MG ZS drive? The MG ZS’s hybrid system is impressive. The ZS can run on pure electric power until around 30km/h, when the petrol engine kicks in. This in turn charges the battery, while at higher speeds the electric motor and petrol engine work in parallel. There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – as well as three separate levels of energy recuperation, adjustable via the infotainment touchscreen. None of that sounds especially unique in the context of hybrid systems, and yet what does stand out with the ZS is how smoothly it shifts from electric to petrol power. Even when you overtake and the petrol engine fires up, noise suppression is good; likewise, at 110km/h the engine is sitting at 2600rpm and making barely a peep. When you do hear the petrol engine, it has an appealing, thrummy sound. While it never felt hot hatch fast, I was never left wanting for more power. You do occasionally get a bit of tyre chirp if you’re heavy on the throttle while going around a corner, though. The powertrain may be quiet, but unfortunately a bit of other noise leaks into the cabin despite MG’s claims of noise, vibration and harshness reduction. Tyre roar can be quite loud on coarse-chip surfaces and there’s a bit of wind and road noise at highway speeds. More annoyingly, both ZS examples I tested had an annoying whistling noise that I couldn’t seem to place. The Essence I drove was particularly bad, with a whistle that would appear at speeds of above 50km/h and prove remarkably persistent; the Excite I drove also had a whistling noise, but it was more sporadic. Then there’s the irritating overspeed alert that defaults to on. If you turn this off, you lose the speed sign recognition function. MG may make some sporty cars still, but it’s not like the old days under British ownership when the whole lineup was sport-focused. Despite a somewhat firm – if generally quite comfortable – ride, the ZS isn’t particularly engaging to drive, at least not in the way that, say, a Suzuki Vitara or Volkswagen T-Roc is. The centre of gravity feels high, and the ZS’ default is understeer. It won’t be your small SUV of choice for a winding road. But then MG isn’t marketing this as a sporty SUV, and for the typical ZS buyer we imagine it’ll be just fine. The steering that lacks in feel has a nice weighting that avoids being feather-light but makes the ZS easy to twirl around a carpark; the squared-off, leather-wrapped wheel in the Essence is also delightful. The steering only gets annoying when you turn on the Intelligent Cruise Assist. As we’ve experienced in the MG 4, the lane centring function makes the steering squirm and make lots of small corrections. It doesn’t feel natural. Fortunately, you can just use regular adaptive cruise control. You can also toggle the lane systems between emergency lane-keep assist, regular lane-keep assist, or a simple lane-departure warning function, while alert sensitivity can be toggled between low, medium and high. We didn’t have any other issues with the active safety technology apart from the forward collision warning being set off once on a highway on-ramp. Fortunately, the autonomous emergency braking didn’t activate. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? For now, the new-generation ZS range consists of just two variants, both with hybrid power. ZS Hybrid+ Excite highlights: ZS Hybrid+ Essence adds: Both ZS models come with 12 months’ complimentary access to iSmart connectivity. This allows you to use a smartphone app to check the vehicle’s fuel level and location, and remotely control the locks and climate settings, among other connected services. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the MG ZS safe? MG says the new ZS is currently going through Euro NCAP testing, although it’s unclear when this will be completed and when ANCAP will award its rating. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the MG ZS cost to run? MG covers its range with a lengthy 10-year, 250,000-kilometre warranty in Australia. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert’s Take on the MG ZS We don’t yet know how the petrol-powered MG ZS models will drive, but the new-generation small SUV has made a good first impression with its hybrid powertrain. We’ll need to see how good fuel economy is in the daily commute, but over our drive route we found a good mix of economy and performance and impressive refinement – at least from the engine, with a bit too much road and wind noise getting into the cabin. The ZS isn’t particularly fun to drive, but it should prove a comfortable commuter. The cabin is a nice place to sit, with slicker technology than the old car and some nice materials. Throw in a long list of standard safety equipment and a price that undercuts rivals from Hyundai and Toyota, and the ZS is a compelling new addition to Australia’s hybrid SUV menagerie. Interested in buying an MG ZS? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything MG ZS Pros Cons

The College of Business and Economics at Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the edX platform, has launched the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate Program, the first of its kind in the Arab world to be offered in Arabic. The program aims to equip individuals aspiring to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and capabilities to create innovative ideas and projects or gain a competitive edge to advance their professional careers. It provides participants with strategic insights and practical skills to thrive in today's competitive business environment. The program comprises four specialized courses addressing key entrepreneurial skills: entrepreneurial business management, entrepreneurial marketing, entrepreneurial marketing, change and innovation management. Speaking about this milestone, Dr Rana Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU, stated, "the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a landmark achievement, addressing a long-standing need for accessible, high-quality entrepreneurship education in Arabic. This program empowers participants to innovate, lead, and create meaningful value in their respective industries while celebrating and leveraging their cultural and linguistic heritage." For his part, Dr Mohammad al-Smadi, Director of the Digital Learning and Online Education Center at QU, emphasized the program's importance, saying, "this program exemplifies our commitment to leveraging advanced digital learning technologies to provide accessible, high-quality education. By offering the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Arabic, we are empowering learners to gain essential skills through a flexible and engaging online platform, tailored to meet the needs of the Arabic-speaking community in a rapidly evolving global landscape". According to QU's statement, current professionals, students, graduates, and those interested in innovation and entrepreneurship can register and benefit from this certificate, adding that the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate Program offers significant flexibility, allowing participants to study online at their own pace. Graduates of the Program will be able to develop and implement successful projects, design innovative marketing strategies, explore various financing options, and lead institutional change processes to enhance innovation. The program will also qualify them for critical roles, such as establishing and managing startups or serving as key team members within them; working in innovation-focused roles within organizations, such as product development or operations management; providing specialized consulting in entrepreneurship strategies; leading digital and social entrepreneurial projects that combine innovation with positive impact; and contributing to education and mentoring for a new generation of entrepreneurs. (QNA) Related Story Qatar vows to enhance Arabic language in AI age: minister Arabic Book Club offers insight on publications about Gaza

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With so much of our lives spent in bed, we all must get a restful night’s sleep so we’re ready to start the day energized. While our bodies naturally cool down as we wind down, some sleep much colder than others. The right mattress can help cold sleepers stay warm and cozy throughout the night. Most mattresses target your sleep position and not your temperature, which makes shopping around tricky. This guide can help you understand what makes the right mattress for cold sleepers and everything you need to know to sleep well. Our top pick, the DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress , is designed to regulate temperature for a comfortable sleep. Cold sleepers should look to any mattress containing foam or latex, as these two materials trap heat more than other options, particularly breathable innerspring mattresses. While trapping in heat is a turnoff for some sleepers, those who are cold embrace the warmth kept within. Hybrid mattresses are increasingly popular. They feature a combination of foam or latex and innerspring layers to provide a balance of comfort and support. The foam or latex layers are typically the uppermost layers and help regulate temperature. How soft or firm the right mattress is for you is influenced mainly by your sleep position and size. Those who sleep on their stomach should avoid a soft mattress so that they don’t sink into the bed and strain their spine, but they should also avoid an extra-firm mattress that doesn’t support their hips and shoulders. Side sleepers should be cradled by a softer mattress with a bit of resistance for their shoulders and head. Back sleepers find firmer options most comfortable. Heavier individuals should avoid softer mattresses as they can sink in and not receive the proper support. Conversely, slighter persons may enjoy less firm mattresses since they can cradle them. For some people, gel foam is a much-desired feature; however, cold sleepers should avoid foam or hybrid mattresses incorporating gel foam. This is because the gel helps offset the heat trappings of foam by adding cooling technology, making the mattress a good choice for those who sleep warm, not cold. Most mattresses that include foam or latex are adept at lessening motion transfer, meaning that one person’s rustling or movement won’t disturb the other person in bed. What’s more, foam and latex options tend to be quiet. Foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are pricier, especially those with multiple layers. Cold sleepers can expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 for a queen-size mattress. A. Investing in a mattress protector is wise, especially for a densely made mattress that traps heat. A mattress protector prevents dust, mites, and, in some cases, liquids from penetrating the mattress, which can cause an odor and lead to slow deterioration. Rotate your mattress every few months so it’s used evenly, especially if you have foam layers that may conform to your body. A. Size and thickness don’t necessarily influence a mattress’s heat retention. Mattresses for cold sleepers come in all standard sizes. That choice should be made based on your size, available space and whether you sleep with a partner. Thickness ranges from around 6 to 14 inches. DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress – Luxury Hybrid Memory Foam What you need to know: This high-quality, thick hybrid mattress has foam layers on top for a warm, cozy night’s sleep. What you’ll love: The innerspring base supports all sleep positions while foam layers hold in warmth. There’s no motion transfer or noise when moving. What you should consider: It may be too firm for petite individuals. ZINUS 12 Inch Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress What you need to know: This mattress offers both comfort and support at a reasonable price. What you’ll love: It includes layers of low-toxin foam that help maintain the temperature as you sleep. It’s also infused with green tea extract, which helps to fight against unwelcome odors. What you should consider: While it does say it includes cooling gel, it’s still too hot for some people. GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress What you need to know: This adaptable mattress adjusts to your shape and temperature to create the most comfortable sleeping experience. What you’ll love: It’s a hybrid mattress that cradles the body while still supporting the shoulders and hips and lacks motion transfer. The top layers provide warmth and comfort. What you should consider: It may be too soft for heavier individuals. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Clemson adds top 50 QB to '25 recruiting class

Miami (6-7) at Houston (8-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM Odds: Texans by 3. Against the spread: Dolphins 5-8; Texans 5-6-2. Series record: Texans lead 8-3. Last meeting: Dolphins beat Texans 30-15, on Nov. 27, 2022, in Miami. Last week: Dolphins beat Jets 32-26 in OT; Texans were off, beat Jaguars 23-20 on Dec. 1. Dolphins offense: overall (19), rush (24), pass (14), scoring (23). Dolphins defense: overall (9), rush (7), pass (11), scoring (T14). Texans offense: overall (18), rush (16), pass (17), scoring (11). Texans defense: overall (5), rush (10), pass (7), scoring (T12). Turnover differential: Dolphins minus-2; Texans plus-10. QB Tua Tagovailoa, who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at throwing with anticipation and accuracy since he returned from a concussion in Week 8. Tagovailoa leads the NFL with a 73.8% completion rate and threw for 300 yards for the third straight game last week vs. the Jets. Tagovailoa is the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 pass attempts, multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions in three consecutive games within a single season. QB C.J. Stroud has thrown for at least 225 yards in each of his six home games this season and is 11-4 in 15 starts in Houston, including the playoffs. He has thrown for 3,117 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Miami’s run defense. Mixon ran for 101 yards in Houston’s previous game for his seventh 100-yard game this season. He ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game. This week he’ll face a run defense that ranks seventh in the NFL by holding teams to 105.6 yards a game. Miami LT Terron Armstead is dealing with a knee injury that limited him to just five snaps last week. He did not practice Wednesday... LBs Bradley Chubb (knee) and Cameron Goode (knee) could make their season debut, depending on how this week of practice goes, coach Mike McDaniel said. ... WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (hamstring), RB Raheem Mostert (hip), and LB Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) were among those limited in practice Wednesday. ... Houston S Jalen Pitre is expected to miss a second straight game with a shoulder injury. ... DE Denico Autry was limited in practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. Houston won the first seven meetings in this series. ... Miami didn’t get its first win against the Texans until a 44-26 victory in 2015. ... The Dolphins have won the past two meetings. ... These teams first met in the season opener in 2003 when Houston got a 21-20 win on a late field goal. Three of Miami’s final four games of the season are on the road. ... K Jason Sanders needs 13 points Sunday to reach 800. He also needs one field goal to reach 177, which would give him the second-most field goals made in franchise history. ... TE Jonnu Smith needs 100 yards receiving to reach 792 and set a franchise record for most yards receiving by a tight end in a single season. Smith had three catches for 44 yards, including the game-winning TD vs. the Jets last week after having no receptions during regulation. ... Tagovailoa needs a completion rate of 70% or better on Sunday to reach eight consecutive games completing at least 70% of his passes. That would tie him with Joe Montana (1989) and Drew Brees (2017-18) for the longest streak in NFL history. ... The Dolphins gave up a season-high 402 yards to the Jets last week. Aaron Rodgers burned Miami’s pass defense for 319 yards, and Miami’s secondary allowed a combined 223 yards by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams. ... Houston can clinch the AFC South title for the second straight year with a win and a loss by Indianapolis Sunday. ... The Texans rank second in the NFL with 84 tackles for loss. ... Their 42 sacks also rank second. ... WR Nico Collins had eight receptions for 119 yards for his fourth 100-yard game this season in Houston’s previous game. He has had at least 75 yards receiving and a TD reception in each of his four home games this season. ... TE Dalton Schultz had five receptions for 61 yards and a score in Week 13. He has had at least five catches in two of his past three games. ... LB Azeez Al-Shaai will serve the first game of a three-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of QB Trevor Lawrence Sunday. ... DE Danielle Hunter is one of two players in the NFL this season with at least 15 tackles for loss (15) and 10 sacks (10 1/2). It’s his sixth career season with at least 10 sacks. He has eight tackles for loss and five sacks combined in his past three games. ... DE Will Anderson has had a sack in his past two home games. ... LB Henry To’oTo’o has had at least five tackles in four straight games. ... CB Derek Stingley had his third interception of the season in his previous game. ... CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss in Week 13. ... S Jimmie Ward has had an interception in his past two home games. He also had an interception in his previous game against Miami in 2022 while with San Francisco. Collins has 456 yards receiving and four touchdown receptions in four home games this season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflTaxBandits Prepares for Another Successful Season Powering Sage Intacct’s 1099 E-filing SolutionBemoaning changes to Christmas customs from days gone by is practically a holiday tradition of its own. In the 1830s, the English solicitor William Sandys compiled a host of examples, and was especially concerned about the decline of public caroling. He noted that the practice appeared “to get more neglected every year” and worried that this exposed a wider British tendency to observe Christmas with less “hospitality and innocent revelry” than in the past. Mailing Christmas cards to family and friends has long been considered an essential element of a “British Christmas” – and one that was enthusiastically embraced here in the former colonies. Even so, annual sales and circulation of printed Christmas cards in the U.K . have been in decline since the 1990s, coinciding with the advent of the internet era. Throughout the 20th century, the Christmas card was as essential a part of Britain’s distinctive blend of holiday traditions as children hanging stockings at the end of their beds, Christmas pantomimes and the eating of turkey and Brussels sprouts. Yet according to historians Martin Johnes and Mark Connelly, these traditions only really took hold in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries – decades after Sandys made his worrisome list of Christmas customs in decline. This makes them all relatively new additions when viewed in light of Christmas’ 2,000-year history. Ironically, the beloved Christmas card tradition was actually the result of a modernizing world – though the cards sought to evoke a bygone era. The custom of mailing printed Christmas cards began in the middle decades of the 19th century and was a product of the Industrial Revolution. It was made affordable by new innovations in printing and papermaking and more efficient modes of transportation such as the railway. It was also facilitated by Parliament’s introduction of the Penny Post in 1840, which allowed Britons to mail letters to any address in the United Kingdom for the small price of a penny stamp. Most historians date the Christmas card’s arrival to 1843, the same year in which Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol.” That year, the inventor and civil servant Henry Cole commissioned the artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card to help Cole handle his Christmas correspondence more efficiently. Fine Art Images | Heritage Images | Getty Images The first Christmas card, 1843. Printed versions of Cole’s card were also made available for sale, but the high price of one shilling apiece left them outside the bounds of affordability for most of the Victorian population. Cole’s experiment, however, inspired other printers to produce similar but more affordable Christmas cards. The use of these cheaper cards began to spread in the 1850s and had established itself as a holiday tradition by the final decades of the century. While the Christmas card may have seemed like an entirely new invention to Victorian senders and receivers, the first Christmas card’s design was actually influenced by other, older British holiday traditions. Christmas’ status as an established holiday meant that new Christmas customs developed during the 19th century needed to connect with, supplement or replace already existing traditions, according to historians Timothy Larsen and the late Neil Armstrong. The Christmas card was no exception to this recorded pattern. In 1843, many Britons bemoaned the disappearance of a variety of “Old English” Christmas customs . Foremost among these were traditions of Christmas “hospitality,” including Christmas and New Year’s visiting, when family, friends and neighbors went to each other’s homes to drink toasts and offer best wishes for the holiday and the coming year. Even though there are questions about these “old” customs’ historical reality, they nevertheless were pointed to as prominent examples of the supposed disappearance of a range of community-level Christmas observances, including feasting, caroling and public acts of charity. All of these, it was believed, were endangered in an increasingly urban Britain characterized by class tensions, population mobility and mass anonymity . While it is unclear whether these ongoing debates inspired Cole’s decision to commission his 1843 Christmas card, the illustration Horsley designed for him alluded to them directly. The card features a family framed by trestles adorned with holly and mistletoe, accompanied on either side by charitable scenes involving the feeding and clothing of the poor. The center of the card – and the symbolic center of Horsley’s Christmas vision – is the family of three clearly defined generations enjoying a collective feast, including the classic English Christmas pudding . They face the viewer, their glasses raised in a toast, directly above a banner wishing them a “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” The central visual imagery of the card – as a “paper visitor” to the home of the recipient – replicates the social act of toasting associated with the older custom of holiday visits. Jim Heimann Collection | Getty Images A Christmas greeting card shows a white, shaggy dog in a blue ribbon singing with a songbook resting at his feet, circa 1934. Similar imagery associated with the “Old English” Christmas of carolers, acts of charity, the playing of country sports, games such as blindman’s bluff, copious greenery, feasting and the toasting of Christmas and the New Year were also common features of early Christmas cards . These Christmas cards were thus novel, industrial products adorned with the imagery of British Christmases past. The development, and ultimate triumph, of the Christmas card in Victorian Britain demonstrates how nostalgia was channeled into invention. The Christmas card did not revitalize the traditions of Christmas and New Year’s visiting; it offered a paper replacement for them. Industrial production and transportation transformed the physical visitor into a paper proxy, allowing more people to “visit” many more homes than they ever would have been able to in person. The desire to hold on to one element of an older, supposedly declining Christmas tradition thus proved instrumental in helping to create a new holiday tradition in the midst of unprecedented changes in communications and social relations. The history of the 19th century suggests that, should the predicted “ death” of the Christmas card come to pass, whatever replaces it will thrive by recalling the Christmas customs of the past within its modern trappings. Christopher Ferguson is an associate professor of history at Auburn University in Alabama. This commentary was produced in partnership with The Conversation , a nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to bringing the knowledge of academic experts to the public.

North Korean leader says past diplomacy only confirmed US hostilityLUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold, which breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-monthlong process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” Takehiro said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” Also, Japanese breweries have expressed hope that the listing could give a little lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, a trade group. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate on Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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Gold Prices: The tension in the Middle East has only taken new twists and turns over the past 1-year. From Israel's all-out war against Hamas to the exchange of direct ballistic airstrikes with Iran and ground invasion in Lebanon, the latest nerve-wracking situation for the oil-hub Middle East would be Syrian rebels overthrowing over 2-decades of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The latest development has intensified in Syria with alliances and rivalries in the region. Additionally, Israel has bombed the majority of military bases in Syria, with the presence of US military personnel rising in the region. It's not just Israel, and the US, even countries like Russia, Iran, Turkey and Iraq are also involved in the regional puzzle in Syria. Following the high geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, gold prices in the souk markets of countries like Oman, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have skyrocketed, even outperforming gold prices in India in the past 1-year, How will the tensions in Syria impact gold? Let's find out! Gold Prices In India Gold prices in India are currently at Rs 77,350 for 24K of 10 grams, which is higher by 21.8% in a year. Gold prices were merely at Rs 63,490 per 10 grams last year on December 25. Gold Prices In Middle East However, gold prices in the Middle East have outperformed gold prices in India. 24K of 10 grams of gold in Kuwait has surged by nearly 26%, while gold prices in Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have soared by 26% to 27%. A massive surge has been seen in 27.23%. Notably, in Indian rupees, gold prices are cheaper in these Middle East countries than compared to India. 24K gold prices in Kuwait are at Rs 72,380 per 10 grams, while the price is at Rs 73,430 in Oman. Further, 24K/10 grams is at Rs 74,060 in Qatar, at Rs 73,260 in Saudi Arabia, and at Rs 73,380 in UAE. Syria Civil War Explained: The Syrian civil war is an ongoing multi-sided conflict in Syria involving various state-sponsored and non-state actors. In March 2011, popular discontent with the rule of Bashar al-Assad triggered large-scale protests and pro-democracy rallies across Syria, as part of the wider Arab Spring protests in the region, as per Wikipedia. However, in November 2024, heavy fighting renewed with a major rebel offensive in the northwest led by Tahrir al-Sham and supported by allied groups in the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, which led to the seizure of major regions of Syria such as Aleppo, Hama, and Homs. By the end of December 8th, 2024 the rebels took over Syria's capital, Damascus. Due to this, the Assad regime collapsed, with al-Assad fleeing to Moscow. On the same day, Israel launched an invasion of Syria's Quneitra Governorate, aiming to seize the UN buffer zone in the Golan Heights. While the Syrian National Army (SNA) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to be in conflict. Currently, the situation in Syria is highly sensitive and volatile, with different armed groups and opposition forces internally and externally, directly involved in the regional conflict. How Tension In Syria Will Impact Gold Prices? Also, a host of other factors will play major role in sentiment for gold in 2025. Prithviraj Kothari, Managing Director of RiddiSiddhi Bullions Limited (RSBL) said, gold prices have been greatly impacted by the recent escalation in the Middle East, especially with regard to Syrian rebels and broader regional conflicts. Geopolitical unrest frequently helps gold since it is a safe-haven investment. After Syrian revolutionaries took control of the capital, Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Russia in quest of safety. Going ahead, he added, Currency fluctuations, interest rate regimes, and worldwide economic conditions are just a few of the many variables that affect gold prices. The general mood of the market and how these other elements interact will determine how the Syrian war affects gold prices. Syria's condition is extremely unstable and changing. The way the dispute develops and how it impacts larger international markets will determine the real effect on gold prices. Meanwhile, the World Gold Council lists a host of factors that could prompt investors to look for gold as an asset. WGC's 2025 outlook report said, Trump starts his second term in late January but the US stock market is already banking on a pro-business agenda with a near 7% increase since early November. A more business-friendly fiscal policy combined with an America-first agenda is likely to improve sentiment among domestic investors and consumers. This will likely favour risk-on trades in the first few months of the year. Furthermore, WGC's note said, the question, however, is whether these policies will also result in inflationary pressures and disruptions to supply chains. In addition, concerns about European sovereign debt are once again mounting, not to mention continued geopolitical instability, particularly in light of the events in South Korea and Syria in early December. In all of this, WGC's note said, this could prompt investors to look for hedges, such as gold, to counter risk. Data from WGC pointed out that spot gold increased by more than 28% y-t-d in US dollars, trading 22% higher on average this year than during 2023; its performance across currencies was equally strong. Gold reached 40 new record highs y-t-d and total gold demand in the third quarter surpassed US$100 billion for the first time. Lastly, WGC suggests that, if the economy were to perform according to consensus in 2025, gold may continue to trade in a similar range to that seen in the last part of the year, with the potential for some upside.