NoneLiberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey arriving on stage to give his keynote speech at the party’s autumn conference at the Brighton Centre in Brighton (Gareth Fuller/PA) Sir Ed Davey is launching a bid for Christmas number one with a charity single called Love Is Enough. The Liberal Democrat leader is teaming up with Bath Philharmonia’s Young Carers’ Choir for the song written by six current and former young carers. The song was recorded in Bath last month with a full orchestra, 20 singers and Sir Ed. The proceeds from downloads and streams of the single will go to the Carers Trust and Bath Philharmonia. Sir Ed’s idea for a Christmas release was inspired by his own time as a chorister when he was a carer himself as a teenager. He said he was sure the song would “strike a chord” with carers and their families. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. The MP said: “When I sang In The Bleak Mid-Winter in my local church in 1978, neither I nor my brothers nor my mum fully appreciated how much our lives were all about to change. “For mum’s cancer was getting worse and I was becoming a young carer. The next two-and-a-half years before my mother eventually died were extremely tough, but they were also full of love. “When I heard the opening lyrics to Love Is Enough – ‘Every second we have left is worth a thousand others’ – they struck home and meant so much.” He added: “This time of year is tough for all carers, particularly young ones – let’s put them in the spotlight.” Bath Philharmonia’s music director Jason Thornton said: “At Bath Phil, we believe every young person has a story to tell, regardless of where they are on their musical journey. “Our unique approach to co-creating music empowers young carers to amplify their voices and celebrates the incredible roles they play in caring for others. “When creating Love Is Enough, the young carers shared a profound message: love is everywhere, even when it’s taken for granted. “They wanted to remind us all that, no matter who or where you are, there is always someone out there for you.” He added: “Ed Davey, drawing on his own lived experience as a young carer, has shown these remarkable young people that they are seen, valued, and not alone.” Carers Trust operates a network of services for carers to provide advice, opportunities and breaks for young carers across the country. Its chief executive Kirsty McHugh said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for young carers. “What should be a time of festive fun can, too often, be a time of hard work and stress. “That’s why we’re delighted Sir Ed Davey has teamed up with Bath Phil and a talented team of young carers to share his singing skills. “It’s so important at this time of year not just to thank young carers, but also to focus attention on the incredible challenges young carers face and the support they need.”

1. A Play-Doh pizza delivery scooter your kiddo will absolutely beg you to play with *all* day! It's mobile, comes with 10 cans of color, and a bunch of accessories. It *might* require you to do some cleanup around the house (it is definitely going to be annoying in that sense) but, on the bright side, it's not noisy! Promising review: "No words other than CUTE! Another great gift I bought for my granddaughter. She loves mobility and loves Play-Doh. What a great combination." — Roger Lemley Get it from Amazon for $74.99 . 2. A Magna-Tiles set that'll surely be a big hit with any budding architect. They can use it to build all kinds of cool 3D structures, then knock 'em down and start again the next day. The set comes with translucent magnetic pieces to build 3D creations all day. Recommended for ages 3 and up. My 2.5-year-old is a BIG fan of Magna-Tiles and, honestly, so am I. They're really fun to play with! There's so much you can build with them! You can choose to follow the guidebooks that come with the sets or go rogue and make your own masterpiece. We're also loving the new glittery Magna-Tiles castle (it comes with a dragon! My favorite thing about them is how easy they are to clean up. While we *also* love Lego, they are a serious pain to clean. The Magna-Tiles take seconds to clean up because you can quickly stack them all magnetically then put them away. I'm aiming to make my life even EASIER by getting this Magna-Tile storage bin (which also comes with a cool play mat). Promising reviews: "These magnets are great for independent toddler play! My 3-year-old loves building and creating with these. I suggest you buy a larger set. We have a set with over 100 pieces, but I bought this set as a Christmas gift! He is always wishing he had more pieces to finish his masterpieces." — Kayla M Get it from Amazon for $49.99 for a 32-piece set or $110.99 for a 100-piece set. 3. A classic wooden train set kiddos will be so excited you choo choo choose to get it for them for the winter — it comes with 110 pieces including the track, the train itself, and tons of fun village pieces! Promising review: " Got my toddler aged son this train set and he loved it so much that we have bought others as gifts for our friend’s kids. Great price for the amount of pieces that it comes with, and I love that you can make basic tracks for younger kids or more complex ones for older kids to play with. It also comes with lots of accessories to add to hours of imaginative play. Wood is great quality and smooth and all of the pieces fit together easily. It’s definitely a set that will last a long time and is worth the investment." — Megan P Get it from Amazon for $69.99 . 4. A set of sensory tubes that make a popping sound when pulled and a crunching sound when they're pushed back together — it'll delight kids of all ages and annoy most adults (haha). Pick your battles — would you rather whining kids or entertained ones who aren't pestering you so you can unload the dishwasher real quick? I'd choose the latter. My kids have these sensory tubes and I often find myself absentmindedly playing with them. They're very satisfying to push and pull, despite the somewhat annoying sound they make. Both my toddler and my baby love them! My daughter chews on them (that's fine, right?) and my son loves wiggling them around like worms. They're a simple toy that gets the job done. Promising review: "My toddler daughter is gonna love these tubes, but grandpa is gonna be annoyed by the noise. Haha. Good quality toy." — Sheena Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three sizes). 5. A yodeling pickle I can't even type about without giggling — I mean, it's a pickle that shouts "yodel-ey-eee-hooo!" It needs zero explanation as to why it's a perfect stocking stuffer — it just is. 10/10, no critiques. Promising review: "He's no average yodeler, he's 'the' yodeler, the teacher of all yodelers. He's the yodel master. And, he is my best friend. I'm beyond fortunate to have met him. I now share my home with him. You can only hope that your yodeling pickle is half as good as mine. And if not, I'm not sharing — he's mine, all mine. Hear that? So, how did my yodeling pickle and I meet? My sister gave him to me for my 23rd birthday. I was so excited, I started crying, but the streams flowing down my cheeks were tears of joy. You know what my pickle did for me next? You'll never believe it. He serenaded me with a yodel birthday song — Yodel-Aey-Eee-Ooooooo. The way those five syllables rolled off his tiny pickle tongue was pure bliss to my ears. It was divine. The voice of my yodeling pickle is sweet as honey. " — B & J Get it from Amazon for $12.09 . 6. Daisy the Yoga Goat , who you've likely heard your kiddo rambling on and on about — and for good reason. She does silly yoga stretches and poses and lets out *~a lil' gas~* as needed. We can all appreciate a little potty humor once in a while, right? Promising review: "Super cute!! My daughter loves it when you feed it and it makes the slurping noise! She was practicing her yoga moves with the goat and following what he did!" — mbear1 Get it from Macy's for $31.99 . 7. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum with the ability to actually suck up the crackers your kiddo crushed into your carpet — it's about time they started helping around the house. 😉 Promising review: "Our son is absolutely obsessed with our Dyson (the real one). Which is why we purchased this toy Dyson vacuum for his birthday. He's 2-years-old and he is really enjoying having his on 'working' vacuum cleaner!!! He seriously plays with it for hours during the day. Turning it on and off and pushing it through the house just like we use our real vacuum. I would buy this again! It was his favorite gift!." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $29.65+ (available in three colors). 8. A LeapFrog 100 Words Book that'll interact with your eager-to-learn little one and teach them all kinds of useful words in both English and Spanish! Promising review: " My 1-year-old loves to touch the different animals and hear the book say their name and animal sound. He’s got a good vocabulary, but we’re working with him to encourage more and more words. His doctor recommended teaching him animals and the sound they make, so this is great to add to what we’re already doing. Great toy that is fun and also teaches. They learn through repetition — and this was just what I was looking for! I also love that this toy will grow with him. He using the name/sound mode right now, but is also has a mode that gives facts for when he’s older and also has Spanish! 10/10 recommend." — Jessica Grace Get it from Amazon for $12.97 and check out the animal version here . 9. A Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set , which is essentially a tiny stereo toddlers can control all on their own just by swapping out which character magnetically sits on top of it. Each individual figure tells different stories and sings different songs — it's a great way to keep kids entertained without a screen. This toy has bought me so much time. My son adores his — even though he's only 2.5 he has had no problem understanding how to turn the Toniebox on, change the volume, and place different characters on top to tell various stories. He's a big fan, as am I! It can also be used while it's charging, so there's no need to worry about your toddler having a meltdown if they want to play with it while the battery is drained (phew). This specific kit comes with the Toniebox as well as Tonies figures of Cinderella, Belle, Moana, Tangled, and Playtime Puppy There are so many different Tonies you can add to keep the fun going — check 'em out . Get it from Amazon for $154.99 (available in three colors). 10. And a Blippi Tonie for the kiddo that already has (and loves) their Toniebox — chances are they'd squeal "B-L-I-P-P-I!" with delight the moment they pull this guy out of their stocking. And, yes, it does include a snippet of "The Excavator Song." My son has and adores his Blippi Tonie! Promising review: "My daughter is obsessed with Blippi and this is her favorite tonie character. The songs are cute and fun. It’s actually Blippi's voice too." — Emilee K. Get it from Amazon for $17.98 and check out all the other tonies you can order here. 11. Scavenger hunt cards that'll keep even the busiest of kids entertained for a bit — it'll send them on a "secret mission" to find "treasure" around the house. (And keep them out of your hair!) Mollybee Kids is a small, family-owned small business based in Pennsylvania. Promising review: " A must-have. My 2-year-old son is obsessed. Always asks to play the 'find you' game LOL. Then we play it and every option on the game he actually thinks really hard then says 'come on mommy' and runs me through the house to find the object. Highly recommended from a mom of four." — Britney bansley Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 12. A pack of parachute toys they'll love tossing from the second floor and watching float down over and over without pestering you to help them untangle them — a win for you both! Promising review: " I bought these for my 4-year-old nephew and 2-year-old niece for when they come to visit. Right out of the box, they were excited and loved tossing them up in the air and watching them fall. I was amazed as to how long it kept their interest and the different ways they played with them. They dropped them off the stair landing, off the couch, in the yard and held them behind them to expand as they ran. My niece liked 'dancing' with them and twirling it around. Good colors and very well made. Hours of fun and the best $7 I ever spent on a toy! " — hiker0811 Get a pack of four from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in two colors). 13. A set of 500+ puffy stickers any crafty kiddo would squeal with delight about — fear not, they actually don't leave any residue and unstick very easily!!! Promising review: "Gave to my grandson when I babysit him. Got a sticker book to put them in. He loves them. Liked them so much bought another set for my granddaughter as one of her birthday presents." — J. Reulet Get them from Amazon for $6.99 . 14. A set of Bluey toy figures (including one themed around the beloved episode "The Sign") so kids can live out their favorite moments of the show right from their own play room. Promising review: "POV: It’s 2022 — Bluey has taken the world by storm. Moms and children alike swear by Bluey, abide by Bluey, worship Bluey. It’s your child’s birthday in two business days. You buy them these figurines. The child is satisfied- finally a physical component to their idol worship. All is well." — Orcheez Get it from Amazon for $14.88+ (available in seven sets). 15. A box of 72 mini dinosaur toys kiddos will love traipsing throughout dirt, sand, the bath tub, etc. With so many in the set you won't have to stress if one or two get lost during all of your little one's adventures. Also great as cake toppers and party bag favors! Promising review: "Hi, we were quite amazed at the variety of dinosaurs included in our pack. We expected the usual three but got quite a variety of dinosaurs and we got three or more of each. The colors were fantastic. Bright vivid blues and greens and purples. The size was relatively small which worked well as my daughter used them as homemade Valentines for her friends. Overall, we were very happy with our purchase." — H. Bowen Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 16. A Nugget couch featuring four adjustable pieces your kiddos can arrange into all kinds of creations — a rocket ship, a ramp, and castle, whatever! If you're lucky maybe they'll even take a nap on it...dream big. Every parent in my life swears by this, so if you have enough room in your home definitely consider ordering one. The cushion covers are machine washable (a must for any item a child is going to lounge on) and come in SO many colors you'll absolutely be able to find one that matches your decor. I have one in my playroom and it gets A LOT of action. We use it to lounge (my sister has slept on it for a week haha), make forts, create slides, etc. It's the best. Promising review: "What a great product! Perfect addition to our son’s room as it can be furniture, fort building blocks and an extra bed if you need it for a friend. Love our nugget!" — Kristen N. Get it from Nugget for $249 (available in 19 styles). 17. And a cloth panel designed to transform their play couch into something entirely new like a coffee shop, a post office, or a food truck (just to name a few). You can use it to encourage kids to try out some exciting imaginative play instead of saying "I'm boooooored." Couch Swag is a small business! Promising review: "What a brilliant idea to transform a play couch! We got these as a stocking stuffer for the kids (ages 3 and 1). Great quality and easy to use. The best thing is this gives so many versatile options for playtime to use their imagination! Would definitely buy more." — Endy Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in six themes). 18. A pack of snowball-making molds , so you and your family can square off against your neighbors in the most epic snow battle your block has ever seen. Promising review: " Great product. Easy to use even for my 3- and 4-year-olds. Makes a perfect snowball! Highly recommend." — sarah Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.95 . 19. And a snowman decorating kit complete with everything you and your family could possibly need to bring Frosty to life in your front yard. Promising review: "I just ordered a second one because I purchased the first as a gift, and it was so sweet I wanted one as well! Now I am looking forward to the next good snowfall. I plan to purchase a bunch before next Christmas so I can give them to the families I see for the holidays that have kids. I like how the kit comes with everything you need, and the sticks that you push into the snowman are plenty long so they'll stay put ." — Lisa Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 20. A pack of Mega Bloks for wild toddlers who love nothing more than making towers and then knocking them down like they're a tiny King Kong terrorizing the city. The set includes 80 building blocks and a storage bag. Promising review: " My 2-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter absolutely love these! They spend hours playing with these, and as a family, my husband, the kids, and I build things together. The great thing about them is that they are large, so they aren't a choking hazard. My daughter will sometimes try to put these in her mouth, so we are happy that we don't have to worry about that with these jumbo-sized blocks. The blocks are colorful and are made of good-quality plastic, so you don't have to worry about small pieces or worry about them breaking and being harmful. These are highly recommended and very much worth every penny. Probably the best toy I have bought for my kids in a while." — Dee Get a set of 80 from Amazon for $16 (available in two sets). 21. A Fisher-Price kitchen playset complete with a pretend tablet, recipe cards, play food pieces, kitchen equipment, and a fabric bag for storing and hauling ingredients — your kiddo is tired of standing by the sidelines as you meal prep, they want in on the fun! Get it from Amazon for $17.03 . 22. A Ms. Rachel Official Surprise Learning Box to encourage tykes to work on their vocab skills while having a blast playing peek-a-boo. The various items provide different sensory experiences *and* it'll be a welcomed toy that doesn't make noise 😅. While it's not on sale, I can't help but recommend you also check out the Ms. Rachel singing doll . My kids are obsessed! Promising review: "The surprise learning box is excellent, with top-notch packaging and durability. It's easy to use and loved in our home. It offers great value for money due to the variety, quality, and design. The safety features and attention to detail are commendable. My twins enjoy Ms. Rachel’s video and playing with the box. It's highly rated for little ones!" — Kimberly Get it from Amazon for $24.97 . 23. A giant FAO Schwartz piano mat (yes, just like the one from Big ) adults and kids alike will love compose their own songs with. Dance partaaaaay! Promising review: "I gave this to my grandkids for Christmas and they were thrilled. They had so much fun making the notes with their feet and they loved hearing back what they 'composed.'" — MammaMe Get it from Target for $39.99 . 24. A handheld card reader for kiddos who are eager to learn new words — all you have to do is turn it on, slide a card in, and let the machine read it aloud. There are two words per card, so your little one will be chatting up a storm in no time! My son has this toy and has, honestly, learned SO much from it. Animal and vehicle sounds make noises after the word has been read out (his favorite is firetruck, of course). It's so simple that little ones will easily pick up on how to maneuver the machine on their own. It's a very basic toy, but my toddler loves it more than most of his others! Additionally, my best friend is a speech-language pathologist and uses it with her students. Promising reviews: "Wow! That's all I have to say! The technology behind this toy is fantastic! My daughter is learning by the day, and she loves this toy! It teaches her, keeps her entertained, and helps her pronounce words correctly. I recommend all parents to purchase this!!!" — Jon monterrosa Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in eight styles). 25. A DJ turntable for kids , in case you're hoping your mini-me will become the next Daft Punk. It'll certainly fill your home with all kinds of fun, music, and learning! Check it out on TikTok ! I got this for my son for Christmas last year and nearly a year later it's still a big hit — he loves interactive toys that make lots of noise (of course) and enjoys that this toy lets him put on a show for us. Promising review: "This activity little center for my grandsons and the music is too cute. There's a lot going on therefore they stay entertained for a while." — Yvette Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two packaging styles). 26. A toy crab that'll playfully chase your kiddo around the house while pumping out an upbeat tune (apologies, it definitely won't leave your brain). Prepare for lots and lots of giggles! My son has received this TWICE as a gift (lucky me, haha) and he loves chasing it around. It's designed to help encourage toddlers to crawl. It truly just runs around the room back and forth until my son inevitably picks it up like "I GOTCHA!" It's very cute, very noisy, but VERY fun. It comes with a USB plug so you can recharge it as needed. You can see it in action on TikTok ! Promising review: "This little toy is entertaining for the whole family. I did not expect it to move so fast. My daughter squeals and laughs every time I turn it on. I only wish there was a volume adjustment because it can seem a bit loud depending on your space at home." — Jacobe Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three styles). 27. An interactive Fingerlings baby monkey — it'll make kiddos feel like they've *finally* won over mom and dad and secured a pet of their very own! It's filled with sensors that respond to touch and features 70+ sounds and reactions. Also... it's just really darn adorable. Promising review: "My daughter is obsessed with this little monkey, super cute and interactive!" — Krista Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in blue and purple). 28. A kid-friendly bath bomb with a surprise squishy dinosaur inside that might just even help you get your tot into the tub without a fight. Love that for you both! Two Sisters is a small business. Promising review: "This was a fun stocking stuffer for my son! He is in love with dinosaurs so he wants more of them now. Turns the water colorful, adds bubbles, and leaves no mess when it’s time to drain (I’ve used some bath bombs that leave residue, glitter, etc and this one does not do that.)" — Lauren Gomez Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 10 themes). 29. Wooden stacking rocks that'll hopefully distract your kids from trying to collect the stones you purposefully created a pathway to your yard with — they're each a different size, color and weight to make creating a tower way more challenging (and fun!) than a standard stacker toy. Promising review: "So many things you can do with these rocks. We played with them for an hour once we opened them." — MCE Get a set of 36 from Amazon for $28.99 . 30. A Little Tikes First Fridge Refrigerator complete with a working ice dispenser that drops plastic cubes and makes crushed ice and water dispensing sounds (fun!) It also has fun French doors and a lovely interior light — why is this toy fridge nicer than my real one? Promising review: "My son loves this toy! It’s perfect for the Little toddlers that have a habit of messing with your Kitchen utensils/appliances." — Nona Get it from Walmart for $30.49 . 31. Crayola Color Wonder Frozen Coloring Pages and Markers so kids can color to their heart's content without also creating a rainbow of chaos all over themselves and your home — the markers *only* color on the special paper that comes with the kit. My mom got these for my son (who is 2.5-years-old at the time of this writing), and it has been SUCH a game changer for us. He loves to color and paint, and demands to do so often, which usually results in a lot of setup, a lot of cleanup, and only about 10 minutes of him actually being entertained. With this kit, we can leave the markers out alongside the coloring book, and he can come and go to it as he feels fit. Thankfully, they really do ONLY color on the magic paper. It's become a must-have item in our home, and I'll totally be gifting it to other toddler parents. Get it from Amazon for $7.09 (available in two themes). 32. A ball pit — it features soft sides, 200 balls, and a chic design that won't take away from your home's decor. Tykes will have the time of their lives jumping in and out of this new addition to their playroom. I got one of these for my son for his first Christmas and he was elated the moment we plopped him inside of it. They come in an array of stylish colors, so you can select one that'll go nicely with your giftee's home decor. The set comes with the foam pit and 200 crush-proof balls. Little Big Playroom is a family-owned small business that sells a variety of kids items like ball pits, slides, and furniture — they've had their own daughter test every single product they've made! Promising review: "We got this ball pit bundle for my son’s first birthday, and he absolutely loves it. It’s nice and soft but keeps its shape nicely. I do wish it came with more balls, but other than that it’s great!" — Katelin E. Get it from Little Big Playroom for $174 (available in 17 styles). 33. The 60th-anniversary version of the Hess Truck you just know is going to be loud and proud after one look at it — it comes with a truck that makes four realistic sounds and features a *ton* of flashing lights, a Fire Chief car that also lights up (of course) and a rescue-style motorcycle with working head and taillights. My son is a huuuuuuge fan of trucks, cars, etc, so it was a no-brainer to snag him one of these classic Hess trucks again this year (he's received them as gifts the last two years). This one makes a variety of loud noises (which is bound to excite him to no end) and as the added bonus of two separate vehicles to push around. It's a classic toy you really can't go wrong with adding to your collection. Promising review: "I purchased the 60th-anniversary fire truck as a second birthday gift for our grandchild since he loves anything having to do with trucks. He seemed to love everything about it, the sound effects and all the moving parts and extra vehicles. Days later, it continues to be a big hit. I’m very happy with the purchase." — Elizabeth Dixon Get it from Hess for $45.99 . 34. And handmade gingerbread cookie–inspired chalk that'll go beautifully with the chalkboard/easel they got over the holidays! Twee is a woman-owned small business! They also have a ton of other fun themes to check out. Get it from Twee for $18 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Protest In Belgrade Turns Up Heat On Government Over Railway Canopy CollapseCardinals are average through 12 games and the frustration is it feels as if they could be better

It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router.Sen. Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to have softened his stance on billionaires, but he's found something he agrees with Elon Musk about. In post Sunday on , the independent senator from Vermont said Musk was right about the need to cut defense spending, the reports. "Elon Musk is right," Sanders said. "The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It's lost track of billions. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change." Democratic Rep. Mo Khanna has also expressed willingness to work with the Department of Government Efficiency that Musk and fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will lead during the Trump administration, reports. In a post last week on , Khanna said Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee are ready to work with Musk and DOGE on "cutting waste, fraud, and abuse." Trump has said Musk and Ramaswamy will work outside of government to recommend sweeping spending cuts, though making huge changes might be harder than they think. The Pentagon has never passed an audit since they became required by law in 2018, though they are on course to "achieve an unmodified audit opinion" by 2028, reports . Sanders has continued to target billionaires in other social media posts. "This is what Oligarchy looks like," he said in a Saturday post on . "Today, while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, three multi-billionaires own more wealth than the bottom half of American society." (More stories.)

GIK Institute arranges alumni reunionBallroom Blitz (RTÉ One, Wednesday), his two-part celebration of Irish showbands, is less assured and suffers for never clearly explaining Clayton’s interest in this 1960s Irish peculiarity or why he’s criss-crossing the country to interview veterans of the genre, such as Linda Martin and Eileen Reid. It is also worth asking if the idea of the showbands as an unexplored and misunderstood chapter of Irish social history hasn’t been flogged to death slightly. It seems that people have been banging on about the importance of showbands for decades – certainly for far longer than these acts were actually going concerns, which means that Ballroom Blitz doesn’t score very highly on the originality front. Unlike Clayton’s Bacon documentary, it lacks a central thesis – the U2 bassist come across as vaguely appreciative of the showbands, but the film fails to set out a coherent case for their rehabilitation or tells us how they impacted on the Irish music industry in the decades that followed. That said, Clayton is great fun to hang with – and has managed to produce intriguing interviews. Bob Geldof is to be credited with sticking to his guns and continuing to criticise the showbands, saying that many talented musicians were stifled by the need to churn out bland pop hits night after night. A similar point is made by Hot Press editor Niall Stokes, who recalls how the Dublin beat scene of the 1960s suffered because its brightest musicians were headhunted by showbands with the promise of a full-time wage. Others have a more positive spin. Historian Diarmaid Ferriter argues the arrival in the 1960s of the showbands represented a break with the drudgery of the 1950s – and was a reflection of Ireland’s image of itself as a “young, dynamic, trusting nation”. There are interviews with Paul Brady, Phil Coulter (who got his first start in showbands before writing Congratulations for Cliff Richard) and radio presenter Ronan Collins, who pays tribute to the great star of the scene, Dickie Rock, by saying “he wanted to be Tony Bennett – he was actually Eddie Cochran”. Later on, Clayton talks to Aideen O’Brien, whose father Brendan O’Brien was the superstar father of Cork’s Dixies until he was electrocuted on stage. Unable to perform, he became a heavy drinker – which prompts Aideen to ask Clayton about his own issues with addiction. “It was a real struggle I knew something was wrong: it wasn’t until I missed a gig that I realised it was really wrong,” he says – a fascinating teaser for the documentary you want Clayton to make about the burden of being in U2. It is the curse of every generation to believe the music of their youth was uniquely magical. In that respect, the mania for showbands has parallels with the 1990s rave scene and all those ageing Gen Xers who are to this day banging on about the joys of acid house – to the bafflement of those too young to have first-hand experience of all-night gurning or Vicks VapoRub as fashion accessory. But to justify its airtime, Ballroom Blitz has to do more than simply reel in the years. It needs Clayton to parlay his enthusiasm into a cogent argument on behalf of the showbands – one that draws on his unique perspective as one quarter of U2. Otherwise, what is the point of having him drive around Ireland glad-handling Phil Coulter and Linda Martin? Did the showbands lead to U2? Or does Clayton agree with Geldof that they were a negative force, keeping Irish music in the dark ages? Should they be celebrated or held up as a warning about the triumph of commerce over art? Lacking an opinion on any of this, the first part of the two-hour documentary (the second lands next week) leans too hard on nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake and ends up feeling like a glorified Wikipedia entry.Fluence Energy, Inc. Reports Record Performance in 2024 and Initiates 2025 GuidanceTech Phenomenon: Palantir Technologies The rollercoaster journey of Palantir Technologies, a company leveraging artificial intelligence, has captivated investors worldwide. From a low of $6 per share during the 2022 bear market to an astonishing 12-fold increase, the stock’s meteoric rise has sparked debates about its future prospects in 2025. The AI Catalyst Palantir has consistently integrated AI into its platforms, Gotham and Foundry, even before most investors recognized its potential. In 2023, the company took a giant leap with the introduction of its generative AI-driven Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). This innovation provided substantial productivity gains for clients through AIP boot camps, leading to significant new deals across various industries. One standout success came from an equipment rental company that dramatically improved its average revenue retention. Additionally, the public sector saw significant achievements, with substantial contributions from their work with TITAN, the Army’s cutting-edge intelligence ground station. Financial Insights Despite impressive performance, Palantir faces questions about its financial sustainability. The company witnessed a 30% increase in quarterly revenue growth, reaching $2 billion for the first nine months of 2024, thanks to well-controlled operating expenses. This led to a remarkable 229% rise in net income attributable to stockholders. Investment Risks Ahead? Palantir’s soaring stock price reflects incredible growth but also carries potential overvaluation concerns. With a trailing P/E ratio of 368 and a forward sales multiple of 60, cautious investors may question if Palantir is priced for perfection. As the market eagerly anticipates the company’s next moves, potential buyers are advised to tread carefully and perhaps keep Palantir on their watch list. Unlocking the Future: Key Innovations and Trends in Palantir Technologies In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Palantir Technologies stands as a beacon of innovation and transformation. The company’s journey, marked by its strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its core platforms, has piqued the interest of investors and tech enthusiasts worldwide. As Palantir navigates the complexities of the digital economy, several new insights and trends emerge, providing a glimpse into its future trajectory. Pioneering Innovations in AI Palantir’s commitment to leveraging AI is a cornerstone of its success. With the launch of its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) in 2023, Palantir introduced groundbreaking enhancements that empower businesses across sectors. The platform’s generative AI capabilities not only streamline operations but also unlock unprecedented productivity gains. For clients eager to optimize performance, Palantir’s AIP boot camps offer hands-on training and strategic insights, leading to transformative results. Strategic Use Cases and Industry Impact Palantir’s AI-driven solutions have yielded substantial success stories. A notable achievement can be seen in the equipment rental industry, where Palantir’s technology significantly boosted average revenue retention. Furthermore, their contributions to the public sector, notably through TITAN—a sophisticated intelligence ground station for the Army—highlight the company’s pivotal role in national defense and security. These use cases underscore Palantir’s ability to adapt its powerful tools across diverse fields. Financial Health and Market Predictions As Palantir’s stock continues its upward trajectory, questions about financial sustainability become increasingly pertinent. A key highlight is the company’s 30% increase in quarterly revenue, reaching an impressive $2 billion by September 2024. This growth has been achieved while maintaining strict control over operating expenses, resulting in a remarkable 229% increase in net income for shareholders. However, potential overvaluation remains a concern, with high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios suggesting volatility. Risk Management and Investment Considerations For investors, Palantir’s stock presents a high-reward yet high-risk proposition. The current valuation metrics could indicate that the stock is priced for perfection, necessitating cautious consideration by potential investors. Analysts recommend monitoring market trends and Palantir’s strategic initiatives closely to make informed investment decisions. Future Trends and Sustainability Looking ahead, sustainability stands as a critical focus for Palantir. As the global community increasingly emphasizes eco-conscious practices, Palantir’s role in promoting sustainable digital transformation could provide new growth opportunities. By aligning their technological advancements with sustainable goals, Palantir can further cement its position as a leader in responsible innovation. For more information about Palantir Technologies, visit the official website: Palantir Technologies . In summary, Palantir Technologies continues to expand its influence through pioneering AI solutions and strategic applications across industries. As the company navigates challenges and opportunities, its commitment to innovation and sustainability will likely play a pivotal role in shaping its future success.

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It's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Set devices up for automatic updates Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Freeing up storage space Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. What's my password? According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. Educate your loved ones about the latest scams As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. How fast is their WiFi? Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router.Matheus Cunha transfer price sky rockets as Liverpool learn £25m reality before January window

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Wendy H. Wong has won the Balsillie Prize for Public Policy for her book on how mass data collection affects democratic freedom. The Writers' Trust of Canada presented Wong with the $60,000 award for "We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age" at a private dinner in Toronto on Tuesday evening. Wong is a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus in Kelowna. Jurors praised her book as an "eye-opening, gripping look at the ways in which humanity is being codified, monitored, and tracked at alarming speed and intensity — in largely unaccountable ways." The Balsillie Prize, administered by the Writers' Trust and sponsored by the Balsillie Family Foundation, goes to a book of non-fiction that advances and influences public policy debates. This year's shortlisted authors, who each receive $5,000, were Gregor Craigie for "Our Crumbling Foundation: How We Solve Canada’s Housing Crisis"; Christopher Pollon for "Pitfall: The Race to Mine the World’s Most Vulnerable Places" and M.G. Vassanji for "Nowhere, Exactly: On Identity and Belonging." "We, the Data" was also a finalist for this year's Lionel Gelber Prize, administered by the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, which goes to the world's best book on international affairs. __ This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.

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