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iligaw Ever wanted to bring your dog with you aboard a cruise ship? Do you have a business focused on dogs and their families? If you answered yes to either question, you’ll be excited to learn that what’s being called the first-ever dog-friendly cruise is being planned aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander out of the Port of Tampa in November 2025. And business opportunities await. Cruise ships famously don’t allow dogs other than service animals. Organizers of this cruise anticipate selecting from a long line of hopefuls. A “waitlist for all dog parents who have dreamt of bringing their furry friends along for their vacations will open soon,” a news release says. Organizers are calling for 250 dogs, “their owners and their closest humans” to become “inaugural ambassadors” for the cruise, which they promise will offer “unique experiences and activities including gifts and samples from top vendors, dog shows and trainings, guest speakers, costume contests, parades, and more.” The event is being staged by two organizations — Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando. The website cruisetails.com seeks sponsors and investors in hopes of turning the cruise into a recurring event. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for companies seeking brand visibility “across a passionate pet-loving audience,” the site says. And participants must sign photo waivers, the website says, adding, “We anticipate the fun will be all over social media and even in the press. In fact, the 250 chosen will undoubtedly be asked by sponsors to try products and post about them.” Cruise Tails was formed by Steve Matzke, a Bradenton-based entrepreneur listed on LinkedIn as beginning his career this month as an “independent consultant.” Matzke spent four years prior to that as senior director of external relations for the American Accounting Association, and 12 years before that as director of faculty and university initiatives for the American Institute of CPAs, his LinkedIn profile shows. Expedia Cruises of West Orlando was founded in 2019 by Dawn von Graff, an avid traveler who has taken more than 75 cruises and visited more than 80 countries, and her husband. She owned a computer networking firm, worked as an international tour manager, and was a top salesperson for Marriott before forming Expedia Cruises of West Orlando as a full-service travel agency. Details including dates, prices and itineraries have not yet been released. According to the website, organizers hope to select the inaugural 250 dogs based partly on how the dogs perform in a “video talent singing contest” as well as “a variety of criteria” to be announced “over the next few weeks.” The bigger the dog’s entourage, the better chance it will have to be chosen, the website says. “Preference will be given to dogs in a group which includes one dog cabin traveling with two or more associated cabins of friends or family without dogs,” it says. A spokeswoman for Margaritaville at Sea says the organizers are chartering the Islander, and the cruise will not be available for booking to the general public. Each dog will have “private relief stations” on their cabin balconies, and when dogs don’t make it to the relief station, each will have its own “pet butler” to ensure “their cabin and the boat remain in top condition,” a Cruise Tails spokeswoman said. Participants must agree to follow protocols on board, including keeping their dogs in permitted areas and making sure they are up to date with appropriate vaccinations. Dogs will not be allowed in dining areas, the ship’s casino, pool decks, lounges or music venues, according to the news release. Organizers will also be looking for workers and vendors. “We’re going to need dog walkers, pet butlers, and so much more,” the website says. And “if you have a proven skill like pet massage, grooming and pet walking or if you make custom dog costumes, have a unique dog product you would like to promote or are a well-known dog expert, we would love to chat with you.” Calls for pet handlers and vendors will be posted “in the next few months,” the site says. Whether the event turns into the profitable industry that its organizers hope for will undoubtedly depend on how the first one unfolds. A spokeswoman did not immediately have answers to such questions of what will happen to dogs that get aggressive with humans or other dogs? Will owners be required to purchase additional insurance to cover any possibilities? Will food be provided and how will feedings be handled? Contributors on Reddit.com posted mixed reactions to the announcement on Monday. “Cruises are already floating petri dishes. This doesn’t seem like a very good idea,” said one. “Now all decks are poop decks,” said another. A couple of posters worried about dogs going overboard. One said, “sounds awesome if you like dogs,” while another chimed in, “Better than a gorilla-friendly cruise, I suppose.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.None

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Missoula Invitational Saturday at the Mission Valley Aquatic Center, Polson Girls team scores: Kalispell Glacier 384.5, Missoula Sentinel 285, Missoula Hellgate 264, Helena Capital 223, Missoula Big Sky 200, Helena 166, Butte 149.5, Polson 115, Bigfork 80, Butte Central 20, Kalispell Flathead 2. Boys team scores: Helena Capital 439, Missoula Hellgate 308, Polson 252, Butte 228, Kalispell Glacier 181, Missoula Sentinel 155, Missoula Big Sky 153, Butte Central 75, Kalispell Flathead 61, Helena 11. Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay: 1, Missoula Sentinel 'A' 1:57.03. 2, Glacier High School 'A' 1:58.45. 3, Helena Capital High School 'A' 2:10.17. 4, Butte High School 'A' 2:10.78. 5, Helena High School 'A' 2:14.88. 6, Glacier High School 'B' 2:21.62. Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay: 1, Helena Capital High School 'A' 1:47.52. 2, Glacier High School 'A' 1:52.31. 3, Polson High School 'A' 1:58.13. 4, Missoula Hellgate 'A' 1:59.15. 5, Butte High School 'A' 2:05.94. 6, Helena Capital High School 'B' 2:11.15. Girls 200 Yard Freestyle: 1, Gibbons, Olivia, Glacier, 2:01.47. 2, La, Aeri L, Sentinel, 2:01.96. 3, Stack, Ella J, Big Sky/Loyola, 2:08.25. 4, Lynch, Delaney M, Capital, 2:11.72. 5, Simms, Molly T, Hellgate, 2:14.67. 6, Barkley, Ellie G, Hellgate, 2:15.74. Boys 200 Yard Freestyle: 1, Hommerding, Luke J, Sentinel, 1:52.86. 2, Westenfelder, Leo S, Hellgate, 1:55.43. 3, Chatriand, Beauden K, Hellgate, 1:58.91. 4, McKenzie, Aiden M, Big Sky/Loyola, 1:59.09. 5, Stetson, Finn R, Hellgate, 2:03.40. 6, Major, Jack C, Big Sky/Loyola, 2:06.57. Girls 200 Yard IM: 1, Massey, Ophelia C, Hellgate, 2:30.86. 2, May, Morgan, HHS, 2:34.54. 3, Melnick, Lucy, Glacier, 2:35.90. 4, Waters, Daria L, Sentinel, 2:43.22. 5, McIntosh, Kaidyn L, Big Sky/Loyola, 2:47.31. 6, Montgomery, Dixie, Polson, 3:07.15. Boys 200 Yard IM: 1, Delhomme, PJ J, Big Sky/Loyola, 2:10.93. 2, McNeil, Edward, Glacier, 2:12.18. 3, Bernhardt, Brayden T, Sentinel, 2:16.33. 4, Sawyer, Truman, Polson, 2:20.65. 5, Dennison, Paul F, Hellgate, 2:29.37. 6, Mizner, Nathan, Sentinel, 2:33.74. Girls 50 Yard Freestyle: 1, Ascher, Adalynn L, Sentinel, 26.00. 2, La, Aeri L, Sentinel, 26.07. 3, Urban, Elizabeth G, Capital, 26.31. 4, Lewis, Elly M, Big Sky/Loyola, 26.45. 5, Hiday, Lila G, Sentinel, 26.46. 6, Grochowski, Adalie, Butte Bulldogs, 26.93. 6, Vornbrock, Hanna, Glacier, 26.93. Boys 50 Yard Freestyle: 1, Connors, Everson K, Capital, 23.75. 2, Cochran, Lincoln R, Capital, 23.90. 3, Lindley, James E, Hellgate, 24.29. 4, Jarvis, Callahan, Capital, 24.39. 5, Sloan, Lachlan, Polson, 24.49. 6, Short, Andrew, Glacier, 24.97. Girls 100 Yard Butterfly: 1, McGaughy, Madeleine, Glacier, 59.92. 2, Hensiek, Emily R, Hellgate, 1:04.67. 3, Vornbrock, Hanna, Glacier, 1:08.02. 4, Bishop, Clara G, Sentinel, 1:12.86. 5, Fero, Greta A, Sentinel, 1:14.03. 6, Leland, Kumari B, HHS, 1:21.71. Boys 100 Yard Butterfly: 1, McElwee, Teague, Polson, 53.34. 2, McKenzie, Aiden M, Big Sky/Loyola, 54.51. 3, Dennison, Paul F, Hellgate, 1:05.88. 4, Simpson, Grey, Capital, 1:09.05. 5, Hamry, Blair, Butte Bulldogs, 1:16.37. 6, Hardy, Connor, BCC, 1:17.86. Girls 100 Yard Freestyle: 1, Gibbons, Olivia, Glacier, 55.68. 2, Ascher, Adalynn L, Sentinel, 57.61. 3, Simms, Molly T, Hellgate, 58.05. 4, Hiday, Lila G, Sentinel, 58.18. 5, Barkley, Ellie G, Hellgate, 1:00.40. 6, Hummer, Ella, Glacier, 1:03.49. Boys 100 Yard Freestyle: 1, Westenfelder, Leo S, Hellgate, 51.18. 2, Stetson, Finn R, Hellgate, 53.51. 3, Wendt, Luke, Capital, 55.11. 4, Major, Jack C, Big Sky/Loyola, 55.52. 5, Taylor, Nick, Flathead, 55.60. 6, Sloan, Boden, Polson, 57.60. Girls 500 Yard Freestyle: 1, Lewis, Elly M, Big Sky/Loyola, 5:18.30. 2, Urban, Elizabeth G, Capital, 5:20.76. 3, Grochowski, Adalie, Butte Bulldogs, 6:10.42. 4, Hardy, Morgan, BCC, 6:35.96. 5, Dennison, Torran, Bigfork, 8:36.71. Boys 500 Yard Freestyle: 1, Hommerding, Luke J, Sentinel, 5:12.75. 2, Chatriand, Beauden K, Hellgate, 5:30.21. 3, Wendt, Luke, Capital, 6:00.62. 4, Stone, Nathan N, Butte Bulldogs, 6:07.40. 5, Plum, Gage R, Butte Bulldogs, 6:07.63. 6, Reed, Josh, Polson, 7:08.79. Girls 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Missoula Hellgate 'A' 1:46.97. 2, Helena Capital High School 'A' 1:54.49. 3, Glacier High School 'A' 1:54.62. 4, Helena High School 'A' 2:00.02. 5, Missoula Big Sky Loyola 'A' 2:02.02. 6, Missoula Sentinel 'A' 2:05.33. Boys 200 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Missoula Hellgate 'A' 1:36.21. 2, Helena Capital High School 'A' 1:36.94. 3, Missoula Sentinel 'A' 1:47.56. 4, Polson High School 'A' 1:47.58. 5, Butte High School 'A' 1:51.62. 6, Missoula Big Sky Loyola 'A' 1:55.51. Girls 100 Yard Backstroke: 1, Stack, Ella J, Big Sky/Loyola, 1:04.97. 2, Wagner, Presleigh E, Big Sky/Loyola, 1:05.08. 3, Hensiek, Emily R, Hellgate, 1:05.12. 4, Waters, Daria L, Sentinel, 1:14.95. 5, Remmers, Madison L, Big Sky/Loyola, 1:17.36. 6, Ferguson, Knoelle, Capital, 1:19.28. Boys 100 Yard Backstroke: 1, McElwee, Teague, Polson, 56.79. 2, Delhomme, PJ J, Big Sky/Loyola, 57.14. 3, McNeil, Edward, Glacier, 1:01.25. 4, Short, Andrew, Glacier, 1:03.52. 5, Taylor, Nick, Flathead, 1:03.84. 6, Bernhardt, Brayden T, Sentinel, 1:04.93. Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke: 1, McGaughy, Madeleine, Glacier, 1:11.62. 2, Massey, Ophelia C, Hellgate, 1:16.89. 3, Holland, Ellia, HHS, 1:21.66. 4, Blodgett, Kylie, Glacier, 1:22.03. 5, Macholz, Kaylee T, Hellgate, 1:22.06. 6, Fricke, Abigail C, Hellgate, 1:22.83. Boys 100 Yard Breaststroke: 1, Lindley, James E, Hellgate, 1:04.91. 2, Cochran, Lincoln R, Capital, 1:05.25. 3, VanWyk, Aidan, Capital, 1:11.14. 4, Stone, Nathan N, Butte Bulldogs, 1:13.94. 5, Sloan, Boden, Polson, 1:14.78. 6, Gautam, Madhav, Glacier, 1:17.31. Girls 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Glacier High School 'A' 3:57.62. 2, Missoula Hellgate 'A' 4:14.86. 3, Butte High School 'A' 4:40.20. 4, Polson High School 'A' 4:42.03. 5, Helena Capital High School 'A' 5:10.75. 6, Glacier High School 'B' 5:22.90. Boys 400 Yard Freestyle Relay: 1, Polson High School 'A' 3:35.63. 2, Glacier High School 'A' 3:47.05. 3, Missoula Hellgate 'A' 3:49.55. 4, Missoula Sentinel 'A' 3:57.31. 5, Helena Capital High School 'A' 4:05.25. 6, Missoula Big Sky Loyola 'A' 4:23.45. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are not available for the San Francisco 49ers when they enter Green Bay with designs on finding their finishing kick on Sunday afternoon. Purdy is out with a right shoulder injury and won't leave the sideline at Lambeau Field, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, when he also declared Bosa out and confirmed journeyman Brandon Allen would make his 10th career start at quarterback. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said the 49ers are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy's long-term prognosis. Allen's last NFL start on the road was with the Bengals at the Ravens in 2020. Allen completed 6 of 21 passes for 48 yards with two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 0.0 in a 38--3 loss. "It's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game," Allen said Friday. "And obviously we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for time being, it is an opportunity for me." Purdy took the practice field Thursday with the intent to participate. His shoulder tightened significantly, and the 49ers ushered him off the field to meet with trainers. Purdy beat the Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs at San Francisco in January, but Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. A victory against the visiting 49ers on Sunday would bolster the Packers' playoff chances, send a conference rival below .500 and avenge a bitter playoff defeat. Those seemingly rank in no particular order for the Packers (8-3), although they don't shy from living at least partially in the past ahead of a Week 12 showdown. San Francisco eliminated Green Bay 24-21 in the NFC divisional playoffs last season, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. "That's what you've got to sit with all offseason, is going back, watching the game, trying to see what you could have done better," Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. "What you could have done differently in that game. ... Just knowing that's the team that knocked us out, we're definitely hungry for this game." Ditto for San Francisco. The 49ers fell to 5-5 after last week's 20-17 home loss to Seattle, done in by Geno Smith's 13-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds to play. Still only a game behind NFC West-leading Arizona, the reigning conference champion 49ers are just 1-3 in division play and can ill afford to lose more ground. A visit to AFC East leader Buffalo awaits after the trip to Green Bay. While they're dealing with plenty of not-so-good news on the injury front, the 49ers do anticipate the return of other contributors. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed the past two games following the death of his 1-year-old daughter, practiced Wednesday. Tight end George Kittle also is eager to play after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him against the Seahawks. "Very excited," Kittle said. "Can't pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure." Allen was a three-year starter at Arkansas but has been a journeyman backup since entering the NFL in 2016 as the 201st overall pick of the Jaguars. Shanahan and LaFleur have been fierce competitors since twice working together, first as low-level assistants with the Texans in 2008, then on the so-called "dream team" staff in Washington that also included Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris; and two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) where LaFleur was quarterbacks coach and Shanahan called the plays. Shanahan scored the most recent win over LaFleur in January. Green Bay has won seven of the past eight regular-season meetings between the franchises. But the familiarity and shared-brain approach to offense that has the coaches completed each other's play calls has led to some tight games. The past three at Lambeau Field were all decided by three points. Green Bay, which hosts a home game on Thanksgiving next Thursday, is starting a run of three games in 12 days. They'll play back-to-back Thursday games. Their Week 14 game is at Detroit. That might make it good news for LaFleur that surprising contributors have emerged of late. Packers wideout Christian Watson had a career-best 150 receiving yards on only four catches during last week's 20-19 road win against the Chicago Bears. His diving 60-yard reception in the fourth quarter put the Packers in position for Love's go-ahead, 1-yard scoring run with 2:59 to play. Watson entered the game with eight catches for 83 yards over his previous three contests, but LaFleur assured Watson remains a "big part" of the attack. "He's a guy who's got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it's not like those were easy plays he was making," LaFleur said. "He was making tough, contested catches." San Francisco will aim to generate more pressure against Love than the Bears, who sacked him just once. The 49ers collected four sacks against the Seahawks, with Bosa and Leonard Floyd contributing 1.5 apiece. Recent regular-season history between the Packers and 49ers at Lambeau Field has favored Green Bay. The Packers have won seven of their past eight home games against the 49ers and are 22-11 versus San Francisco at home all-time. Green Bay leads the series 34-28-1. --Field Level Media

PLEASANTON, Calif. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 10x Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TXG), a leader in single cell and spatial biology, announced today it had secured a permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against the GeoMx products sold by Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR), which acquired the product line from NanoString Technologies. To minimize the risk of disruption to ongoing research, 10x Genomics requested a carve-out for GeoMx users who installed an instrument prior to the trial in November 2023 . The injunction, which the Court said it will enter in January 2025 , is expected to prohibit Bruker from making, using, selling or offering to sell in the United States its GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler and associated instruments, reagents and services for RNA and protein detection. At the request of 10x Genomics, the injunction will not block ongoing research by researchers who installed a GeoMx instrument prior to November 18, 2023 . Such customers can continue to purchase GeoMx reagents for use with existing GeoMx instruments for purposes of continuing their ongoing research. The Court found that making such an exception for ongoing research strikes a "workable balance between protecting the patentee's rights and protecting the public from the injunction's adverse effects." In addition, the Court affirmed the $31 million damages awarded by the November 2023 jury verdict, as well as supplemental damages and interest that will be added to the total damages when final judgment is entered. "Today's decision helps to safeguard our decade-long investment in innovation and ensures we can continue to develop groundbreaking technologies that help our customers revolutionize science," said Eric Whitaker , Chief Legal Officer at 10x Genomics. "10x exists to fuel scientific progress – not stifle it – and that is why we've done our utmost to ensure this injunction was structured to protect both our intellectual property and existing GeoMx customers' ongoing research." The Court recognized the harm NanoString's infringing conduct caused 10x when it wrote in its ruling, "Having been careful not to license its technology, 10x suffers when it proclaims itself as an innovator in spatial genomics but a competitor is using the same innovative, patented technology." Today's Court decision follows a November 2023 jury verdict that found that NanoString's GeoMx products willfully infringed seven patents exclusively licensed to 10x Genomics by Prognosys. During the trial, the jury heard testimony from the sole inventor of the patents, Illumina co-founder Mark Chee , and NanoString CEO Brad Gray and NanoString CSO Joe Beechem. After hearing all of the evidence, the jury determined that all seven patents had been infringed by NanoString, that each patent was valid, that NanoString willfully infringed those patents and that monetary damages were owed to 10x for the infringement of all seven patents. In affirming the jury's finding that NanoString willfully infringed, the Court relied on the evidence showing that NanoString knew or was willfully blind that its acts would cause infringement of 10x's rights. The asserted patents in Case No. 21-cv-653-MFK include (a) U.S. Patent No. 10,472,669; (b) U.S. Patent No. 10,961,566; (c) U.S. Patent No. 10,983,113; (d) U.S. Patent No. 10,996,219; (e) U.S. Patent No. 11,001,878; (f) U.S. Patent No. 11,008,607 and (g) U.S. Patent No. 11,293,917. About 10x Genomics 10x Genomics is a life science technology company building products to accelerate the mastery of biology and advance human health. Our integrated solutions include instruments, consumables and software for single cell and spatial biology, which help academic and translational researchers and biopharmaceutical companies understand biological systems at a resolution and scale that matches the complexity of biology. Our products are behind breakthroughs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience and more, fueling powerful discoveries that are transforming the world's understanding of health and disease. To learn more, visit 10xgenomics.com or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter) . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. All statements included in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "see," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "would," "likely," "seek" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding litigation and remedies as well as possible outcomes of litigation. These forward-looking statements do not reflect that our success will depend on our ability to obtain, maintain and protect our intellectual property rights, intellectual property litigation could be expensive, time-consuming, unsuccessful and could interfere with our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our products or technologies, litigation outcomes are unpredictable or there may be changes in our litigation strategy. These statements are based on management's current expectations, forecasts, beliefs, assumptions and information currently available to management. Actual outcomes and results could differ materially from these statements due to a number of factors and such statements should not be relied upon as representing 10x Genomics, Inc.'s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. 10x Genomics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements provided to reflect any change in 10x Genomics' expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. The material risks and uncertainties that could affect 10x Genomics, Inc.'s financial and operating results and cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release include those discussed under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's most recently-filed 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and elsewhere in the documents 10x Genomics, Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Disclosure Information 10x Genomics uses filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our website ( www.10xgenomics.com ), press releases, public conference calls, public webcasts and our social media accounts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Contacts Investors: investors@10xgenomics.com Media: media@10xgenomics.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-district-court-awards-10x-genomics-permanent-injunction-in-patent-infringement-lawsuit-against-bruker-corporations-geomx-products-302338627.html SOURCE 10x Genomics, Inc.Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the US president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he is also named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day’s trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time’s 2024 Person of the Year, according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York’s business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines – especially Time. Trump was named the magazine’s Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year’s award alongside US Vice-President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales.

Overhead at Amsoil: What are Laura Schuler’s favorite sayings?

Aceh Tsunami: Monuments Help To Remember Disasters - And Forget Them #Aceh #Tsunami: #Monuments #Help #Remember #Disasters #Forget #Them #USA #Russia #Biden #Ukraine #War #Palestine #Gaza #Israel #

NoneFormer Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities. Get local news delivered to your inbox!CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.comLOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Charlie , banking* for 62+ Americans, launched CharlieSaver , the most comprehensive source for senior discounts nationwide. CharlieSaver has scoured stores all across America to identify over 20,000 senior discounts across 1,000 shopping centers. CharlieSaver is free to use and available to all older Americans, not just Charlie customers. Senior discounts are an excellent way for older Americans to stretch their budget and make the most of the hard work they've put in over the years. This is especially true given that nearly half of older Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, and over 17 million American adults over 65 are economically insecure. At the same time, there are thousands of senior discounts available to this population that are difficult to find and impossible to keep track of. Older Americans could be missing out on hundreds of dollars in savings each year because there is no way to know about all the discounts available to them, and many retailers only offer a discount when asked directly by a customer. CharlieSaver does the important work of gathering all senior discounts in one simple-to-search website. CharlieSaver will continue to expand as new deals are discovered and more stores and restaurants join in to offer these valuable discounts. Charlie is also encouraging the public to share any discounts they find that are not listed on the platform and invites retailers to reach out if they want their senior discount included in CharlieSaver. CharlieSaver is Charlie’s latest effort to empower older Americans to make the most out of their money and keep it safe. Last week, Charlie announced Family FraudShield , a first-of-its-kind financial conversation guide aimed at helping people discuss financial fraud with their older parents and relatives. In June, Charlie introduced SpeedBump , a proprietary combination of pauses, alerts, and real-time education introduced at the exact moments customers are most vulnerable to fraud. In November 2023, Charlie launched FraudShield , a comprehensive, personalized suite of fraud protection tools built exclusively for the unique needs of 62+ Americans. *Charlie is not a bank, banking services provided by Sutton Bank; Member FDIC. About Charlie Charlie is the place for older Americans to get the most out of their money and keep it safe. Charlie uses machine learning technology and an expert, US-based customer service team to study older Americans’ unique financial habits, needs, and vulnerabilities. These insights inform the features and functions Charlie designs to provide them with financial flexibility and protection. With faster access to their Social Security check, groundbreaking fraud protection, competitive earnings on deposits, no monthly fees or minimums, and intuitive, age-optimized product design, Charlie customers have the financial peace of mind they deserve. Banking services provided by Sutton Bank; Member FDIC. To learn more, visit Charlie.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126462777/en/ CONTACT: Julie Halpin Julie@charlie.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DISCOUNT/VARIETY ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SENIORS TECHNOLOGY OTHER RETAIL DIGITAL MARKETING RESTAURANT/BAR CONSUMER PERSONAL FINANCE ONLINE PRIVACY RETAIL MARKETING FINANCE COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY BABY BOOMERS BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INTERNET ONLINE RETAIL SOURCE: Charlie Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 03:25 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 03:25 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126462777/en

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is ramping up efforts to address a crisis of suicides and systemic failures in federal prisons and jails, announcing sweeping reforms aimed at overhauling how mental health care is provided behind bars. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco outlined the measures in a memo and report Tuesday, directing the Bureau of Prisons to update suicide prevention protocols, improve mental health assessments for inmates, and adopt data-driven strategies to reduce deaths in custody. The reforms will also apply to facilities overseen by the U.S. Marshals Service, a broader effort to address chronic shortcomings across the federal detention system. The 14-page report said the measures “will strengthen the Department’s capacity to reduce the risk of suicide by adults in federal custody and advance a culture of safety in its institutions.” The announcement comes after increasing scrutiny on the federal prison system and a scathing report from the Justice Department’s inspector general earlier this year, which found that systemic lapses—like those that allowed financier Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 death—have contributed to the deaths of hundreds of federal inmates over the years. An ongoing Associated Press investigation has exposed serious issues in the Bureau of Prisons, including rampant misconduct, sexual abuse by staff, dozens of escapes, chronic violence, and staffing shortages that have left its employees ill-equipped to respond to emergencies. Monaco, who has prioritized prison reform during her tenure, has been pressing agency officials to tackle these issues, holding regular meetings to drive change in one of the federal government’s most troubled institutions. In the memo, obtained by The Associated Press, Monaco said the Justice Department must “strive to avert every preventable death of an individual in its custody.” “In pursuit of that goal, individuals who are detained or incarcerated in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) or Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) should receive timely mental health assessments and ready access to potentially life-saving mental health services,” the memo said. The Justice Department would embrace a “multifaceted approach to reducing the risk of suicide and self-directed violence” for both inmates and staff, according to the memo. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the health and safety of every individual in our custody,” Monaco said in a statement. “Today’s reforms—recommended by experts from across the Department’s litigation, law enforcement, and policy operations—will reduce the risk of suicide among adults in federal facilities. Simply put, these measures can help us save lives." Michael Balsamo And Michael R. Sisak, The Associated PressThe blocky sandstone cliffs of the Wunaamin Miliwundi Range along the Hunter River are creased with fault lines and cracks, like the wrinkles in a well-aged face. And fair enough too; these are some of the oldest rocks in the Kimberley at 1.8 billion years. They’ve seen some changes on this planet, including the evolution of multi-cellular life, and now they’re radiating a vibrant orange in the late afternoon. The blocky cliffs along the Hunter River are some of the oldest rocks in the Kimberley. Credit: Getty Images This river harbours living dinosaurs and from the edge of my rubber Zodiac I watch as one fearsome saltwater crocodile juggles a fish down its scaly throat. There’s a violent eruption of splashes and fins as sharks catch a snack, while a brahminy kite, its white head contrasting its chestnut body, swoops on a crab. Spotting a larger Zodiac bobbing in the harbour, we notice those onboard are beckoning to us. On approach, we see it’s none other than our own Captain Erwan Le Rouzic, along with three others of our ship’s top brass. Two inflatable crocodiles are strapped to their bow, and as we pull up alongside, the captain thrusts a plastic flute of chilled champagne into my sweaty hand. Living dinosaurs ... the river is a haven for saltwater crocs. Credit: Getty Images It’s as unexpected as it is welcome, and we passengers all laugh that we feel like rock stars. And we’d better get used to it. This crazy juxtaposition of luxury in a prehistoric wilderness is a hallmark of my cruise on Scenic Eclipse II, an 11-day Kimberley journey between Broome and Darwin. The newest ship for Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, Scenic Eclipse II launched in 2023 and is almost identical to Scenic Eclipse, launched in 2019. Previously the company has focused on river cruising, but this year founder Glen Moroney has sent ships to his home country, Australia. The Scenic Eclipse ships are touted as Discovery Yachts, and there certainly is a superyacht vibe. A fellow passenger says that if James Bond had a yacht, it would look like this, with a fleet of speedy Zodiacs and two jet-black helicopters. Each spacious suite has a verandah and all come with a private butler, so everyone here is a VIP. Scenic Eclipse II ... rugged wilderness meets polished luxury. Scenic Eclipse II has plenty of cutting-edge maritime technology. According to Le Rouzic, this ship uses 30 per cent less fuel than other ships of comparable size. To reduce the environmental impact of disposable plastic, there are refillable amenity bottles and guests are provided with re-usable drink bottles. For the captain, one of the best things about this ship is its size. With a maximum of 228 passengers, this vessel makes for easy personal connections. “Something I don’t really like much is that cruise ships are getting bigger and bigger,” Le Rouzic says, adding that he once captained a ship of 2000 passengers. “The ships have tripled and quadrupled since then. It’s to the point that the guests may forget they are even on a ship!” On this cruise, the only time I forget I’m on a ship is when I’m dining like a celebrity. We may be in the wilderness, but sublime meals, from casual to degustation, are created by 38 chefs in nine kitchens. Overseeing them is Tom Goetter, vice president of oceans hotel operations for Scenic, himself a celebrity chef, having appeared on US television’s reality series, Top Chef: World All-Stars . Off-ship Kimberley experiences via Zodiacs are astonishing. Goetter’s own onboard restaurant is the invitation-only Chef’s Table, seating just 10 guests for 10 experimental courses paired with a flight of 10 international wines. Goetter hands each of us a mini tool kit, explaining each course requires our participation. Highlights include a burrito “cigar” dipped in dehydrated vegetable “ash”, and spraying vinegar onto the fairy floss surrounding a foie gras toffee apple. Not only is the food exceptional, but the staff cannot do enough for us, soon learning our names and dining preferences. In the Azure Cafe, a guest is handed a pastry and cappuccino. “I didn’t order that,” he says, “but I was going to!” Evenings bring plenty of entertainment. A guitarist provides atmosphere in the bar, and two vocalists deliver toe-tapping concerts in the theatre and even on the moonlit heli-deck. For mine, the Discovery Team of 14 science and history guides (known by the more show-biz sounding “Disco Team”) steals the show. We appreciate the power and wonder of the Horizontal Falls. Each night we’re entertained with relevant mini-lectures, such as the marine biology of the Kimberley or Indigenous rock art. Leader Mike Cusack entertains with briefings about the next day’s adventures. Turns out, Cusack himself is a bona fide rock star. In 1987, Cusack and wife Susan spent a year living virtually unassisted in the remote Kimberley as the “Wilderness Couple” for Australian Geographic . Cusack delivers a lecture on their trials and tribulations, and I’m left awestruck. Not all of us fancy a year in the wilderness, though we relish a couple of hours, and our off-ship experiences are gobsmacking. At the Horizontal Falls, we board the Zodiacs to feel the power of the 11-metre tides forcing seawater through a narrow gap in an upthrust ridgeline. Unlike larger tour boats that zoom through the falls, we’re simply appreciating the wonder of this place, and slowly touring Cyclone Creek, where eddies and buckled strata speak of the forces at play. At Montgomery Reef we’re up early to accommodate the whims of the tide. We chug through natural drainage channels as water cascades off this living coral structure, which stands almost five metres proud of the surface at low tide. Before us, turtles take a breath, tawny nurse sharks skitter and egrets gobble stranded fish. Less than two hours later as our ship glides onwards, the reef has disappeared, swallowed by the tide. Montgomery Reef ... water cascades off this living coral structure. As we cruise, we see no towns and few boats. But people are here, and have always been, and it’s a privilege to witness Indigenous culture first-hand. At Wijingarra Butt Butt (Freshwater Cove) we land on Worrorra country to meet the Dambimangari traditional owners. Gideon Mowaljarlai tells us the legend of the spotted quoll and welcomes us with a dab of ochre each on the face. We hike up to Cyclone Cave, a rocky overhang adorned with Wandjina style art, where Neil Maru points out images of stingrays, giant dragonflies, night jars and the spiderweb-like cyclone itself. Traditional owners cannot always be on-site, and at Swift Bay, our own Disco Team reads out information from the Wunambal Gaambera people. In this special cave, surrounded by a vast shell midden, the ethereal Wandjina, the wide-eyed, mouthless creation beings, have peered from the walls and ceilings for millennia. The Disco Team have laid tarps under the overhang. On my back, I stare up in silence, lingering to untangle layers of rock wallabies, mythological monsters and human hand stencils. It’s a spiritual place, and there are human remains, tucked into a crevice. At Jar Island, we find the Gwion Gwion art, sometimes called Bradshaw art. We leave hats and backpacks outside the chasm, lest they damage the walls. Slender figures are depicted with tasselled headdresses and dilly bags, a window to ancient history. When our guides explain these images are at least 17,300 years old, it’s a goosebumps moment. The Disco Team interprets these sites with such deep respect, doing the traditional owners proud. A scenic heli flight is a Kimberley highlight. The following morning I join a beach excursion of a different kind, stepping into a Zodiac full of exercise mats and would-be yogis. As an osprey looks on, we go through our downward dogs to the chattering of terns, and I wonder whether any non-Indigenous humans have stood here before. Before finishing in Darwin, the Kimberley has a final highlight. Rising from the deck in a H130 helicopter in the early morning sunshine, I behold the twin King George Falls plummeting 80 metres to the tidal gorge below. As the chopper circles back along this roadless coastline, I spot crocodiles and turtles in the turquoise waters. The adventure doesn’t end there. Next, I’m zipping upstream in a Zodiac between towering cliffs. Approaching the falls themselves, we pack cameras and outer clothing into a waterproof bag, before chugging in slow motion into the hammering waterfall. I hear myself scream, and it’s not just the cold. Thoroughly drenched yet laughing with other guests, I realise I’m not a rock star after all. I’m a tiny speck on this planet whose biggest thrill is to be in this boat, under a waterfall, touching the wild. For me, this is the best luxury of all. Loading Mind you, a champagne in the spa pool later might be nice. The details Cruise An 11 day all-inclusive itinerary on-board Scenic Eclipse II in The Kimberely costs $19,715 a person inclusive of excursions, meals in all restaurants, alcohol and room service. Helicopters and spa treatments additional charge. Trips in 2025 depart Darwin to Broome July 21 and August 10. Reverse direction, Broome to Darwin July 21 and September 17. See scenic.com.au Fly During the cruising season, Qantas flies direct to Broome from Sydney or Melbourne several times a week. Virgin Australia and Qantas offer connections to Broome via Perth several times a day. From Darwin, flights are available to all capital cities with Qantas, Virgin or Jetstar. See qantas.com , virginaustralia.com ; jetstar.com The writer travelled as a guest of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. How we travel Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. 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Thanksgiving is nearly here, but this year’s turkey-filled holiday may be a bit more contentious than year’s past; the 2024 U.S. presidential election was only three weeks ago, after all. Ever since President-elect Donald Trump claimed victory over Vice President Kamala Harris , some Americans may not be feeling so jolly and bright this holiday season, what with the merry-go-round of controversial cabinet picks and concerns over Trump’s anti-immigration policies and stance on LGBTQ+ rights . For some Americans, Thanksgiving serves as a time to gather with friends and family and acknowledge what it is we’re truly grateful for. But for others, the holidays can prove to be difficult, especially when your political views greatly differ from your relatives. Not everyone has the ability to put politics aside for the sake of a peaceful meal, considering certain issues have direct impacts on the health and safety of our loved ones (or even ourselves). These days, it seems nearly impossible to avoid such hard-pressing topics, and we shouldn’t be avoiding all responsibility when it comes to these discussions either. However, that doesn’t mean we should reject all that the holiday season, including Thanksgiving, has to offer, like feelings of joy and togetherness. That’s why The Independent spoke with Sean O’Neill , a licensed marriage and family therapist, for his expert advice on how to navigate this year’s Thanksgiving dinner, all while avoiding political discussions that are sure to ignite a heated debate. For starters, why is it that these contentious arguments tend to flare up at the dinner table in the first place? Well, according to O’Neill, peoples’ political views have become deeply intertwined with their identities and values. When someone disagrees with those views, it can feel like they’re challenging who we are at our core. “Family dynamics and the nostalgia of the holiday can amplify emotions, creating a perfect storm for conflict. We’re also coming in with all the polarization we’ve seen on social media, where echo chambers have made it easy to dig in our heels,” he told The Independent . “So, it’s not surprising that discussions can turn heated when we’re all in one room, balancing our desire to connect with the pressure of defending our beliefs.” When these dinner table discussions go south, it’s important to remember why we’re all celebrating Thanksgiving together in the first place. Although you may not agree with your friend or family member’s political views, it’s polite for a Thanksgiving host to acknowledge their opinion. O’Neill suggested the response, “I understand where you’re coming from,” before gently sharing your own perspective. This way, it helps to create a more constructive dialogue rather than a combative one. What’s more, using “I” statements can be especially effective during a contentious political discussion. Not only does this technique avoid any semblance of a personal attack, but it also invites a more open and respectful conversation. “Keeping the tone friendly and focusing on the ideas rather than the person can help maintain a positive atmosphere while still expressing your disagreement,” the family therapist said. Unfortunately, there may come a time during Thanksgiving dinner when that respectful dialogue veers off course, and the conversation must be redirected. According to O’Neill, the best way to diffuse tension is to acknowledge everyone’s feelings and views without dismissing them. Then, try pivoting to a related topic that’s less divisive, such as community issues or shared interests. “Humor can also be a great tool; a light-hearted comment can break the ice and ease the tension,” he recommended. “Focusing on common ground or shared values can help remind everyone that, at the end of the day, we’re all human and connected, which is what really matters during the holidays.” Instead of diving into politics this Thanksgiving, go around the table and ask your guests their favorite holiday traditions or what they’re most thankful for this year. Or, offer up some of the movies or TV shows you watched over the past few months. O’Neill added: “If you throw in a few fun, light-hearted games or trivia about Thanksgiving, it can keep the mood upbeat and steer the focus away from potentially contentious topics, ensuring everyone has a good time!” Ultimately, taking care of our mental health should be a main priority this holiday season, especially after such a politically divisive year. This Thanksgiving, prepare yourself as best as possible for potentially contentious dinner table discussions by practicing self-awareness and setting your boundaries. “Know your triggers and how you usually respond in heated situations, which can really help you manage your emotions when things get tense,” O’Neill said. “Setting some ground rules for discussions can be super helpful, like agreeing to steer clear of certain topics or just focusing on understanding each other rather than debating.” Additionally, carve out time for activities that can recenter and recharge your energy, such as going for a walk, reading, or even finding a quiet moment to yourself. Deep breathing and meditation ahead of the holiday season can also help you stay centered during stressful Thanksgiving debates. “It’s helpful to remind myself that it’s okay to take breaks during gatherings, stepping away for a bit if things get too intense,” O’Neill added. “And let’s not forget to prioritize gratitude and connection over confrontation — reminding ourselves of what we appreciate about each other can really shift the atmosphere and keep the focus on the positives instead of diving into arguments.”