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If your abode is your office, you may be overdue for some tech upgrades

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

Working from home is great. You skip the commute, wear whatever you like, and keep a flexible schedule for that all-important work-life balance.But how comfortable is your work setup? If you’ve been pecking at a laptop on the kitchen table or (heaven forfend) in your bed, it is time for an upgrade.Welcome to my holiday gift guide, work-from-home edition. If you don’t telecommute, maybe there are a few such people on your gift list.I’ve been a WFH fan off and on for decades, and COVID made it a full-time thing. I have therefore thought a lot about home workstations.Essential elements include a position-adjustable desk, a laptop stand, high-quality input devices, flexible charging accessories, and desk-protecting mats.Read on for details on the latest, greatest WFH gear — including a pretty good standing desk I have been trying out.Get a standing deskYou’ll be happier and healthier if you alternate among sitting and standing positions during work sessions.Even though I have an excelle...

Senate Democrats authorize subpoenas in the Supreme Court ethics probe. GOP won’t back enforcement

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

By STEPHEN GROVES and MARK SHERMAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to authorize subpoenas for two prominent conservatives who arranged luxury travel and other benefits for Supreme Court justices, but Republicans challenged the legitimacy of the move and pledged to withhold support for enforcing the legal order.The committee chairman, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., pushed through the vote in the meeting’s final moments after Republicans had walked out in protest. The vote from the 11 Democrats would authorize subpoenas for Republican megadonor Harlan Crow and conservative activist Leonard Leo. But without bipartisan backing, the subpoenas probably will not be enforced because that would take 60 votes in the closely divided Senate.During a contentious committee meeting, Republicans tried to delay the vote before Sen. Lindsey Graham, the committee’s top Republican, invoked a rule to limit the session to two hou...

Starbucks gives half-off drinks today and adds 4 new holiday cold foams

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Starbucks introduces new cold foams based on holiday favoritesIt’s the perfect day for a Starbucks run. Of course, to Starbucks lovers, every day is the perfect day for a Starbucks run — but today is an especially perfect day because from noon to 6 p.m., you can get 50% off your favorite drink.With half off any drink, this is the ideal time to try something new — because Starbucks just announced four new cold foams based on fan-favorite holiday drinks. You can add them to any cold beverage as a customization, for an added charge, through the holiday season. All that’s left to do is pick your drink and enjoy your savings.Shop this article: Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2, Stanley Classic The Perfect-Brew Pour Over, OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee GrinderHow to get 50% off your Starbucks this afternoonAll you have to do to unlock the discount is be a part of th...

Man wanted after video captures him repeatedly punching woman inside Brampton store

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

A man is wanted by police in the alleged assault of a woman that was captured on video surveillance inside a Brampton mall. Peel Regional Police said at around 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, a 23-year-old woman from Brampton was at a shopping mall in the area of Queen Street and Central Park Drive when she was approached by an unknown suspect accusing her of filming him. The woman attempted to walk away when the suspect approached her again, slapped her phone out of her hand and punched the victim several times. Video surveillance shows the male suspect then walking out of the store. The woman suffered minor injuries.The man is described as approximately five-foot-seven, black, and last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and black shoes. Photos of the suspect have been released.

Corey Perry apologizes, says behaviour was ‘inappropriate and wrong’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

Corey Perry apologized to the Chicago Blackhawks organization, his fans and his family on Thursday after the team cut ties with him earlier this week for what it called “unacceptable” conduct.Perry released a statement that did not go into details about the reason for release. He did say his “behaviour was inappropriate and wrong.”Corey Perry releases a statement: pic.twitter.com/UnXbuk1tlS— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 30, 2023Perry also says he has started to work with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss his struggles with alcohol.“I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates,” he said. “I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and have let you all down.“As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumours. I am sickened b...

Influential Detroit pastor the Rev. Charles Gilchrist Adams dies at age 86

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Influential longtime Detroit pastor the Rev. Charles Gilchrist Adams has died following an illness. He was 86.Adams died Wednesday following a bout with pneumonia, his sister, Edith Clifton, told The Detroit News on Thursday.Adams spent a half-century as pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church before retiring in 2019. He had since served as pastor emeritus.“He was my only sibling and my best friend,” Clifton, 88, told the newspaper. “We talked almost every day.”Adams used the church’s standing and resources to spur economic development on the city’s northwest side.“Detroiters have lost a great champion and a great man,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. “As a pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. Adams did more than offer words of hope and inspiration from his pulpit, he created opportunity by purchasing and developing land around Hartford, including the Hartford Village senior citizen community.”Adams was born in Detroit, attended...

Eddie Murphy wants ‘Candy Cane Lane’ to put you in the Christmas spirit for years to come

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Eddie Murphy has fond childhood memories of gathering with his family in Brooklyn and being wrapped in the wonder of the season as they watched classic holiday movies. Now, his Christmas wish is his new film, “Candy Cane Lane,” will create similar memories for others.“That was in the front of my mind when we chose this script … we want to do something that’s going to be around forever,” Murphy said. “When I was growing up, we used to watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ and ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and ‘Rudolph’s Shiny New Year’… I think we made a movie like that, that people will watch over and over again.”The Prime Video release out Friday follows Chris Carver (Murphy) who’s obsessed with winning his neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. Stumbling upon a mysterious store, he unwittingly strikes a deal with a good intentioned but slightly mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) who brings the 12 days of Christmas to life. That turns into a holida...

Georgia county seeking to dismiss lawsuit by slave descendants over rezoning of their island homes

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — County commissioners in Georgia are asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit by Black residents descended from slaves who fear new zoning changes will force them to sell their island homes in one of the South’s last surviving Gullah-Geechee communities.Residents and landowners of the tiny Hogg Hummock community sued in October after McIntosh County commissioners voted to weaken zoning restrictions that for decades helped protect the enclave of modest homes along dirt roads on largely unspoiled Sapelo Island. The zoning changes doubled the size of houses allowed in Hogg Hummock. Black residents say larger homes in the community will lead to property tax increases that they won’t be able to afford. Their lawsuit asks a judge to declare the new law discriminates “on the basis of race, and that it is therefore unconstitutional, null, and void.”Attorneys for the county filed a legal motion Nov. 20 asking a Superior Court judge to dismiss the lawsuit, noting that G...

SEC extends agreement to keep football championship in Atlanta at least through 2031

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — The Southeastern Conference championship game will remain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium through at least 2031 under a contract extension announced Thursday.The SEC joined stadium operator AMB Sports and Entertainment and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority in announcing the agreement ahead of the 32nd annual title game Saturday, matching No. 1 Georgia — the two-time defending national champion — against No. 8 Alabama.The previous deal was set to expire after the 2026 game. Under the new agreement, the SEC also can exercise a five-year option that would keep the game at the 71,000-seat retractable roof stadium near downtown Atlanta through 2036.Atlanta began hosting the SEC championship in 1994 after the first two games were held at Birmingham’s Legion Field. The Georgia Dome was the site through 2016, when that stadium was replaced by the current facility built next door. “The SEC football championship game is one of the premier events in college sports and M...

B.C. files application for Canada’s first unexplained wealth order, minister says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:14 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s solicitor general says the government has filed the first-ever application to secure an unexplained wealth order in Canada.Mike Farnworth says the notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court is the start of a series of similar applications, which are powerful tools that “put those engaging in illegal activity on notice.”A statement from Farnworth says the province “will not tolerate criminals prospering in our communities” and it will pursue illegally acquired properties, luxury vehicles, money laundering schemes and businesses operating as fronts.The minister says amendments to the Civil Forfeiture Act earlier this year allow the province to pursue “ill-gotten gains more efficiently” and compel people to explain how they acquired their wealth when there are suspicions about criminal activity.Farnworth says B.C. will take forfeited assets obtained through unexplained wealth orders and redirect them to comm...