Weapons Of Mass Distraction

Sweat turned venues with over 15,000 seats into intimate dance parties. The creative directors say that was by design.  Unsurprisingly to anyone who was online this year, one of the most repeated names when the Grammy nominations were announced last week was Charli XCX, whose album, brat, earned seven nods. The Recording Academy also nominated Charli XCX’s creative director, Imogene Strauss for Best Recording Package (alongside branding agency Special Offer) for the ubiquitous, neon-green artwork of brat. 

By Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse (TNS) If it seems like the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales start earlier and earlier every year it’s because they do. Or at least it feels that way. But that doesn’t mean these awesome discounts and special perks on travel are to be ignored. Timing is everything. Sure, a flooded inbox can be a turnoff but don’t let a minor annoyance cost you big-time savings this holiday season. Airlines, cruise lines, hotels and resorts, tour operators and other travel suppliers are already offering up notable deals on travel whether you’re looking for one last getaway in 2024 or lining up your dream vacation for the New Year. In many cases, travelers will have to be patient and book during special Black Friday and Cyber Monday windows that start just ahead of Thanksgiving and wrap up in early December. Black Friday is November 29 and Cyber Monday is December 2 but oftentimes these offers extend beyond these dates. Nonetheless, having a plan could net you some major deals, including an additional $1,055 in resort credits at Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico (November 21 to December 3), for example. Related Articles Travel | How to enjoy hotel pools and spas without an overnight stay Travel | Colorado’s winter huts blend adventure, luxury, and scenic beauty Travel | 30 Denver restaurants that are essential to the Mile High food scene Travel | Try a flight simulator at this new hotel next to the Air Force Academy Travel | What’s new in Buena Vista: Hot springs, hotels, bars Airlines like Southwest are even extending their bookable flight schedules so that fast-acting travelers can book a getaway well in advance. It’s true that some offers require travelers to leave home by the end of the year but there’s a sea of savings for those who want to have something to look forward to in 2025 while keeping their budget intact. Working with an experienced travel adviser could score you even more special savings and perks, as these professionals have access to additional discounts and connections that will only enhance your trip while saving you headaches this holiday season. ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC.

By Tim Henderson, Stateline.org (TNS) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, McLean County, Illinois, was known mostly as the home of State Farm Insurance in Bloomington and Illinois State University in Normal. Now, the area illustrates a trend that’s bringing more factories to small cities with lower costs of living: It has thousands of new jobs manufacturing Rivian electric vehicles and a new candy factory that will produce Kinder Bueno and other Ferrero candies. “Food and electric cars.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — A year ago, TikTok’s e-commerce business in Indonesia was thriving. With its viral videos, TikTok had become a worldwide phenomenon, and it was translating its influence into a powerful new revenue stream by letting users buy and sell things while its videos played. Indonesia was a critical market and the first place where TikTok rolled out this feature.

There are now artificial intelligence programs that scan MRIs for signs of cancer, Apple AirPods that work as hearing aids and devices that decode the electrical blips of the brain to restore speech to those who have lost it. Medical device technology is now deeply entrenched in many patients’ health care and can have a stunning impact on their lives.

Over the summer, Laura Marciano, a researcher at Harvard University, interviewed 500 teenagers for a continuing study investigating the link between technology and loneliness. The results were striking. For several weeks, the teenagers, who were recruited with the help of Instagram influencers, answered a questionnaire three times a day about their social interactions.