The official start of the holiday season means something different to everyone. It could be simply digging out your sweaters and Christmas pajamas. For some, all they need is to hear Mariah Carey say, “It’s Time!” and the Christmas carols start blaring. For others, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and seeing Santa Claus at the very end kicks off the season. And plenty mark the official start of the holiday season with the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. This evening is always a star-studded event that feels very much a part of Americana. This year’s event included performances by The Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Megan Hilty, Little Big Town, Thalia, RAYE, and the Radio City Rockettes. The music and dancing led up to the incredible moment the tree lit up with 50,000 multicolored bulbs. With all the craziness surrounding the Hitman NYPD is searching for it’s nice to see a yearly tradition The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was still grand as ever! #NYPD #NewYork pic.twitter.com/9WCuIaDiMi— Lucky13 (@13isLucky13) December 5, 2024 This Year’s Tree Lighting At Rockefeller Center Was Particularly Special According to Entertainment Tonight, the origin story of this year’s New York City stunner is a tearjerker. “The tree was planted by husband and wife, Earl and Leslie Albert, in 1967 in their Massachusetts yard, and the husband says getting to donate the tree for Christmas just a few years after Leslie’s death is one of the greatest honors of his life,” the post reads. The tree is a beauty indeed. According to NBC News, the tree is 74 feet tall, 43 feet wide, and weighs 11 tons. It sparkles with 50,000 bulbs and more than 5 miles of wire. The tree has a 900-pound star made of 3 million crystals covering 70 spikes. It is truly a site to see. The Rockefeller Center tree lighting is like no other, just ask Flava Fave, who was there spreading Christmas joy. He posted on X, “Christmas in the city…ain’t nothing like the Rockefeller tree lighting.”   Christmas in the city,,, ain’t nothing like the Rockefeller tree lighting . @rockcenternyc pic.twitter.com/NgceNqrHMh— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) December 5, 2024 The story’s featured image can be found here. The post NYC Officially Kicks Off The Holidays With The Rockefeller Tree Lighting Countdown appeared first on InspireMore.

Since the Snack Wrap disappeared from the McDonald’s menu in 2016, fans have begged the Golden Arches to bring it back. They’ve called, emailed, and begun social media campaigns with less than satisfying results. We’re not sure whether it took Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and the Hamburgler to make dreams come true, but it’s officially happening, friends. President of McDonald’s USA, Joe Erlinger, stopped by Good Morning America on December 5 to share the exciting news. George Stephanopoulos asked Joe to “reveal the secret” of the new menu item, and he delivered. “The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” Joe said. “This has a cult following. I get so many emails into my inbox about this product. It will be back in 2025.” @gma Snack wrap lovers — 2025 is your year! #McDonalds USA president Joe Erlinger confirmed on #GMA that the popular menu item will be back in 2025. #snackwrap #fastfood #news ♬ original sound – Good Morning America Joe Wouldn’t Say Exactly When The Snack Wrap Will Return To The McDonald’s Menu We get it. If Joe says when then other restaurants might try to cook up their own wrap. He said he won’t reveal the date for “competitive reasons,” but confirmed we will be enjoying snack wraps sometime in 2025. As expected, this delighted those in the snack wrap cult. They flocked to social media to share their excitement. GMA‘s TikTok of the announcements has 6 million views and more than 691,000 likes and 12,000 comments. People can’t wait. The snack wrap is a highlight for plenty of folks. Like this one, “The year is saved.” And another, “This is the best news i’ve heard in months.” This fan hopes a throwback Ashton Kutcher isn’t hiding somewhere. “Somebody pinch me where the cameras at I know I’m being pranked now.” A snack wrap is all it took for their person to feel patriotic, “THIS HAS RESTORED MY FAITH IN AMERICA.” We don’t know if it was Joe, Ronald, or if it took bringing Mac Tonight and Mayor McCheese out of retirement, but we are here for Snack Wraps on the McDonald’s Menu. Bring on 2025. This story’s featured image is by QualityHD. The post McDonald’s Is Bringing A “Cult” Favorite Back Next Year appeared first on InspireMore.

Britney Spears became a pop icon with her mother, Lynne Spears, always by her side. Her signature sound and incredible dance moves set the music industry on fire. Britney sold more than 150 million records worldwide, and it seemed her family was among her biggest fans. However, her family relationships fractured as Britney wanted to make her own career decisions. She famously lived under a 13-year conservatorship, which gave her father, Jaime Spears, complete control of her life professionally, personally, financially, and medically. It was an undoubtedly extremely difficult time for the Spears family, but Britney seems to have come out stronger. This year, on Britney Spears’ birthday, her mother made a sweet Facebook post dedicated to he daughter. She wrote, “Happy Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Britney! You will always have that beautiful smile! Wishing you the happiest birthday ever!” Lynne Spears Seemed To Offer An Olive Branch To Britney Spears On Her Birthday In addition to the kind words, Lynne shared a baby picture of Britney Spears. Lynne’s friends extended warm greetings to the pop singer. One wrote, “Happy Birthday Britney- this is a beautiful baby pic!” Lynne claims she’s tired of reconnecting with Britney, but it seems her daughter isn’t interested in a reunion just yet. In 2023, her mother shared a photo on Instagram denying claims she’d gotten rid of her daughter’s things. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lynne Spears (@lynnespears_rf) She wrote, I’m not sure who told you I got rid of your dolls and journals but I would never do that! That would be cruel because I know how much they mean to you. They are special to me too because of the years we spent collecting them. Of course I still have your things, and I am happy to send them to you if you’d like me to. Please let me know and know how much I love you!” Britney Spears celebrated her 43rd birthday at their home in Mexico. She doesn’t mention her family life or her mother, but she seems to enjoy life. She periodically posts videos of herself dancing on social media but doesn’t appear interested in returning to the spotlight. Hopefully, one day, she and her mom will reach a place of peace. This story’s featured image is by Tinseltown via Shutterstock. The post Lynne Spears Sets Aside Differences To Send Daughter Britney Spears A Special Birthday Message appeared first on InspireMore.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The holiday season is a time for joy, connection, and—of course—great food. But for many, family gatherings can feel like navigating a social minefield, especially when unsolicited comments about food and body size start flying. Whether it’s a relative pointing out how much you’re eating, a friend commenting on your body, or someone dropping calorie facts about your favorite dish, these remarks can be as unwelcome as burnt pie crust. As Amber Stevens, PsyD, a psychologist specializing in disordered eating, explains: “You can appreciate someone’s intent in offering what they believe to be a positive comment while gracefully offering a correction and redirection.” In other words, it’s all about striking a balance between standing your ground and keeping the peace. Polite but firm responses to body comments A well-meaning relative might say something like, “You look great! Have you lost weight?” While intended as a compliment, this kind of remark reinforces harmful societal standards. Instead of awkwardly laughing or brushing it off, you can redirect the conversation. Dr. Stevens suggests responding with something like: “I think you meant that as a compliment, but this is a sensitive topic for me. What have you been up to lately?” or, “I’m working hard to focus less on my body right now. Let’s talk about something else.” This approach acknowledges their good intentions while firmly setting boundaries. For comments about someone else’s weight fluctuations, you can try to normalize change by responding with something like: “All bodies change over time for so many reasons, including ours. Personally, I’ve been more impressed by how warm and welcoming they were to everyone at dinner.” Handling food remarks with grace (or sass) Food talk often veers into diet culture territory, with remarks like, “Wow, that stuffing is so high-calorie!” or “I could never eat that much.” Leah Tsui, RD, advises tailoring your response to your comfort level. A neutral reply could be: “Thanks for letting me know!” If you’re feeling witty, go with: “Wow, thanks! I had no idea!” Alternatively, a straightforward response works too: “Yes, it is high-calorie, and I’m going to enjoy every single bite.” When someone comments on the size of your plate—“Are you really going to eat all that?”—dietitian Katy Gaston, RD, recommends humor: “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. I guess we’ll have to see!” Or, if practicality is more your style, try: “I like to fill my plate, but I also love leftovers, so I can always save some for later.” Reframing conversations around movement and food Post-holiday exercise talk often ties movement to guilt over food, with comments like, “I need to hit the gym tomorrow after all this food!” or “Let’s hike to burn this off.” These remarks can perpetuate unhealthy relationships with exercise and eating. If the idea of a group activity appeals but the framing doesn’t, dietitian Samantha Barash, RD, suggests saying: “A hike sounds fun, but I’m working on not using movement to ‘earn’ my food. Let’s do it for fun instead!” If you’re uninterested in the conversation entirely, a polite decline works wonders: “Thanks for thinking of me! I’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow and decide then.” Protect your peace this holiday season Navigating tricky food and body conversations during the holidays can feel overwhelming, but having a few prepared responses can help. Whether you choose humor, assertiveness, or redirection, the key is to protect your peace while staying true to your values. “Know that you are not obligated to justify how much or what you eat to anyone,” Gaston reminds us. So fill your plate, enjoy your pie, and let the comments roll off your back like butter on a biscuit.The post How to handle unwelcome food and body comments during the holidays this year first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in half a century, researchers discovered a breakthrough cure for asthma attacks, giving hope to millions of sufferers worldwide. Benralizumab, an injectable medication, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups. “This is a game-changer,” said Professor Mona Bafadhel of King’s College London, the lead researcher. “We’ve not had a change in treatment for 50 years. It will revolutionize how we treat people when they’re really unwell.” Benralizumab, which is already approved for severe asthma, has shown promising results in preliminary studies, implying that it could be used more extensively to treat the estimated two million asthma episodes in the UK each year. How benralizumab targets inflammation Asthma and COPD flare-ups frequently include trouble breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing—symptoms that can become life-threatening. Traditionally, these attacks have been treated with inhalers and steroids, the latter of which may cause weight gain, diabetes, and bone weakness. Benralizumab provides a more targeted approach. It works by reducing eosinophils, which are white blood cells that cause inflammation and lung damage. According to the study, eosinophils play a role in around half of asthma attacks and one-third of COPD flare-ups. “Now we can see there are different patterns of inflammation,” Bafadhel said. “We can be smarter and get the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.” In a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, researchers followed 158 patients for three months after they received treatment for a flare-up. The study found that patients receiving benralizumab had a lower rate of treatment failure than those receiving steroids (74 percent vs. 45 percent). Patients who received the new medicine were less likely to be hospitalized, need extra treatment, or die from complications. Real stories, real impact Benralizumab has a revolutionary impact on patients. Alison Spooner, a 55-year-old Oxfordshire resident who took part in the experiment, described her experience. “They seemed to be getting worse,” she said of her asthma attacks. “The severe lack of breath was quite frightening when you’re gasping and there’s nothing to gasp at.” After the injection, Alison felt a “drastic difference.” While she still uses her inhaler, it is now more for precaution than necessity. “Unfortunately, no drug gets rid of asthma completely, but this is the nearest thing. It’s a bit of a miracle, actually.” Geoffrey Pointing, aged 77, also benefited from the trial. Unlike steroids, which interrupted his sleep, benralizumab produced no serious side effects. “The first day of the study, I could sleep that first night, and I was able to carry on with my life without problems,” he shared. What’s next for benralizumab? Despite its promise, benralizumab is not yet fit for widespread use. A larger trial will begin in 2025 and run for two years, evaluating the drug’s cost-effectiveness and validating its benefits. Monoclonal antibodies, such as benralizumab, are pricey, which may limit accessibility. Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan of the University of Oxford expressed optimism: “This shows massive promise. Treatment for COPD has been stuck in the 20th century despite being one of the leading causes of death worldwide.” In the United Kingdom alone, four people with asthma and 85 people with COPD die every day. While the new treatment has enormous potential, scientists warn that anyone who is presently taking steroids or other medications should continue to follow their doctor’s advice. Dr. Samantha Walker of Asthma + Lung UK called the results “great news,” but said, “It’s appalling that this is the first new treatment for those suffering from asthma and COPD attacks in 50 years.” Benralizumab, with its potential to minimize hospitalizations, improve quality of life, and possibly save lives, gives millions of people hope. As trials develop, researchers and patients alike anticipate what may be a game-changing advancement in respiratory care. Source study: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine— Treating eosinophilic exacerbations of asthma and COPD with benralizumab (ABRA): a double-blind, double-dummy, active placebo-controlled randomised trialThe post A new dawn in asthma care: the first new treatment in 50 years offers hope first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

There have been instances where ethics reports were disclosed

Getting Tired of Playing the Progressive 'Guess Who Is the 'Victim' Here' Game

Why Trudeau is Going to Lose the Next Election

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, was fatally shot Wednesday morning outside of his New York City hotel in what police have described as a premeditated, targeted attack. The 50-year-old CEO was shot multiple times by a masked gunman who had been waiting outside the Hilton hotel along Sixth Avenue, where the Thompson was hosting an investors’ conference. According to his wife, Thompson had received threats, and the bullet casings recovered at the crime scene had a personalized message hand-engraved on the shells: “deny,” “depose,” and “defend.”This chilling event raises serious concerns — not just about security but about the rising tide of disillusionment and rage in our society.We must resist the temptation to take shortcuts to justice. Instead, we need to demand better from our leaders, our institutions, and ourselves.For years, I’ve warned about the potential for chaos when people lose faith in institutions. Back in 2010, while on Fox News, I vividly recall saying that the very people enabling today’s revolutionary rhetoric would one day find themselves dragged into the streets by mobs and beaten to death on live television.It sounded dramatic then. Now, it feels prophetic.The purpose of governmentThe crumbling of faith in our institutions is largely due to our willful ignorance of the very purpose of our government. Unlike governments throughout history, ours wasn’t designed merely to enforce laws or keep the peace. The Declaration of Independence boldly asserts that governments are instituted among men to protect our unalienable rights — life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights aren’t granted by any king, congress, or court; they are inherent.The founders understood something critical: When governments become hostile to those rights — when they oppress rather than protect — it is not just the right but the duty of the people to replace them. However, the Declaration also offers a sobering reminder: People are often more willing to endure suffering than to risk the unknown.This principle resonates deeply with me. As a recovering alcoholic, I know the temptation to stick with the devil you know. I lived in the pain of addiction for years, afraid that sobriety might only reveal my worst fears: that I was irredeemable, unworthy of anything better. But when the pain became unbearable, I was forced to take the leap.America is at a similar inflection point.Pain breeds change — but it must be lawfulWe’re living in a time of immense collective pain — pain exacerbated by COVID-19, economic instability, and institutional corruption. Many Americans are willing to embrace the unknown, as we witnessed in this past election. Cohorts from the left moved across the aisle to support Donald Trump. That willingness is a sign of desperation — and an opportunity for renewal.But it’s also dangerous. The Declaration of Independence was never a call to mob violence or vigilante justice. It was a framework for lawful, peaceful change. America’s founders understood that revolutions driven by hatred and chaos destroy justice rather than uphold it.When institutions fail — and make no mistake, they have failed — it’s easy to see why people might turn to violence as an outlet for their anger. Marxist revolutionaries, anarchists, and disillusioned citizens will be tempted to act as judge, jury, and executioner. We’ve seen this before in history, from the French Revolution to the riots that followed George Floyd’s death.But let me ask you: Is shooting someone in the street justice? Even if the victim is guilty — say, a corrupt pharmaceutical executive exploiting the vulnerable — is killing him how justice works?Justice isn’t about vengeance. It’s about accountability. It requires evidence, due process, and impartiality. Mob justice, on the other hand, tears at the fabric of our society. It replaces the rule of law with chaos and ensures that no one, rich or poor, is truly safe.A dangerous pattern emergingBrian Thompson’s murder may be just the beginning of a disturbing trend. As faith in institutions erodes, more people will take matters into their own hands, targeting pharmaceutical executives, health care leaders, and others they perceive as symbols of corruption. This is not justice. It’s anarchy disguised as righteousness.If we succumb to this mindset, we lose the very principles that make America worth defending. Our nation’s strength lies in its commitment to reasoned debate, lawful protest, and a system where justice is blind.We must resist the temptation to take shortcuts to justice. Instead, we need to demand better from our leaders, our institutions, and ourselves. The pain we feel as a nation is real, but if we channel it constructively, it can lead to meaningful reform.The Declaration of Independence gave us the blueprint: a vision for building something greater, not tearing everything apart. It’s up to us to follow that example — with prudence, reason, and care.This isn’t just about one man’s tragic death. It’s about whether we will uphold the principles of justice or descend into chaos. The choice is ours.Want more from Glenn Beck? Get Glenn's FREE email newsletter with his latest insights, top stories, show prep, and more delivered to your inbox.