For a very long time, we knew exactly one (1) thing about Vince Gilligan’s Apple TV series “Pluribus”: He wrote the lead role specifically for “Better Call Saul” star Rhea Seehorn.
This lone morsel of information was all we had to go on for literal years of the show’s development, forcing us all to speculate on what Gilligan has cooked up for her. But at long last, “Pluribus” has finally arrived, and perhaps the most shocking thing of the explosive premiere was just how different Seehorn’s character Carol Sturka is from her Emmy-nominated role as Kim Wexler on “Better Call Saul.”
Kim Wexler was fierce and indomitable: a lawyer with such a strong moral backbone, she’ll walk away from it all to save her soul. Carol, on the other hand, is trapped in the muck of her regrets and resentments, all too comfortable living a life of consistent disappointment. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seehorn addressed the one thing that the two characters have in common, despite how different they seem.
“Somewhere deep, deep down, [Carol] has this thing where she’s going to fight for what she thinks is right,” Seehorn pointed out. “That is probably the only thing that’s similar to Kim Wexler, the character I played [on ‘Saul’]. Other than that, they’re pretty much polar opposites.”
As Kim Wexler fought her way out of the trenches of the law firm Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, she never let the petty indignities of the work get in the way of doing what had to be done. And here, too, Carol carries on that spirit, as she is seemingly the only person left on Earth who thinks being assimilated into an alien mass consciousness isn’t such a good idea.
Kim was the hero we all wish we could be, but Carol is ‘reluctant’ to lead the charge on behalf of humanity
AMC
Gilligan has said he was inspired to make “Pluribus” because he was tired of writing villains, but that doesn’t mean Carol is a goodie-two-shoes. Seehorn recounted how Gilligan has reminded her that Carol is “a very reluctant hero” who hopes someone else will go through the struggle of saving humanity so she can wallow in her grief following the death of her manager and partner.
Despite their differences, both Carol and Kim surprise themselves with how capable they are of fighting through the pain. While Kim was able to maintain the facade of having everything under control, Carol is all exposed nerves and explosive emotions. The characters could hardly be more different, and it’s thanks to Seehorn’s fearless portrayal of them that Carol remains a sympathetic protagonist even as she pushes everyone else away.
One of the unique characteristics of this partnership is that Avios can be transferred between participating programs that use it as a points currency, which can come in handy if you need to move points around to take advantage of a specific program’s sweet spot.
In this guide, we’ll explore the nuances of moving Avios around from within the Avios ecosystem, as well as some examples of why you might wish to do so.
What Are the Different “Flavours” of Avios?
The idea of having seven different loyalty programs that use the same Avios currency can be a bit confusing at first.
However, what’s unique is that the seven separate loyalty programs use the same points currency, Avios, for earning and redeeming. In this sense, you can think of each loyalty program as a different “flavour” of Avios.
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Vueling, Loganair, and Finnair all use Avios as a points currency
Furthermore, you can freely transfer between different flavours of Avios at a 1:1 ratio, which can be useful for several reasons.
For example, in Canada it’s easy to earn British Airways Avios since it’s a transfer partner with many transferable points currencies and there’s a British Airways co-branded credit card. Other flavours of Avios are more difficult to access, since the loyalty programs aren’t partners with transferable points currencies, nor do they offer a co-branded credit card in Canada.
However, since you can transfer Avios between programs, you can essentially access all seven loyalty programs that use Avios as a currency by way of The British Airways Club.
In a similar vein, each loyalty program that uses Avios has its own sweet spots. Rather than booking, say, Qatar Airways Qsuites using the British Airways flavour of Avios, you can stretch your points farther by making a redemption with Qatar Airways Avios instead.
How to Transfer Avios Between Accounts
Earlier this year, Avios introduced a new transfer tool that makes it significantly easier to move points between participating loyalty programs.
Before You Begin
Before initiating a transfer, ensure that all your Avios-linked accounts (e.g., British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways) have matching personal information—especially your full name and address. Any discrepancies can lead to transfer delays, and you may need to call customer service to resolve the issue.
Step-by-Step: Using the Avios Transfer Tool
Visit the Avios website and log in using the credentials from any of the affiliated programs.
From there, you can access the transfer tool and move Avios between:
British Airways Executive Club
Iberia Plus
Aer Lingus AerClub
Vueling Club
Loganair Clan Account
Note: Transfers to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Finnair Plus must be done through their respective pages. More on that below.
If you haven’t linked your accounts yet, you’ll be prompted to provide the relevant account numbers. While it’s not mandatory to link every single program, I recommend linking Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, and Finnair—you never know when they might come in handy.
Before completing a transfer, you may be asked to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven’t already.
Once everything is set up, you can initiate the transfer, and most transfers are completed instantly.
Note that this feature is only for transferring Avios between your own accounts. You can’t send Avios to someone else’s account using this method.
Transferring Avios to/from Qatar Airways Privilege Club
On the Avios transfer page, you can transfer Avios to and from Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
After linking your British Airways Executive Club account, you’ll see a “Transfer Avios” button on your Privilege Club dashboard. Simply enter the number of Avios to transfer, confirm, and the balance should update immediately.
Transferring Avios to/from Finnair Plus
To move Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club, you’ll first need to link your accounts—this requires multi-factor authentication (MFA) on both sides.
You can enable MFA by visiting the account settings for each program. Alternatively, head to your My Finnair Plus page, where you’ll find a clear prompt to link your accounts. The prompt walks you through the MFA setup and directs you to the necessary British Airways settings as well.
Once MFA is enabled on both accounts, they may automatically link. You’ll receive a confirmation email once the process is complete. After that, you’ll be free to transfer Avios between Finnair and British Airways.
When Should You Transfer Avios Between Accounts?
The main reason for transferring Avios between accounts is to take advantage of each program’s sweet spots.
For example, a flight between Montreal and Doha in Qatar Airways Qsuites has roughly the same cost using British Airways Avios and Qatar Airways Avios at 70,000 Avios. In this case, there’s no tangible difference in booking with one program or the other.
Similarly, by continuing onward to Bangkok in Qsuites, the total cost would come to 95,000 Avios in either program.
However, if you were to upgrade and instead add an additional leg in Qatar Airways First Class from Doha to Bangkok, you’d most certainly want to book using Qatar Airways Avios for more favourable pricing. In fact, you’d pay the same 95,000 Avios as you would have for two legs in business class, which is a spectacular deal.
Transfer Avios to Qatar Airways Privilege Club to score Qatar Airways First Class at a discount
On the other hand, to book one leg in business class and one leg in First Class using British Airways Avios, you’d wind up with a cumulative sum of two separate flights, which would be substantially higher than booking with Qatar Airways Avios.
Aside from the Qatar Airways Qsuites sweet spot, you could consider transferring Avios in the following circumstances:
Transfer Avios to British Airways Executive Club to take advantage of a Multi-Carrier Award or short-haul flights in Europe, Asia, or Oceania
Transfer Avios to Iberia Plus to take advantage of the North America–Madrid sweet spot for 34,000 Avios in business class
Transfer Avios to Aer Lingus AerClub to take advantage of cheap economy flights between North America and Ireland
Transfer Avios to Finnair Plus to take advantage of Finnair awards with lower taxes and fees than British Airways Executive Club
The latest addition to the Avios ecosystem is Finnair Plus, the eponymous program of Finland’s flag carrier. Finnair joined Avios as of March 2024, allowing flyers to earn Avios using a revenue-based model.
Finnair’s lone transfer partner in the US is Capital One Miles, and it doesn’t have any transfer partners in Canada. The airline has no co-branded card in North America, either.
Therefore, other than earning by booking flights, the best way for you to earn Finnair Avios directly is by staying at partnered hotels, such as those belonging to the Accor Live Limitless and IHG One Rewards programs.
How to Earn Different Types of Avios
In North America, and especially in Canada, it’s easier to come by certain types of Avios than others.
British Airways Avios
Of the seven flavours of Avios, British Airways Avios is by far the easiest to earn.
Moreover, there are occasional transfer bonuses of up to 30% from both programs. If you manage to take advantage of one of these promotions, your Avios balance will grow quite quickly.
The Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus also uses Avios as a points currency.
Aside from transferring Marriott Bonvoy points at the optimal ratio of 60,000 points = 25,000 Avios, you’ll have to look to the US for other transfer partners and for a co-branded card issued by Chase.
Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards all transfer to Aer Lingus Avios at a rate of 1:1.
It’s worth noting that there are occasional transfer bonuses to Aer Lingus Avios; however, the promotions tend to come around less often than the British Airways Avios ones, and when they do, they usually have a lower bonus offered.
Iberia Avios
Iberia Plus is a transfer partner of Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards at a rate of 1:1. While there have been some instances of transfer bonuses in the past, they tend to be quite infrequent and don’t go above 30%.
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Iberia Avios at the optimal ratio of 60,000 points = 25,000 Avios.
While it may seem surprising that Qatar Airways decided to join forces with Avios, Qatar Airways is the single largest shareholder in International Airlines Group, the parent company of Avios.
In the US, Citi ThankYou points transfer to Qatar Airways Avios at a rate of 1:1.
Beyond this option, you’ll have to look to a less favourable transfer rate from a hotel loyalty program:
As you can see, the easiest way to earn any flavour of Avios is through British Airways on both sides of the border.
While it’s technically possible to access other airlines’ Avios either through hotel programs or other points currencies, your best bet is to enter the Avios ecosystem by way of British Airways, and then transfer to other flavours from within.
Vueling Club
Vueling is a ultra-low-cost carrier based in Spain. While Iberia and Iberia Express call Madrid home, Vueling’s main turf is in Barcelona (BCN), where it operates flights to Spain, Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.
For those living outside Europe, earning Vueling Avios mostly occurs through flights. You’ll get Avios based on the fare you paid, as well as the fare bundle you selected, as follows:
Fly: 2 Avios/Euro
Fly and Fly Grande: 4 Avios/Euro
Since Vueling Avios aren’t transferrable to other programs at the moment, it’d be better to credit your Vueling flights to Iberia Plus, the only other program accepted on flights sold and operated by Vueling. Then, you can either keep or transfer your Iberia Avios to other programs, as we’ll discuss below.
Finnair Club
The latest addition to the Avios ecosystem is Finnair Plus, the eponymous program of Finland’s flag carrier. Finnair joined Avios as of March 2024, allowing flyers to earn Avios using a revenue-based model.
Finnair’s lone transfer partner in the US is Capital One Miles, and it doesn’t have any transfer partners in Canada. The airline has no co-branded card in North America, either.
Therefore, other than earning by booking flights, the best way for you to earn Finnair Avios directly is by staying at partnered hotels, such as those belonging to the Accor Live Limitless and IHG One Rewards programs.
Conclusion
Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Loganair Loyalty, and Finnair all use Avios as a points currency despite having different loyalty programs.
One unique feature of Avios is that you can freely transfer points between all of the above loyalty programs.
As long as you’ve set up your accounts consistently and followed all of the rules, it’s mostly easy to complete the transfer. Moving Avios around between flavours can be useful if you’d like to leverage a specific program’s sweet spot and need to top up your account.
Target said Wednesday it plans to invest $5 billion across stores next year in an effort to win back customers as the retail giant reported its 12th-straight month of weak or falling sales.
Same-store sales fell 2.7% in the three months ended Nov. 1.
Customers visited Target less often and spent less while they were there, with foot traffic plunging 2.2% and average transactions falling 0.5% from the previous year.
Target said Wednesday that it plans to invest $5 billion across stores next year. REUTERS
Shares in Target fell 0.9% Wednesday. The stock is down 36% so far this year.
“Mission 1 through 10 is to get back to growth for us,” incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke said on a call with reporters, after declining to answer when he thinks sales will turn positive again.
He announced the retailer will put an additional $1 billion toward improving the store experience, bringing its total investment for next year to $5 billion – a 25% yearly jump in capital expenditures.
Fiddelke warned that consumers – fearful of inflation and economic uncertainty – have pulled back on spending, especially on discretionary items like home decor and apparel.
Target has struggled to keep up with rivals like Walmart and fast-fashion firms Shein and Temu, which offer lower prices.
The government shutdown, which ended last week after a record-breaking 44 days, and the related pause in SNAP benefits also added to volatility in the most recent quarter, Fiddelke said.
Some outraged customers also boycotted Target this year after it slashed its DEI initiatives. In May, Target said the boycott was partly to blame for its weak sales.
On Wednesday, the retailer cut its full-year profit forecast to between $7 and $8 a share, down from $7 to $9.
It maintained its sales forecast for the holiday season, expecting a low single-digit decline.
In the third quarter, net sales plunged 1.5% on a yearly basis, down to $25.3 billion.
Net income dropped 19% to $689 million.
Excluding one-time costs like severance packages, Target reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.78.
Revenue dropped to $25.27 billion, down from $25.67 billion in the same period last year.
Last month, the retailer slashed 1,800 jobs, or roughly 8% of its corporate workforce – its largest layoff in a decade.
The company is looking to turn things around by giving its stores a make-over, addressing customer complaints about messy locations, empty shelves and difficulty getting help from workers.
Michael Fiddelke, Target’s chief operating officer, will take the helm as CEO on Feb. 1. Star Tribune via Getty Images
Target has already tweaked its online order fulfillment system so more employees are free to stock shelves and help customers.
The retailer has also sent its designers to rodeos and ski lodges, hoping they will find inspiration to juice up Target’s merchandise lines.
Just last week, the retailer lowered prices on 3,000 everyday items, including food and household products.
It also set the price of some holiday merchandise to feel like bargains, including $1 ornaments, $5 candles and $10 throw blankets, according to Chief Commercial Officer Rick Gomez.
The company has ramped up its holiday assortment to include 20,000 new items – more than double last year’s collection. Over half of those products are exclusive to Target, which it is hoping will boost sales.
Target also partnered with Starbucks on a store-exclusive frozen peppermint hot chocolate drink, described as “a creme Frappuccino with a blend of mocha sauce, milk and ice, poured over a layer of peppermint-flavored whipped cream and red and green sprinkles.”
Still, Target is anticipating customers will continue making trade-offs during the holiday season.
Around Halloween, shoppers bought candy and costumes, but they pulled back on seasonal decor, Gomez said.
Consumers will likely do the same over the winter, giving priority to “what goes under the tree versus what goes on the tree,” he added.
Target also recently announced a deal with OpenAI allowing shoppers to browse Target products and add them to shopping carts directly within the ChatGPT app.
The retailer announced in August that Fiddelke, currently Target’s chief operating officer, would take the helm as CEO on Feb. 1, succeeding Brian Cornell.
Every week, The Post will bring you our picks of the best one-liners and stories from satirical site the Babylon Bee to take the edge off Hump Day. Want more of a chuckle? Be sure to click the links.
Babylon Bee
In a development which many see as an irrefutable sign of the impeding end times, biblical scholars and historians have reached a consensus that the Number of the Beast is actually 67. READ MORE
Babylon Bee
Economists urged customers not to sign up for Five Guys’ burger financing program, warning that the interest alone will amount to $10,000. READ MORE
Babylon Bee
“Pennies may no longer be in production, but we can’t just stop making loafers,” said shoe manufacturer Tom Shoemaker. “It’s OK. Due to inflation, increasing the worth of the coin being placed in the loafers makes sense, anyway.” READ MORE
Babylon Bee
The algorithm searched infinite points of data and scanned millions of stories of human suffering and determined definitively that Michelle Obama has been oppressed more than any other living human. READ MORE
The public conversation about artificial intelligence in the workplace is stuck in a dead end, cycling between two familiar narratives: the promise of a new productivity revolution and the fear of mass unemployment as evidenced by numerous Fortune 500 companies’ recent layoffs. While this debate makes for sensational headlines, it distracts from the immediate, strategic challenge landing on every manager’s desk: how best to adapt their organizations and management styles to the way AI is changing work now.
Over the last few years, I’ve studied this shift in the workplace firsthand, both in large-scale data analysis of how software developers are using AI tools and as a consultant to multinational corporations rolling out AI agents. The evidence is clear: the primary opportunity AI provides is not to replace people, but to reallocate their focus. My research—co-authored with colleagues from Stanford University, Microsoft, GitHub, and the Linux Foundation—has shown that generative AI excels at absorbing the administrative tasks that bog down employees, freeing them to concentrate on the creative and complex work that truly moves the needle.
But that efficiency has led leaders to a crucial strategic choice — one that I believe many organizations are getting wrong. Do you reinvest the freed-up capacity of your human employees into innovation and growth, or do you cash it in for short-term cost savings? We’re already seeing companies choose the latter, often by cutting entry-level positions typically tasked with routine, lower-level work. On a surface level, the logic is tempting: why pay a salary for tasks an algorithm can do for pennies on the dollar?
This is a profound strategic error.
Junior employees are typically innovative and technically adept, and in tune with a new generation of customers. More importantly, they become tomorrow’s managers and leaders. Cutting them off not only silences crucial perspectives but also creates a long-term deficit in institutional knowledge, breaking the chain of skills that develops as employees grow within a company. This approach is also counterproductive because our research shows that it’s actually individuals with lower experience who benefit the most from artificial intelligence tools, which can help them build new capabilities and manage complex tasks. The path from entry-level employee to valued contributor might actually be shorter than ever.
That’s why the smart, long-term play isn’t to cut employees with “lesser” skills, but to complement them. For managers, the first step is to lean into mentorship by partnering early-career employees with seasoned professionals. Both parties benefit: the junior employee brings a fresh perspective (and often, a higher level of comfort with new technology), while the veteran provides institutional knowledge and critical insights on professional norms and best practices.
This approach also presents a powerful strategic opportunity. While your competitors are under-investing in their future, you can attract and hire the best of the next generation. And thanks to AI’s ability to reduce the burden of project management and administrative tasks, those highly skilled professionals will have more bandwidth available to support them.
But the management challenge doesn’t stop there. While generative AI helps employees learn faster and test their ideas, its speed and reliability are a double-edged sword that can cut apart the connective tissue of an organization. The quick, informal query that was once directed to a peer in the next cubicle is now sent straight to a chatbot. The difficult conversations inherent to collaboration can be avoided — but employees don’t get the chance to work through a challenge and grow their communication and problem-solving skills. If left unchecked, organizational siloes will grow and innovation will suffer.
This reality creates a new, urgent mandate for management. The primary challenge of the AI era is not technological, but organizational. The time and profit dividends AI provides must be consciously reinvested in building and strengthening interpersonal connections, particularly between junior and senior talent, and in fostering a corporate culture that rewards the kind of truly creative thinking that AI can’t emulate. The real measure of leadership in the coming years will not be how quickly companies adopt AI, but how wisely they invest in the people who use it.
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
A fire has killed one and damaged or burned 170 buildings after starting during strong winds in south-western Japan.
Aerial footage showed homes reduced to rubble and thick plumes of smoke rising from the hilly Saganoseki district of Oita city.
A man in his 70s was unaccounted for and firefighters later found a body, possibly of the missing man, the Oita prefectural disaster response team said.
The fire started on Tuesday evening near a fishing port in the city of Oita on the southern main island of Kyushu, with the cause still under investigation.
Image: Pic: Kyodo/Reuters
Image: A massive fire that burned out of control in a dense residential area in the south-western Japan city of Oita. Pic: AP
It has burned 48,900 square metres – roughly the size of seven football pitches – forcing 175 residents in the district, some 770 km (478 miles) southwest of Tokyo, to evacuate to an emergency shelter, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.
Dozens of fire engines, two army helicopters and more than 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze, which was not fully under control nearly 20 hours after it started.
It may take a few days before the fire is completely extinguished, town mayor Shinya Adachi told reporters after he visited the devastated neighbourhood on Wednesday.
A firefighter told the Kyodo News Agency that the operation was hampered by narrow backstreets that fire engines were unable to pass through.
Image: The fire started in the city of Oita, on the southern main island of Kyushu
Image: Smoke rises from a residential area of the southwestern Japan city of Oita on the morning of 19 November. Pic: AP
One resident told Kyodo News Agency she quickly fled without many of her belongings because the fire “spread in the blink of an eye”.
Around 260 homes remained without electricity on Wednesday afternoon.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi posted a statement on X pledging to “provide maximum support” and offering sympathy for those affected.
The number of buildings and size of the area engulfed in flames make it the largest urban fire in Japan since a 1976 fire in Sakata, excluding incidents caused by earthquakes.
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Today’s stop stories
President Trump yesterday defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when a reporter questioned him during a meeting with the two leaders in the Oval Office about the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The CIA concluded that the crown prince approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s killing and dismemberment.
President Trump (L) gives Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia a tour of the White House on Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The two leaders held meetings aimed at strengthening economic and defense ties, including the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
🎧 The crown prince also responded to the question about Khashoggi, acting regretful about the killing. His reaction was notably different in tone than Trump’s, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben tells Up First. The meeting between the two leaders resulted in a number of deals, including the U.S. agreeing to sell the Saudis tanks and F-35 fighter jets. The White House also announced that Saudi Arabia is pledging to invest $1 trillion in the U.S. The text for many additional agreements that the two countries say they have signed has not yet been released.
Both the House and the Senate have moved to compel the Justice Department to publicly release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The measure will now head to Trump’s desk after a unanimous Senate vote yesterday. The president promised to sign the legislation, but told reporters that the intense focus on the files is a Democratic hoax.
🎧 The information that comes out in the files could fuel new conflict in the debate surrounding the Epstein case, says NPR’s Sam Gringlas. The legislation applies to unclassified documents, communications, or investigative materials held by the Justice Department, the FBI, and U.S. attorneys’ offices involved in the cases. The president has pledged to put his focus on the Democrats whose names might appear in the files, which must be made public within 30 days of his signing the bill. Additionally, what the Justice Department decides to redact from the files could spark further questions from the public.
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds that Trump’s approval rating has hit a new low, 10 months into his second term. He and the Republican Party are getting most of the blame when it comes to the government shutdown, and people are overwhelmingly saying he needs to focus on lowering prices. There are signs that Democrats could reap the benefits of these critiques heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Here’s a look at the poll results by the numbers.
🎧 NPR’s Domenico Montanaro highlights an interesting finding: When respondents were asked who they would vote for if the midterm elections happened today, Democrats had a 14-point advantage. The last time the gap was that wide was eight years ago during Trump’s first term in office. A year after that, Democrats won 40 seats. The poll also revealed that people are generally dissatisfied with everything; respondents expressed little to no confidence in Congress, the media, political parties, the Supreme Court or the presidency.
Deep dive
Trump floated the idea of a 50-year fixed mortgage, a concept that many observers, including some Trump supporters, hate. Critics complained that a 50-year fixed mortgage would leave Americans in debt for their entire adult lives. The idea might not solve the U.S. housing affordability problem, but is the idea as unconventional as it sounds? Here’s what we know:
🏠 Most homeowners ditch their mortgage early by refinancing or moving to a new location. The average American homeowner stays in their home for less than 12 years, according to a Redfin analysis.
🏠 Long-term, fixed-rate mortgages allow for lower monthly payments and the ability to freeze housing costs, allowing homebuyers to refinance when it suits them.
🏠 The problems identified with the 50-year mortgage idea are also evident in the 30-year mortgage. The motivation behind the proposal is to make homeownership more accessible for Americans, especially as prospective buyers face high prices and interest rates.
Picture show
Erlinda Casaverde, Martha Martinez, Michelle McDonald, Belinda Cardenas, Sandra Rodriguez and Dolores de Leon Savage are six of the eight women who perform as Las Abuelitas de Oro.
Joey Palacios/TPR
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Joey Palacios/TPR
Latina grandmothers in their 70s and 80s in San Antonio, Texas, have come together to form a folklórico dance troupe known as Las Abuelitas De Oro, a name inspired by The Golden Girls. Folklórico is a traditional Mexican dance that combines regional dance with ballet techniques. It features intricate footwork and elaborate skirt movements. The troupe has gained popularity in the city because, despite their age, the members can perform the impressive movements for extended periods with great enthusiasm. They now offer free performances year-round throughout San Antonio and are dedicated to passing down their culture to new generations by teaching the traditional art form. Take a look at these photos, which showcase their culture. (via Texas Public Radio)
3 things to know before you go
“Friendsgiving” describes a meal, usually potluck-style, shared with friends around the time of Thanksgiving. The custom may be centuries old, but the word only entered Merriam-Webster’s dictionary in 2020.
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PeopleImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Friendsgiving is a typically potluck-style gathering with friends held near the date of Thanksgiving. The celebration can mean different things to different people. Here’s a look at NPR’s ‘Word of the Week’ and expert tips on how to celebrate Friendsgiving.
The new “Amped: Music Icons in Levi’s Denim“ exhibition, located at Levi’s headquarters in San Francisco, showcases how jeans reveal surprising insights into the lives and legacies of the artists who wore them, from Freddie Mercury to Beyoncé.
The 36-unit Rainbow Road Apartments complex, inspired by a Nintendo Mario Kart game, is scheduled to open in Phoenix next month. Take a look at the building. (via KJZZ)
Lloyds (LSE: LLOY) shares have been on a tear, rising 58% over the last year and 155% across five, with dividends on top. My own holding has more than doubled with dividends reinvested, and I’ve often kicked myself for not buying more. Now the FTSE 100 is sliding and I’m wondering if the market might be giving me a second chance.
I like snapping up more of my favourite holdings when the stock market gets rough. Picking up shares after a company drops a surprise profit warning can be risky, as those issues can take time to fix, but buying when nothing major has changed and the drop is driven by sentiment rather than substance is a different story. Fears of an artificial intelligence bubble have dragged markets lower, but Lloyds has a couple of issues to deal with too.
FTSE 100 buying opportunity
The motor finance mis-selling scandal has hit the bank harder than its major rivals, as Lloyds is exposed through its Black Horse arm. Lenders could face a combined bill of around £11bn for 14m historic car loan agreements. Lloyds has set out a ‘best estimate’ of roughly £2bn for its own potential cost. Much of that risk now looks priced in and last year’s profit of close to £4.5bn gives it room to manage the blow, but it will continue to nag for some time.
There’s a bigger issue looming in the Budget on 26 November. For months, there’s been talk that the Chancellor may lift the windfall tax on bank profits from 3% to 8%, raising up to £10bn across the sector. That appeared to have been shelved but the government’s sudden turn on income tax could revive the bank windfall raid.
Banking stocks have dropped sharply as a result, and Lloyds is down almost 6% in a week. Buying Lloyds ahead of the Budget feels a bit too binary for my liking. If the surcharge is increased, the shares are likely to drop. If it’s held, they’re likely to rebound. I’m not second guessing this so will step back and let the dust settle. I’m prepared to wait for clarity, even if that means missing out on a rebound should the extra tax never materialise.
Long-term appeal
Taking a longer view, I still see Lloyds as a solid buy-and-hold stock. It’s more expensive than when I bought it in 2023, with the price-to-earnings ratio climbing above 14. The rising share price has pushed the yield down to around 3.6%, but that should lift over time. Lloyds has increased its dividend per share by roughly 15% in each of the last two years and looks set to deliver a similar strong increase this year.
A cheaper entry price is always welcome, yet waiting endlessly for the perfect moment can mean never pressing the button at all. I think Lloyds remains well worth considering today, but I’d prefer to make that call once the Budget’s out of the way.
Sia has assigned the Mexican diva Belinda to provide vocals for her holiday classic “Snowman” in a completely different Spanish-language version. The shocking pairing was disclosed via a post on the agency’s social media account, with the very traditional winter song being overhauled for the younger generation through a festive spin.
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The fairytale singer spelled it out through a simple but electrifying caption: “Taking Snowman down south to México with the queen @belindapop.” A video snippet was shared along with the post, giving a sneak peek of the new song. The film has altered the very popular “Snowman” with Spanish lyrics. The translated lines portray love being “hasta menos cero” (until below zero) and praising Christmas’s loveliest moments, thus creating a romantic and merry atmosphere.
This partnership is truly a monumental occasion, merging Sia’s worldwide pop appeal with Belinda’s enormous Latin pop might. For many listeners, it is a matter of two powerful singers from different music schools coming together and bringing their fans for the holidays.
The news was instantly and overwhelmingly responded to positively. Both singers’ fans were jubilant, the majority declaring the duo a dream collaboration. One user pretty much said it all, the mix of Sia and Belinda creates “literal perfection.” The section for comments was filled with fire and heart emojis, which were powerful enough to indicate a strong approval of the artist pairing.
A different fan brought up the total star quality involved and made a joke about the mental effect the announcement had. He/She penned: “Sia said ‘here’s Belinda’ and my brain shut down,” suggesting that the announcement was so surprising and exciting for the fans. The comment implies that the collaboration was a nice surprise that many fans were left rather astonished.
The festive theme got very popular. One listener simply put it by saying how quite beautiful the song is, “Que bonito suena la rola,” which translates to “How beautiful the song sounds.” This very easy compliment directs attention to the immediate melodic charm of the song even though it is in the form of a short preview.
The bulk of the rxn was partying but a few negative comments were still there. A more critical perspective came from a single individual demanding a radical makeover of the original idea. The person in question articulated, “i think you need to change your style of music.” This one pessimistic comment is very much in contrast to the overall excitement and thus indicates that there are always different opinions even when a release is greatly anticipated.
The collaboration has created a scenario where more worldwide performances are demanded. One group of deeply devoted fans took advantage of the occasion and they announced a live concert, along the lines “REINAS DE SNOWMAN ☃️✨ #SpainNeedsSia ❤️.” This comment cleverly links the new release to the larger wish of seeing Sia in concert in Spain, illustrating how one small song can set the larger longings of a fan base.
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By launching a Spanish edition of “Snowman,” Sia and Belinda are not merely offering a new festive music piece but also bringing the two cultures together. The track transfigures a winter-themed anthem into a global declaration of love and the Christmas spirit, thereby indicating that joy has no language or borders. More so, this collaboration showcases the ability of music to connect with audiences and artists from different parts of the world, particularly during the most magical time of the year. This reminds us of the fitness journey shared by Malaysia Pargo, who also inspires her fans. The emotional depth in the song also brings to mind the emotional tribute Malaysia Pargo shared about her mother. In a different vein, the song’s vibe is as captivating as the Sunday bangers dropped by Pascal Siakam. The glamour associated with the release has a touch of the mermaid-themed glam Malaysia Pargo celebrated with. Finally, the artist’s introspective moment in creating this version can be compared to Malaysia Pargo’s introspective moment shared in a sheer black outfit.
There’s a reason crowds endure yearly price increases and jammed sidewalks at Disneyland each November through early January. It’s the merriest time of the year — and arguably when the resort is at its glistening, glowing best with seasonal food offerings, holiday ride makeovers and unique live entertainment options.
Disneyland, of course, is home to the long-running A Christmas Fantasy Parade, but I’d argue it’s not even the best processional happening this time of year. And this year, even Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, though not part of Disneyland’s holiday programming, is finding new ways to get festive.
Here’s a sample of some of my favorite things to do at the park this holiday season, which runs through Jan. 7. If you’re curious to check it out but looking to save a little on tickets, Disneyland has announced a new California ticket offer that goes on sale Dec. 3 and takes effect Jan. 1. The deal is for a three-day park-hopper ticket, which can be used on non-consecutive visits, and starts at $249 per person, which amounts to $83 per day.
If you go, don’t be shy, and say hi, as it’s the time of the year when I visit most often.
Don’t miss Disneyland’s best street party
The ¡Viva Navidad! street parade is one of Disney California Adventure’s most lively, diverse and dance-focused offerings.
(Disneyland Resort)
There’s one show at the Disneyland Resort that each year, without fail, brings me to tears — tears of joy, but also tears of surprise that something so lively, diverse and dance-focused exists at a Disney park. That show is California Adventure’s ¡Viva Navidad!
A boisterous celebration of Latin art and music from beginning to end, ¡Viva Navidad! uses the characters from Disney’s mid-1940s goodwill film “The Three Caballeros” as a jumping-off point to showcase folklórico dancers, mariachis and 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets (large-scale, papier mâché sculptures that dizzyingly rocket up and down a small portion of California Adventure). The show, which came from the minds of Susana Tubert and her team at Disney Live Entertainment, feels a bit like a Mexican street parade and works because it extends a hand to guests of all walks of life. Though launching with Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” it ends with the always-festive “Feliz Navidad” from José Feliciano.
Running since 2014, ¡Viva Navidad! is a blast. It’s a treasure. The only quibble is the show primarily runs on weekends only.
Embrace a cultural tradition — with stories, candles and thoughtfulness
“A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” is an evening performance at Disneyland that centers on a mariachi band and is inspired by Las Posadas.
(Joshua Sudock / Disneyland Resort )
Introduced last year, California Adventure’s “A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” features the star of Disney/Pixar film “Coco” but, like ¡Viva Navidad!, is rooted in cultural traditions. Specifically Las Posadas. Think a festive procession that travels among the community, Las Posadas are traditionally staged in Mexico between Dec. 16 and 24. In their purest form, Las Posadas depict the biblical story of Joseph and Mary and the search for shelter at the time of Jesus’ birth.
The Disney performance, which typically runs on weekdays, deviates from the religious overtunes. But some of the key touchstones — a mix of music and stories, a centering of children with candles — are present. It begins with a trot to the center of California Adventure to the tune of “El Burrito de Belén” and throughout the course of the show it will touch on such staples as “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” albeit in bilingual renditions.
The show’s narrator and singer regales guests with tales of how different Latin countries present stories of Santa Claus, or, say, the joy of unwrapping a tamale. The climax instead of the street performance is a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night,” with audience participation. What a moment ago was festive theme park fare becomes something more reflective, all while slightly nodding to the holiday’s more spiritual underpinnings.
Participate in a fantastical holiday at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Life Day is a fictional holiday exclusive to the “Star Wars” universe.
(Disneyland Resort)
OK, so this is a bit of a curve ball. It should be noted that what happens in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is not part of Disneyland’s traditional holiday programming, as Life Day is not an actual holiday, unless, perhaps, your religion is “Star Wars.” It’s also lighthearted good fun. Life Day has its roots in the beloved but campy and culturally questionable “Star Wars Holiday Special” as an event that originated on the Wookie home planet of Kashyyyk.
When Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, fans wondered if during the holiday season the land would get in on the Life Day action. Initially, fans started showing up on Nov. 17, the day the television special aired, for impromptu celebrations of their own. Credit Disneyland for embracing the guest-driven activity, so much so that the park started developing Life Day ornaments and shirts as well as offering limited time food specials.
This year, a red-robed Chewbacca holding a glowing orb — the official symbol of Life Day — will for the first time wander Galaxy’s Edge to meet with visitors. Disney hasn’t said for exactly how long this festive version of Chewbacca will be present in the land, but here’s hoping Life Day is celebrated at least until the end of Disneyland’s more conventional holiday proceedings.
After all, I enjoyed my morning paying respects to the fictional holiday, as I indulged in a limited-run anise-spiked sangria at Oga’s Cantina (the Joh Blastoh Sangria Gocola, $19.50) along with a large, fluffy slice of cinnamon toast topped with a richly sweet, cheesecake-inspired frosting and ornamental lychee pearls (Millaflower Toast, $13). The latter meant I essentially had dessert for breakfast, and while it was too sugary to finish — definitely share it — I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that Disneyland has embraced one of the silliest aspects of the space fantasy the land is dedicated to.
You’ll love the gingerbread (and other tasty delights)
The Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure is serving up two types of mac and cheese this year. On the left is the al pastor mac and cheese and on the right is the savory kugel mac and cheese.
(David Nguyen / Disneyland Resort)
I stopped in the lobby of the Grand Californian on my way out of the park for some Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookies and balked at a line that some guests said they had spent 40 minutes standing in. But having had it in year’s past, as well as a Halloween version of the cookie just a couple weeks ago, I can vouch for the fact that it is quality, soft gingerbread. Worth the wait? Your mileage may vary, but know that the best gingerbread cookie in Disneyland is actually inside the park at the Harbor Galley, where the cookies are smaller and rounder but also spicier and chewier. And 13 of them cost just $13.79, making them one of the more budget-friendly snacks in the resort. They’re a must.
Yet there’s much to sample across Disneyland’s two parks, its shopping district and hotels, so much so that I spent much more time on Sunday eating than going on rides. The bulk of my afternoon was devoted to the food booths of Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays, where most items run between $6 and $9 (or buy a passport to try six items for $49). The highlight was an al pastor mac and cheese where I slathered the cubes of pork in the finest theme park cheese slop. Don’t miss some returning favorites, such as the barbacoa tamal de res, in which the beef is pleasantly tender, or the braised pork belly adobo, one of the heartier dishes at the festival. Just know that throughout the day booths may periodically run out of items, so be prepared to pivot.
Elsewhere, I sampled the creamy, rum-forward horchata with whipped cream ($18) at Downtown Disney’s Centrico, a frosty, mid-afternoon cinnamon-focused dessert drink, and made a note to come back for the seasonal, mole tamales. It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little eggnog, so I made it over to the Disneyland Hotel’s Broken Spell Lounge for its $19 cognac and rum-spiked rendition. It’s heavily alcohol forward, so next time I may simply stick to the space’s spirit-less house-made eggnog at $9. While there, don’t miss the French dip, which, albeit pricey at $34, is an ample, filling sandwich that debuted during last year’s holidays and became so popular with guests it stuck around.
Still on my must-try list: a gingerbread-cranberry cheesecake trifle at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and the gingerbread pancakes at River Belle Terrace.
And of course, don’t miss the holiday ride makeovers, including Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World
The Haunted Mansion is currently themed to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” a charming, Christmas-focused makeover.
(Disneyland Resort / Christian Thompson)
In a way, Disneyland has been celebrating Christmas since August. That’s when its Haunted Mansion was remade into its “Nightmare Before Christmas” form and became a ride that largely cheers the Dec. 25 holiday.
While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene. This year’s rendition is filled with murderous red-eyed ravens up to no good, and in true Haunted Mansion fashion it has a pun for a name. The 13-foot gingerbread house is titled “A Murder So Fowl.” Pay close attention as you glide by, as not all these ravens and crows appear to survive a visit to the gingerbread mansion.
And while Disneyland’s early evening tree lighting tends to draw a crowd, you’ll want to make your way to Fantasyland at 5 p.m. for the nighttime illumination of the It’s a Small World facade. Here, tens of thousands of lights instantly flip on for arguably Southern California’s most memorable Christmas light display. It’s so bright, that nearby walkways will glow red and green and twinkle along with the playful piece of mid-’60s architecture.
The attraction itself remains a joy. The ride’s namesake song plays give and take with “Jingle Bells” and seasonal adornments adorably enliven the leisurely boat ride with even more cheer. The regular version is my favorite ride at Disneyland, and during the holidays it’s like riding through a giant, wintry music box.
The holidays may be one of the busier times to visit the Disneyland Resort, but it’s also a time when the theme parks are at their best.
