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( MENAFN - Live Mint) The iconic Birkin bag, debuted by French fashion house Hermès in 1984, has long been a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Named after actress and singer Jane Birkin , the bag is handcrafted and produced in limited numbers, due to its high price tag. Depending on its model and condition, a genuine Birkin bag can sell anywhere from $18,000 to $225,000 on resale platforms such as Wrist Aficionado, cementing its status as a coveted fashion accessory for the wealthy elite. However, a new twist has emerged in the world of luxury fashion, as a convincing dupe of the Birkin bag has gone viral. Available on Walmart .com for under $100, the lookalike leather bag has garnered significant attention, particularly among fashion enthusiasts who admire the style of the Birkin but cannot or choose not to afford the authentic version. Despite the sharp contrast in price, the dupe is said to resemble the luxurious original, providing a much more budget-friendly option for those desiring the high-end aesthetic. The viral success of this affordable alternative has ignited an ongoing debate online, as shoppers flock to Walmart to secure their own version of the bag. Unfortunately, due to high demand, the lookalike bags are currently sold out, but eager buyers can check back on the retailer's website in hopes of new stock being added. The incident highlights the growing trend of "dupe" culture in the fashion industry, where consumers are increasingly seeking affordable alternatives to high-end, designer items. MENAFN29122024007365015876ID1109039892 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Updated Saskatoon property tax hike may be lower than expected
Xylem director Lila Tretikov sells $479 in stockAP Business SummaryBrief at 4:22 p.m. ESTA number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”Joyce Rey presents California Lifestyle and Sunshine are synonymous with Venice. This tastefully appointed home seamlessly blends the indoor-outdoor lifestyle with timeless contemporary architecture. Light-filled with clean lines, this 4-bedroom home immediately draws visitors to the backyard with its waterfall pool and spa, phenomenal grilling and dining area, and fun hang-out spaces. Throwing a party? Step into the wine room by the kitchen and pick a bottle of bubbly! And speaking of kitchens, this one has top-of-the-line appliances along with a built-in espresso maker, lots of storage, and a walk-in pantry. The first floor also features a bedroom, currently an office, a powder room, a laundry area, and access to the garage. Upstairs, each of the 3 en-suite bedrooms has high ceilings and a private balcony, continuing the airy indoor-outdoor feeling flow. The primary bedroom feels like an oasis with its oversized windows and color-changing remote-controlled fireplace to match your mood. The highlight of the primary bathroom is the freestanding jetted tub overlooking the bedroom's private balcony. Each of the 2 additional en-suite bedrooms is generously sized with a walk-in closet. This home is filled with fun technology, from the color-changing fireplaces to Control4, from electric sliding glass doors to electric blinds. Live the ultimate Venice lifestyle close to the beach and award-winning restaurants just 1/2 a block from Penmar Park. Address : 1513 Louella Ave, Venice, CA 90291 Price : $3,850,000 Photo credit: Barcelo Photography Inc For more information, please contact Joyce Rey at 310-291-6646 or joyce@joycerey.com. Joyce Rey is one of the exclusive agents representing the Beverly Hills, California, r eal estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.
Costco has announced it will stop selling books at most of its locations across the U.S. starting next year. The company said books will only return during holiday seasons, and intermittently outside of that. Costco said the change is being made because stocking books on tables is labor-intensive and must be done by hand. It also comes as more consumers buy their books from Amazon instead of brick-and-mortar stores. According to a survey by Statista Consumer Insights published earlier this year, 71% of people said they purchased a book from the online retailer rather than Barnes and Noble, Target or Costco.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It took until the fourth quarter, when Kansas City was desperately trying to fend off the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, for Chiefs coach Andy Reid to finally make a drastic change to his offensive line. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It took until the fourth quarter, when Kansas City was desperately trying to fend off the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, for Chiefs coach Andy Reid to finally make a drastic change to his offensive line. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It took until the fourth quarter, when Kansas City was desperately trying to fend off the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, for Chiefs coach Andy Reid to finally make a drastic change to his offensive line. The Chiefs had tried Kingsley Suamataia at left tackle to start the season. When the rookie was getting beaten routinely for pressure and sacks, they switched to second-year pro Wanya Morris, who fared no better at protecting Patrick Mahomes. In the waning minutes of a 19-17 victory Friday — one that wasn’t secure until Las Vegas fumbled away a chance at a winning field goal with 15 seconds left — the Chiefs slid All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney out to tackle. Mike Caliendo entered at guard. And while they didn’t have much chance to work together, the move underscored what’s been a season-long problem. “That was the right thing to do at the time,” Reid said afterward. “It just solidified things.” What is the solution moving forward? Well, the Chiefs signed former Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries last week, but he’s been with the team for only a few days, and he’s also coming off an ACL tear that sidelined him for the entire offseason. In a perfect world, Humphries would slide into the lineup in time for the Chiefs’ game against the Chargers next Sunday. In a more realistic world, the Chiefs may need to make it through another week or two before he’s ready to contribute, and that would mean putting Morris back into the lineup or keeping Thuney protecting Mahomes’ blind side. “I would tell you it’s disruptive to any offense when the quarterback is hit,” Reid acknowledged, “and not able to get the ball off.” Mahomes had gone 113 straight starts without being sacked five-plus times in a game; Carolina and Las Vegas have done it in consecutive weeks. And along with the sacks have been penalties on Morris and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, which have made it hard for a Kansas City offense that has had to adapt to injuries all season to consistently put together drives. “We have to make sure we clean those things up,” Reid said. “It’s hard to go backwards in this league and win games.” Yet the Chiefs keep doing it. They have won an NFL-record 14 straight one-possession games, including five decided on the final play, this season. That has allowed them to piece together an 11-1 record and already clinch a postseason bye. “You’re not satisfied with where we’re at, even though we’re winning football games,” Mahomes said. “Our goal over these last few games is to prove the team we really are going into the playoffs and play that way in the playoffs.” What’s working The passing game has started to produce — when Mahomes has time to throw — now that DeAndre Hopkins has become more ingrained in the offense. He had four catches for 90 yards against the Raiders, and his mere presence has opened things up for others, including Travis Kelce, who had seven catches for 68 yards. What needs help The Chiefs basically abandoned an unproductive running game against Las Vegas. Isiah Pacheco ran seven times for 44 yards in his return from an ankle injury, but 34 yards came on one carry. Kareem Hunt had 15 yards on his seven attempts. Stock up Two-time All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones had been held without a sack for seven consecutive games, but he managed to bring down Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell twice. That was important given how much trouble the Chiefs have had getting to the quarterback when they aren’t blitzing this season. Stock down The entire Kansas City secondary has struggled for weeks, ever since cornerback Jaylen Watson was lost to a season-ending ankle injury. Nazeeh Johnson, Chamarri Conner and Bryan Cook in particular have been inconsistent in their coverage. Injuries The Chiefs made it through the Raiders game without any injuries. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 10 — The Chiefs have qualified for the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons. That is the second-longest streak in NFL history behind the Patriots, who made it 11 straight years from 2009-19. Next steps The game against the Raiders on Black Friday means the Chiefs have a couple of extra days to prepare for the Chargers. The Chiefs have beaten them six straight times, including a 17-10 win on Sept. 29 in Los Angeles. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Advertisement AdvertisementJoly touts ‘private’ diplomacy as Mexico criticizes Canada’s culture, tradeThe European Union urgently needs a Russia strategy. A strategy document that articulates a strong vision and comes with the proper policy tools and financial commitments would serve as a signal to the United States that Europe understands the threat posed by Putin’s Russia at a critical moment in the relationship between Washington, Brussels, and Moscow. The impending Trump presidency will shape EU foreign policy and redefine transatlantic ties. A second Trump administration will surely demand more from Europe, including on issues such as Europe’s defense spending and its support for Ukraine. Even as defense budgets across Europe rise and the EU takes a more forward-leaning role on support for Ukraine, the goalposts Washington sets will move. This challenge could create positive opportunities for the EU if it produces a European strategy on Russia. Currently, the bloc does not have a formal strategy toward Russia. This is inconsistent, as the EU has adopted official strategies for relations with a range of countries and regions including China , the Indo-Pacific , and Central Asia , with a strategy for the Middle East under development. But it’s more than inconsistent. Failure to draft a Russia strategy suggests a lack of seriousness and undermines the credibility of the bloc’s geopolitical ambitions. As the world watches the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfold, UkraineAlert delivers the best Atlantic Council expert insight and analysis on Ukraine twice a week directly to your inbox. The most serious obstacle to an EU Russia strategy has traditionally been the inability of member states to agree on interests and priorities. Countries closest to Russia and those with recent histories of oppression by Moscow have a more acute threat perception, whereas others in Europe often still see Russia as an essentially regional issue. However, Russia’s challenge to Europe is clearly no longer regional. It quite literally surrounds and permeates the EU. Russia has unleashed the largest land war on the continent since World War II. To undercut sanctions, it has built up a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that threaten to create a major environmental disaster in European waters. From the Western Balkans to the Sahel, Russia competes for influence, generates disinformation, and seeks to destabilize governments. Elsewhere in Africa, Moscow deploys mercenaries to support friendly governments and to secure access to resources. Inside the EU, intelligence agencies say Putin is actively engaged in efforts to undermine the political stability of member states. Russia is accused of spreading disinformation, stirring up political conflict, and even resorting to acts of sabotage, such as the recent attempt to plant explosive devices on European airplanes flying to the United States. Faced with increasing Russian threats and growing US demands, the EU needs a unified approach toward Moscow. In response, the new European Commission should prioritize the development of an EU Russia strategy aimed at creating a more forward-thinking, ambitious, and cohesive European approach. This would have multiple benefits. First, it would provide a forum for EU members to jointly develop a vision for future policy toward Russia. Second, a strategy would allow the EU to draw a coherent picture of how Moscow’s various tactics are interlinked and threaten the entire bloc. Additionally, the EU would be better positioned for stronger enforcement. Articulating a longer-term Russia policy would lock in the hard-won gains of recent years, helping to ensure that countries like Germany do not return to problematic practices like relying on Russian energy. The EU now has the right personnel in place to lead this effort. The new High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas, an ardent Russia hawk, could push for an ambitious and forward-leaning posture toward Russia. Other senior officials including defense commissioner Andreas Kubilius could lend credibility to the strategy, which would naturally be prepared in close coordination with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, herself a strong supporter of Ukraine. Any would-be Russia strategy must start with Ukraine. Support for Kyiv is the central element of Europe’s policy toward Russia, so a successful strategy must plot a path forward on key Ukraine-related issues including financial support, defense industrial cooperation, reconstruction, and eventual Ukrainian EU membership. Similarly, any strategy should also keep in mind areas like the Western Balkans, Moldova, and the South Caucasus, with a view to helping counter Russian influence. Economic statecraft should be a key focus. The EU has gradually adopted a more ambitious sanctions policy toward Moscow, but enforcement is lacking. For example, the EU will need to develop a realistic plan to deal with Russia’s shadow fleet and to ensure that Russian energy isn’t entering the EU via backdoor routes. In order to be effective, an EU Russia strategy must not fall victim to the tendency to water down or take an overly narrow view of the task at hand. Previous EU foreign policy documents, for example the Strategic Compass , offered a raft of initiatives and legislative projects but struggled to project a grander vision. Drafting a Russia strategy will be a politically difficult but worthwhile endeavor. It will be challenging to achieve an EU strategy that is sufficiently ambitious and necessarily forward-leaning while maintaining support from all member states, especially as certain countries have a record of obstructing EU support for Ukraine. Nevertheless, it would represent a crucial step toward addressing today’s changing realities. In addition to boosting the EU’s capacity as a geopolitical actor, a comprehensive and practical Russia strategy would signal to the United States that Europe is stepping up and would help strengthen transatlantic ties. The incoming US administration should support the EU in developing its Russia strategy. An EU that is ready to lead efforts to counter Russia, both inside Europe and throughout the wider region, is exactly what the transatlantic relationship needs. Ian Cameron is a young global professional with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. James Batchik is an associate director with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center. Further reading The views expressed in UkraineAlert are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.
AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:06 p.m. ESTTurkey calls for reconciliation between Syria government and opposition to end conflictNotable quotes by Jimmy CarterStocktiX Ltd Participates in the 2024 U.S. Investment COO Summit to Explore Cutting-Edge Technologies and Future Financial Trends
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