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As we reflect on this incident, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by search and rescue teams, both human and canine, in their line of duty. While setbacks may occur, it is important to remember the invaluable contributions of these brave animals and the vital role they play in saving lives during times of crisis. With continued support and training, these search and rescue dogs will no doubt continue to inspire and lead by example, showcasing the unwavering spirit of loyalty and dedication that defines them.Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad familyIn the end, the story of Liang Xin and the volunteers who assisted her serves as a shining example of the impact that a group of caring individuals can have when they come together for a common cause. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the bonds that unite us all, reminding us that even in the face of great challenges, there is always hope and support to be found in the kindness of others.
Amidst conflicting narratives and emotional testimonies, the jury deliberated for hours before ultimately reaching a verdict of not guilty. The decision was met with mixed reactions from the public, with many expressing disappointment and anger at what they perceived as a failure of the justice system to hold the accused accountable for his actions.Industry says inflation and exchange rate volatility remain the biggest risks, and if the Government misses its set targets, that could spell disaster for companies. The Government in the 2025 national budget projected Zimbabwean gold currency (ZiG) inflation to remain stable, with an average month-on-month inflation of below 3 percent on the back of tight fiscal and monetary policies. However, it noted any deviation from these assumptions, including the widening of the premium between the official and parallel markets, will severely impact macroeconomic stability. Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Mucha Mukanganwi at the 2025 post-budget meeting on Monday said inflation remains the biggest risk to companies. “We have a lot of structural issues, and the budget is part of the journey to address them. We are therefore worried that should the Government miss its inflation and exchange rate targets, the macroeconomic environment will be more difficult for the companies,” he said. Inflation pressures emerged in August to October 2024, attributable to a surge in parallel market foreign exchange activities, which worsened adverse inflation expectations. The period also coincided with the official devaluation of the local currency by as much as 43 percent. This stocked month-on-month inflation to go just above 37 percent in October then coming down to just above 11 percent in November 2024. Consequently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) implemented stabilisation measures that included increasing the bank policy rate to 35 percent and standardising statutory reserve requirements for deposits to 30 percent. The MPC also said it will allow greater exchange rate flexibility and reduce the limit on foreign exchange individuals can take out of the country. The local currency was officially depreciated to US$1: ZiG24,39, while the amount that can be taken out of the country was reduced from US$10,000 to US$2,000. These measures, among others, are expected to anchor exchange rate stability and low inflation. However, Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFOZ) chief executive Martin Chingaira said the delay by Treasury to release funds for projects is making project implementation costly. “Cost of implementing projects will be high if funds are delayed as inflationary pressures erode the capital, and the companies also need to mobilise and demobilise,” he said. He noted that the Government should prioritise one project at a time and finish it before embarking on another one similar to the current project. “The Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway projects have outstanding 108 kilometres that have not been completed, but already the Government has started works on the Harare-Chirundu highway. But the time the funds to complete the 108 kilometres are availed, it will be costly for the construction companies due to exchange rate and inflation challenges,” he said. However, Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube said the monetary policy measures have begun to have a positive impact, as both the official and parallel exchange rates have stabilised. “In the short to medium term, the Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) will continue to respond to emerging pressures in order to entrench macroeconomic stability,” he said. He added that in order to consolidate exchange rate stability, the monetary authorities will entrench the efficiency of the willing buyer, willing seller foreign exchange rate system to enhance price discovery and use its monetary tools to anchor price stability. Minister Ncube noted that the Government will deploy complementary fiscal and monetary policy tools to ensure the stability and acceptance of ZiG in the economy. “Both fiscal and monetary authorities will continue to monitor market liquidity conditions through the Liquidity Management Committee,” he said. Economist James Wadi said economies characterised by high levels of informality are often perceived as high-risk environments by potential foreign investors, and this perception often impedes economic growth and development. “We have talked about how we can reverse the informalisation of the economy, and when I did my research, I realised that informalisation is not only a Zimbabwean problem but an African one. “We should make the formal sector attractive for businesses to move from being informal. From an investor perspective, oftentimes economies with high informality are viewed as high-risk environments, so if we are to remain highly informalised, investors will see our environment as high risk,” he said.
1. Talking Hearts — a deck of conversation cards for couples looking to deepen their connection or just pass the time on a long trip. There are 200 questions, plus two wild cards to keep conversation flowing. Promising review: "This game is so fun! My husband and I pick one card and if the question is a little more difficult we put it on the fridge and give each other time to answer. Has added a little more genuine conversation into our weeknights raising two girls." — Derrek & Abby Get it from Amazon for $14.99 . 2. A tabletop fly fan that keeps a steady breeze going to deter bugs. Think of it as a robotic swatting hand so you can keep your own hands free to grab some macaroni salad. If you're looking for something more whimsical, consider this donut-shaped option . Promising review: "This product works well on outside tables to keep flies off of your food. We used it just last night, and it's lightweight and a great size. No assembling required; just add batteries." — SmileyReviews Get it from Amazon for $11.99 . 3. A set of drill brushes so effective, you'll be shocked to discover how clean your home used to be. The set comes with a two-inch flat brush, a four-inch flat brush, and a round brush. The drill isn't included, but you can grab a basic Black and Decker one ( $39.99 on Amazon) that'll do the trick. Promising review: "I thought my hard water stains would never come off my shower doors, but I bought this awesome brush set, and it's amazing! I’ve tried all the hacks — drier sheets, clean erasers, lemon, vinegar — nothing works like this brush! I used Zep shower cleaner with it! In the picture, the side on the right is the part of the door I cleaned, and I still have to clean the left side." — Traci D. Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors and stiffness levels). 4. A special can opener that takes the entire top off to create a cup-like shape. Think of the next-level hosting you can do with this! Ice cream floats in Coke cans, cute cocktails, drinks with ice, etc. Promising review: "Did I need to order one of these, when I had extra Amazon points? Absolutely not! Did I order it anyways, especially after my wife thought it was cool? Absolutely! Does it make beer in a can taste like fresh draft beer? Absofreakinlutely!!!!" — Ryan Jenkins Get it from Amazon for $21.99 . 5. The Pink Stuff , an all-purpose paste that you can use to clean basically anything. Scrubbing will be a thing of the past. And the future? Sparkly-clean items as far as the eye can see. Promising review: "Oh my gosh — this stuff is a life changer! Used it to get my fiberglass shower totally clean. Nothing else would get it done and this stuff brought my shower back to near new in one use. We’ve since cleaned a weird chalky film off our garage door, removed wall markings, and cleaned my storm door. We’ll never be without a jar (or three) of this stuff. Worth every penny." — Nancy F. Get a pack of three from Amazon for $23 . 6. Soot sprite dryer balls that'll look sooo cute bouncing around in your dryer. Besides being adorable, they reduce drying time, prevent wrinkles, and soften clothes, all without coating your stuff in a waxy residue like dryer sheets do. Dryer balls are eco-friendly *and* budget friendly because you can use them over and over. Friendsheep is a small business that sells dryer balls handmade by women in Kathmandu, Nepal. Promising review: "These are so incredibly cute! I love that they look like soot sprites! I used them today and noticed a significant decrease in drying time. No static, and able to be scented with essential oils. A great alternative to polyester, single use dryer sheets." — Daria Get a pack of three from Amazon for $18 . 7. Cloud bath bombs almost too cute to use, but the silver lining is that it's filled with RAINBOWS! Promising review: "These bath bombs are so cute. There are four individually wrapped clouds inside a beautiful box. The packaging is very, very pretty, I could imagine these being really fun for kids to get them excited about a bath, or as a great gift for someone who loves unicorns and rainbows! They make a nice stream of rainbow bubbles as soon as placed in the water and fizz for about five minutes or so. All four clouds smells wonderful and the bath made my skin feel very soft from the shea butter." — Rahil Memon Get four from Amazon for $19.99 . 8. A spice shelf that makes good use of vertical space so you can actually see where the heck your cinnamon is. Promising review: "Product is perfect for what I need it to do. Fits just right, is more than sturdy enough, and has made my absolutely nightmarish spice cabinet look awesome. No more duplicate spices going bad in the back of the cabinet! It’s not at all difficult to assemble. Watch the assembly videos (they’re short) before you start opening the parts bags. Otherwise it’s easy to get intimidated by all of the extra pieces." — Congaree Get two from Amazon for $27.98 . 9. A pack of Bottle Bright tablets ready to do all the hard work cleaning your gross bottles. No scrubbing needed! Just fill your dirty mug with water, add a tablet, let fizz for half an hour, and then rinse! Promising review: " I seriously can't believe how well these little tablets work. I had the most disgusting HydroFlask coffee mug — I tried everything. Bottle brush, different kinds of soap, vinegar, EVERYTHING, and there was still a seemingly impenetrable layer of black sludge inside. It grossed me out so much that I bought ANOTHER HydroFlask to replace it. Now eventually they both got black inside, so I tried these little magic tablets. I let a tablet sit in each of my mugs for an hour or two, and the black sludge rinsed out COMPLETELY, without even scrubbing. They look brand new. What a magical product. No weird smell or taste afterward, either. I liked it so much I used it on another HydroFlask I use primarily to hold my Bloody Mary mix in the fridge. I couldn't put anything else in it because it would always taste like spicy tomato juice. Bottle Bright to the rescue! No residual smell or taste anymore. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING." — Amazon Customer Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $7.99 . Check out our closer look at these Bottle Bright tablets for more incredible before and afters. 10. A pack of 14 medicated, waterproof wart-removing bandages that will make your wart erupt from the depths of your skin like a gross butterfly. Promising review: "This worked for me. Here's what happened. First bandage: Everything turned white. Second bandage: The top layer of the wart started disappearing and I could see the blood vessels that were inside it clearly. Third bandage: It started burning while wearing it. One day was REALLY painful, but now I think I just put the bandage on too tight. There was definitely burning though. Uncomfortable, not unbearable. Fourth bandage: The skin around the wart started to crack. Fifth bandage: The skin continued to crack and I could see the wart separating. Sixth bandage: Skin separating deeper. Wart was really soft but it wouldn't budge. Seventh bandage: The wart stuck to the medicine, so when I pulled off the bandage, the wart went with it. I'm left with some raw skin that's a bit sensitive but it feels fine. It looks like the entire wart came off, roots and all. Side note: It smells horribly. Make sure you put the bandage on tight enough to try and conceal the smell, but not so tight it hurts. Overall, not a horrible process. Make sure you follow the instructions and keep it on for 48 hours at a time. Two of mine were only on for 24 hours and I think that prolonged the process." — Chelsea Gipson Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $7.29 . 11. A bottle of liquid plant food , which is pretty much a multivitamin for your houseplant. If your green little buddy isn't growing as much as you'd like, consider a couple of drops of this elixir! This works for all indoor and outdoors plants to encourage new growth. Just add seven drops to your watering can before watering. Promising review: "I bought this for a money tree plant that my cat ate all the leaves and completely destroyed. The first pic was a week or so after using the fertilizer as recommended, on April 7, and the second is May 4. Of course I keep away from my cat at this point. Highly recommended fertilizer!" — Beth Get it from Amazon for $9.19 . 12. A tote organizer that has two vital functions: 1. brings order to your chaotic bag that weirdly has no pockets and 2. lets you transport all your stuff with one fluid motion. Measure your bag to make sure it's a good fit! Promising review: "This thing is great! I have a large bag I use as a carry-on when I fly by plane. Unfortunately it has very few pockets and is just like a bottomless pit. This fit in perfectly. I was able to organize all my items quite well. They were easy to retrieve in flight and in the airport. I didn't use the zipper compartment at all, but did put that piece in to use it as a divider. It is well-made and sturdy. Be sure to measure your inner bag space first!" — Susan Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in five sizes and 19 colors). 13. A giant pack of stackable resin rings so you always have at least five different rings for every outfit. Promising review: "I got these for a gift for someone, and they are just adorable! The colors are bright, and the quality is good. They came packaged in a pretty pink box too. I would recommend, and would buy again for a gift." — Sarahf Get a pack of 25 from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four different sets). 14. A silicone freezing tray that lets you section your leftover food into perfect frozen portions so you don't have to unfrost your entire vat of black beans every time you want a single serving. It comes with a lid to help maintain freshness and keep out odors. It's made of food-safe silicone that's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. It's great for little sides of beans, sauces, soups, and more. Promising review: "This is the best invention since sliced bread! How many times have you thrown out soup that you forgot about in your fridge??? Well, say goodbye to spoiled soup! Finally, a way to store measured quantities of broth, but I love to use mine for soup and...wait for it...SMOOTHIES! These cubes are the best for freezing measured quantities of smoothies, simply throw one in the Vitamix, and boom! You have a fresh, already icy cold smoothie for breakfast or a snack! For anyone with limited freezer space which, let's face it, is most of us, this is a real gem. I was a bit worried about how easily the cubes would slide out, but no problems at all! The best part is how easy the cubes store in a gallon sized ziplock bag so you can reuse the cubes. AND they are dishwasher safe??? Souper Cubes, why did you take so long to come into my life!??! I can't wait until the holiday season so I can gift these as stocking stuffers — to anyone I know, you now know your gift." — Texas Sunshine Get it from Amazon for $19.95 . 15. A wildly popular hair serum packed with vitamin E, aloe vera, and argan oil to ensure your mane stays silky soft, and frizz-free, no matter how humid it gets (Florida bbs, this one is for you). Promising review: "I found this product through a BuzzFeed article for those with frizzy hair and THIS PRODUCT DID NOT DISAPPOINT, PEOPLE! I put this serum through the ringer; I got this to stand up to Bay Area fog AND the nasty, humid heat wave we got a couple of weeks ago. No frizz, no extra curls. Nothing! On top of that, it made my hair super glossy. I'm very impressed. Heads-up though, a little goes a long way. One pump is enough to cover my hair and I have medium-length hair. Also, it can make your hair look oily if you use too much. I do have oily hair so working on my ends first then working to my roots works for me." — Jazmine Carbajal Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . To learn more, check out our full write-up of this serum . 16. A eucalyptus and lavender shower/bath pouch to create a comforting spa experience right at home. Name a more dynamic scent duo, I'll wait. Eucalyptus Blooms is a North Carolina–based, woman-owned business that specializes in eucalyptus bunches designed to freshen up your home. Promising review: "These smell AMAZING, and they're such a perfect size for the shower. I used to have big bundles of eucalyptus, but they always took up so much space. These are perfectly sized, and the blend of eucalyptus and lavender is HEAVENLY." — Maggie Get a set of three from Eucalyptus Blooms on Etsy for $11.99+ (originally $15.99+; also available as a set of five; this shop also offers free shipping!). 17. A paw-shaped chair cushion , because who doesn't want to be lovingly cradled in a kitten's paw? Promising review: "I freaking LOVE this paw cushion! This paw cushion absolutely saves my butt. It's not super thick or as filled as you might hope. But I read reviews and was prepared for that. A little extra padding would be great but even without it this cushion is soft and comfy! It's still worth every dime. It's perfect if you have one of those hanging indoor/outdoor rope chairs, too! This cushion is soft and cute and comfortable. Buy yourself this thing. You deserve it." — mandarabbit Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). 18. A Capri Blue Volcano candle that's commonly burned in Anthropologie stores. Now your home can smell just as nice. Promising review: "Best-smelling candle in the entire world. Expensive but worth it. It smells up entire bottom floor of our house, which is 1500 sq. ft." — Elizabeth Get it from Amazon for $22 . 19. A six-pack of lip balms with lil' flowers inside that they'll never use, lest they risk disrupting the flower. Promising review: "These lipsticks are so cute and so magical. The color that mine settles on my lips is subtle and not very dramatic. It almost gives me the feeling of wearing lip balm, which is my go-to for all things lips, so this was perfect!" — Daisy L. Alvarez Get them from Amazon for $9.99 . 20. An Iron Flask insulated thermos mug that works just as well as competitors to keep liquids hot or cold, but at a fraction of the price. Promising review: "When searching for a water bottle, I initially was tempted to get a Hydro Flask, but found this Iron Flask was cheaper. What sold the Iron Flask for me was that while it does keep water immensely cold over long periods of time, like the Hydro Flask, the Iron Flask comes with two additional lids and an extra straw. I like to use the water bottle wherever I go, and when filled with light ice, it has kept the water ice cold for up to six-plus hours. I have run my bottle into things by accident, and it has held up well. I've also knocked it over and left it on its side while driving, and there has been no leakage. Overall, if you're looking for an alternative to the Hydro Flask without breaking the bank, the Iron Flask is more affordable and better from what I've experienced." — Marissa Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 14 colors). 21. A darling strawberry vase you can fill with flowers, pens, kitchen tools — or, if you wanna go for realism, a leafy houseplant. Promising review: "Smaller than expected but I love it for making cute, bright, happy arrangements. Looks great with daisies of all sorts." — dayna haley Get it from Amazon for $26.95 . 22. A pair of fan light pull cords so you can finally know which turns on the fan and which turns on the light. What an ~illuminating~ product! Get them from Amazon for $5.88 (available in three finishes and two lengths). 23. A set of thick velvet slip covers to instantly transform your drab couch into something new and fabulous. Goodbye, stain-covered gray couch and HELLO new couch of my HGTV dreams. This set even comes with nonslip straps to ensure your new seats stay in place. See more colors here . Promising review: "I have never been so excited about a slipcover. Total transformation of our couch and loveseat. I was worried about it not working on our leather couch, but it stays on really well due to the straps and the separate cushion covers. LOVE." — Brian/Liz Get it from Amazon for $32.49+ (available in five sizes and 15 colors). 24. A can of whipped crea — I mean, sunscreen that just looks like dessert, so don't eat it, OK? This tasty looking skincare will make you feel like a cherry pie instead of looking like one (baked and bright red). It's SPF 30 and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It also smells AMAZING. Get it from Vacation for $22 . 25. A magnetic meal planning pad with a detachable shopping list for when you want to really commit to cooking at home. Promising review: "Such a lifesaver. I find this meal planner super helpful. I love the side-by-side for the menu and shopping list. Soo much easier for me. Plus, they come in cute color combos and the back has a magnet to put it right on the refrigerator." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in five styles). 26. Iridescent pimple patches in fun shapes because zapping zits might as well feel like an art project. I wish all problems could be solved with a sticker. Promising review: "I’ve used a lot of different hydrocolloid acne patches with varying results, but so far these are the only ones that seem to actually resolve the zit in a day or two. Others have irritated my skin, or are difficult to remove and pull at my skin; these don’t do any of that. They stick quite well, but come off without a problem when I’m ready. They are cute too, and I like that I can’t see the gunk it pulls from the outside of the sticker." — ML Get a pack of 72 from Amazon for $16.49 . 27. A pack of disposable shower hair catchers for people who often forget to clean the drain after a shower and too squeamish to maintain a device like the TubShroom . You can just close your eyes and throw these away when they're too hair-infested. Promising review: "For anyone with long hair, drainage clogging in the shower is a pain. So THANKS to whomever thought of such a simple but clever solution. They stick perfectly and the glue lasts like three weeks. It literally does not let a hair pass and it's just so easy to place and remove. I wish I knew about this product before! A must-buy." — MER Get a 25-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in a 50-pack and 100-pack). 28. Some reusable water balloons if you're sick of every balloon fight ending with little pieces of plastic littering your lawn. Promising review: "The adults in this house love water balloons but not the mess...plus with toddlers around, it didn’t quite make sense to have water balloons but we saw a random video on TikTok and HAD to find reusable water balloons to try out. These were the first ones we bought to try out, and WHOA we were blown away! Super easy to for the 2- and 3-year-old to use, which means more fun for all of us!! Do not think twice or continue with regular water balloons, you’ll waste precious time cleaning up and filling that could be used to make memories. " — Taurus Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in packs of six, 12, and 16). 29. A cherry toilet brush for those who are committed to all things kitsch, even in the bathroom. Promising review: "This toilet brush makes me want to clean my toilet . It is so cute, exactly what I wanted, and works perfectly! ! Fits nicely into my bathroom decor. It was delivered in perfect condition and I've used it three times now. If you're thinking about buying this...do it!" — Michelle Maroon Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 30. Fancy, eco-friendly toilet paper made from sustainable bamboo that both your butt and the environment will love. This Black-owned business offers one-time purchases or subscriptions so you never run out of toilet paper. Get 12 rolls from Reel for $23.99 (also available in packs of 24 and 48). 31. A suction tool to help relieve the itchy agony of bug bites by sucking out insect venom, saliva, and other irritants under your skin. Finally, you can go outside after dark again! Make sure you read all the directions before using so you don't accidentally give yourself a hickey. I've used this and it really works! Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. I woke up with a bug bite on my arm so I used this little tool (three times per the instructions) — immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing, but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" — Rebecca Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in five colors). 32. A bottle of blessedly effective carpet cleaner capable of turning your brown carpet into whatever color it was when you bought it. Promising review: "This is a wonderful product. I have an older dog who can't always wait until I get home from work so accidents occasionally happen. I have a Hoover Rug Scrubber and this product is very easy to use with my machine. Carpet Miracle works amazingly well on stains and odors, even those that have set for a while. I did the carpet in the 'room of shame' twice just to be sure, although for normal soil and odors once should be more than enough. It leaves behind a wonderful clean, fresh scent, and the carpet feels and looks wonderful. I plan on continuing to use this product to keep my carpets clean and my home smelling fresh." — Vicky Faurot Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 33. A pair of LED stained glass bulbs to bathe your home in a kaleidoscope of colors. Promising review: "I love these bulbs. They make any room all warm and cozy. Also a fantastic night-light for the little ones. :) Get you some!" — Amazon Customer Get them from Amazon for $19.99 . Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.The Ideal L6 model underwent rigorous testing and evaluation by the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP), a trusted authority in vehicle safety assessment. The comprehensive testing process covered various aspects of safety, including crashworthiness, active safety features, child protection, and pedestrian protection. The results of these tests have proven that the Ideal L6 model excels in all categories, showcasing its commitment to providing a safe driving environment for both occupants and pedestrians.
Liaoning Province, located in the northeastern part of China, has achieved a major milestone by successfully completing the "Secure Housing Delivery" task one month ahead of schedule. A total of 41,715 sets of housing units have been completed, providing much-needed homes for residents in need.As "Guo Xiaomai" continues to inspire and influence the farming community, Professor Guo's legacy as a respected agricultural expert and friend to farmers is firmly cemented. His enduring impact on the agricultural sector serves as a beacon of hope and progress for generations to come.NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get local news delivered to your inbox!