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Elsewhere
Taylor Swift is Spotify's most-streamed artist globally for the year. The superstar singer-songwriter ends Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny's three-year reign as the world's most listened to artist on the streaming platform. This year, Bad Bunny took the number two spot, followed by The Weeknd, Drake and Mexican singer Peso Pluma. In the U.S., Morgan Wallen's "Last Night" earned the title for the most-streamed song. He also had the most-streamed album in the U.S. with "One Thing At A Time."
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/spotify-wrapped-2023-taylor-swift-miley-cyrus-1235811936/
A professional soccer club from Scotland is taking the phrase "When in Rome" to a higher level. The Celtic Football Club met with Pope Francis during the team's visit to Rome for its UEFA Champions match against Lazio. The pope told the players to be good role models and that "winning isn't everything." The pope's words may have been prophetic. The Scottish team lost two-to-nothing.
New Jersey's humorous holiday traffic signs are being resurrected for the season but they're toned down a bit this year. In the past, the neon signs said things like, "Only Rudolph should be lit. Drive high, get DWI." That certainly caught drivers' attention but it also got the attention of the Federal Highway Administration. It called the signs too distracting and ordered them taken down last year.
But now, they're up again, and as I said, the messages are toned down. One sign says "Reckless drivers are worse than fruitcake," while another says, "Santa's watching, put down the phone." The New Jersey Department of Transportation hopes those slight changes will fly.
https://www.fox29.com/news/new-jerseys-funny-traffic-signs-are-back-this-holiday-season
A California company is one step closer to a medical breakthrough. It's called Loyal, a fitting name for their mission. Researchers are creating a drug they hope will help dogs live longer...and they just hit a new milestone. The FDA sent a letter saying it agrees with the data provided that shows the drug's effectiveness. Dogs would get a shot or pill every three to six months. Both could be ready by 2026.
Remember the band responsible for the hit song "Big Bottom? "That was the fictional band Spinal Tap and a sequel to the iconic mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" is set to start filming in February. Rob Reiner will return to direct and write, and original stars/writers Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer will reprise their roles as Nigel Tufnel, David St Hubbins and Derek Smalls, respectively. Rob Reiner revealed that Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks and "a few other surprises" would be making cameos in the film.
What are the "Most Sinful Cities in America?" Personal finance website WalletHub compared over 180 cities across 40 key indicators of "vices and illicit behavior." Factors include violent crimes per capita, share of adults with gambling disorders, drug overdose deaths, and so much more. Living up to its nickname "Sin City," Las Vegas tops the list. Houston is second, followed by Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Miami cracked the top 10 at number-nine and, not far behind, the 12th most sinful city in the United States: Orlando, Florida.