When the first online casino launched in 1994, many were amazed by the innovation that took a traditionally in-person activity and brought it online. Since then, this breakthrough has inspired similar changes across industries like shopping and food delivery. As […]

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Perry, who also produced records for Rod Stewart and Ringo Starr, died at a Los Angeles hospital

The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the U.S. after President Biden signed into law legislation amending a code to formally recognize the previously unofficial American emblem.

Why it matters: "The Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782," per a statement from Preston Cook, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center after Congress passed earlier this month the bill that was sent to Biden's desk.

• "With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity," added Cook, who spearheaded the legislative effort with Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad (R) and Angie Craig (D) and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).

Zoom out: The bill officially recognizing the bird of prey was among some 50 bills Biden signed into law on Christmas Eve.

The big picture: The bald eagle has unofficially been the national bird since its appearance on the Great Seal, which symbolizes the sovereignty of the U.S. as a nation.

• The bird also features on the president's flag, the mace of the House of Representatives, military insignia and "billions of one-dollar bills," per a Department of Veterans Affairs post.
• However, it had never been legally designated as the country's national bird until now.

Fun fact: Founding father Benjamin Franklin objected to the bald eagle's appearance in a letter to his daughter describing it as "a bird of bad moral character," per the Franklin Institute.

Go deeper: U.S. bald eagle population has quadrupled since 2009

• The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $1 billion ahead of a Christmas Eve drawing.
• If someone wins on Tuesday, they will score the seventh-largest prize in the game's history.
• The lump sum cash option is about $448.8 million, according to the Mega Millions website.

One lucky lotto player could wake up to a billion-dollar Christmas morning this year.

The Mega Millions jackpot hit an estimated $1 billion on Tuesday ahead of the Christmas Eve drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.

If someone does score a six-number winning ticket on Tuesday, the jackpot would be the largest prize ever won in December and the seventh-largest in the game's history.

Choosing the lump sum cash option would cut the prize money in half to about $448.8 million, according to the Mega Millions website. Winners can also choose annual payments over time. Mega Millions winnings are subject to state and federal income taxes.

Nobody has won the jackpot since September, when a Texan nabbed $810 million. The pot has continued to climb in the previous 29 drawings.

Several of the largest-ever lotto jackpots have happened in recent years.

A California man won a whopping $2.04 billion Powerball — the largest-ever lotto prize — in 2022. Earlier this year, a different California man claimed a $1.7 billion Powerball prize.

The largest Mega Millions prize, meanwhile, went to a Florida winner last year who won a $1.6 billion jackpot.

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are about one in 302,575,350, according to the Lotto website.

If someone wins on Tuesday, they wouldn't be the first Christmas Eve Mega Millions winner. A $68 million jackpot was won in 2022, but nobody ever claimed the prize, ABC News reported.

It might be cold outside, but soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is heating up fans’ Instagram feeds for Christmas.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” Ronaldo, 39, captioned a new post on Tuesday, December 24. The athlete was shirtless in the image, showing off his chiseled physique while standing outside in the snow.

Ronaldo stood on a deck, which was adorned with holiday-themed twinkle lights. It’s unclear exactly where Ronaldo is celebrating the end of the year, but his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, previously shared a glimpse of their family vacation in Laponia, Finland.

Ronaldo’s thirst trap comes one day after he shared a photo of himself riding a snowmobile with one of his kids. Both the soccer star and his child were bundled up with face masks and helmets but threw their thumbs up at the camera.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez's Daughter Bella's Baby Album: Photos

Ronaldo is a father of five: Cristiano Jr., 14, Alana, 8, twins Eva Maria and Mateo, 7, Bella, 2. Two of Ronaldo’s children — Eva Marie and Mateo — were born via surrogate. Rodriguez, 30, gave birth to Alana and Bella, the younger of whom had a twin brother named Ángel who died after birth.

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A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

Ronaldo and Rodriguez, who have been together since 2016, announced the death of their baby boy in an April 2022 Instagram statement.

“It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away,” the couple wrote via Instagram at the time. “It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.”

Twin Time! Celebrity Parents Who Have Welcomed Multiples Over the Years

They added, “We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time. Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.”

While Ronaldo is not shy when it comes to sharing his kids via social media, the athlete has spoken candidly about choosing not to identify the mother of his eldest son, Cristiano Jr.

“People speculate I was with this girl or another, or there was a surrogate mother,” he said during a November 2015 interview. “When Cristiano is going to grow up, I am always going to say the truth to him because he deserves it, because he is my son, but I am not going to say because people want me to say.”

Cheers, dear reader! The holiday season is here and Amazon is treating Us to the gift that keeps on giving. Weeks after the ‘Zon offered massive Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, the retailer is back with another savings event. The Amazon winter sale is in full swing and you need to check it out ASAP!

19 Best End-of-Year Sales on Amazon That Rival Black Friday

You can save big on everything from beauty tools, air purifiers and big-ticket items like the Google Pixel 8A. If you’re on the hunt for new fashion essentials to add to your wardrobe this winter, you’re in luck. We rounded up bestselling fashion essentials that are secretly on sale.

1. Our Absolute Favorite: Get your wellness goals off to a great start in these The Gym People high-waist leggings — was $30, now $19!

2. Supporting Star: Speaking of workout, if you’re on the hunt for a top-notch sports bra, this cozy bestseller is a great place to start. Not only does it offer medium support, but it features a fun criss-cross strap detail — was $22, now just $16!

3. Cozy Cutie: Whether you’re working out or running last-minute errands, you’ll be ultra-comfy in these lightweight joggers — was $35, now just $25!

4. Five-Piece:  You won’t have to worry about finding workout clothes to wear because these bestselling leggings come in a five-pack — was $56, now just $45!

5. Cozy Shacket: This trendy shacket is all the rage — was $50, now just $24!

6. Fuzzy Slides: Put comfort first in these cozy slides — was $46, now just $23!

7. Everyday Top: Shoppers can’t get enough of this long-sleeve top because it’s lightweight and versatile — was $27, now just $10!

8. All About Outerwear: Stay warm and cozy this winter in this thick jacket — was $90, now just $50!

9. Versatile Top: This snug T-shirt is a great wardrobe addition. Whether you prefer casual looks or more dressy ones, you can achieve it with this chic top — was $15, now just $10!

10. House Shoes: Upgrade your indoor shoe collection. These plush slippers will ensure maximum comfort while you’re strolling around the house— was $30, now just 12!

11. Last but Not Least: This bestselling two-piece set is equal parts comfortable and chic. You can mix and match both pieces together or pair them with other items in your wardrobe — was $40, now just $32!

Shoppers Praise This Bestselling Body Scrub – Over 126,000 Five-Star Ratings!

One Taylor Swift fan is sharing her experience sitting near the Grammy winner at a Kansas City Chiefs game.

“Yes, I did get to talk to her, which was an unforgettable experience,” a fan named Carley shared via TikTok on Monday, December 23. “It was a very short interaction, but I’ll never forget it.”

As the Chiefs took on the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, December 21, Carley was able to grab the attention of Swift, 35.

“I had a custom jersey on,” she explained. “It was an 87 jersey but instead of Kelce on the nameplate, it said ‘Karma.’ I had it all bedazzled and everything. Once I got her to see that, she did a little jaw drop and said, ‘So cute. I love it!’”

Taylor Swift Leans Out Box Window to Greet Young Fans After Chiefs Game

When Carley reiterated to Swift that she “had to bedazzle it,” the “Shake It Off” singer replied, “It’s so cute.”

“That will stick with me forever,” Carley added. “It was such a fun interaction to have with her.”

Ever since she started dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in 2023, Swift has made it a priority to attend as many home games as possible.

This past weekend was no different when she showed up in a faux fur jacket from Charlotte Simone, a Chanel bucket hat and knee-high Manolo Blahnik black boots.

While Swift attended the game in a suite with her parents, Andrea and Scott, and Kelce’s parents, Donna and Ed, Carley revealed that the singer blended in with all the other Chiefs fans.

“She really is just like a fan when she’s there, which is so cool,” Carley explained in her TikTok video. “There was a bad call, for example, and she was talking about the ref and how he was at previous games. We had this eye roll at each other like, ‘What are these refs thinking’ kind of thing. It was cool to have those human interactions with her as you’d have with any other Chiefs fan.”

For Swifites wondering what it’s really like to sit just rows in front of Swift on game day, Carley revealed the venue’s security checked everyone’s tickets and had a few requests.

Every Time Taylor Swift Attended an NFL Game to Cheer for Travis Kelce

“We were asked to not ask for pictures because it would start a swarm,” she said. “Don’t pass anything through the window.”

Ultimately, the guidance didn’t prevent Carley from scoring on game day. In addition to interacting with Swift, the Chiefs fan watched her team beat the Texans. Their next game will be against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, December 25.

“Overall, it was literally a perfect day,” Carley said. “I will remember it forever.”