Climate tech is about a decade old, and people are itching for a rebrand.

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Indian startups raised 32% fewer funding rounds in 2024 compared to last year, according to data intelligence platform Tracxn, signaling that investors are being more selective when striking deals. The number of startup funding rounds fell to 1,448 compared to 2,114 last year, but overall funding rose 6% to $11.3 billion ($10.7 billion in 2023) […]

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• Dual citizen Michael Stiege was raised in Canada but spent many years working in the US.
• The darkness and cold climate of Canada pushed him to sunny California.
• For Americans thinking they can simply move up north, it's not that easy, he said.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Stiege, 75, a dual citizen of the US and Canada. Stiege was raised in Canada and spent roughly 30 years working in California before moving back to Canada 15 years ago. He soon plans to split his time between the US and Canada. The conversation was edited for length and clarity.

Because I'm a dual citizen of America and Canada, traveling between the two countries is virtually a non-issue.

If you're an American coming to Canada, you can travel visa-free. Still, if you're planning to move here and be able to work here, that's another story.

You can visit for six months as long as you leave before the end of the six-month period. You can do that back and forth all the time — but you won't get access to the social system and healthcare.

My friends, who used to live in Chicago, moved to California and said, "We're going to move up to Canada when we retire," but they couldn't get a visa.

This fellow's a Ph.D. and a really smart technical guy — and his wife is pretty bright, too. They couldn't get a visa because they were simply too old. Once you're — let's say 50 — the immigration system disadvantages you. They have a merit-based point system and start worrying about things like age. That's the thinking. Once you reach a certain age, or if you don't have certain other legs up, the criteria by which you can get a working visa is stacked against you.

[In Canada's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) — which rates potential immigrants based on age, language fluency, education, professional expertise, and if you have a Canadian partner — applicants 45 years old or older receive 0 points.]

Whereas if you're a young guy just out of college, you have some reasonable skills, and you even know a few words of French, you probably wouldn't have a problem.

There are ways around it, but if the expectation is, "I'm just going to go up there and apply for a visa and get a visa," it may not happen like that.

I needed a change from the cold and long nights in Canada

I was born in Stuttgart, Germany. When my parents and I moved to Canada, I was about 3 and written into my parents' passports.

They got their visas and eventually became naturalized Canadians, which was bestowed on me. So, for all practical purposes, I'm a Canadian.

I grew up in Toronto, went to school in Toronto, and it wasn't until the early side of my career that I moved out into western Canada to Calgary and British Columbia.

I have an engineering degree and an MBA — which, at that time, was a pretty good combination to earn a job and make a living. I looked at the available jobs in the market and thought, "Go to Silicon Valley, where your skills will be valued the most."

I applied to a couple of things and got a call one day. It said, "Are you interested in coming down?" I said yeah, and there I was.

I needed warmer weather, and I was able to get rid of Canada's long winter nights. The summers in Canada were great — you could golf at 11 p.m. — but the winters were awful.

Seasonal affective disorder really got to me. It's not so much the cold as the long winter nights. It's dark. My wife says I had started hibernating, so I wanted to leave that behind.

I rented in the US and bought a home in Canada

When I moved to the US, I found that if I pushed myself, I could've bought a house, but I kept holding off. I found it easy to rent — it was affordable. I could get by without any problem. What I didn't put into a mortgage, I put into stocks and stuff like that.

I lived there for almost 30 years in two or three residences. I paid about $3,200 monthly in Los Altos Hills, California, right by Stanford University.

I came close to buying a couple of times, but the property tax burden in California is significantly higher than what you would find in Canada.

If you buy a house in California for $3 million, you're looking at $40,000 yearly in property taxes. [Zillow estimates a $3 million home in Santa Clara County would cost $36,300 annually in property taxes.] I could go on a trip for six months on that.

If I did the same thing in Toronto, I might spend between $6,000 and $8,000 — and that's a big difference. [According to the city of Toronto, a $3 million home costs $21,459 in city, education, and building fund taxes.]

I moved back to Canada about 15 years ago. My father was 96 then, and I said, "Let's go back." My wife is Canadian, and we have family up here. We settled in and bought our house.

We have a summer home up north in the lake country. It's not bad, but it gets cold in the winter.

If I ever move back to the US, my preference is California.

Just days after Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson appeared in a "queer" Broadway spinoff of "Romeo and Juliet," critics are questioning whether her involvement could compromise her impartiality as the court considers a landmark case about banning transgender surgical procedures for minors.

"I think it's a huge mistake for federal judges, especially Supreme Court justices, to engage in activities that clearly put the stamp of approval on an ideological position regarding issues that could come before the court, which is practically the definition of a threat to their impartiality, the appearance of impropriety," Heritage Foundation senior legal counsel Thomas Jipping told Fox News Digital in an interview. 

"It's unusual for judges to do this sort of thing under any circumstances. But I suppose if this was ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ if this was some recognized, established classic or something, it might be different. But this is obviously an advocacy production, so for a Supreme Court justice to participate in advocacy on an issue that is currently in the courts, and at least broadly speaking, before her, I think it's a huge mistake," he said.

LIBERAL SUPREME COURT JUSTICE MAKES ‘CRINGE’ CAMEO PERFORMANCE ON BROADWAY

The musical, called "& Juliet," features prominent LGBTQ+ themes and nonbinary characters. The musical begins where Shakespeare's original ends. Instead of dying by suicide for love, Juliet chooses to forge her own path, challenging traditional gender roles. On its website, "& Juliet" is described as a "hilarious new musical" that "flips the script on the greatest love story ever told."

Juliet's best friend, May, is a nonbinary character whose queer relationship is prominently featured and explored throughout the musical.

Jackson joined the Broadway cast, which includes TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and other Broadway performers, for a one-time performance at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Saturday night, becoming the first Supreme Court justice to perform on Broadway.

"& Juliet" was written by David West Read, best known for his work as a writer and producer on the TV show "Schitt’s Creek." The musical premiered in November 2019, at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End. Its Broadway debut followed in November 2022, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City.

LEFT-LEANING JUSTICES COMPARE SEX CHANGES FOR KIDS TO TAKING ASPIRIN DURING SCOTUS ARGUMENTS

Liberals have criticized several conservative Supreme Court justices in recent years over ethical concerns, fueling calls for stricter oversight. 

Justice Clarence Thomas has faced scrutiny over his wife’s political activism. Justice Samuel Alito has been criticized for failing to disclose luxury trips funded by wealthy donors with business before the court, while Justice Amy Coney Barrett has drawn attention for her ties to religious groups and their potential influence on cases involving LGBTQ+ issues and abortion. Justice Brett Kavanaugh has also faced criticism over his confirmation process and past financial disclosures.

"For two, three years now, liberals have been complaining about actions by Supreme Court justices that they say undermine the public's confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary," Jipping said. "Liberals in Congress want an enforceable code of conduct. I wonder what they say about this."

"Participating in an advocacy, in an exercise of advocacy, for a position on issues that come before the Supreme Court is an egregious violation of that principle in the code of conduct regarding impartiality. I don't think there's any question about that," he said.

Jackson wore jeans and an all-blue costume with a corset and a flowery hat. In one clip of the performance posted by the production's social media account, her character excitedly exclaims, "Female empowerment, sick!," and in another, she sings the Backstreet Boys’ "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely."

The "& Juliet" marketing team said in an Instagram post announcing the cameo that Jackson’s performance fulfilled a lifelong fantasy of her "becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage."

'THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING': EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON HISTORIC SCOTUS TRANSGENDER CASE AMID ORAL ARGUMENTS

"She should stay on her side of the bench, and judges should protect their impartiality and the appearance of impartiality more, not less. And this, this was really reckless, in my view," Jipping added.

This isn’t the first time a Supreme Court justice has stepped into the spotlight of the performing arts. In 1994, Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared as supernumeraries – non-speaking, background roles – in a Washington National Opera production of "Ariadne auf Naxos." 

The two, known for their ideological differences but close personal friendship, shared a love of opera.

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Earlier this month, SCOTUS heard oral arguments in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case. The court's decision could have sweeping implications, potentially shaping future legal battles over transgender issues, such as access to bathrooms and school sports participation. The court will resume arguments in January and a decision is expected by July 2025.

The Supreme Court's press office did not respond to Fox News Digital's request by press deadline.

Fox News Digital's Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.

Liberal Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is receiving mixed reviews after making a surprise cameo performance as "Queen Mab" in the Broadway musical "& Juliet." 

While some social media users called Jackson’s performance "humanizing," others called it "cringe," "embarrassing" and unbefitting for a sitting member of the nation’s highest court.

Written by contemporary playwright David West Read, "& Juliet" is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet" that explores an alternate scenario when Juliet does not commit suicide and instead explores life as an independent young woman. The musical includes a character named May, who is Juliet’s best friend and identifies as nonbinary.

Jackson joined a cast, which includes TikTok star Charli D’Amelio and other Broadway performers, for a one-time performance at New York’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Saturday night, becoming the first Supreme Court justice to perform on Broadway.

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, BIDEN'S SUPREME COURT PICK, REFUSES TO DEFINE THE WORD 'WOMAN'

She wore jeans and an all-blue costume with a corset and a flowery hat. In one clip of the performance, her character excitedly exclaims, "Female empowerment, sick!," and in another, she sings the Backstreet Boys’ "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely."

The "& Juliet" marketing team said in an Instagram post announcing the cameo that Jackson’s performance fulfilled a lifelong fantasy of her "becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage."

However, her decision to take the stage was not well received by many members of the public. 

Conservative influencer Arynne Wexler reacted on X, saying, "Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson not only appeared in a Broadway show The show is a ‘queer musical knockoff’ of Romeo and Juliet. Of course Max cringe, max DEI." 

"This is a sitting SCOTUS Justice. A lifetime appointment," reacted conservative influencer account Gunther Eagleman. "I’m at a loss for words." 

LEFT-LEANING JUSTICES COMPARE SEX CHANGES FOR KIDS TO TAKING ASPIRIN DURING SCOTUS ARGUMENTS

Conservative commentator Liz Wheeler said "Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson performs in the Broadway show ‘& Juliet’ which is a ‘queer’ rendition of Romeo & Juliet … So no, when Ketanji Brown Jackson refused to define ‘what is a woman’ during her Senate confirmation hearing, she wasn’t being a brilliant legal mind. She was, and is, a radical leftist DEI hire propagating harmful, Neo-Marxist, anti-woman transgender ideology."

"I'd rather our country not be run by the weird theater kids," influencer Colin Rugg reacted. 

"This is so embarrassing," posted LibsofTikTok.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk jokingly suggested Jackson "should sing her verdicts." 

DEMOCRATS ATTACK CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES BUT HAVE LONG IGNORED LIBERAL JUSTICES' ETHICAL ISSUES

Jackson’s performance was not universally mocked, however. Former New York Congressman George Santos reacted by saying, "I love this! Humanizing the one part of the government that’s never been humanized! Good on this partnership!"

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Former Kamala Harris campaign writer Victor Shi called the performance "the most epic video I've watched in so long." 

"Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson performed on Broadway, while some of her Republican colleagues would’ve spent this time flying with billionaires," he went on. "So cool. So refreshing. Justice Jackson is the best."

Jackson has been a consistent liberal vote on the Supreme Court since she was appointed by President Biden in 2022. 

• TikTok Shop is now a more popular online retailer than Shein and Sephora among Americans.
• TikTok Shop first launched in September 2023.
• A new consumer trends report found that 45% of surveyed Americans have bought something on TikTok.

TikTok Shop has surpassed retail giants Shein and Sephora in the online battle for US shoppers.

A 2025 consumer trends report by Coefficient Capital and The New Consumer's Dan Frommer analyzed how Americans' spending habits could affect certain brands. The research included 11 surveys of over 3,000 US consumers. The company conducted its most recent survey this month.

TikTok Shop launched in September 2023, making it a relatively new online retailer compared to its peers. However, the consumer trends report said 80% of surveyed Americans who use TikTok at least once a month are aware of TikTok Shop, signaling the retailer's growing reach.

That reach has helped TikTok overtake retailers like Sephora, Shein, and Qurate in US consumer spending for the third financial quarter, according to the trends report.

Sephora and Shein are two popular online retailers in the United States, especially with younger generations like Gen Alpha. Qurate Retail Group owns and operates six retail brands, including QVC. The company sells items online through its brands.

Sephora helped its parent company, LVMH, achieve record-breaking sales in 2023, reaching $10 billion in revenue across North America. Shein made $2 billion in profits that year. Although Qurate's third-quarter earnings report said revenue decreased by 5%, it generated $152 million in operating income.

A March Financial Times report cited three sources who said TikTok had reached $16 billion in sales in the United States. It's unclear how much the TikTok Shop has made since its 2023 launch, but the company said in its 2024 economic report that the app drove $15 billion in revenue for small businesses in the United States.

The consumer trends report said 45% of surveyed Americans purchased "fashion, clothing, and accessories" from TikTok Shop. Beauty and personal care items came second at 44%. Surveyed TikTok users also indicated purchasing electronics, home goods, food, toys, books, and more from the online shop.

TikTok has led the growth of social media shopping apps in the United States in recent years. TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, likely wants to replicate the success of its sister app in China, Douyin, which drives hundreds of billions in sales annually, often through influencer livestreams.

Despite its rising popularity with content creators and shoppers alike, TikTok faces a potential federal ban in the United States next month.

In April, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The law gives ByteDance until January 19 to divest from TikTok or face a ban in the United States. On December 6, a federal appeals court upheld the ban as constitutional.

Lawmakers worry that the Chinese government could compel the app's Chinese ownership to manipulate content for propaganda or leverage the personal data of millions of Americans.

Ahead of the potential ban, TikTok launched a "limited-time offer " promotion this week, allowing users to earn $50 in TikTok Shop credits to recruit a new user. Users can earn up to $350 in shop credits in total.

Representatives for TikTok, Shein, Sephora, and Qurate did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Zillow analyzed millions of listings to find key words and phrases being mentioned more.
• It identified five trends it predicts homebuyers will keep clamoring for in 2025.
• Interest in vintage-inspired interiors and electric-vehicle chargers, for example, is booming.

The American home is having an identity crisis.

Many newly constructed homes are smaller, with fewer hallways and shrinking backyards — yet they are significantly more expensive than just a decade ago.

As homebuilding trends evolve, buyers and homeowners are also reimagining what they want from their living spaces.

By analyzing hundreds of home features and design styles from millions of for-sale listings in 2024, Zillow has identified the top emerging home trends for the year ahead.

Zillow found that in response to higher living costs and growing concerns about the climate crisis, buyers will want homes that are eco-friendly, resilient to climate disasters, and equipped with smart home technology.

"Technology has empowered homeowners to live more sustainably and affordably, which is increasingly important to prospective buyers," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. She added that homeowners and buyers are simultaneously "looking to the past" to give their homes character, even in "the most high-tech environments."

According to Zillow, here are five home trends to watch in 2025, from solar-powered energy systems to vintage-inspired interiors.

1. Buyers want homes that protect them during natural disasters

The climate crisis is driving a rise in extreme weather events including hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes across the US.

The increasing frequency and intensity of these storms have encouraged people to seek homes that offer enhanced safety during natural disasters — that are hurricane-resistant, for example. Homes like that may reduce the risk of costly repairs.

Zillow found that mentions of flood barriers in for-sale listings have increased by 22% since 2023, while references to water catchment systems have risen by 19%. The use of the term seismic retrofitting — the modification of structures to enhance their earthquake resistance — is up 20%. Drought-resistant turf yards also appear in listings 14% more frequently than last year.

2. People want to live in eco-friendly homes

Homebuyers don't just want a house — they want one equipped with smart, eco-friendly technology that helps reduce their carbon footprint.

Zillow found that the fastest-growing sought-after feature this year is whole-home batteries. These systems, often paired with solar panels, store excess energy for use during cloudy days or power outages. Mentions of this feature in for-sale listings have increased by 62% compared to last year.

Buyers are also showing greater interest in electric vehicle (EV) chargers, which have appeared in 34% more Zillow listings compared to 2023, and induction cooktops, up 5% from last year.

3. People are on the hunt for "cozy" homes that offer comfort and solace in stressful times.

Zillow found that as the pandemic-era dip in home prices fades, so too does some buyers' preference for larger living spaces.

In search of greater affordability, many are now gravitating toward cozier homes that may also be more budget-friendly.

As a result, mentions of "cozy" — sometimes a euphemism for "small" — in for-sale listings have increased by 35% compared to last year.

6. Buyers are looking for spa vibes at home.

According to Zillow, as homeowners prioritize mental and physical well-being, "wellness design" is emerging as a major trend in homes.

Data from the company shows that the share of for-sale listings featuring wellness-focused amenities has increased by 16% compared to last year.

One such feature gaining traction with buyers is the wet room, a waterproof space that combines a shower and bathtub into one seamless area, often without a shower curtain or glass divider.

Popular in Europe and Asia for years, Zillow predicts wet rooms may make their way into more American homes.

5. Homebuyers are embracing a vintage aesthetic.

Young homebuyers will reject the minimalist styles favored by older generations and embrace vintage interior designs featuring antique furniture, floral patterns, and tapestries.

Zillow's data highlights a growing interest in nostalgia-driven design, with mentions appearing in 14% more for-sale listings compared to 2023. Similarly, references to "vintage" have increased by 9%. The company also found that bibliophilic decor and home libraries are gaining popularity, with mentions rising by 22% in listings.

It's not just the "I Love Lucy" set that homebuyers want to channel — many will also aim for "The Gilded Age."

Zillow found that mentions of Victorian-era sculleries — hidden back kitchens used for meal prep and entertaining —have increased by 8% in for-sale listings this year compared to last.

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives passed its annual defense spending bill Wednesday, including a key culture-war caveat: a ban on transgender medical treatments for minor children of U.S. service members.

The provision in the 1,800-page bill states that "medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization may not be provided to a child under the age of 18," referring to the transgender children of military personnel. 

Republicans argued that taxpayer dollars should not fund potentially experimental and harmful procedures for minors.

House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., praised the passage of the defense measure, though it now heads to the Senate for approval in the Democrat-run chamber.

HOUSE PASSES NEARLY $1 TRILLION DEFENSE SPENDING BILL, ADDING TO U.S. DEBT OF $36 TRILLION

"Our men and women in uniform should know their first obligation is protecting our nation, not woke ideology," Johnson said in a statement after the measure passed.

While the provision was a win for Republicans that could further push President-Elect Donald Trump's policy agenda, the measure did not incorporate several other Republican-backed provisions related to social issues. Notably absent were efforts to ban TRICARE, the military's health program, from covering transgender treatments for adults and a proposal to overturn the Pentagon's hotly-debated policy of reimbursing travel expenses for service members seeking abortions stationed in states where the procedure is restricted.

Democrats were largely outraged by the provision to strip TRICARE from service members' transgender children, with the House Armed Services Committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith, vowing to vote against the bill on Tuesday despite helping on other portions of the package. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not advise his party members to vote for or against it.

124 DEMS OPPOSE HISTORICALLY BIPARTISAN DEFENSE BILL OVER RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSGENDER TREATMENTS FOR MINORS

The measure also drew the ire of the United Nations' Human Rights Council (HRC), which called it an "attack" on military families.

"This cruel and hateful bill suddenly strips away access to medical care for families that members of our armed forces are counting on, and it could force service members to choose between staying in the military or providing health care for their children," HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a statement.

The Senate's response to the transgender treatment provision will be pivotal in determining the final content of the defense policy for the upcoming fiscal year. If it passes, it would align with Trump's criticisms of the military's "woke" policies. 

The Supreme Court also heard oral arguments last week for a first-of-its-kind case involving Tennessee's ban on transgender medical procedures for minors, which could place further restrictions on the procedures.

RED STATE AG SLAMS BIDEN ADMIN'S ATTEMPT TO 'REWRITE' IMMIGRATION LAW: 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND STUFF'

The $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policies for the Defense Department, was passed in a 281-140 vote, with 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. 

Other provisions also place limits on diversity, equity and inclusion-based recruitment and the teaching of critical race theory in military-run schools. Other policies include a 14.5% pay boost for junior enlisted troops, expanded child care access and enhanced job assistance for military spouses, reflecting a year of bipartisan focus on addressing record recruitment struggles.

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

Interest in Donald Trump surged higher than interest in Kamala Harris. People ate up content on Dubai chocolate bars. And the Yankees really did win. These and more insights are all from Google’s annual list of top trending searches, which it released today.  Google’s place in popular culture today is undisputed. It’s the biggest internet […]

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• Business Insider spoke to two perfume experts about the most popular scents this winter.
• Gourmand — anything that smells like food — will still be in for the winter.
• Frankincense creates a cozy atmosphere and can have a nostalgic vibe.

Although fall and winter have some overlapping qualities, the seasonal shift can impact what scents people are reaching for as falling leaves turn to snow.

Business Insider spoke with two professional perfumers about the best fragrances to wear this winter.

Here's what they said.

Gourmand scents continue to shine.

Kelsey Hodgson, a perfume salesperson who's been working in the industry for nearly nine years, told BI that gourmand scents — anything that smells like food or drinks — have been trending all year and will continue into the winter.

"There's a very dry vanilla scent that's very popular," they said. "It's very easy, wearable, and very close to the skin."

Hodgson also mentioned that many brands are pushing the envelope with edible scents by introducing bread, milk, and creamy notes instead of just sweet ones.

They recommend Fleur Éclair by Régime des Fleurs for a vanilla scent with cardamom and cocoa notes or Etat Libre d'Orange's Story of Your Life for a fragrance with brioche notes.

Frankincense offers richness for the colder weather.

Hodgson said frankincense becomes very popular in the winter. For some, it's reminiscent of the nostalgic scent of church incense used around the holidays.

The perfumer told BI that it's a more elevated take on a cozy scent, and it's much richer than a simple vanilla.

Because of this, frankincense-based perfumes are heavier and project more easily through layers of sweaters and coats.

Explore more woodsy fragrances.

Wood aromas can come across as generic, but Hodgson said they always seem to be on-trend.

Hinoki is having a moment, offering a pine element with clean and fresh notes. Although it's not a heavy wood, its fragrance is almost like an elevated Christmas tree, perfect for the holiday season.

Hodgson likes Jo Malone's Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense, which combines frankincense and hinoki, and Hinoki Fantôme from Boy Smells.

'Tis the season for dark botanicals.

Agustine Zegers, an olfactory artist who founded Agar Olfactory, enjoys darker botanical scents, such as poisonous herbs and frozen peatland, that almost have a witchy quality.

The perfumer recommends Hemlock by Quartana Parfums, which mixes notes of pink pepper, vanilla, crushed leaves, cinnamon bark, and more to achieve a subtle yet unique olfactory experience.

Tonka is a scent to watch right now.

Hodgson told BI that tonka is a trending scent that lies somewhere between the gourmand and wood families.

The bean offers notes of cinnamon, warm cedar wood, and dark vanilla, creating a well-rounded unisex fragrance.

Le Labo's Tonka 25 almost smells like a cashmere sweater to Hodgson.

"It has a really cozy, indulging quality to it," they said.

Lean into colder perfumes for winter.

Although many associate the colder months with the aroma of Christmas cookies and toasty campfires, Zegers recommends looking for scents that harness the "raw experience of winter" with cold, industrial notes.

"Go that kind of unexpected angle and get a little bit of that frigidity," they said.

The perfumer likes Inexcusable Evil by Toskovat, which combines warmer woods with notes of cold rain on concrete.

In oral aruments, Supreme Court justices discussed the high-profile, first-of-its-kind case involving transgender medical treatment for children. 

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the lawmaker at the center of the suit against the Biden administration, told Fox News Digital that over the next few months, the justices will be "thinking a lot about the case." 

When asked whether he ever foresaw himself in such a high-profile legal matter, he said, "not remotely."

"I do think the fact that there's so much disagreement weighs in favor of our side," Skrmetti said in a phone interview. "This is an area where the court really shouldn't come in and pick a winner. The data is still very underdeveloped."

SOTOMAYOR COMPARES TRANS MEDICAL 'TREATMENTS' TO ASPIRIN IN QUESTION ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS DURING ORAL ARGUMENTS

"All the research that both sides point to is unresolved," Skrmetti said. "This is an unsettled area of science, and in situations like that, the best way to resolve it is through the democratic process. Our legislators appropriate people to deal with that uncertainty and make the call for each individual state."

The justices appeared divided on Wednesday after oral arguments, and the three appointed by former President Trump could be the key to deciding the socially divisive question. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett asked tough questions of both sides, and Justice Neil Gorsuch did not speak during the marathon public session.

For its part, the Supreme Court is considering whether the Equal Protection Clause, which ensures equal treatment under the law for similarly situated individuals, bars states from prohibiting medical providers from administering puberty blockers and hormones to help minors transition to a different gender. The case is U.S. v. Skrmetti and is challenging Tennessee's state law which bans medical procedures for minors.

Outside the court, hundreds of demonstrators rallied both for and against gender transition treatments for children. One of those rally-goers, detransitioner and activist Chloe Cole, told Fox News Digital in an interview that if the justices oppose the ban on trans medical treatments, "it's going to make things a lot more difficult on legislative fronts in terms of protecting our children and our youth."

'THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING': EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON HISTORIC SCOTUS TRANSGENDER CASE AMID ORAL ARGUMENTS

"If we want to create a precedent for other states, for first this law, to be upheld in courts and for other states to be upheld as well, we have to do this now," Cole said.

Cole, who detransitioned at the age of 16, told Fox News Digital that doctors had done an "incredible disservice" to her at a young age by helping her transition in the first place.

"I'm never going to even have a chance at nursing my children with what God gave me," Cole said. "An incredible disservice has been done to me by these irresponsible doctors who knew better. They knew better than to do this to a child. They still chose to do it. But they messed with the wrong kid, and I am going to make sure there is never another child in America who is abused in the same way I was ever again."

The court's decision could have sweeping implications, potentially shaping future legal battles over transgender issues, such as access to bathrooms and school sports participation. A decision is expected by July 2025.

"So if the court puts a thumb on the scale and says that the courts could be second-guessing state governments on these issues, I think you're going to see an inhibited debate, and we've seen this happen before in other contexts where democracy is subverted by judges who step a little too far into the policy arena, and that ultimately hurts the country," Skrmetti said. 

"It de-legitimates the government," he added. "It makes people feel alienated from the political process. The alternative is it stays open to our democratic system of resolving disagreements, and you'll see a lot of debate, and different states will go in different directions, and over time, we'll have better research, and people will have a chance to debate this extensively, and that's just the better way to come to a resolution on such a hot button issue where the Constitution is silent."

The Justices' decision may also influence broader debates about whether sexual orientation and gender identity qualify as protected classes under civil rights laws, akin to protections for race and national origin.

SUPREME COURT WEIGHS TRANSGENDER YOUTH TREATMENTS IN LANDMARK CASE

When asked whether Skrmetti believes the incoming Trump administration could persuade the justices one way in the case, he said, "It's ultimately up to the court how they want to handle that." Trump promised during his campaign he would outlaw transgender medical procedures for minors and open the doorway to allowing individuals to sue medical providers for conducting them.

"But there is a path there for them to continue this, and I think it's important that we get clarity soon, because there are so many cases involving these issues, and the lower courts have not been consistent and are looking for guidance, and it would do everyone good to have a more clear answer to the state of the law," he said.

Fox News Digital's Shannon Bream and Bill Mears contributed to this report.