But what exactly is 'Sleepgate' and why has it become such a captivating concept for young people? Essentially, 'Sleepgate' refers to a mysterious and exclusive group or community where members are known for their dedication to the art of sleeping. Yes, you heard it right - sleeping. In a world that seemingly never stops and where burnout is a common threat, the idea of prioritizing sleep and rest has struck a chord with many young individuals.The two main operators of Manson Market, whose identities have not been disclosed, were apprehended during a series of raids conducted in various European countries. Authorities also seized a significant amount of cash, cryptocurrency, and assets belonging to the operators, totaling over 250,000 Euros.
Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. 5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.The public reaction to the video was swift and harsh, with many expressing outrage and disbelief that such behavior could come from a unit known for its professionalism and excellence. The once proud and respected 707 Special Forces Team had now become the subject of cruel jokes and derision, with their hard-earned reputation in ruins.
TORONTO — Broad-based gains led Canada’s main stock index to close higher in the shortened Christmas Eve trading session, while U.S. stock markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index ended up 97.84 points at 24,846.82, as most sectors rose other than telecoms and health care. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 390.08 points at 43,297.03. The S&P 500 index was up 65.97 points at 6,040.04, while the Nasdaq composite was up 266.24 points at 20,031.13. The gains added to increases in recent days to help offset the drop in markets last week after the U.S. Federal Reserve released its latest outlook. The climb however was more likely related to year-end balancing than any change in sentiment, said Dustin Reid, chief fixed income strategist at Mackenzie Investments. “I think it’s mostly just year-end flows that are driving it. I don’t think there’s anything that’s particularly reversed in terms of sentiments since the Fed meeting,” said Reid. There’s reallocation by geography, moving asset classes and other adjustments to align portfolios that is likely affecting markets, he said. “I find that price action around month end, quarter end, and year-end, you shouldn’t try and ascribe a ton of fundamental cause as to why things are moving, because there’s a lot of flows happening below the surface that are probably driving the price action that are not necessarily fundamentally based.” The U.S. Fed guided for only two rate cuts in 2025 at its Dec. 18 meeting, which pushed down markets for the day. But Reid said the guidance was largely in line with expectations, and the strong U.S. economy has likely since helped boost markets. The Canadian market, meanwhile, might be benefiting a little from the expectations of even more rate cuts needed here than expected as the economy is showing softness. On Monday, Statistics Canada said its early estimate for November suggests real GDP for the month edged 0.1 per cent lower for the first drop this year. “The negative flash print for November really suggests that the bank is going to have a fair bit more work to do,” said Reid. “I think that the market is not pricing in enough easing for calendar ’25 for the Bank of Canada.” There was no economic data releases Tuesday to sway markets, he said. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.51 cents US compared with 69.47 cents US on Monday. The February crude oil contract was up 86 cents at US$70.10 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up 16 cents at US$3.50 per mmBTU. The February gold contract ended up US$7.30 at US$2,635.50 an ounce and the March copper contract was up two cents at US$4.11 a pound.
TURIN, Italy (Reuters) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remained upbeat after watching his team lose 2-0 at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday to continue their alarming form slump. Guardiola’s side anguish 22nd in the Champions League table, only three places out of automatic elimination from the competition with two games remaining. The Premier League champions have recorded just one victory in their last 10 games across all competitions. “We played good, really really good,” Guardiola told reporters. “So we missed the last pass, the last action, of course, some transitions happen, but I’m so proud of these players, they give everything and they tried, and now we live in this period, and hopefully we can change and get results. “I know it’s difficult, it’s difficult in Champions League in Europe, but we play really good.” City’s last two matches in the group phase are against Paris St Germain and Club Brugge. The competition’s new format sees the top eight teams after eight rounds of the league phase advance into the round of 16 and avoid a playoff, which is now almost out of reach for Guardiola’s team. “We have two games. We need one point maybe, one victory, the last one is at home, and the situation is because the game against Feyenoord (when City gave up a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3) and especially Inter Milan (a 0-0 draw),” the Spaniard said. “But our three games away were really, really, really tough and you have to accept it. And when we turn around, we don’t forget that period, we appreciate more what we have done in the past, what they are going to in the future.” City host local rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. (Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Ed Osmond) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );Is Keeping Your Home Organized More Challenging Than Your 9-To-5 Job?AI's transformative impact
As investigations into Manson Market continue, authorities are working to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the operation. By targeting the infrastructure that enables cybercriminal activities, law enforcement agencies are determined to disrupt the underground economy of the dark web and hold offenders accountable for their actions.BLAKE Lively could win an eight-figure sum and save her reputation after filing a 'strong' lawsuit against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, an expert has claimed. The actress, 37, is suing Baldoni for sexual harassment , aiding and abetting harassment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress , among other claims. Lively played the lead role of Lily Bloom in the movie, released this year, and was also a producer, while Baldoni directed and portrayed her love interest, Ryle Kincaid. The movie focused on domestic violence and featured sexual scenes. Lively alleges in her lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, that Baldoni, 40, showed her naked videos and images of other women and discussed his alleged previous porn addiction, among a litany of complaints. She claims after she raised her concerns about a "hostile work environment," Baldoni and others set out to destroy her reputation and hired a crisis management team. Blake Lively The complaint already features leaked text messages allegedly between Baldoni's publicist and a crisis management expert. After filing the lawsuit, Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman branded it "shameful" and claimed it was "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious, with an intent to publicly hurt." The U.S. Sun spoke to attorney Camron Dowlatshahi, partner at MSD Lawyers , who feels Lively has a very strong case against her former employer, and could walk away with millions of dollars. He said, "It's absolutely reputation-related. She has, between her and her husband, all the money in the world. Most read in Celebrity It's rare to have this much evidence from a third party pre-filing." "I don't think this is a money issue. I think this was her needing to change the narrative, and already it has. "Already it's had positive effects for her reputation, and I expect that it will continue for her. "You know, 99 percent of cases settle in advance of trial. "These type of cases, though, I will say are the outliers. "So with Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard, because there's so many emotions, and there's money on both sides ... they're willing to really litigate it to the fullest. So I wouldn't be shocked if that happened here. "In terms of settlement, I mean, obviously you're looking in the seven figures into the eight figures potentially." He predicted, "This is just the start. We haven't even gone through the discovery process. I'm sure there's more text messages to be had." Asked how Lively's team managed to get hold of the texts so quickly in the court process, Dowlatshahi said, "It's absolutely skilled lawyering. "Blake Lively's attorneys came up with a very targeted strategy of subpoenaing records through a kind of not very commonly used statute, is likely how they went about it." He added that it's rare to have this much evidence from a third party pre-filing, and doesn't look good for Baldoni, who has already been dropped by his talent agency, WME . "It's already having pretty serious consequences on his career. Having WME drop you is obviously a huge issue. "They did so because obviously Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are huge clients and they have to take care of their bigger clients, but the allegations are very serious and the evidence is strong. "So he's going to have to come up with a strong, targeted campaign and with legal defenses to back it up, to essentially revive his career because it's looking like it's dead." 'ALL-HANDS MEETING' The complaint claims Lively attended an "all-hands" meeting with Baldoni and others in January 2024 to discuss the "hostile work environment that had nearly derailed production of the film." Her husband, Reynolds , was also in attendance. Lively alleges to have asked for "no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex or on camera climaxing outside the scope of the script approved when signing onto the project." The lawsuit names six other defendants, including Wayfarer Studios CEO Jamey Heath and its cofounder Steve Sarowitz. "Ms. Lively never sought out conflict with Wayfarer, Ms. Baldoni, or Mr. Heath, but instead consistently attempted to speak up for a safe and respectful workplace privately in the hopes of protecting herself, as well as the cast and crew, without jeopardizing a film that she believed could make a difference in people's lives," the complaint alleges. "In response, Mr. Baldoni, Mr. Heath, and those working for them, sought to destroy Ms. Lively and anyone else who knew the truth." Rumors about Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni not seeing eye-to-eye began earlier this year during the promotional tour for their movie, It Ends With Us. The film had a budget of around $25 million and was a box office hit, grossing a worldwide total of $351 million. But despite its success, Lively and Baldoni were hardly seen together during the promo tour. Internet sleuths noticed the pair didn't follow each other on social media, and many of the cast only followed Lively. TMZ then alleged that they fell out over "fat-shaming", and Baldoni supposedly kissing for too long during scenes. Baldoni hired a crisis management firm before reports began to emerge of Lively not being nice to interviewers and she was slammed for 'tone-deaf' comments about the movie. The film was released on Netflix days before Lively filed her lawsuit, which includes texts between Baldoni's publicist and a crisis management expert. Lively's team claims they were obtained through a subpoena, and one alleges Baldoni wanted the actress's career to "be buried." Asked what he feels the next steps will be for the lawsuit, Dowlatshahi said, "I would certainly expect him [Baldoni] and his team to circle up and think about potential claims, absolutely, to go on the offensive, and to release some evidence that could be potentially helpful for him in order to change the narrative because so much of this is about the PR." Colleen Hoover , the author behind the best-selling book ''It Ends With Us'' has also spoken out following the claims . In a post shared online, Hoover said Lively had been "nothing but honest, kind, supportive, and patient since the day we met." The author added: '"Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.'' Dowlatshahi went on, "I'm sure it was very difficult for her [Lively] to bring on this lawsuit. "This is not something that I think she took on lightly. This is her personal life on paper. What she experienced for many many months on paper documented. "There's going to be discovery. She's going to be deposed. She had to have known that by filing. Read More on The US Sun "So this is a lot of work for her, taking attention away from her other endeavors. "So she had to have taken this very, very seriously. She had to have been very, very harmed."
Moreover, businesses that rely on oil for manufacturing, transportation, or energy production may also experience changes in their operational costs. Higher oil prices can lead to increased expenses, affecting pricing strategies, profit margins, and overall competitiveness in the market. It is crucial for businesses to adapt to these fluctuations and explore alternative energy sources to maintain sustainability in the face of shifting oil prices.The villagers, who have known the family for years, are split in their opinions. Some express shock and disbelief at the accusations, noting that they had never seen any signs of imprisonment or distress from the woman. Others, however, claim to have had suspicions about the unusual living arrangements but chose to turn a blind eye, not wanting to interfere in the private affairs of their neighbors.Two high school students and their families sued their high school and school district, alleging violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights as well as Title IX protection. A California high school caved to a student uprising after hundreds of students showed up wearing T-shirts that read "Save Girls' Sports" to protest a trans athlete on the cross-country team, defying the school's latest dress code. The school had previously put students in detention for wearing the shirts. But a source told Fox News Digital that the school did not dress-code students when they showed up wearing the shirts on Wednesday. Parents of the school's students provided an update to California Family Council outreach director Sophia Lorey, claiming that administrators had a meeting Wednesday morning where faculty was instructed not to dress-code students, Lorey told Fox News Digital. "Today students once again wore their ‘Save Girls Sports’ shirts," Lorey wrote to Fox News Digital. "According to the email sent out earlier this week from MLK HS Principal Leann Iacuone only the shirts that stated ‘XX=/XY’ should receive a dress code. Yet, as of now no student who is wearing that shirt today has received a dress code. I received information that there was a staff meeting today before school were the staff was told not to dress code." CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Lorey added that students at neighboring schools have begun to wear the T-shirts as Martin Luther King's situation has garnered national attention. These schools include Arlington High School and Riverside Polytechnical High School, which share a school district with Martin Luther King. Ramona High School in Ramona, California, which is 83 miles south of Riverside, has also seen its students wear the shirts. The students have worn the shirts every Wednesday, resulting in discipline by school administrators. But detention and dress code violations never shuttered their spirit. Many students at the school have gone viral on social media by sharing details of the situation with photos and videos of them wearing the shirts. The student uprising came amid an ongoing lawsuit over two girls' cross-country runners who alleged their T-shirts were compared to swastikas by school administrators. Another student athlete on the school's cross-country team, Rylee Morrow, brought more national attention to the situation when she gave an impassioned speech at a school board meeting in November in a clip that went viral due to her conveyed fears of having to share a locker room with a biological male. Lorey commended the students for taking a stand and pushing the school district to withdraw its discipline on Wednesday. "By wearing their ‘Save Girls Sports’ shirts, these young leaders are showing that they won’t back down in the face of pressure or opposition - even from their own administration. It’s not just about athletics—it’s about standing up for the integrity and rights of female athletes everywhere," Lorey wrote. But anti-trans messaging isn't the only social media activity that has erupted from the school. SJSU TRANSGENDER VOLLEYBALL SCANDAL: TIMELINE OF ALLEGATIONS, POLITICAL IMPACT AND A RAGING CULTURE MOVEMENT On Wednesday, a trans athlete at the school allegedly made a private post on Instagram lashing out against detractors who have questioned and opposed trans inclusion on the school's girls' cross-country team. Multiple sources, including Lorey, have confirmed the message was posted to the athlete's private Instagram story. The athlete also allegedly expressed an intention to compete in girls' pole-vaulting and said that competing against male opponents resulted in disappointing finishes. In a statement previously provided to Fox News Digital, the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) said it has allowed the transgender athlete to compete on the team because it must comply with California state law. "It is important to remember that RUSD is bound to follow California law which requires that students be 'permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records,'" the statement said. "While these rules were not created by RUSD, the district is committed to complying with the law and CIF regulations. California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics. The protections we provide to all students are not only aligned with the law but also with our core values, which include equity and well-being." The school said those who are upset by it should direct their anger to state and federal lawmakers. "As these matters play out in our courts and the media, opposition and protests should be directed at those in a position to affect those laws and policies, including officials in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento," the statement said. California has had laws in effect to protect transgender athletes in women's sports since 2014. That year, AB 1266 took effect , giving California students at scholastic and collegiate levels the right to "participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records." Other high school and college students in California have expressed opposition to trans athletes in girls' sports. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Students at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Calif., wear T-shirts with a slogan that says "Save Girls' Sports" to protest a trans athlete on the cross-country team. (Courtesy of Sophia Lorey) The girls' volleyball team at Stone Ridge Christian High School in Merced was scheduled to face San Francisco Waldorf in the Northern California Division 6 tournament in November, but it forfeited in an announcement just before the match over the presence of a trans athlete. Those girls were commended at a ceremony held by women's athletic rights activist Riley Gaines at their own high school on Dec. 4. Meanwhile, another California transgender high school volleyball player was booed and harassed at an Oct. 12 match between Notre Dame Belmont and Half Moon Bay High School, according to ABC 7. Half Moon Bay rostered the transgender athlete. At the college level, San Jose State's volleyball team was at the center of a national media firestorm this season over the presence of a transgender athlete on the team and a teammate being involved in multiple lawsuits over the issue. The team saw eight of its matches forfeited, including a conference tournament match, amid the controversy, which only brought more national attention to the team as it made it all the way to the Mountain West championship game. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
Rosen Law Firm Encourages Quanterix Corporation Investors to Inquire About Securities Class Action Investigation - QTRXIn a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated mobile game "Marvel Brawl" has raised eyebrows among gaming enthusiasts for allegedly incorporating classic Overwatch 303 tactics. The OW 303 tactic, a well-known strategy in the Overwatch community, has made a resurgence in this new gaming title, sparking debates and discussions within the gaming community.“I am definitely not following the news anymore,” one patient told me when I asked about her political news consumption in the weeks before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This conversation happened around the time I talked with a local TV channel about why we saw fewer political yard signs during this year’s election season, compared with past ones. I am a psychiatrist who studies and treats fear and anxiety. One of my main mental health recommendations to my patients during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles was to reduce their political news consumption. I also tried to convince them that the five hours a day they spent watching cable news was only leaving them helpless and terrified. Over the past couple of years, though, I have noticed a change: Many of my patients say they either have tuned out or are too exhausted to do more than a brief read of political news or watch one hour of their favorite political show. Research supports my clinical experience: A Pew research study from 2020 showed that 66% of Americans were worn out by political stress. Interestingly, those who are not following the news feel that same news fatigue at an even higher percentage of 73%. In 2023, 8 out of 10 Americans described U.S. politics with negative words like “divisive,” “corrupt,” “messy” and “polarized.” In my view, three major factors have led Americans to exhaustion and burnout with U.S. politics. -- The politics of fear In my 2023 book, “AFRAID: Understanding the Purpose of Fear, and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety,” I discuss how American politicians and major news media have found an ally in fear: a very strong emotion that can be used to grab our attention, keeping us in the tribal dividing lines and making us follow, click, tap, watch and donate. Over the past few decades, many people have felt a strong push for tribalism, an “us vs. them” way of seeing the world, turning Americans against one another. This has led to a point where we are not just in disagreement with each other. We hate, cancel, block and attack those who disagree with us. -- People live in information bubbles It can feel like Fox News and MSNBC commentators are talking about Americas from two different planets. The same is true when it comes to different social media feeds. Many people are part of social media communities that are closed to the world outside their homes and familiar social circles. Based on people’s political views and what they search for or watch and read, social media algorithms feed them content where everybody talks and thinks alike. If you hear about the other side, it is only about their worst attributes and behavior. The disconnect is so wide that people are not even able to comprehend the thinking of those from other perspectives and find their logic or political beliefs unfathomable. Many Americans have gotten to the point of believing that the other half of Americans are, at best, unintelligent and stupid; and at worst, immoral and evil. -- People’s political opinions have become their identities There was a time in American politics where two politicians or two neighbors could disagree, but still believe that the other person was fundamentally good. Over time, and more so since the early 2000s, this ability to connect despite political beliefs has decreased. The majority of both Democrats and Republicans said in a 2022 Pew Research survey that someone’s political ideas are an indicator of their morality and character. This 2022 Pew survey also shows that partisan animosity extends to judgments about character: 72% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats said they believe members of the opposing party are more “immoral” than other Americans. This is evident in day-to-day conversations of members of both political tribes: “How can I be friends with someone who wants to kill babies,” or “How can I talk to someone who is OK with women dying in a corner of a clinic parking lot”. We can no longer see someone’s political affiliation in the context of their humanity at large. What psychology and neuroscience say Fear as a deeply ingrained survival mechanism takes priority over other brain functions. Fear guides your memories, feelings, attention and thoughts, and can cause you to keep watching, scrolling and reading to monitor this perceived threat. Positive or neutral news could then become uninteresting because it is not important in your survival response. That has been the key to a person’s deep engagement with the fear-based political news. But too much fear does not keep someone engaged forever. That is because of another survival mechanism – what’s called “learned helplessness.” In 1967, American psychologist Martin Seligman exposed two groups of dogs to painful shocks. Dogs in group 1 could stop the shock by pressing a lever, which they quickly learned to do. But the dogs in group 2 learned that they could not control when the shock starts and stops. Then, both groups were placed in a box divided into two halves by a small barrier, and shock was applied to only one side of the box. Dogs in group 1 – who had learned how to stop the shocks in the earlier experiment – quickly learned to jump over the barrier to the shock-free side. But dogs in group 2 did not even attempt to do so. They had learned there is no point in trying. This experiment has been replicated in different forms with other animals and humans with the same conclusion: When people feel they cannot control the painful or scary situation, they just give up. During such experiences, the brain’s fear region – called the amygdala – is hyperactive. Meanwhile, emotion-regulating brain areas like the prefrontal cortex decrease in activity under these circumstances. Learned helplessness also means the brain mechanisms commonly involved in regulating anxiety and depression don’t function as well. When working with patients who have suffered from long periods of intense anxiety, fear, trauma and exhaustion, I see learned helplessness showing up in the form of depression, loss of motivation, fatigue and lack of engagement with the world around them. The COVID-19 pandemic, more than a decade of intense political stress, polarizing social media and wars across the world, as well as public disillusionment with U.S. politics and media, have led, I believe, to many people experiencing burnout and learned helplessness. If you feel politically exhausted, you are not the problem. Feel free to tune out from the noise. Arash Javanbakht is Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.
Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by federal regulators Tuesday. The American groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks are broadly higher in trading on Wall Street, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 was up 0.7% Tuesday. Chip company Broadcom was again helping to pull the index higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite was up 1%. American Airlines fell 0.4% after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields rose. U.S. markets will close at 1 p.m. Eastern and stay closed Wednesday for Christmas. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Nov, 2024) Khan has said that economic indicators are improving and country's interest rate has come down to 15 percent while the inflation has touched single digit. Speaking at a ceremony organized by the Federation of and (FPCCI) at the 's House here on Friday, he said continuity of policies is very important for improvement in economy. The ceremony was attended by the newly elected presidents and group leaders of the and , small chambers, ’s chambers and joint chambers. Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that the community is the backbone of the country’s economy. He said industrial growth fosters social and economic development in the country. The said, "It is a saddening that despite being an agricultural country, we are importing items." He said that at present about 25 (2.5 crore) gunny bags are lying outside in warehouses which are likely to spoil. He said that things are getting better and will improve furthest. He further said that the tax system should be simplified, adding, "We have to respect the tax payers." The FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, UBG/FPCCI Patron-in-Chief SM Tanveer, Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Mago, Vice President and Regional Chairman Zaki Ijaz, UBG President Zubair Tufail also addressed the ceremony.The incident at the bathhouse has raised concerns among the public regarding health and safety standards at such facilities. Reports of multiple individuals falling ill and fainting while using the services provided by the bathhouse have sparked alarm and prompted swift action from regulatory authorities. The decision to suspend operations at the establishment underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the health issues experienced by patrons.
Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of ChristmasMan accused in burning death of a woman on New York subway appears in court
Man accused in burning death of a woman on New York subway appears in court
He was roasting politicians by the fire — and touting himself as New York’s potential next governor. GOP New York Rep. Mike Lawler torched the state’s Democrats while hinting he may run for governor in 2026 during his “Festivus” airing of grievances this week. “Kathy Hochul is the most unpopular governor in the country, and make no mistake, she’s worked her ass off for that title,” Lawler quipped about his possible soon-to-be rival while sitting before a Christmas-themed background with a fireplace roaring in a video posted to X on Monday. “No doubt she’s going to face a real challenge in 2026. I wonder who could beat her. Hmm. I might know a guy,” he said with a wink. “Anyway, that’s a video for another day.” The Hudson Valley congressman, who has long ripped into the Democratic gov, blasted her for upping the state budget by more than $50 billion in under four years, shelling out money on migrants and pursuing Manhattan’s infamous congestion toll. “She’s done such a bad job that even her own hand-picked lieutenant governor is retweeting articles about his plans to run against her,” Lawler said, referring to Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Lawler, 38, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, dusted off his top 10 grievances of 2024 in his “Festivus,” a secular tradition on Dec. 23 popularized by the TV comedy classic “Seinfeld.” Hochul topped Lawler’s list. The No. 2 target for the rep was New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whom he raked over the coals for the five-count bribery indictment handed down against him in September. “How bad of a year was it for Mr. Mayor? Well, when the highlight of your year is getting indicted for soliciting and accepting illegal campaign donations from wealthy foreigners — yikes,” Lawler jabbed. The congressman pondered whether there was “any doubt” Hizzoner “joined [first lady] Jill Biden in voting for Trump.” The Hudson Valley rep also poked at rival former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) for having “three losses in a row,” joking that Delgado might pick him as his running mate in 2026. The Republican lawmaker also knocked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York on spending issues and New York Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for failing to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In two other Empire State-related swipes, Lawler took aim at Columbia University and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “Remember when we all thought Ivy League students were smart,” Lawler said. “After watching these anti-semitic, self-entitled, brain-addled morons embarrass themselves and our state for the past year, I am prouder than ever to be a product of a truly great New York institution of learning,” he added in reference to his alma mater, Manhattan University. In regards to the MTA, Lawler griped that “these corrupt clowns run a subway system where innocent [people] have to worry about getting burned alive, murdered, or shoved onto the tracks while hoping an ex-marine happens to be nearby to save them.” In non-New York-related jabs, Lawler went straight for the jugular against President Biden. “Speaking of forgetful and forgettable, have you ever seen someone’s presidency relegated to the ash heap of history quicker than Joe Biden’s,” he sniped. “Enjoy retirement, Joe. They serve ice cream daily.” Lawler also gloated over the demise of his former colleague, ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the charge to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). “Speaking of hacks, happy trails to Matt Gaetz. Florida co-eds, beware — he’s back,” Lawler ribbed, alluding to the ethics report that dropped Monday unfurling accusations of Gaetz paying women for sex and having sex with a minor. Gaetz has denied the allegations and accused the House Committee on Ethics of mounting a smear campaign against him. Lawler is far from the only pol celebrating “Festivus” with politically charged grievances and humor. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) continued his longstanding tradition of marking “Festivus” with a tirade against government waste. This year in his “Festivus” report, the senator chronicled roughly $1 trillion in what he deemed to be wasteful government spending, spotlighting projects such as climate-focused drag shows-on-ice and testing cocaine on moody rats.House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
