When John, a young man living in the bustling city of New York, decided to upgrade his laundry routine by purchasing a small Swan washing machine online, he could have never anticipated the wild turn of events that awaited him upon delivery.It’s been two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidential election, but Stacey Lamirand’s brain hasn’t stopped churning. “I still think about the election all the time,” said the 60-year-old Bay Area resident, who wanted a Kamala Harris victory so badly that she flew to Pennsylvania and knocked on voters’ doors in the final days of the campaign. “I honestly don’t know what to do about that.” Neither do the psychologists and political scientists who have been tracking the country’s slide toward toxic levels of partisanship. Fully 69 percent of U.S. adults found the presidential election a significant source of stress in their lives, the American Psychological Association said in its latest Stress in America report. The distress was present across the political spectrum, with 80 percent of Republicans, 79 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of independents surveyed saying they were stressed about the country’s future. That’s unhealthy for the body politic — and for voters themselves. Stress can cause muscle tension, headaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite. Chronic stress can inflict more serious damage to the immune system and make people more vulnerable to heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, infertility, clinical anxiety, depression and other ailments. In most circumstances, the sound medical advice is to disengage from the source of stress, therapists said. But when stress is coming from politics, that prescription pits the health of the individual against the health of the nation. “I’m worried about people totally withdrawing from politics because it’s unpleasant,” said Aaron Weinschenk, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay who studies political behavior and elections. “We don’t want them to do that. But we also don’t want them to feel sick.” Modern life is full of stressors of all kinds: paying bills, pleasing difficult bosses, getting along with frenemies, caring for children or aging parents (or both). The stress that stems from politics isn’t fundamentally different from other kinds of stress. What’s unique about it is the way it encompasses and enhances other sources of stress, said Brett Ford, a social psychologist at the University of Toronto who studies the link between emotions and political engagement. For instance, she said, elections have the potential to make everyday stressors like money and health concerns more difficult to manage as candidates debate policies that could raise the price of gas or cut off access to certain kinds of medical care. Layered on top of that is the fact that political disagreements have morphed into moral conflicts that are perceived as pitting good against evil. “When someone comes into power who is not on the same page as you morally, that can hit very deeply,” Ford said. Partisanship and polarization have raised the stakes as well. Voters who feel a strong connection to a political party become more invested in its success. That can make a loss at the ballot box feel like a personal defeat, she said. There’s also the fact that we have limited control over the outcome of an election. A patient with heart disease can improve their prognosis by taking medicine, changing their diet, getting more exercise or quitting smoking. But a person with political stress is largely at the mercy of others. “Politics is many forms of stress all rolled into one,” Ford said. Weinschenk observed this firsthand the day after the election. “I could feel it when I went into my classroom,” said the professor, whose research has found that people with political anxiety aren’t necessarily anxious in general. “I have a student who’s transgender and a couple of students who are gay. Their emotional state was so closed down.” That’s almost to be expected in a place like Wisconsin, whose swing-state status caused residents to be bombarded with political messages. The more campaign ads a person is exposed to, the greater the risk of being diagnosed with anxiety, depression or another psychological ailment, according to a 2022 study in the journal PLOS One. Political messages seem designed to keep voters “emotionally on edge,” said Vaile Wright, a licensed psychologist in Villa Park, Ill., and a member of the APA’s Stress in America team. “It encourages emotion to drive our decision-making behavior, as opposed to logic,” Wright said. “When we’re really emotionally stimulated, it makes it so much more challenging to have civil conversation. For politicians, I think that’s powerful, because emotions can be very easily manipulated.” Making voters feel anxious is a tried-and-true way to grab their attention, said Christopher Ojeda, a political scientist at UC Merced who studies mental health and politics. “Feelings of anxiety can be mobilizing, definitely,” he said. “That’s why politicians make fear appeals — they want people to get engaged.” On the other hand, “feelings of depression are demobilizing and take you out of the political system,” said Ojeda, author of “The Sad Citizen: How Politics is Depressing and Why it Matters.” “What [these feelings] can tell you is, ‘Things aren’t going the way I want them to. Maybe I need to step back,’ ” he said. Genessa Krasnow has been seeing a lot of that since the election. The Seattle entrepreneur, who also campaigned for Harris, said it grates on her to see people laughing in restaurants “as if nothing had happened.” At a recent book club meeting, her fellow group members were willing to let her vent about politics for five minutes, but they weren’t interested in discussing ways they could counteract the incoming president. “They’re in a state of disengagement,” said Krasnow, who is 56. She, meanwhile, is looking for new ways to reach young voters. “I am exhausted. I am so sad,” she said. “But I don’t believe that disengaging is the answer.” That’s the fundamental trade-off, Ojeda said, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. “Everyone has to make a decision about how much engagement they can tolerate without undermining their psychological well-being,” he said. Lamirand took steps to protect her mental health by cutting social media ties with people whose values aren’t aligned with hers. But she will remain politically active and expects to volunteer for phone-banking duty soon. “Doing something is the only thing that allows me to feel better,” Lamirand said. “It allows me to feel some level of control.” Ideally, Ford said, people would not have to choose between being politically active and preserving their mental health. She is investigating ways to help people feel hopeful, inspired and compassionate about political challenges, since these emotions can motivate action without triggering stress and anxiety. “We want to counteract this pattern where the more involved you are, the worse you are,” Ford said. The benefits would be felt across the political spectrum. In the APA survey, similar shares of Democrats, Republicans and independents agreed with statements like, “It causes me stress that politicians aren’t talking about the things that are most important to me,” and, “The political climate has caused strain between my family members and me.” “Both sides are very invested in this country, and that is a good thing,” Wright said. “Antipathy and hopelessness really doesn’t serve us in the long run.”Nikki Fortunato Bas to resign as Oakland council’s president, setting stage for April electionlucky game apk 。

Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will resume their march towards Delhi tomorrow (December 8). A delegation of 101 farmers will begin their march from Shambhu border towards the national capital at 12 pm. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that 16 farmers were injured in recent clashes, with one losing his hearing. Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that farmers have received no communication from the government. "This protest has exposed PM Modi's true face," said Pandher, adding that while tractors and trolleys are no longer being used, they continue to face (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); restrictions. Pandher claimed that farmers are not being compensated for the losses incurred from crops. "They are announcing MSP, but the whole situation is confusing and lacks clarity," said Pandher. Security measures are tightened at the Delhi-Haryana Shambhu border, where farmers are protesting over various demands. Earlier, on February 13 and February 21, farmers attempted to march to Delhi but were stopped by security forces at the border. Farmers heading to Delhi on Friday halted their march after several of them were injured when security forces used tear gas to block them at the Punjab-Haryana border.

The move could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election by a top court. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in Romania’s 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD) the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. It caps a month-long period of turmoil in which far-right nationalists made significant gains in a parliamentary election on December 1 a week after a first-round presidential race saw the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu emerge as the front-runner. “It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Mr Ciolacu, whose PSD party topped the polls in the parliamentary election, said in a statement. “We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis,” he said. “It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people.” Romania’s 16 ministerial positions will be shared among the parties, which will hold a slim majority in the legislature. It is widely seen as a tactical partnership to shut out far-right nationalists whose voices found fertile ground amid high living costs and a sluggish economy. Mr Ciolacu, who came third in the first-round presidential ballot despite polls indicating he would win the most votes, has served as prime minister since June 2023. After parliament’s approval, President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government and warned the new Cabinet that it is entering a “difficult new period” in which “for many Romanians, there are major concerns”. Romania was plunged into turmoil after Mr Georgescu’s surprise success in the presidential race, after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. Days before the December 8 run-off, the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the presidential race. “We go through complicated times, but I think we all learned from mistakes of the past,” Mr Ciolacu said. “I hope that together with my colleagues in the coalition, we’ll find the best solutions to get past the challenges we have in front of us.” Mr Ciolacu said that the new government would aim to quickly organise the rerun of the presidential election in which the new coalition has agreed to put forward an agreed common pro-European candidate. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said that the new government made up of the same political parties will likely embrace “soft populist” rhetoric such as economic patriotism, anti-austerity, and a peace solution in neighbouring Ukraine to counter the rise of far-right populism. “This will be a way to answer the concerns of many Romanians who voted for populists... but will not solve the fundamental problem of trust,” he said. “The only decisive factor now will be who and how convincing the pro-European candidates will be against this popular revolt.” George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which came second in the parliamentary election, said that all politicians from his party on Monday would vote against the Ciolacu government. In 2021, the PSD and the PNL also formed an unlikely but increasingly strained coalition together with UDMR, which exited the Cabinet last year after a power-sharing dispute.

In conclusion, the wave of mergers and acquisitions in Hebei Province reflects the ongoing transformation and evolution of the banking industry in China. As rural banks seek to adapt to new market realities and regulatory requirements, consolidations and partnerships offer a strategic path towards sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness. While challenges remain in terms of managing the impact on employees and communities, the overall trend of consolidation signals a positive direction for the banking sector in Hebei Province.Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors

As the discussion around Huo and Liu's performances intensifies, the spotlight shifts to Zhu Fangyu and his decision-making. Will he come to regret letting go of a player as talented as Huo? Could Liu Chuanxing be the missing piece that the team needed all along? These questions linger in the minds of fans and analysts alike, sparking debates about the team's future prospects and potential lineup changes.

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In a shocking turn of events, an elderly woman was caught on camera setting a mountain on fire while collecting plastic bottles for recycling. The incident, which has sparked widespread debate and condemnation, brings to light the complex issue of environmental responsibility and the dangers of unchecked exploitation of natural resources.(The Center Square) – Legislators in Washington, D.C., have taken a number of steps over the past few days to push for insurance and pharmaceutical reforms to be passed before the end of the year. On Wednesday, a bicameral group of Republican and Democrat lawmakers held a press conference discussing the need for pharmacy benefit manager reform to protect small pharmacies across the country and “save lives.” “Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or an independent, we all want the same thing. We want accessible, affordable, quality health care,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga. “We’re not here today to just discuss one bill or to discuss just one patient’s story. We're here because there's broad, bipartisan pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM, reform that is needed to save lives.” Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen responsible for managing the drug prices covered by health insurance plans. According to the Harvard Political Review , the problem with pharmacy benefit managers is that they “have vertically integrated with pharmacy chains and health insurers through massive conglomerates.” That then allows them to abuse their power to cut out small pharmacies and increase prices. Carter also signed a letter that was released last week calling on the Department of Justice to dig into the role pharmacy benefit managers played in the opioid epidemic. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., Deborah Ross, D-N.C., and Cliff Benz, R-Ore., all joined him in signing that letter. “The opioid crisis has devastated communities in North Carolina and across the country, and PBMs may have fueled it by prioritizing profits over people,” Ross said on social media . “That’s why I joined a letter calling on the DOJ to investigate their role and hold these bad actors accountable.” The letter looked at recent reports on the largest pharmacy benefit managers, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx which state that they “colluded and conspired to steer patients towards OxyContin in exchange for $400 million.” OxyContin is a trade name for the narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, a painkiller available by prescription only. This and the general “lack of transparency” is just one of the many complaints that legislators aired on Wednesday. “My colleagues who are joining me today, Democrats and Republicans ... all recognize that PBMs are decreasing the accessibility, the affordability, and therefore the quality of health care in America,” Carter said. “We have an opportunity, right now, to advance bipartisan legislation that increases reporting requirements, which would heighten transparency and shine a light on the opaque practices of these PBMs.” Carter was also joined by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is leading the effort to get legislation passed in the U.S. Senate. “This year, we're losing about one pharmacy a day in America,” Lankford said. “We want leadership to be able to take this up and to bring it up in the end-of-year package ... Stop holding up legislation that is bipartisan, bicameral, and solving a problem that Americans need solved.”

AMERICAN 73, PUERTO RICO-BAYAMON 56The incident has ignited a heated debate among environmentalists, conservationists, and the general public about the delicate balance between economic necessity and environmental sustainability. While it is undeniable that many individuals, especially those living in poverty, rely on recycling as a means of income, the destructive consequences of such unsustainable practices cannot be ignored.

American 73, Cowboys 56In light of these disagreements and challenges, it is imperative for all parties involved in the conflict – including Ukraine, Russia, and the international community – to engage in genuine and constructive dialogue to find a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine. Zelensky's rejection of Trump's peace talk initiative should be viewed as a call for all stakeholders to redouble their efforts towards achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.Romania far-right candidate urges voters to turn up for scrapped election

As John inspected the oversized teddy bear, he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Despite the initial shock, he found himself growing strangely fond of the huggable companion that stood in place of his anticipated washing machine. After all, who wouldn't appreciate a cuddly, larger-than-life teddy bear unexpectedly showing up at their doorstep?

The elderly woman's actions, while undoubtedly misguided, also shed light on the systemic issues that contribute to such behavior. Without access to proper waste disposal facilities or sufficient income opportunities, individuals like her are often forced to resort to desperate measures in order to survive.CALGARY, Alberta – Last season, after 19 games and an injury-riddled 5-10-4 start by the Minnesota Wild, coach Dean Evason was dismissed and John Hynes came in to take over the team. Heading into Saturday’s afternoon meeting with the Calgary Flames, Hynes’ 2024-25 team had played 19 games, and was sitting at 13-3-3. With a full year in Minnesota on his resume now, it is increasingly clear that players have bought in to the coach’s tactics and style, after missing the playoffs last season. “Anytime a coach takes over in the middle of the season, it’s a bit of a process,” said Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian after their Friday afternoon skate at Scotiabank Saddledome. “At times, we were the team that we are right now in certain stretches, but I think the consistency is much better this year. It’s showed.” Of course, cynical Minnesota sports fans who are quick to consider any stretch of success a mirage will point to 2011, when Mike Yeo was in his first full season as the Wild’s coach. Following a Dec. 10 win in Arizona, the Wild were 20-7-3 with the best record in the NHL. They finished sub-.500 and missed the playoffs that year. Still, as the Wild keep winning — most notably on the road — we’re getting past the point that what Hynes is doing can just be classified as a hot start. “To be honest, that’s kind of what the focus is on, that is you’re starting to see some things really take hold, right?,” Hynes said Friday. “The second half of last year into the training camp, to now, so we’re kind of coming up on what a year together basically. So, it’s more automatic. You’re starting to see the mindset of the team, the maturity.” With 13 wins and 29 points through their first 19 games, this is statistically the best start to a season in franchise history, surpassing their 12 wins and 26 points to start the 2018-19 campaign. Travis Boyd makes hometown team debut He wore maroon and gold, not red and green, on March 27, 2015, the last time Travis Boyd represented his home state in a hockey game. On that afternoon, at a NCAA regional in New Hampshire, Boyd and the Gophers lost 4-1 to Minnesota Duluth to end his final college hockey season. On Saturday in Calgary, after an emergency recall due to the injuries suffered by Kirill Kaprizov and Marat Khusnutdinov in Edmonton, the 31-year-old native of Hopkins, Minn., turned in his first game in a Wild sweater. Boyd signed with the Wild over the summer as a free agent after spending the previous three seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, although he was limited to just 16 games in 2023-24 following an upper body injury that required surgery. He had recorded two goals and 11 points in 13 games with the Iowa Wild this season, prior to the call-up. Boyd was an all-Big Ten second teamer as a Gophers’ senior, and played more than 300 NHL games for Washington, Toronto, Vancouver and Arizona prior to signing with the Wild. He became the 35th Minnesota-born player to skate for the Wild. Related ArticlesAs the speculation about his love life continues to swirl, Yang Shize's clever response to the rumors serves as a reminder that sometimes a little creativity and humor can go a long way in handling tabloid gossip. By embracing his single status with a hidden poem, the actor not only quelled the rumors but also endeared himself to his fans even further.