As Americans are beyond burned out, Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry preaches the right to restMONTREAL — The Vegas Golden Knights exploded for five unanswered goals in the second period to roll over the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 on Saturday night. Tomas Hertl, Callahan Burke, Ivan Barbashev, Tanner Pearson and Keegan Kolesar each scored. Montreal’s Emil Heineman and Jayden Struble scored in the third before Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel collected his seventh of the season. Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill stopped 15 of 17 shots. Montreal’s Sam Montembeault gave up five goals on 25 shots before he was replaced in the third period by Cayden Primeau, who turned away two of three shots. Takeaways Golden Knights: Vegas recovered from losing back-to-back games earlier in the week with a second straight road win. Eleven different players registered at least a point in Montreal. Canadiens: The even-strength play that helped Montreal win four of five games vanished as the Canadiens regressed to its early season disarray at both ends of the ice. Key moment Less than a minute after falling behind 2-0, Montreal turned the puck over at the offensive blue line and Barbashev scored on a two-on-one rush. Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) stops Montreal Canadiens' Nick Suzuki (14) as Knights' Noah Hanifin (15) defends during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Graham Hughes Key stat Montreal allowed five or more even-strength goals for the sixth time this season. Up next The Golden Knights continue their road trip Monday in Philadelphia. Montreal hosts the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.

‘He’s yours forever’- Regina Daniels to husband’s other wife on wedding anniversary

Economist David Rosenberg is rethinking his bearish stance amid this year's huge stock rally. Rosenberg said extreme stock market valuations may be justified given AI's economic potential. Investors are extending their valuation outlook beyond one year, and Rosenberg is following suit. Economist and longtime market bear David Rosenberg is coming around after this year's blistering stock market rally. While he says his updated view doesn't amount to "throwing in the towel," he admits that the technology-fueled AI boom is requiring him to reframe his thinking on the broader stock market. "It's high time for me to stop pontificating on all the reasons why the U.S. stock market is crazily overvalued and all the reasons to be bearish based on all the variables I have relied on in the past," Rosenberg wrote to his clients on Thursday. Rosenberg has long relied on today's stock market valuations relative to the past to highlight just how historically extreme the stock market is currently valued. And he's not wrong. Longtime stock bull Ed Yardeni highlighted five charts this week that showed that valuations have been stretched to historical extremes. However, according to Rosenberg, the extreme valuations may actually be warranted if AI can unleash a wave of productivity upon the economy. This idea was echoed by BlackRock in its 2025 outlook, which argued that comparing today's market valuations to those of the past is "apples to oranges" given the profound shift in America's tech-led economy. Perhaps more importantly, the promise of AI is ultimately leading investors to extend their time horizons beyond the traditional one-year outlook. "Investors are clearly looking out beyond one year across an entire gamut of indicators and developments, so the classic way we look at valuations may not be appropriate today," Rosenberg said. Rosenberg added that even if the stock market is in a bubble, it may not be apparent for years to come, similar to the internet bubble that began to form in the mid-1990s before ultimately popping in 2000. With profits booming for technology companies like Nvidia, the exuberance gripping investors doesn't appear to be extreme or unsustainable. "A bear market only ensues if and when these expectations prove to have been excessive. That day may well come, but Mr. Market has been saying for some time: 'not quite yet,'" Rosenberg said. A shift in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy could also send markets lower, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards in the near term. Going forward, Rosenberg said he is keeping a more open mind toward the idea that the stock market bull rally could "go further than anyone thinks." "The way to redress the lament of a bear is to keep an open mind as we head into 2025 and learn from the mistakes of the past year," Rosenberg said.

CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Related Articles Books | She shared her notes with John Steinbeck. It was her novel’s undoing. Books | Lucy Score lands 3 Knockemout books on bestseller list Books | For kids, new Christmas picture books including that ever suspicious squirrel Books | Book review: Manchester United players were among the crash victims whose tale is told in ‘Munichs’ Books | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.com Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week Let it burn: Days-old underground fire at Williamsburg outlet mall could smolder for a week Neighbors get into argument before fatal shooting, Hampton police say Neighbors get into argument before fatal shooting, Hampton police say Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. 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The piece of technology sits unassumingly on top of the helmet of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold during most practices at TCO Performance Center. ADVERTISEMENT It allows the Vikings to capture footage in real time, providing a peek into the past for the man at the forefront of the future. “It’s super cool,” Darnold said. “It’s a really amazing tool to be able to use.” Though the Vikings are very much keeping the focus on this season with big goals in mind, they also have started laying the foundation for next season with the help of a GoPro camera. “This is the first time I’ve done anything like that,” Darnold said. “It doesn’t really feel like anything when it’s on my helmet.” ADVERTISEMENT That’s arguably the biggest part of its appeal. The fact that the GoPro camera weighs much less than a pound means it doesn’t interfere with anything the Vikings are trying to get done on a daily basis. It exists more or less as an accessory for Darnold at this point, taking video from his perspective whether he’s calling a play in the huddle, making a check at the line of scrimmage or scanning the field after the ball is snapped. That has been extremely useful for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he continues to work his way through his recovery from a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign before it even got started. The ability to see everything through the eyes of Darnold has helped McCarthy train his brain even if he isn’t able to experience it firsthand. ADVERTISEMENT “The mental reps are of utmost importance,” McCarthy said a couple of months ago. “Just watching film from that perspective is really good.” This is the best option for the Vikings right now. Originally, after selecting McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, the Vikings hoped he would be able to get live reps himself this season. ADVERTISEMENT Instead, after McCarthy had surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the Vikings are doing everything in their power to make sure he’s ready for next season. That’s something head coach Kevin O’Connell has stressed whenever McCarthy’s name has been brought up. “We wanted to make sure we’re maximizing every moment for him,” O’Connell said. “We thought, ‘How do we make sure we’re doing the things that we need to do to ensure that he’s in the best possible position when he is healthy?'” The use of a GoPro camera is simply another resource the Vikings have at their disposal. ADVERTISEMENT “We’ve done a lot of different stuff that maybe we don’t do with a 10-year veteran quarterback,” O’Connell said. “Just to make sure that we’re farming an ideal learning environment for him to hit the ground running when he’s healthy.” As soon as the GoPro camera captures the footage from a particular practice, McCarthy can go back and watch it, getting a feel for what life is like in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage and after the ball is snapped. Sometimes the Vikings will even put it on in their war room, where there’s a gigantic screen that takes up an entire wall. That grandiose display is something offensive coordinator Wes Phillips appreciates because it makes it feel like McCarthy is inside the helmet. ADVERTISEMENT “It’s pretty cool to watch in there,” Phillips said. “It gives him a chance to see it a little bit more from that perspective.” Some of the other creative ways the Vikings have kept McCarthy on track include allowing him to be a part of the dialogue that goes on between O’Connell and Darnold during games. He was cleared to travel with the team for the first time last month, for example, so he was in attendance at SoFi Stadium when the Vikings suffered a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Just getting a glimpse of what it feels like in the heat of battle will go a long way for McCarthy as he continues to develop. “I’m really excited about having him with us,” O’Connell said. “Any and all areas we can find to maximize those chances, we’re going to use it.” All the while, McCarthy has also been attending meetings, asking questions to O’Connell, Phillips, quarterback coach Josh McCown, assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski and anybody else he can find in their office at TCO Performance Center. “He’s great about saving some questions he has,” Phillips said. “He’ll do that off to the side, understanding that guys are getting ready for the game.” Though the Vikings would’ve loved for McCarthy to be able to learn everything firsthand as a rookie, they are making the most of their current situation, ensuring their young quarterback of the future is completely prepared heading into next season. “Obviously he wants more than anybody to be there physically,” Phillips said. “He’s doing everything he can to be ready when his time comes.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

New Delhi, Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Sunday announced the education manifesto for the Jangpura constituency ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections . The manifesto outlines a comprehensive plan to enhance education infrastructure, improve opportunities for the students and involve the parents and educators in shaping the children's future, said a statement. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Speaking on the importance of quality education, Sisodia said, "Quality education for children is the key to the progress of any family. We all aspire our children to grow up to be successful and respected individuals. To achieve this, access to quality education is crucial." The manifesto focuses on building two fully equipped new schools in Sarai Kale Khan and Hazrat Nizamuddin along with modernising facilities in the existing schools in Feroz Shah Kotla and Hari Nagar Ashram, it stated. Adequate teaching staff, security measures and cleanliness will be ensured across all schools along with traffic coordination to facilitate smooth commutes, it read. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU "The plan includes linking Delhi government schools with local municipal schools and Anganwadis, ensuring education opportunities for children aged 3 to 18," it mentioned. The teachers and principals will be provided with modern training opportunities, both in India and abroad, and the DIET Daryaganj will be transformed into a state-of-the-art training center, it said. Post-school activities, including arts, sports and self-defense training for girls, aim to promote holistic development. The ITI Hazrat Nizamuddin will offer advanced courses with cutting-edge technology to create more job opportunities, it added. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges The proposed $24.6 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the merger. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the proposed merger until an in-house administrative judge at the Federal Trade Commission considers it. Shortly afterward, a judge in Washington state issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in that state, saying it lessens competition. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. But the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Washington sued earlier this year. Kroger and Albertsons said Tuesday they are disappointed in the decisions and are reviewing their options. Biden says he was 'stupid' not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, like Donald Trump had done in 2020. He noted Tuesday in a speech at the Brookings Institution that Trump likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he defended his economic record and challenged Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Trump’s decision to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Former chairman of state-owned bank China Everbright Group jailed for 12 years for corruption BEIJING (AP) — Chinese official broadcaster CCTV says a former chairman of the state-owned bank China Everbright Group has been jailed 12 years for embezzlement and bribery. Tang Shuangning, who had also held senior posts at the People’s Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, was arrested in January, part of a wider wave of prosecutions of senior officials accused of financial crimes. A court in the city of Tangshan, about 100 miles east of Beijing, found him guilty of taking advantage of his position at the state-owned bank in “seeking convenience for others” in jobs and loans, in exchange for illegal payments. The court said he had accepted illegal property with a total value of more than $1.5 million. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says it will retreat from the robotaxi business and stop funding its money-losing Cruise autonomous vehicle unit. Instead the Detroit automaker will focus on development of partially automated driver-assist systems like its Super Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. In a statement Tuesday, GM said it would get out of robotaxis due to what it described as the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market. What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google has released its annual “Year in Search," rounding up 2024's top trending searches. It shows terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated overall search trends, led by queries for Copa América, the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year’s Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google’s people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit on Tuesday also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Ospreys. The military aircraft have been grounded in the United States following a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident was caused by weakened metal components. It was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The U.S. measure prompted the suspension of Ospreys operated by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. Small businesses plan events, start marketing earlier to deal with shorter holiday shopping season The holiday shopping season is underway, and this year small businesses have less time to capitalize on the busy shopping period. Only 27 days separate Thanksgiving and Christmas — five fewer than last year. But there are still ways to make the most of a shorter season. One key strategy is for owners to promote deals to customers wherever they can, from social media to physical ads. The National Retail Federation predicts that retail sales will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Online shopping is expected to grow too. Adobe Digital Insights predicts an 8.4% increase online for the full season. 10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, Americans still found time to read. Sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market. Many chose the release of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up the tie-in book to Taylor Swift’s blockbuster tour, which had the best opening week of 2024. Others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Boeing is building new 737 Max planes for the first time since workers went on strike Boeing is resuming production of its bestselling plane, the 737 Max. It's the first time that Max jets have moved down the assembly line since September, when about 33,000 workers went on strike for higher pay. Boeing said Tuesday that work on the Max has resumed at its factory in Renton, Washington, near Seattle. Both the Max and another Boeing plane, the 787 Dreamliner, have been plagued by manufacturing problems in recent years. The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting Boeing’s production of Max jets until the agency is convinced that Boeing has corrected quality and safety issues during manufacturing.

NoneA new app called RapidDeploy has a video feature that allows 911 responders to see and hear what's going on at the scene of an emergency. 911 Dispatcher : Walton County, 911. What's the address of the emergency? Caller : We're out in the water right off of Dolphin Cove. My husband fell in the water off the boat. A woman frantically called 911 after her husband went overboard from a boat off the coast of Florida. And thanks to the video feature in RapidDeploy allowing 911 dispatchers to see and hear what's going on at the scene, they were able to help the woman start her boat, and guide her to the location of the original call to rescue her husband. Apps like RapidDeploy are serving as vital reinforcement for 911 telecommunicators at call centers across the country. Debbie de la Fuente, who has been on the job for 18 years in Arlington, Virginia showed ABC's Elizabeth Schulze how the app works. "I'm going to go ahead and send you a video request," she said. This will pinpoint a caller's exact location and initiate a video call. "I'm going to accept it and there we go. So now you can see me, and if I was at the scene of a crime, you could also see what's happening in real-time," said Schulze. "Yes, which is great for us if we need to obtain a good description of a suspect," said De la Fuente. The new technology has been deployed at over 1,500 911 call centers in 25 states, as they face intense staffing shortages. It's a critical backup in a job where every second counts. A recent national report found a staggering number of unfilled positions at 911 call centers, with an average 25% vacancy rate nationwide. With this technology, there is no app to download. The 911 operator sends you a link and you simply click on it to activate video sharing. When you hang up, the 911 dispatcher no longer has access to your camera or your location.

With the 2024-25 season in full swing, teams around the league are considering their options for a trade before February's deadline. The latest intel out of Los Angeles suggests the Lakers will be active on the trade front this year and that they are one of three teams interested in pursuing young big man Robert Williams III. “The Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings have held interest in the Portland Trail Blazers' big man dating back to the offseason," wrote NBA insider Brett Siegel . Robert Williams, 27, was the 27th overall pick in 2018. Began his career with the Boston Celtics , where he showed flashes of star potential and elite defensive play. He made the 2021-22 All-Defensive team with averages of 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 73.6% shooting. After helping the Celtics reach the Finals in 2022, Robert Williams was sent to the Trail Blazers in a trade for Jrue Holiday, and the rest is history. Currently, Williams is having one of the best years of his career so far after an injury-riddled start with the Blazers. He's averaging a career-high 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 73.6% shooting. He's not currently available in trade talks, but the Blazers might be compelled to give him up if the offer is good enough. As a young, athletic, and strong center, Robert Williams would bring much-needed depth to the Lakers' frontcourt. It's no secret that GM Rob Pelinka has been on the hunt for some reinforcements down low , as there's only one big man who can back up Anthony Davis right now. With another option at center, Davis could play his preferred position (power forward) and carry a lighter burden on both ends of the floor. As one of the league's worst rebounding teams, adding a young and athletic rim runner could help them with cleaning the glass and preventing second-chance opportunities. With months to go before the NBA's trade deadline, the Lakers still have plenty of time to consider their best course of action. At 10-5 this season, and 4th in the standings, the Lakers are seemingly within range of the West's top teams. With Robert Williams III in their jersey, the Lakers would become a much bigger threat with added front-court depth and an insurance policy for any potential Anthony Davis injury. As it stands now, the Lakers would be screwed if Davis goes down but between LeBron James and a big man like Robert Williams, they'd have a chance to stay afloat until his return. For now, only time will tell if the Lakers can pull off an impactful trade but there is no question that they are on the hunt right now given the frequency of these rumors. The Lakers believe they are close to a title and that one more move could make the difference between success and failure. Robert Williams gives the Lakers everything they need and if Rob Pelina is willing to pay the price it could have major implications on the Western Conference hierarchy. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.Ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, jailed for sexting child, eyes political comeback in New York City Council

In her new book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” the author and academic says you too can flee the toxic grind culture.The President of the Vanua’aku Pati (VP), Johnny Koanapo, has called on all Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) chairpersons to submit proposed candidate lists for the upcoming election. A press statement issued by the VP office confirmed that this resolution was made during the National Executive meeting held on Friday, 22 November 2024. Koanapo, who is also the caretaker Minister of Finance and Economic Management, said the submission deadline is essential to ensuring timely preparation and compliance with electoral regulations. All proposed candidate lists must be submitted no later than 10am on Friday, 29 November 2024. He reiterated that the VP National Executive is committed to conducting the elections in strict accordance with the VP election regulations. This resolution follows the pending constitutional court decision regarding the dispute between the former opposition and the President of the Republic over the dissolution of parliament. Article 28(4) of the Constitution specifies that general elections must be held no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days after dissolution. The VP executive is aligning its plans with the party constitution while preparing for a possible snap election in 2025, should the court rule in favour of the President of the Republic. Other political parties are also preparing for an anticipated snap election in January 2025.As Americans are beyond burned out, Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry preaches the right to rest

By Pepper Intelligence Unit President Museveni is reportedly not happy about how he was cajoled to hand over Kiteezi landfill to a Ghanaian investor without getting all the information he required. He is now mad at local/Ugandan promoters who religiously pushed to have the deal handed over to Dr. Joseph Sian Agyepong’ firm— Jospong Group of Companies from Ghana. Gen.Museveni was convinced that Jospong had the capacity to address the country’s garbage management by converting waste at Kiteezi landfill into fertilizers and other recyclable materials in the aftermath of a tragedy that killed over 30 and displaced a hundreds including destruction of property. A whistleblower has however revealed that the Ghanaian investor and local promoters may have not told the President the ‘whole truth’ about their capacity to handle the project. Reports emerging indicate that Jespong is desperately hunting for an investor to sub-contract with necessary technology and expertise to do the actual job. We are told several firms in the USA and Dubai have been approached by Jespong agents for this purpose. The whistleblower says this is how Jespong has been getting contracts by hoodwinking unsuspecting government officials around Africa to secure contracts when in actual sense is a mere broker. “Jespong lacks the capacity to execute such a project. They are actually brokers. After securing the President’s approval to take over the Kiteezi landfill they are now running around shopping for firms with capacity,” the whistle blower revealed. We are now told a full report has been given to Gen.Museveni and he is not happy with all the local promoters involved. Insiders say that he (Gen.Museveni) felt betrayed because he expected Frank Rusa who has been KCCA’s Ag ED to tell him all the truth about Jespong which was not the case. Rusa applied for KCCA top job and was initially reportedly telling whoever cared to listen how ‘the thing’ –read KCCA top job- was his—no matter what. In a twist of events, we are told when Gen.Museveni got this not so palatable report about Jespong’s shenanigans, he expressed his disappointment in Rusa and those knowledgeable about the KCCA ED recruitment process knew that was the end for Rusa in pursuit of KCAA top job. “The President was not happy. He could not allow Rusa to take the KCCA top job after the messy handling of the Kiteezi landfill takeover deal,” a source revealed. Some other Jespong Ugandan promoters whom the President is also not happy with—and heads may turn soon— include Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Ministers Minsa Kabanda and Kabuye Kyofatogabye and one Ssebagala. Others include Obed Lutakome who is KCCA’s former land-fill management officer (who ironically should have warned the government before the Kiteezi disaster struck). But together with other two partners, he now owns a firm housed at Fontis Residences Hotel-Nakasero, Kampala which is partnering with Jespong to take over the Kiteezi landfill privately. “Obed Lutakome was formerly land-fill management officer at KCCA. He should have warned the government about the Kiteezi situation but he didn’t! He should be now in court with the Kisaka’s but he is a free man. He is now coming back to privately takeover Kiteezi with Jespong through a private partnership. Who bewitched Uganda for sure?” The whistleblower expressed concern. We are also told that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament who is also among the local promoters of Jespong in Uganda is not happy about these new developments and is reportedly regretting why he allowed connecting Jespong people to President Museveni for a meeting. The name of Hussein Akandwanaho has also featured prominently among the local promoters of Jespong. This publication could not independently verify if this Akandwanaho is by any chance biologically linked to Gen. Salim Saleh Akandwanaho. But available information indicates that Hussein recently swore an affidavit to adopt ‘Akandwanaho’ name. Bismark Nortei Annoo, the honorary consul for the Republic of Ghana in Kampala, Uganda is also among key promoters of Jespong in Kampala. There are reports that Jespong appreciated all those who were involved in securing the Kiteezi Landfill deal in monetary terms but this is a story for another day. The new developments, if confirmed to be true, corroborate Inspector General of Government (IGG)Beti Kamya’s earlier fears and reservations about Jespong’s capacity to execute this project only to be ‘shut up’ by a presidential directive. In a letter dated October 17, 2024, Kamya ordered the suspension of all activities at Kiteezi landfill involving Jospong Group of Companies due to alleged irregularities in the awarding of their contract. “You are therefore directed to halt all transactions with Jospong Group of Companies who have been engaged to manage the Kiteezi landfill until this office completes investigations or issues further orders on the matter,” the letter stated. The IGG’s letter also indicated that an investigation had been launched to probe the alleged irregularities in the procurement process for the Kiteezi management contract, focusing on how it was awarded to Jospong Group of Companies. The letter revealed that Jospong was allegedly handpicked, bypassing standard government procurement procedures as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. “The investigations will also look into the allegations that other investors had approached the government with interest in investing in the Kiteezi landfill, but these were ignored or frustrated. That Jospong was awarded the tender without going through an open bidding process, which would have allowed other competent entities to express interest in partnering with KCCA,” the letter further stated. The IGG’s letter also highlighted concerns regarding the funding of the project. “Jospong Group of Companies has offered to manage the Kiteezi landfill at no cost to the government. This raises questions since one wonders how the company will recoup returns on their investments,” it read. Other issues to be investigated include the alleged lack of an environmental impact assessment, the absence of a feasibility study for the project, and concerns about whether due diligence was conducted to verify if the company possesses the necessary technology and experience to handle the magnitude of the project. Instead, the local promoters of Jespong rushed to secure a meeting with President Museveni who in turn issued a directive to have the former take over the landfill to the disappointment of the IGG. There have been many scandals and corruption allegations levelled against Jespong.In 2013 an investigation into massive corruption in the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) led to the cancellation of all contracts under the programme. It also led to reforms which culminated into the passage of the Youth Employment Agency Law. The main companies that were indicted in the GYEEDA scandal were those from the Jospong Group of Companies owned by Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong and the AGAMS Group owned by Roland Agambire. The exposé also revealed and catalogued questionable contracts with various metropolitan and municipal assemblies. The report exposed how a waste bin contract awarded on sole sourcing basis to the JOSPONG Group was inflated by at least GHC130 million.Another report revealed how a GHC98 million contract was awarded to 11 companies under the Jospong group to undertake fumigation exercises across the country when Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the parent company of Jospong had already been paid to undertake the same fumigation. In 2013 the World Bank banned Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Jespong’s waste management services firm and its affiliate companies from bidding for the Bank’s contracts because Zoomlion “paid bribes to facilitate contract execution and processing of invoices” in Liberia. Watch this space! editor

The Chinese version of the Nintendo eShop, currently run by Tencent, is set to shut down in 2026, with all network-related operating services being discontinued. From 31 March 2026, the eShop will stop selling games, and all free trial games will be removed. On 15 May 2026, the eShop will “stop download services and redemption code redemption services.” Those impacted by the shut down will be able to head to WeChat to claim up to four free Nintendo games as compensation, with the list including and . Notably, Nintendo and Tencent did not provide a firm reason for the shut down, leading to much speculation about the decision. has pointed out that many Chinese gamers use international versions of the Nintendo Switch, likely to get around country restrictions for the console. has speculated the changes could relate to the Chinese government crackdown on gaming, which seeks to limit gameplay time for children. Many others have pointed out this could pave the way for the launch of the Switch’s successor, which is set to be announced within the next six months. Whatever the case, it shouldn’t be seen as a sign of wider change for international Switch users. China is a unique market for Nintendo, with an array of restrictions to comply with government regulation. Recent edicts that discourage folks from playing games have also reduced the viability of the games market in the country. With the Switch continuing to enjoy success in regions outside of China, we anticipate the Nintendo eShop will remain live globally, for many years to come – and that even with a potential shut down years from now, redownloads will remain firmly in place. Those in China set to be impacted by the impending shut down of the Nintendo eShop can learn more on the .CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Related Articles Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.comA pair of ruby red slippers worn by actress Judy Garland in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz is set to be auctioned off Saturday. The iconic sequinned pumps were once stolen from a Minnesota museum. But now they are expected to fetch as much as $3m (£2.35m) at auction, according to Heritage Auctions. Online bidding started a month ago, and as of noon local time on Saturday, the highest bid was $1.55m. Heritage Auctions has called these slippers the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia". Garland was only 16 when she played Dorothy in the classic 1939 musical The Wizard of Oz. Media outlet Variety ranked it second in its inaugural list of "100 Greatest Movies of All Time". The film is a musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. While in the book, the magical slippers are silver, the producers for the film changed them to red to take advantage of the new Technicolor technology. In the film, as in the book, a pivotal moment occurs when Dorothy must click her heels three times as she repeats "There's no place like home" in order to leave the magical land of Oz and return to Kansas and her Auntie Em. While several pairs of shoes were worn by Garland during filming, only four are known to have survived. One of the pairs is on exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. But this pair up for auction has its own unique history. Collector Michael Shaw had loaned the slippers out to the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, when they were stolen in 2005. Professional thief Terry Jon Martin used a hammer to smash the glass case and snatch the slippers, believing that their insured value of $1m must be because they were covered in actual gemstones. But when he took them to a "fence" - and intermediary who sells stolen goods to discreet buyers - he discovered they were just glass. So he gave the shoes to someone else. It wasn't until 2018 that the FBI recovered the shoes in a sting operation. What happened to them in those 13 years is still not known. In 2023, Martin - who was in his 70s and used a wheelchair - pleaded guilty to stealing them, and was sentenced to time served. "There's some closure, and we do know definitely that Terry Jon Martin did break into our museum, but I'd like to know what happened to them after he let them go," John Kelsch, curator of the Judy Garland Museum, told CBS News Minnesota in 2023 . "Just to do it because he thought they were real rubies and to turn them over to a jewelry fence. I mean, the value is not rubies. The value is an American treasure, a national treasure. To steal them without knowing that seems ludicrous."

Tokio Marine North America Services Named One of Computerworld's 2025 Best Places to Work in ITChess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolvedIn Pakistan, women’s rights, harassment and other related issues take centre stage mostly in March, when controversy around the Aurat March splashes across the media. The fact is, almost all working women face harassment at work, during commutes, and elsewhere. This must become a constant discussion to bring about real change. The Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) has revealed alarming figures that 85 per cent of women workers in Pakistan experience workplace harassment. The number touches 90 per cent for domestic help. The reality is that our societal norms have entrenched this menace. Values can be changed through awareness and laws. The Workplace Harassment Act of 2010 is a good legislative piece, but without enforcement, it is toothless. Harassment cases, reported to relevant forums, often face judicial delays and social apathy. Harassment is not confined to workplaces. Women face constant harassment in the digital sphere; almost all women face online harassment but only 40 per cent of them report them. Domestic violence against women remains rampant. Physical and sexual abuse remains widespread. These challenges are compounded for women from religious minorities. They are denied inheritance rights despite legal protections. The statistics paint a bleak picture. Women make up 49.4 per cent of the working-age population. Sadly, they account for only 23.5 percent of the labour force, as per the Pakistan Labour Force Survey. Pakistan ranked 143 out of 146 on the Global Gender Gap Index of 2023. Women in Pakistan do not only battle misogynistic attitudes but also fight for democracy, children’s rights, equality, social and judicial justice and better social conditions. Present-day stories of activists like Sammi Baloch and Sorath Lohar show that women have always stood at the forefront of resistance. The demands of Baloch women for the return of their loved ones reflect the heartbreaking struggles of marginalised groups. Lip service, grim data figures and heart-breaking stories may not bring about a visible change. We need to go beyond lip service. What can change the scenario are economic opportunities for women, equal pay and a harassment-free workplace. These are not privileges but rights. Inclusive measures are essential for true political representation. Moreover, the plight of incarcerated women cannot be ignored. Poor prison conditions, lack of legal support, and healthcare access must be urgently addressed. The time for action is long overdue. *

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Tensions escalate in Pakistan as highways are closed and services suspended in response to a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the demonstration is set to continue despite warnings from authorities. The PTI is demanding the release of incarcerated leaders and addressing alleged election grievances. Authorities are on high alert, with a warning issued for a potential terrorist threat as militants have reportedly entered the country from Afghanistan. In preparation for the protest, key infrastructure and government areas have been heavily secured. Despite these measures, the PTI remains determined to proceed with its protest and sit-in, increasing tensions with the government. (With inputs from agencies.)In the wake of Rachel Reeves' Budget, the UK is set to be outperformed economically by Portugal, according to a report from the European Commission . The tiny EU state, a popular holiday destination, is rapidly becoming a top spot for capital investors, seeking to benefit from the country's competitive tax rates and 'Golden Visa' scheme. Under the scheme, those investing £417,000 in particular funds or in a start-up employing six or more, can get a 'Golden Visa' that permits freedom of movement within the 29 Schengen states, a path to Portuguese citizenship after five years, family inclusion, and a minimum stay requirement of just seven days per year in Portugal. As a result, the small country on the Atlantic is projected to grow by 2.5 percent next year - far outstripping the UK's growth forecasted to be 2 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, a new report on Portugal’s attractiveness from Ernst & Young (EY), revealed 84 percent of investors, CEOs and entrepreneurs surveyed plan to establish or expand their operations in Portugal in the next 12 months. EY’s UK equivalent report found that just 68 percent intend to invest in the UK and 72 percent in the rest of the Eurozone. The EY report on Portugal adds that it “presents itself as an attractive, stable and safe investment destination within the European context”. Paul Stannard, Chairman and Founder of Portugal Pathways, said: “This is further fuelled by continued demand for the country’s popular Golden Visa residency-by-investment program.” Mr Stannard adds: “Portugal is one of the safest and most secure places in the world. It welcomes inward investment, entrepreneurs and talent wishing to take advantage of the tax incentives, culture, cost of living , and lifestyle. With more than 300 days of sunshine, it obviously trumps the UK for weather and sardines. “It also has a strong luxury property market, which is in high demand as the country continues to attract wealthy buyers and investors to Portugal. According to Property Market-Index, Portugal’s real estate market is set to grow by 5.8% in 2024, compared with a 2.5% decline in the UK. “While other nations continue to struggle, economically and politically, Portugal is proving a haven of stability, investment and growth.”Dow Jones Stocks: Apple Above Buy Point, Nvidia Reverses Lower