Undefeated Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M will collide Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas in the second game of the new Players Era Festival. Both teams are in the "Power" group of the eight-team event. All eight teams are receiving $1 million for their name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, but placing fourth or higher in the tourney in order will net them anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. The Aggies (4-1) opened the season with a three-point loss at UCF, but since then have won four straight, all in convincing fashion. Texas A&M upset then-No. 21 Ohio State 78-64 on Nov. 15 at home in College Station, Texas. Then the Aggies crushed Southern 71-54 last Wednesday, when Wade Taylor IV led the way with 17 points and six assists. All of Texas A&M's wins have been by double digits. The Aggies and Ducks (5-0) have split the two previous meetings against each other. Until March 2022 in an NIT second-round game, they had not met since the 1970-71 season. Texas A&M tied the overall series with a 75-60 win at home in 2022. The only player on the Ducks' current roster who played in that game was 7-foot senior Nate Bittle, who has been one of Oregon's best players so far this season. Bittle's 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game lead the Ducks so far this season, and the big man also averages two blocked shots per game. Texas A&M guard Zhuric Phelps, a transfer from SMU, leads the Aggies in scoring at 16 points per game. Taylor adds 14 points per game. The Aggies could be the best defensive team the Ducks will have seen this season. A&M is allowing teams to shoot only 36.6 percent in games. Head coach Buzz Williams and his staff are hoping the team gets better at taking charges on defense, as the Aggies have just one so far this season. "I guess the thing that you work on most is verticality around the rim," Texas A&M assistant coach Steve Roccaforte told KBTX television. "‘Hey, once you get there, if you try and take a charge, it's going to be a block. Just jump as high as you can, stay vertical, try to go chest-to-chest. Make it a hard shot.'" Oregon is coming off a 78-75 win at Oregon State, the Ducks' first road game of the season. The Ducks trailed by 10 points at halftime but, as they have in several games this season, they found a rhythm on offense in the second half and came up with a comeback win. Bittle's 23 points and 14 rebounds led the way. Jackson Shelstad had 15 points and Jadrian Tracey and Keeshawn Barthelemy both added 10. "We started rebounding the ball a little better. Nate really got it going inside and our guys got him the ball," Oregon head coach Dana Altman told the school's athletics website. "He had a heck of a game." --Field Level MediaQuestion: What albums should every guitarist listen to and why? Greg Koch - Guest Picker Recorded in 1964, this album has been essential listening for generations of guitarists. Going from the gut, I would say B.B. King’s would be something every guitar player should listen to as it is the well from where every other electric blues guitar player drank from—whether they know it or not. is another one, but is really the essence of what electric blues is all about. Another worthy choice is this live album from 1966 which features an incredible take on Willie Nelson’s “Night Life.” I would say playing slide in open tunings. I have been playing mostly standard tuning for the simple convenience of it, but nothing is quite as filthy as playing slide in open G or open E. I’ve been bringing out two guitars specifically for those two tunings and it’s been a lot of fun. Bret Boyer - Reader of the Month Recorded in a single take in 1971, Spence’s vocal style complemented his folky, angular guitar approach. If you’ve never listened to the Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence, you are in for a treat. Joseph is such a unique guitar player and singer, and his music is the purest expression of joy I’ve heard on an album. Start with it’s a great reminder to have fun and be yourself. Hub Hildenbrand’s music is very personal and unlike anything I’ve heard on guitar. Check out the album . He even bows his 1953 archtop on two tracks. Hub draws deeply from non-Western music, with a strong influence from the oud tradition in his playing. His music is quiet, deeply reflective, and searching. Nick Millevoi - Senior Editor Steve Reich’s “Electric Counterpoint,” the original version performed by Pat Metheny. It shows that since the guitar is capable of anything, you might as well use it to do exactly what you want to do and have some fun. And for experimentalists, it’s a great reminder that there’s so much you can do using nice, tonal chords. The EHX Attack Decay has been delivering loads of inspiration lately. After buying one earlier this year, it hasn’t left my board. The premise is simple—create swells with controls for attack and decay speeds—which leaves so much to be discovered. Ted Drozdowski - Editorial Director Son House’s , because it’s a reminder that music is something elemental. It comes from the soil and is more deeply embedded in us than our own DNA. House’s performances are Heaven and Hell, doubt and surety, love and death. It’s that raw, true, and beautifully imperfect—poetry that breathes. Prog rock, thanks to recently experiencing the BEAT Tour and David Gilmour live in the same week. That reminded me of how sublime prog can be when it functions on an empathetic level first. My bedrock for prog remains . The picture associated with this month’s Dojo is one of my all-time favorites. Taken in 1916, it marks the collision of two diverging cultural epochs. Mountain Chief, the head of the Piegan Blackfeet Tribe, sings into a powered solely by spring-loaded tension outside the Smithsonian. Across from him sits whom I consider the patron saint of American —the great Frances Densmore. You can feel the scope and weight of the ancient culture of the American West, and the presence of the then-ongoing women’s suffrage movement, which was three years from succeeding at getting the 19th Amendment passed by Congress. That would later happen on June 4, 1919—the initiative towards granting all women of this country the right to vote. (All American citizens, including Black women, were not granted suffrage until 1965.) Densmore traversed the entire breadth of the country, hauling her gramophone wax cylinder recorders into remote tribal lands, capturing songs by the Seminole in southern Florida, the Yuma in California, the Chippewa in Wisconsin, Quinailet songs in Northern Washington, and, of course, Mountain Chief outside the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Author of more than 20 books and 200 articles, she carefully preserved the rich cultural diversity of Native Americans with over 2,500 field recordings. Why am I writing about this? Firstly, to pay homage! Secondly, because it serves as a great reminder to seek and cultivate sound the studio as well. We live in a time of great technological power and convenience. Every week a new sample pack, plugin, pedal, or software instrument hits the market. For all the joy that these offerings bring, they deprive us of the joy of creating our own instruments from scratch. This month, I’m advocating for you to make some field recordings of your own—nature, urban, indoor, outdoor, specific locations, animals, or anything that piques your interest! Bring the material back to the studio and make music with it! I’ll show you how to make your own sample libraries to use in your music. Tighten up your belts, a multipart Dojo is now open. What do you need to get started? Quite simply, you just need any device that is capable of recording. This can range from your cell phone to a dedicated r. The real question is: Do you want to use mics housed in handheld units or have more robust mic pres with the ability to power larger live/studio microphones using XLR connectors found with the larger units? Let’s look at three scenarios. The Cellular Approach The absolute easiest way to get started is with your cell phone. Take advantage of a voice-memo recording app, or use an app that records multitrack audio like GarageBand on iOS. Phone recordings tend to sound very compressed and slightly lo-fi—which might be exactly what you want. However, the method can also introduce unwanted noise artifacts like low-end rumble (from handling the phone) and phasing (moving the mic while recording). I recommend using a tripod to hold your phone still while recording. You might also want to consider using an external mic and some software to edit your sample recordings on the phone. I like using a Koala Sampler ($4.99) on iOS devices. Upgrade Me The next step up is to use a portable recorder. These have much better mic pres, and offer true stereo recording with pivoting mic heads. This can give you the added benefit of controlling the width of your stereo image when recording or helping isolate two sound sources that are apart from each other. You sacrifice the ability to easily edit your recordings. You simply import them into your computer and edit the recording(s) from there. Pro-Level Quality I would recommend this scenario if you want to record multiple sources at once. These devices also have SMPTE time code, 60+ dB of gain, phantom power (+48 volts), advanced routing, and a 32-bit/192 kHz sampling rate, so you’ll never have a distorted recording even when the meter gets unexpectedly pegged into the red from a loud sound source. I recommend the Zoom F8n Pro ($1099). Now you can use your microphones! Best Practices Try to safely record as close to the sound source as you can to minimize ambient noise and really scrub through your recordings to find little snippets and sound “nuggets” that can make great material for creating your own instrument and sample library—which we’ll explore next month! Namaste. There’s a visceral feeling that goes along with really cranking the gain. Whether you’re using a clean amp or an already dirty setup, adding more gain can inspire you to play in an entirely different way. Below are a handful of pedals that can take you from classic crunch to death metal doom—and beyond. The Viking king of shred guitar has distilled his high-octane tone into a simple, two-knob overdrive. Designed for going into an already dirty amp, this stomp offers clarity, harmonics, and more. Few pedals captured the sound of Swedish death metal like the HM-2. The go-to setting is simple—all knobs maxed out. Flip over to the custom mode for more tonal range, higher gain, and thicker low end. Voiced with an aggressive, heavy tone with a tight low end, this pedal offers +/- 14 dB of bass, a powerful noise gate, and an LED to let you know when the gate is on. Aimed to capture the sound of Mike Soldano’s flagship tube amp, the SLO uses the same cascading gain stages as the 100-watt head. It also has a side-mounted deep switch to add low-end punch. We chat with Molly about Sister Rosetta’s “immediately impressive” playing, which blends jazz, gospel, chromaticism, and blues into an early rock ‘n’ roll style that was not only way ahead of its time but was also truly rockin’. In the early ’60s, some of the British guitarists who would shape the direction of our instrument for decades to come all found themselves at a concert by . What they heard from Tharpe and what made her performances so special—her sound, her energy—must have resonated. Back at home in the U.S., she was a captivating presence, wowing audiences going back to her early days in church through performing the first stadium rock ‘n’ roll concert—which was also one of her weddings—and beyond. Her guitar playing was incendiary, energetic, and a force to be reckoned with. On this episode of , we’re joined by guitarist , who in addition to being a fantastic guitarist, educator, bandleader, and performing with , is a bit of a Sister Rosetta scholar. We chat with Molly about Sister Rosetta’s “immediately impressive” playing, which blends jazz, gospel, chromaticism, and blues into an early rock ‘n’ roll style that was not only way ahead of its time but was also truly rockin’. I love to learn, and I don’t enjoy history kicking my ass. In other words, if my instrument-making predecessors— , , Christian Martin, John Heiss, Antonio de Torres, G.B. Guadagnini, and Antonio Stradivari, to name a few—made an instrument that took my breath away when I played it, and it sounded better than what I had made, I wanted to know not just what they had done, but what they understood that I didn’t understand yet. And because it was clear to me that these masters understood some things that I didn’t, I would go down rabbit holes. I am not a violin maker, but I’ve had my hands on some of Guadagnini’s and Stradivari’s instruments. While these instruments sounded wildly different, they had an unusual quality: the harder you plucked them the louder they got. That was enough to push me further down the rabbit hole of physics in instrument making. What made them special is a combination of deep understanding and an ability to tune the instrument and its vibrating surfaces so that it produced an extraordinary sound, full of harmonics and very little compression. It was the beginning of a document we live by at called . My art is electric and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, and speaker cabinets. So, I study bridge materials and designs, wood species and drying, tuning pegs, truss rods, pickups, finishes, neck shapes, inlays, electronics, Fender/Marshall/ amp theories, schematics, parts, and overall aesthetics. I can’t tell you how much better I feel when I come to an understanding about what these masters knew, in combination with what we can manufacture in our facilities today. One of my favorite popular beliefs is, “The reason Stradivari violins sound good is because of the sheep’s uric acid they soaked the wood in.” (I, too, have believed that to be true.) The truth is, it’s never just one thing: it’s a combination of complicated things. The problem I have is that I never hear anyone say the reason Stradivari violins sound good is because he really knew what he was doing. You don’t become a master of your craft by happenstance; you stay deeply curious and have an insatiable will to learn, apply what you learn, and progress. What’s interesting to me is, if a master passes away, everything they believed on the day they finished an instrument in that instrument. These acoustic and electric guitars, violins, drums, amplifiers, speaker cabinets—they will all talk to you if you listen. They will you what their maker believed the day they were made. In my world, you have to be a detective. I love that process. I’ve had a chance to speak to the master himself. Leo , who was not a direct teacher of mine but did teach me through his instruments, used to come by our booth at NAMM to pay his respects to the “new guitar maker.” I thought that was beautiful. I also got a chance to talk to Forrest White, who was Leo’s production manager, right before he passed away. What he wanted to know was, “How’d I do?” I said, “Forrest, you did great.” They wanted to know their careers and contributions were appreciated and would continue. In my experience, great teachers throw a piece of meat over the fence to see if the dog will bite it. They don’t want to teach someone who doesn’t really want to learn and won’t continue their legacy and/or the art they were involved in. While I have learned so much from the masters who were gone before my time, I have also found that the best teaching is done one-on-one. Along my journey from high school bedroom to the world’s stages, I enrolled scores of teachers to help me. I didn’t enroll them. I tackled them. I went after their knowledge and experience, which I needed for my own knowledge base to do this jack-of-all-trades job called guitar making and to lead a company without going out of business. I’ve spent most of my career going down rabbit holes. Whether it’s wood, pickups, designs, metals, finishes, etc., I pay attention to all of it. Mostly, I’m looking backward to see how to go forward. Recently, we’ve been going more and more forward, and I can’t tell you how good that feels. For me, being a detective and learning is lifesaving for the company’s products and my own well-being. Sometimes it takes a few days to come to what I believe. The majority of the time it’s 12 months. Occasionally, I’ll study something for a decade before I make up my mind in a strong way, and someone will then challenge that with another point of view. I’ll change my mind again, but mostly the decade decisions stick. I believe the lesson I’m hitting is “be very curious!” Find teachers. Stay a student. Become a teacher. Go down all the rabbit holes.
No. 23 Texas A&M aims to hand Oregon first loss at Players Era
No. 23 Texas A&M aims to hand Oregon first loss at Players Era
Apply our bet365 bonus code ATHLON365 to lock a bonus for the Monday Night Football showdown between the Ravens and Chargers. Start with this welcome offer and find daily same-game parlay boosts on the app. Register with our bet365 bonus code and place a $5 bet on any game for a guaranteed $150 bonus. This is the most popular option, but new customers can choose the $1K first-bet safety net instead. Thanksgiving week means we get three football games Thursday, but first, the Ravens and Chargers will wrap Week 12 with a crucial AFC matchup. Both teams are jockeying for a spot in the playoff field and remain within reach of division title.s Bet $5 with our bet365 bonus code ATHLON365 to redeem a $150 bonus or unlock a $1K first-bet safety net Bet365 Bonus Code ATHLON365 for Ravens-Changers Let's take a look at how this offer works. Players can select either bonus to score significant Monday Night Football value. With the $150 bonus offer, simply wager $5 on either side of the game. Win or lose, the bonus bets will net out after the game concludes -- along with a potential cash win on the qualifying wager. With the $1,000 Safety Net option, let's say you back the Ravens to win and cover -2.5 points. Let's then say the Chargers go on to pull off the minor home upset. If so, bet365 Sportsbook will refund that loss with a match in bonus bets that can then be played ahead this holiday week. How to Claim Bet365 Bonus Code ATHLON365 Let's take a look at how you can pick between a bet $5, get $150 bonus or the ability to get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets on your first wager. Win or lose, your first $5 bet will result in a $150 bonus. And a loss with the safety-net offer will cause a bonus refund. Ravens vs. Chargers Odds Boosts All NFL games have a list of same-game parlay boosts within the app, so Monday Night Football is no different. Certain parlays have enhanced odds, giving you the chance at larger potential winnings. These are just a few of the options available for Ravens-Chargers: Check back throughout to find a list of same-game parlay boosts for NBA action and, of course, Thanksgiving Day NFL action. New customers who use our bet365 bonus code ATHLON365 can score a $150 bonus or wager up to $1,000 on any game. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
Lawyers for a voting machine company that’s suing Fox News want to question founder Rupert Murdoch about his contentious efforts to change his family trust , the attorneys told a court Monday. Election-tech company Smartmatic's $2.7 billion defamation suit regards Fox's reporting on 2020 voting fraud claims. But Smartmatic’s attorneys suggest the separate succession fight over Murdoch's media empire might shed light on any Fox Corp. involvement in editorial matters. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Adams has 19 as CSU Northridge defeats Denver 89-60
Miley Cyrus Makes Rare Comment on Ex Liam HemsworthRico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players' association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. No further details on Carty's death were provided. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
BREAKING: Former United States President Is Dead
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants organization got exactly what it deserved in getting blown out by Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants were embarrassed in Sunday's 30-7 loss , taunted by Mayfield after a touchdown run just before halftime. And then they saw their fans walk out on them again when the Bucs extended their lead to 30-0 and sent New York (2-9) to its sixth straight loss. The losing streak is the longest for the Giants since 2019, when they dropped a franchise-record nine straight games to finish 4-12. That led to the firing of coach Pat Shurmur after two seasons. Third-year coach Brian Daboll is clearly in trouble, with the Giants guaranteed a second straight losing season. They were 6-11 in a 2023 season that featured a lot of injuries. Daboll, who denies he has lost the team, isn't the only one whose job is in jeopardy. General manager Joe Schoen is on the hot seat and so is this entire franchise, which is celebrating its 100th year. It's one thing to lose. It's quite another to give up, and that's what the organization did when it decided to bench Daniel Jones a week ago and then release him on Friday after the 27-year-old asked co-owner John Mara to let him walk away. While he wasn't playing well, Jones was the Giants' best quarterback. He gave them more a of chance to win than either Tommy DeVito or Drew Lock. Removing him from the picture was all but certain to make the Giants worse, even if it was a good business decision. If Jones was hurt and unable the pass his physical before the 2025 season, the team would have been on the hook for a $23 million cap hit. The problem is the players care about now. By getting rid of Jones and elevating DeVito to the starting role, the front office was telling the team it didn't care about winning with seven games left in the season. So the players gave a lackluster effort. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence called the team soft. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers said he was sick of losing. Left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said he saw a lack of effort by some players. What they all were saying was they were angry at being betrayed. Money is never more important than winning, and the Giants made that mistake. At this point in the season? Nothing. The offense once again. The Giants have scored a league-low 163 points, including only 60 in six games at MetLife Stadium, where they are winless this season. They have scored in double figures at home twice. Daboll's team has been held scoreless in the first half in three of 11 games and it has been held without a first-half touchdown seven times. Daboll said he will continue to call the offensive plays. S Tyler Nubin. The rookie has had a team-high 12 tackles in each of the last two games. His 81 tackles for the season are just two behind team leader Bobby Okereke. RB Tyrone Tracy. The rookie leads Giants running backs with 587 yards on 116 carries — a 5.1-yard average for the fifth-round pick. But holding onto the ball has been a big issue. Tracy's fumble in overtime cost New York a chance to win in Germany against Carolina. He also lost the ball in the third quarter at the Bucs 5-yard line with New York down 23-0. It earned him a seat on the bench. LT Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) and OLB Azeez Ojulari (toe) left Sunday's game in the first quarter. Chris Hubbard filled in at tackle and the Giants luckily got back DL Kayvon Thibodeaux this past week after he missed five games with a broken wrist. DeVito was banged up but Daboll expects him to start against the Cowboys. 10 — The Giants have gone 10 consecutive games without an interception, tying the NFL record held by the 1976-77 San Francisco 49ers and the 2017 Oakland — now Las Vegas — Raiders. The Giants and Raiders now share the single-season mark. A national showcase on Thanksgiving Day for the NFC-worst Giants at Dallas. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLThe Giants were a no-show against the Bucs after releasing quarterback Daniel Jones
Have you ever heard of the term Digital Detox and its impact? In today’s world, we humans spend a lot of time with various digital screens. This term emerged from our inability to break free from the rapidly changing landscape of cultural communication. So, in this article, I will share with you what I understand about Digital Detox. Starting a digital detoxification begins with setting clear and meaningful goals. Take some time to reflect on why you feel the need to take a break from technology and what you want to gain from it. Perhaps you’re aiming to reduce stress caused by constant notifications and online demands, or maybe you want to improve your sleep quality by stepping away from screens before bedtime. Your goal could also be as simple as spending more quality time with your family and friends, free from digital distractions. Whatever your reasons, having a clear purpose will help keep you motivated and focused throughout your detox journey. Creating boundaries is a key step in a successful digital detox. Start by setting specific times during your day or week when you commit to being device-free. For instance, you might decide to put your phone away during meals so you can focus on enjoying your food and connecting with those around you. Another idea is to establish a screen-free routine before bedtime to help your mind unwind and improve your sleep quality. You could even dedicate entire weekends to disconnecting from devices and engaging in offline activities. These boundaries allow you to take control of your time, fostering healthier habits and a better balance between your digital and real-world life. Informing others about your digital detox is an important step to ensure success. Let your friends, family, and colleagues know about your plan so they can understand why you might be less available or slower to respond. By sharing your goals, you also invite their support, which can help you stay committed. For example, your loved ones might refrain from sending unnecessary messages or help you stick to your boundaries by encouraging offline activities. Open communication ensures that those around you won’t misinterpret your reduced online presence and can even inspire them to join you in prioritizing real-world connections. Finding alternatives to screen time is a crucial part of a successful digital detox. Instead of reaching for your devices, explore activities that allow you to unplug and focus on the present moment. For example, immerse yourself in a captivating book, which can transport you to another world and stimulate your imagination. You might also enjoy going for a walk, which not only helps clear your mind but also keeps you physically active. Picking up a new hobby, such as painting, gardening, or cooking, is another excellent way to spend your time productively and creatively. By replacing screen time with fulfilling offline activities, you’ll discover new interests and enjoy a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. Using technology mindfully is an essential part of maintaining a balanced digital detox. Instead of defaulting to mindless scrolling through social media or getting lost in endless online content, make a conscious effort to use your devices with intention. For instance, if you’re online, focus on activities that are productive or enriching, such as learning a new skill, connecting meaningfully with friends, or managing essential tasks. Set limits on your screen time and be aware of how you’re using technology, ensuring it adds value to your life rather than simply filling time. This mindful approach helps you stay in control and prevents digital habits from dominating your day. A gradual reduction in screen time is an effective way to ease into a digital detox and make the transition more manageable. Instead of abruptly cutting off your device usage, start small by setting achievable daily limits. For example, you could begin by reducing the time you spend on social media by 15 minutes each day or turning off your devices an hour before bed. Over time, these small changes will add up, helping you adjust without feeling overwhelmed. This step-by-step approach not only makes the detox more sustainable but also allows you to build healthier digital habits at a pace that works for you. One of the greatest benefits of a digital detox is improved mental health. Constant exposure to social media and the endless stream of notifications can often lead to stress and anxiety, as people feel pressured to stay connected or compare themselves to others online. By stepping away from these digital distractions, you give your mind a much-needed break, allowing you to relax and focus on the present. Over time, reduced screen time can lead to a calmer, more balanced mindset, helping you feel more in control of your emotions and less overwhelmed by the demands of the digital world. A digital detox can lead to better sleep, especially when you reduce screen time in the hours before bedtime. The blue light emitted by screens interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. By stepping away from devices in the evening, you allow your body to follow its natural sleep-wake cycle. This simple change can result in deeper, more restorative sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed and energized the next day. Over time, this improved sleep quality contributes to better overall health and well-being. A digital detox can greatly enhance your focus and productivity. When you cut down on the constant digital distractions, such as checking notifications or scrolling through social media, it becomes easier to concentrate on important tasks. Without the interruptions of emails, messages, or apps, your mind can focus more deeply on what you’re doing, leading to better results in less time. This increase in productivity allows you to accomplish more, whether at work, school or in personal projects, while also feeling more satisfied with your progress. Over time, the habit of reducing distractions will help you develop stronger focus and a more efficient work routine. A digital detox can lead to stronger relationships by fostering more face-to-face interactions and quality time with your loved ones. When you reduce screen time, you’re more present and attentive, allowing you to engage in meaningful conversations without distractions. Spending uninterrupted time together helps deepen emotional connections and create lasting memories. Whether it’s enjoying a meal together, playing games, or simply having a heartfelt chat, these moments strengthen bonds and improve communication. By prioritizing real-world connections over digital ones, you’ll cultivate deeper, more fulfilling relationships that are built on genuine connections and shared experiences. Taking a break from screens can significantly boost your creativity. Without the constant noise and information overload from digital devices, your mind has the freedom to wander and think more deeply. This mental space allows for new ideas to emerge and creative solutions to form. Engaging in offline activities like walking, journaling, or simply daydreaming can help your brain make connections it might not have otherwise, leading to fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. By stepping away from screens, you allow yourself to tap into your creative potential and explore new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Reducing screen time can have a positive impact on your physical health by encouraging more movement and less sedentary behaviour. When you’re not spending hours in front of a screen, you’re more likely to engage in physical activities like walking, exercising, or even simple tasks like cleaning and cooking. These activities help reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, such as obesity, poor posture, and heart disease. By prioritizing movement and spending less time on devices, you improve your overall fitness and energy levels, which leads to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Contemplating the importance of a digital detox reveals the profound impact technology has on our daily lives and well-being. In our hyper-connected world, constant notifications, social media pressures, and screen time can lead to increased stress and anxiety. By stepping back and setting meaningful goals for a digital detox, individuals can regain control over their lives, reduce mental clutter, and enhance their overall quality of life. Reflecting on the reasons behind the need for a detox – whether it’s to improve sleep, strengthen relationships, or simply find more time for personal growth – can provide the motivation needed to commit to the process and achieve lasting benefits. Furthermore, the practice of creating boundaries and finding alternatives to screen time can foster healthier habits and a more balanced lifestyle. By setting aside device-free times, such as during meals or before bedtime, individuals can engage more deeply with the world around them and reconnect with loved ones. Exploring offline activities like reading, walking, or pursuing new hobbies not only helps reduce screen dependence but also stimulates creativity and personal development. This mindful approach to technology use encourages a more intentional and fulfilling way of living, where digital tools enhance rather than dominate one’s life. All in all, a digital detox offers numerous benefits that extend beyond just reducing screen time. It promotes improved mental health, better sleep, heightened focus, and stronger relationships. By setting clear goals, establishing boundaries, and mindfully using technology, individuals can achieve a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. The key lies in taking small, gradual steps to make the transition manageable and sustainable. As people become more conscious of their digital habits, they can enjoy the positive changes that a digital detox brings, ultimately leading to a more satisfying and enriched life.
Congress Appoints Qazi Nizamuddin AICC In-Charge Of Delhi Ahead Of Assembly Polls
AUSTIN, Texas — This article was originally published by our content partners at the Texas Tribune. Read the original article here . Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Wednesday against chemical giants 3M and DuPont, accusing them of decades-long misrepresentations and omissions regarding the safety of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” sold for use in countless consumer products. These products, sold under brand names such as Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard, have been staples in households across the nation despite mounting evidence that they contain chemicals that are harmful to human health. “These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,” Paxton said in a press release. “Texas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.” Daniel Turner, a spokesperson for DuPont, said in an email that the company has never manufactured PFOA and PFOS — two types of PFAS chemicals — or firefighting foam. "While we don’t comment on litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship," Turned wrote. Representatives of 3M could not be immediately reached for comment. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, belong to a family of manmade chemicals used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Some estimates list more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS. They’ve been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s and have earned the name “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to certain types of cancer , birth defects, damage to the liver and immune system. They also accumulate in animals, plants, and humans, contaminating drinking water and even circulating in human blood. The lawsuit was filed in Johnson County nine days after a Texas Tribune story featured farmers in that county who have sued a fertilizer company, alleging the fertilizer they sell, which is made from municipal waste, contained PFAS that poisoned their land and killed their livestock. The farmers say they are not able to make a living off their own land because of the contamination. Dana Ames, the environmental crime investigator for Johnson County who discovered the contamination on the farmers' land, said the lawsuit represents a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against PFAS contamination. "I was over the moon. It's a legal issue and he's [Paxton] our top lawyer for the state so I am very encouraged to see that he has taken this action," Ames said. Many other farmers in other parts of the country have also shut down their operations due to PFAS contamination after using fertilizer made from “biosolids” produced from human waste. According to the lawsuit, 3M and DuPont marketed their PFAS products for more than 70 years despite knowing the dangers for more than half a century. The suit alleges that the companies concealed critical risks, misrepresented safety claims, and continued promoting the chemicals as safe for consumer use. Texas had already taken legal action against PFAS manufacturers, including a lawsuit against Aqueous Film Forming Foam, a firefighting product that has polluted Texas lands and waterways. “Attorney General Paxton has been at the forefront of holding companies responsible for exposing people to dangerous 'forever chemicals.' ” said a statement from the AG’s office. “Today’s lawsuit marks a new stage in PFAS litigation.” Texas has found PFAS contamination in some drinking water systems: Nearly 50 public water systems across the state have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly-released PFAS limits for drinking water. Related Articles 'This chemical is toxic'| Residents in a rural town of North Texas are speaking out against the use of biosolids fertilizer 'Forever chemicals' on Texas land? EPA puts $3.2M into PFAS biosolids research Actor Mark Ruffalo urges Biden administration to take swift action on 'forever chemicals' before Trump takes office
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BUFFALO — Richard Pyle and Zander Peterson scored a goal and assisted on another for the Brainerd Warriors in a 6-3 loss to the Buffalo Bison Saturday, Nov. 23. After falling 3-0, Brainerd scored all three of its goals in the second period. Cooper Katzenberger tallied the other with assists going to Pyle and Chad King. ADVERTISEMENT Brainerd’s Gaje Germundson and Dylan Wikoff also recorded assists. Six different players scored for Buffalo.
BILLINGS, MONT. — The University of Jamestown women’s basketball team sailed to a comfortable 85-47 win over the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Canada) on Sunday, Dec. 29, at Rocky Mountain College’s Fortin Education Center. The Jimmies held the Trojans to 2-for-14 from three and 3-for-13 from the free throw line while the Jimmies shot 16-for-41 from three and 19-for-27 from the free throw line. ADVERTISEMENT The Trojans (8-2) started the game taking a 4-0 lead before the Jimmies’ Jailyn Martinson hit two at the stripe to give her team a 5-4 lead. The Jimmies never trailed again taking a 19-9 lead into the second quarter. The Jimmies (11-1) took their largest lead of the day to that point midway through the second quarter when Kate Cordes hit a layup to make it 34-19. The Jimmies kept it up from there taking a 39-25 lead into the half. Late in the third quarter, the Jimmies were able to take a 24-point lead into the final quarter of play. With 34 seconds to go in the game, the Jimmies’ Jessica Oberlander hit a free throw to give her team an 85-45 lead. The Jimmies' lopsided margin meant they could go down their bench with 14 players making an appearance and 12 players scoring. The Jimmies are back in action at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, when they go to Valley City State University. UJ 85, SAIT 47 UJ: 19 20 21 25–85 ADVERTISEMENT SAIT: 9 16 13 9–47 Points leaders: UJ: Jayden Wiest 21, Kate Cordes 16, Reagan Johnson 11 SAIT: Brook Baker 11, Kitawna Sparks 11, Macy Mulholland 6, Keneisha Nepinak 6, Addison Lybbert 4 Assists leaders: UJ: Hali Savela 3, Jessika Lofstrom 3, Kate Busek 3, Wiest 2, Sarah Lenz 2, Cordes 1, Johnson 1, Jailyn Martinson 1 SAIT: Baker 4, Lauren Bailey 2, Kyler Varga 2, Mulholland 1, Nepinak 1, Jaida Wells 1 ADVERTISEMENT Leading rebounders: UJ: Hannah Hagel 7, Jessika Lofstrom 6, Martinson 6, Busek 5, Megan Oswald 5, Hali Savela 4, Cordes 4, Johnson 4, Jessica Oberlander 2 SAIT: Baker 12, Sparks 6, Lucia Monroe 2, Nepinak 2, Wells 1, Varga 1, Mulholland 1, Shelby Dean 1Recce Pharmaceuticals secures Australian patent for anti-infectives; covered in all major markets