December 12, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by University of Bath From choosing gifts and sending cards to planning Christmas dinner, the holiday season can feel like an avalanche of mental to-do lists. New research from the University of Bath and the University of Melbourne, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family , reveals that mothers overwhelmingly carry this "mental load" while dads often take a back seat. And it's not just during Christmas—this imbalance happens every day of the year. The "mental load," also known as "cognitive household labor" refers to the thinking work needed to keep family life running smoothly. This includes scheduling, planning, and organizing tasks. The study, conducted in the US, found that mothers take on seven in ten (71%) of all household mental load tasks. These tasks range from planning meals and arranging activities to managing household finances. The research team analyzed data from 3,000 US parent respondents, examining the share of common mental load tasks they typically manage in their household. Single moms and dads take on the full mental load. Single dads, in particular, do significantly more compared to partnered fathers. The study focuses on individual parents rather than couples, so the findings reflect one parent's perspective rather than a shared view. It also includes parents from a wide range of family types, including LGBTQ+ and single parents, making the results relevant to diverse households. Dr. Ana Catalano Weeks, a political scientist from the Department of Politics, Languages & international Studies at the University of Bath said, "This kind of work is often unseen, but it matters. It can lead to stress, burnout and even impact women's careers. In many cases, resentment can build, creating strain between couples. We hope our research sparks conversations about sharing the mental load more fairly—something that benefits everyone." The gender divide in the mental load doesn't just affect family life—it impacts women in the workplace and public life. A recent Gallup study shows working mothers are twice as likely as fathers to consider reducing their hours or leaving their jobs due to parental responsibilities. Dr. Catalano Weeks said, "Going forward, the challenge for governments and employers who care about attracting the top talent is how to create policies that are supportive of both mothers and fathers sharing the unpaid work at home. One policy that comes to mind is well-paid, gender-neutral parental leave—which both the UK and US are way behind on compared to the rest of Europe." So, this Christmas, if you're wondering who's doing the mental heavy lifting—it's probably mom. The researchers encourage families to take the first step: talk about the mental load, make a plan, and work together to make the holidays—and every day—more balanced. More information: Ana Catalano Weeks et al, A typology of US parents' mental loads: Core and episodic cognitive labor, Journal of Marriage and Family (2024). DOI: 10.1111/jomf.13057 Journal information: Journal of Marriage and Family Provided by University of Bath
Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’Lakers star LeBron James is currently out of play for the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach JJ Redick says the absence is fully excused. In a chat with reporters this week, the Lakers coach first confirmed that LeBron was unlikely to play due to "personal reasons." "LeBron is not with the team right now," said JJ Redick via Shams Charania . "He's out for personal reasons, excused absence." James was out of the rotation in the Lakers' 107-98 loss to the Trail Blazers and Anthony Davis led the way for them with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks on 47.65 shooting. LeBron was officially ruled out with a sore foot but now it seems he's taking a break from the team entirely in order to get himself back on track. This season, the 22nd for James, he's been off his game with averages of 23.0 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game on 49.5% shooting. After a hot start, he hit a major scoring slump and it's got him down to 35.9% shooting from deep. While his stats are still better than most, LeBron hasn't playedup to his usual standards this season and it's holding the Lakers back. In the Lakers' 29-point loss to the Timberwolves last week, James had one of his worst games of the season with just 10 points and 4 assists on 25.0% shooting. To LeBron's credit, he has responded to these recent struggles by posting back-to-back high-scoring games but he looks exhausted on the court and the grind to keep up with the league's top teams is taking a tool. At 39 years old, it's no secret that the end is near for LeBron James' career but he had dreams of making one last title run before it was all said and done. As it stands now, the Lakers appear to be in a steep decline at the moment and it might be causing LeBron to re-think some of his plans. LeBron is not the player he used to be and since the Lakers are still not good enough to edge out the competition, it puts them in a precarious position in the West. For the sake of respect and nostalgia, they could keep their star duo together but it might be best for everyone if all sides involved just go their separate ways. As a 4x champion, 4x MVP, and 20x All-Star, LeBron's legacy as one of the best is already set and he has nothing left to prove in the NBA. After sharing the court with his son Bronny and setting him up for a future in the league, LeBron has nothing left to play for unless it's to win a championship and enhance his legacy even further. For now, James' status for tomorrow's game is still described as "unlikely" but anything can change if he returns before the game ready and healthy to play. But amid a difficult season for LeBron and the Lakers, it's possible that he needs this time to re-consider his approach and get his game right before the season is out of reach. The game tomorrow is set for 8:00 PM EST at Target Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves . With or without LeBron, it will be a tough matchup for the Lakers. They don't head back home until December 15th for a game against the Memphis Grizzlie s at Crypto.com arena at 9:30 PM EST. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.Travis Hunter named AP player of the yearShares of Targa Resources ( TRGP -0.30% ) were blistering hot in 2024. The midstream company was up more than 105% heading into the final trading days of the year. Add in its dividend, and the total return was even higher. That absolutely crushed the S&P 500 , which had a very strong year by delivering a total return of almost 30%. Here's a look at what fueled the energy stock's rally this year, and whether it has the power to continue producing market-crushing returns in 2025. A record-breaking year Targa Resources had a very strong year in 2024. The pipeline company delivered a record $1.1 billion of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ( EBITDA ) during the third quarter . The midstream company handled record volumes during the period across its Permian, natural gas liquids (NGL) transportation, and fractionation assets (fractionators separate NGLs into pure streams of ethane, propane, butane, and other products). One factor fueling its record earnings and volumes was the recent completion of several organic expansion projects. The company completed the Daytona NGL Pipeline expansion in the third quarter. It also started up the new 120,000-barrel-per-day Train 9 fractionator in Texas in the first quarter, and completed its new Wildcat II natural gas processing plant in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company's strong showing has it on track to deliver adjusted EBITDA above the top end of its $3.95 billion to $4.05 billion range in 2024. That suggests around 15% growth compared to 2023's record of $3.5 billion, which was 22% above 2022's level. It's much faster than the roughly 8% growth rate the company initially expected this year. Targa's growing earnings have allowed it to return more cash to shareholders this year. It boosted its dividend by 50% and repurchased $646.7 million of its shares through Q3. Meanwhile, the company's growing earnings have helped lower its leverage ratio , which is now in the lower half of its 3.0 to 4.0 times target range. As a result, the company received credit rating upgrades in August, pushing it another notch into investment-grade territory. That's reducing its borrowing costs while enabling it to get better terms from lenders. Hitting an inflection point in 2025 Targa Resources has been investing heavily in expanding its midstream network in response to strong demand from its producing customers. The company currently has several additional expansion projects on track to enter commercial service over the next two years. It has six more natural gas processing plants under construction that should enter commercial service through Q3 2026. It also has another NGL fractionator under construction (Q3 2026 in-service date) and an expansion of its Galena Park terminal (second half of 2025). On top of that, it invested in a joint venture building a new natural gas pipeline, which should enter service in the second half of 2026. However, while the company has several expansion projects underway, its capital spending should moderate in 2025. It expected growth capital spending of $2.7 billion in 2024, higher than its initial range ($2.3 billion to $2.5 billion) due to higher-than-anticipated volume growth on its Permian system. The company currently anticipates that capital spending will be around $1.7 billion next year. While that's an increase from its initial expectations of $1.4 billion, it represents a roughly $1 billion decline from 2024's level. That lower capital spending level will free up significant cash. Meanwhile, its expansion projects will further increase its cash flow. These catalysts will give the midstream company more money to return to investors. That gave Targa the confidence to boost its dividend by another 33% for 2025, which will raise its dividend yield to 2.2% from its current level of 1.7%. Meanwhile, the company has about $1.1 billion remaining on its current share repurchase authorization. The fuel to continue rallying Targa Resources has a lot of momentum heading into 2025. The midstream company should continue growing at a solid pace. Meanwhile, its free cash flow should surge, with capital spending on track to decline. That will give it even more money to return to investors. These factors could give the pipeline company the fuel to continue rallying in 2025, especially considering that its valuation is right in line with its peers in the midstream sector, even after its epic rally in 2025. While its shares probably won't see a repeat of 2024's surge, Targa could still produce strong returns in the coming year.
WASHINGTON , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chief Executive Officer of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) expressed his profound thanks to President-elect Donald Trump and extended his heartfelt congratulations to Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor. "On behalf of our 4,000 NECA contractors and the hundreds of thousands of workers they employ across the nation in our nearly quarter trillion-dollar industry, I want to congratulate Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her nomination to head up the Department of Labor," said David Long , CEO of NECA. "Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to fostering economic growth and workforce development make her an outstanding choice to lead the Department of Labor. We are confident she will bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing America's workforce." Representative Chavez-DeRemer has demonstrated a deep understanding of the critical role skilled trades play in building a strong economy. Her support for apprenticeship programs, workforce training initiatives, and fair labor practices aligns with NECA's mission to create a thriving environment for the electrical construction industry and the people who power our nation. "As NECA continues to champion the skilled trades and the electrical construction industry, we look forward to working closely with Representative Chavez-DeRemer to advance policies that ensure a robust workforce, uphold workplace safety, and promote innovation in our sector," Long added. NECA stands ready to collaborate with the Department of Labor under Representative Chavez-DeRemer's leadership to unite the needs of employers, workers, and apprentices across the nation. We extend our best wishes to her for a successful confirmation process and look forward to seeing the positive impact of her work in this critical role. ABOUT THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION NECA is the voice of the $240 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across North America. NECA's national office and 118 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. Go to www.necanet.org for more information. SOURCE National Electrical Contractors Assoc Inc.
House passes bill limiting energy efficiency mandates on home laundry machinesWe live in Orwellian times. The deceitful and antisemitic reporting on the Israeli military campaign in Gaza is a glaring example of the gaslighting endemic in parts of the media, academia, and political discourse across the Western world. This article builds on themes from my earlier piece, Gaslighting and Projection of Orwellian Proportion, to challenge whether this gaslighting stops at Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces—or if it is simply the most visible and egregious example of a broader manipulation. The distinction between persuasion and manipulation, in my judgment, lies in intent. Persuasion seeks to inform and inspire with philanthropic motives, aiming to foster understanding and thoughtful action. Manipulation, by contrast, operates with malign intent, seeking to deceive and control. The reporting on Israel exemplifies manipulation, where distortion and bias have sown mistrust and misunderstanding. This raises broader concerns about the narratives promoted by certain media outlets, academics, and political actors—a pattern suggesting deeper systemic agendas. To better understand this phenomenon, it’s worth looking back, as it becomes increasingly clear that this manipulation has been at play for some time. Consider Menachem Begin and Ronald Reagan, two leaders whose legacies are now widely celebrated but who faced relentless vilification during their time in office. Before his election as Israel’s Prime Minister, Begin was labelled a threat to democracy. David Ben Gurion refused even to mention him by name, referring to him dismissively as “the man in the basement.” Yet Begin achieved what many thought impossible: a peace treaty with Egypt, Israel’s greatest adversary at the time. Similarly, Reagan was dismissed as a “Hollywood actor turned politician,” caricatured by critics as reckless and simplistic. Despite this, he ended the Cold War without firing a shot, revitalised the American economy, and restored confidence in democratic values. The parallels with contemporary figures like Peter Dutton are striking. Leaders such as Australia’s Opposition Leader are frequently castigated as “far right” by media, academia, and political opponents. But this raises an essential question: is Dutton truly far right, or simply far right of those who now find themselves firmly entrenched on the far left? The same voices vilifying Israel and the IDF—sections of the ABC, certain academics, union agitators, and partisan journalists—are often those driving divisive narratives in other domains. Their coordination raises doubts about their trustworthiness and intent. If their approach to Israel is rooted in deception, can their messaging in other areas be trusted? Take nuclear energy policy, for example—a subject outside my area of professional expertise, but one that deserves scrutiny. Across the globe, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a critical component of a sustainable energy future. France generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, making it a leader in low-carbon energy. Canada, too, has embraced nuclear energy as part of its strategy to reduce emissions, with prominent progressive figures like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau advocating for its inclusion in achieving net-zero goals. Even in Australia, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke—a revered Labor leader and iconic figure of progressivism—advocated for nuclear power as a forward-thinking solution to the nation’s energy challenges. He argued that Australia’s vast uranium reserves offered an unparalleled opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure energy security while boosting economic growth. Contrast this with the Albanese Government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen have consistently dismissed nuclear energy as a viable option, citing high costs and long lead times. Bowen recently called nuclear power “the most expensive form of energy,” a claim that critics argue overlooks advancements in technology and the broader economic benefits of a diversified energy portfolio. This shift also extends to foreign policy. For decades, there was bipartisan support for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, with successive Australian governments maintaining a steady alliance with Israel. Recent actions by the Albanese Government, including changes in Australia’s voting patterns at the United Nations, have been perceived by some as a departure from this bipartisan tradition. Critics argue that these moves align Australia with divisive UN resolutions that undermine Israel’s legitimacy, reflecting a broader pivot from the consensus-driven foreign policy of earlier decades. Occam’s Razor, the principle that the simplest explanation is often the correct one, offers insight here. The simplest explanation for the consistent distortion in reporting, policymaking, and public discourse is that much of the left in politics, media, and academia has been overtaken by social Marxists. Social Marxism applies Marxist principles to cultural and social structures rather than economic systems. It divides the world into oppressors and the oppressed, prioritising identity politics and victimhood narratives over truth and shared values. This framework not only explains the distorted reporting on Israel but sheds light on the broader decay in public discourse across the Western world. The connection between manipulation in media and social Marxism becomes clear when one examines how narratives are framed. The same individuals and institutions that distort facts about Israel often exhibit a broader agenda: discrediting traditional values, stifling evidence-based debate, and championing divisive ideologies. Ronald Reagan once warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” This cautionary statement resonates deeply in today’s context, where ideological rigidity and social Marxism threaten to erode democratic resilience. Leadership in such times requires clarity, integrity, and the courage to stand against prevailing tides of manipulation and deceit. Throughout my military career, I learned the importance of valuing actions over rhetoric. Words can be empty vessels, but actions reveal true intent. This principle guided me as I observed sycophants who sought to curry favour through flattery while pursuing self-serving motives. The lesson was clear: substance always outweighs superficiality. This perspective informed my reaction to the recent U.S. Presidential election, when I observed a highly educated Australian Jew catastrophise over the election of the 47th President of the United States of America and its implications for reproductive rights. My own stance on this issue is “pro-choice,” yet I found the hyperventilation unwarranted, especially given the administration’s stated policy of keeping abortions “safe, legal, and rare.” This episode revealed a deeper trend: a political platform so weak that the only strategy left was to vilify the alternative. Convincing the public that the alternative is worse is a hallmark of far-left politics, which relies on division and fear rather than constructive solutions. As I approach the conclusion of this article, I find it necessary to share my assessment: I, like many Australians, have at times been influenced by narratives shaped by social Marxists masquerading as educated and learned progressives. However, I have since begun to see through this manipulation. I encourage readers to take a moment of introspection—to reflect on some of the beliefs you may hold as incontrovertible truths. Who are the voices shaping these narratives, and what are their intentions? Because the same people who lecture us incessantly about genocide and apartheid are often the ones championing other causes, perceptions, and ideologies that I can no longer accept at face value. Abraham Lincoln wisely noted, “You can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” To this, I would add the enduring adage: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Together, these sentiments remind us that discernment is not just a virtue but a necessity, especially in these Orwellian times. The reporting on Israel has taught me a vital lesson: to scrutinise, question, and seek truth—even when it challenges long-held beliefs. In these consequential times, clarity and integrity are not luxuries; they are imperatives. We have agency, and we must put a stop to this madness in 2025.
DirecTV extends its agreement as title sponsor of the Holiday Bowl