NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and Cliff Brunt, The Associated PressIn the world of football, fortunes can change in an instant. From the heights of success to the depths of defeat, the sport offers a rollercoaster of emotions for players, managers, and fans alike. Setien's journey from the 2-8 loss with Barcelona to the recent defeat with Beijing Guoan serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the resilience required to bounce back from adversity.An Iranian singer was hailed as a hero by supporters on Thursday but faced prosecution after giving an online concert not wearing the hijab in defiance of the Islamic dress code. Parastoo Ahmadi streamed the concert on her YouTube channel late on Wednesday. She wears no headscarf and is bare-shouldered in a long, flowing black dress. The concert, with no audience present, was shot inside Iran with Ahmadi and her four-man backing band on keyboard, percussion and guitars, playing outside on a stage in the grounds of a traditional caravanserai complex. Under rules imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution, women must cover their hair in public and are also not allowed to sing alone in public. Ahmadi has built a wide following among Iranians for songs posted on her Instagram page, including audio clips and videos of ballads sung indoors without a headscarf supporting the 2022-2023 mass protests against the authorities. The protests were sparked by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, after her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women. Wednesday’s video stream appears to be the first time that Ahmadi has recorded a full concert outside, as opposed to the more intimate recitals filmed indoors. A written message on the YouTube video before the concert starts says: “I am Parastoo, the girl who cannot remain silent and refuses to stop singing for the country she loves.” She tells viewers to “listen to my voice in this imaginary concert and dream of a free and beautiful nation”. In one the songs, she sings in apparent reference to deadly crackdowns in 2022-2023 and on other protests in Iran: “From the blood of the youth of the homeland, tulips have grown.” Social media users praised the striking quality of the almost half-hour video, which was streamed live from an unspecified location. - ‘Shook a nation’ - Without naming Ahmadi, the Mizan Online news website of the Iranian judiciary said Thursday “a group led by a female singer” had performed “music without observing legal and religious standards”. The judiciary has “intervened and taken appropriate action, with a legal case filed against the singer and the production staff,” it added. US-based dissident campaigner Masih Alinejad hailed the concert as “historic”, saying on social media that “her voice is a weapon against tyranny, her courage a song of defiance”. Prominent commentator Karim Sadjadpour, a fellow with the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, described the concert as an “act of extraordinary courage” that marked “another crack in the foundations of Iran’s rotting theocracy”. “Parastoo Ahmadi shook an entire nation,” said the France-based Iranian women’s rights collective Association Femme Azadi. “Iranian women are the greatest resistance fighters of our time.” The streaming of the concert took place ahead of a new law expected to come into force on Friday that rights groups have warned will drastically increase the penalties on women deemed to have flouted the dress code. Amnesty International said in a report Tuesday that women could even face the death penalty if convicted under the “Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab” law. “This shameful law intensifies the persecution of women and girls for daring to stand up for their rights,” said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
As the investigation continues and more details come to light, the world waits with bated breath to see how this unprecedented situation will unfold. The arrest of a sitting president is a stark reminder of the need for strong institutions and a commitment to the rule of law, and South Korea now finds itself at a crossroads, with the world watching to see which path it will choose.EU Ambassador Highlights PharmaVax Ghana’s Role in Transforming Africa’s Vaccine Production
NoneTitle: Analyzing China's "Go Global" Strategy – Insights into the Current Economic Landscape of China: Q&A Series VII
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. But how much should privacy matter? One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings Newport News council to consider banning guns from government buildings Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Vinyl records comeback continues: 2 stores open in Newport News, Hampton Vinyl records comeback continues: 2 stores open in Newport News, Hampton Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Trending Nationally Parachute ‘D.B. Cooper’ hijacker used in 1971 may have been found Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Florida. Here’s why Health providers dropping Medicare Advantage could affect coverage for 60,000 Minnesotans Transgender player on San Jose State women’s volleyball team can play at Mountain West tournament, judge rules Say hello to prison: Boston man convicted of attacking woman for not saying ‘good morning’
How Trump’s win will influence how he governsNico Iamaleava passed for four touchdowns and Dylan Sampson rushed for 77 yards and set a school-record for TDs as No. 11 Tennessee rolled to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. Sampson scored on a 14-yard TD run early in the second quarter for the game's first points to deliver his 22nd TD of tje season to break the Tennessee single-season mark set by Gene McEvers in 1929. Iamaleava was 15 of 20 for 173 yards for Tennessee (9-2), while Bru McCoy caught a pair of TD passes and Squirrel White and Ethan Davis each had a TD reception. Tennessee moved its all-time record to 2-0 against the Miners, also having blanked the Conference USA school 24-0 in 2018. Jermod McCoy and John Slaughter had interceptions for the Volunteers, while Dominic Bailey recovered a fumble to set up a score. Skyler Locklear was 10-of-19 passing for 50 yards with an interception for UTEP (2-9), while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. JP Pickles also had a turn at QB for the Miners and was 10 of 15 for 72 yards. Kenny Odom had eight receptions for 70 yards. Both defenses set the tone in the first quarter. The UTEP defense allowed just one first down to the Southeastern Conference team in three ugly series in the opening quarter and only 22 yards. In the second quarter, Sampson ended a 68-yard drive by dashing up the middle for 14 yards for the record-setting score to take a 7-0 lead with 13:22 remaining before halftime. After Bailey's fumble recovery, Iamaleava flipped a screen pass that White took 9 yards to the end zone nearly six minutes later. Davis put the Volunteers up 21-0 when he grabbed a short pass for a 1-yard TD. Iamaleava then found Bru McCoy from 18 yards with eight seconds left in the second quarter for a 28-0 halftime lead. McCoy caught his second TD and Peyton Lewis rushed for a pair for a 49-0 lead in the third quarter, but the biggest roar from Volunteers fans came when it was announced Florida beat No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17, to enhance the Volunteers' College Football Playoff hopes. Cameron Seldon's 3-yard run capped the scoring as the Volunteers finished the season undefeated at home for the second time in four years. --Field Level Media
The Nature Collection Group's commitment to sustainability was also a focal point of the discussions at the summit. Ms. Chen emphasized the company's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through the use of eco-friendly packaging materials and sustainable sourcing practices. By incorporating sustainability into its business model, the Nature Collection Group has been able to resonate with a growing number of environmentally conscious consumers.Guangyu Island, located in the southeastern part of China, has been rapidly transforming into a hub for advanced manufacturing and technology industries. The island's strategic location, well-developed infrastructure, and favorable business environment have attracted a wave of investments from both domestic and international companies. As a result, Guangyu Island has become a thriving center for cutting-edge industries, ranging from electronics and digital technology to pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
For Lukman, this match is not just about the result. It is about the journey that Atlanta has been on, the progress they have made, and the belief they have in themselves. He knows that facing Real Madrid will be a tough challenge, but he is confident that his team is ready for it. They have been working towards this moment, and now is their chance to shine on the big stage.Recent elections across the U.S. delivered mixed results for housing initiatives, with voters showing strong support for funding affordable housing while remaining skeptical of rent control measures, according to an analysis by Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. Rhode Island became a standout success story, with voters overwhelmingly approving a record-breaking $120 million housing bond. The measure, nearly doubling the state’s previous housing investment from three years ago, signals growing public recognition of the housing crisis. Don't Miss: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100 for properties like the Byer House from Stranger Things. Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! Several major cities also secured funding for affordable housing initiatives. Los Angeles voters approved a new half-cent sales tax for housing development, while Charlotte, North Carolina, passed a $100 million housing bond package. Baltimore followed with a $20 million bond measure for affordable housing projects. San Francisco’s Proposition G secured $8.25 million annually for low-income rental subsidies, though Fairweather noted it might serve as a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution. “This helps low-income renters in the short term, but without adding more housing, it’s just a Band-Aid on the problem,” she said on X, formerly Twitter. However, not all housing measures succeeded. Denver voters narrowly rejected Ballot Issue 2R, which would have generated $100 million annually through a sales tax increase for new housing development. California saw the defeat of two significant proposals: Proposition 33, which would have loosened rent control restrictions and Proposition 5, which aimed to lower the supermajority threshold for housing bonds. See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. The rejection of rent control measures extended beyond California. Hoboken, New Jersey voters struck down a proposal to raise rent caps on vacant units. Fairweather views the outcomes as potentially positive for housing supply, stating, “strict rent control keeps existing tenants happy but limits new investment and leads to fewer rentals in the long run.” Local initiatives employed various approaches to raise housing funds. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, communities used diverse funding mechanisms, including sales taxes in Lawrence, Kansas, real estate transfer taxes in Berkeley and Mountain View, California and lodging taxes in several Colorado municipalities. Berkeley bucked the trend against rent control by approving Measure BB’s 5% rent cap. However, Fairweather and other economists suggest rent control measures could discourage future development . "The best way to stabilize rents is to build more homes," Fairweather said. Trending: Invest in $20+ trillion home equity market today across cities like Austin, Miami, and Los Angeles through a unique 5-year term fund targeting a 14-20% IRR with minimums as low as $2,500 The election results demonstrated that voters recognize the need for housing investment while remaining divided on policy approaches. While many communities showed willingness to fund affordable housing initiatives, rejecting certain measures highlights ongoing debate about the most effective solutions to address housing affordability. Fairweather emphasized that while the Federal government can aid in the housing crisis , “local initiatives have a profound impact on the housing market, even if they don’t make national headlines.” The mix of successful and failed measures indicates that while voters broadly support addressing housing affordability, they remain selective about specific policy solutions and funding mechanisms. Read Next: These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends Unlock the hidden potential of commercial real estate — This platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Blue trolley bag that did not get votes, newspaper advertisement against Sandeep Warrier; Left tactics that backfired in Palakkad
Simon Harris says sorry to Cork carer for ‘not giving her the time she deserved’Veteran Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat has held the Sangamner assembly seat in Ahmednagar district since 1985. Even during the Modi wave of 2014, he retained the seat by a margin of nearly 59,000 votes. On Saturday, Throat lost to Shiv Sena’s Amol Khatal. Another Congress old-hand, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, was bested by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Atul Bhosale from Karad South in Satara district. Satara and Ahmednagar (now renamed Ahilyanagar) in Western Maharashtra have long been bastions of the Congress and its Nationalist Congress Party ally. Until recently, the region was considered impregnable to the BJP. But by Saturday evening at 8.30, the BJP-led Mahyuti alliance was ahead in 41 of the 58 seats in the region. In fact, the ruling coalition consisting of the BJP, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party dominated all regions in the state. It was heading for a majority of more than three-fourths, leading in 230 of the 288 seats in the assembly. The Mahayuti won a staggering 48.16 % of the votes while the Maha Vikas Aghadi garnered 33.65%. The Opposition coalition comprises the Congress, the Shiv Sena faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray and the Nationalist Congress Party group headed by Sharad Pawar. What explains this stunning turnaround less than six months after the Lok Sabha elections, in which the Mahayuti won only 17 of the state’s 48 seats? Pre-election welfare bonanza Widely credited with helping the Mahayuti coalition is the cash transfer scheme for women that it launched on the eve of the elections. Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna, women between the ages of 21 and 65 years, with an annual family income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh, have been receiving Rs 1,500 per month since July. The majority of the 2.34 crore women who benefit from the scheme received a total of Rs 7,500 in their accounts before the date of polling. In this election, the number of women who voted was nearly 6% higher than in the 2019 polls. It is being attributed to the welfare measure. In an interview to Scroll last week, political observer Girish Kuber said that the real credit for the game-changing impact of the scheme goes to the Election Commission for delaying the Assembly elections. This allowed the state to transfer four to five months of installments of benefits to women’s bank accounts. Acknowledging this the momentum of the scheme, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in his first remarks after the results said he was grateful to the ladki bahin or beloved sisters in the state for their support. Rajdeep Sardesai, political analyst and author of The Election That Changed India, noted that women are swing voters in India. “I don’t recall a single election in the last decade where the party that won the election did not win the majority of the women vote,” he said. Rural distress not a factor? Jaideep Hardikar, author and journalist with the People’s Archive Of Rural India, says he finds it difficult to comprehend the losses of veterans like Balasaheb Thorat from Sangamner in Western Maharashtra or Yashomati Tahkur also of the Congress in Vidarbha. “The election results are quite stunning, particularly the wide gap in vote share,” he said. In Bhandara, Gondia and Gadchiroli, the Adivasi vote seems to have shifted to the Mahayuti en masse, he said. “Overall, rural distress, the crisis facing soybean and cotton farmers are issues that have been overpowered momentarily, it appears, by the direct benefit transfer scheme, primarily Ladki Bahin,” Hardikar added This is also perhaps the reason why there was little purchase for Opposition narratives that found an echo during the Lok Sabha polls, such as the Constitution being in danger of being amended if the BJP won an overwhelming majority, Sardesai said. Since this was a more localised election, voters were looking at more immediate benefits they were getting from schemes such as Ladki Bahin rather than “whether you are a Dalit or an OBC or a Maratha”, Sardesai said. “If you were a woman who was getting the benefits, why would you not take that?” he asked. “I think it became more transactional and in a transactional election the welfare schemes that were being rolled out by the Mahayuti worked.” Caste calculations Election analyst Yogendra Yadav believes the blame lies with Maha Vikas Aghadi for failing to convert the challenges faced by citizens into a winning election narrative. “There were real grievances, real problems, but the MVA failed to convert them into electoral issues,” he said. “The onus was on them.” He suggested that the BJPs “biggest success was that it managed to convert this into a hyper local election”. This ensured that the Marathas did not consolidate behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi despite being disenchanted with the ruling coalition for failing to include the community in the list of Other Backward Classes. Instead, the election was “candidate to candidate”. At the same time, “the BJP quietly consolidated the OBCs and the most disadvantaged Dalits”, Yadav said. Yadav said that while he was not surprised by the election results, he was taken aback by the scale of the Mahayuti’s victory. “A 15% gap in vote share is somewhat spooky and strange,” he said. “The data will need to be studied closely”The potential appointment of Ashton-Williams at Arsenal is still in the early stages of discussion, and no official announcement has been made by the club. However, his candidacy has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike, with many seeing him as a potential catalyst for positive change at the club.
YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Turning dusty attic treasures into cash can yield millions for some and disappointment for others THOMASTON, Maine (AP) — Kaja Veilleux has been hunting New England attic treasures for more than 50 years. He once found a copy of the Declaration of Independence sitting on a trash heap, and he made headlines this year when he stumbled upon a million-dollar portrait that may have been painted by the Dutch master Rembrandt. Many people dream of cashing in on some dusty old heirloom. Veilleux helps people sort the gems from the junk when he appraises furniture, antiques and art by using his knowledge of what similar items have sold for in the past. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Selena Gomez reveals engagement to Benny Blanco Selena Gomez is having quite a year, and it’s being capped with an engagement to music producer and songwriter Benny Blanco. The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated performer announced she was off the market in an Instagram post Wednesday of her ring, with the caption “Forever begins now.” Celebrity fans sent their congratulations, with rapper Lil Nas X writing “So happy for you both” and Taylor Swift saying “Yes I will be the flower girl.” Gomez became a Golden Globe double nominee Monday for her roles in “Emilia Pérez” and “Only Murders in the Building.” Fewer US grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data Fewer grandparents were taking care of grandchildren, there was a decline in the number of preschoolers and more people were staying put in their homes in the first part of the 2020s compared with the last part of the 2010s. That's according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, reflecting some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest figures from the most comprehensive survey of American life compares the periods of 2014-2018 and 2019-2023. Those timeframes were before the pandemic and during the years of the virus’ spread. Some of the changes are COVID-19 related, while others are the result of other occurrences like the opioid crisis.
Recently, Wu Yingjie, former member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and former director of the Committee for Cultural, Historical, and Learning Affairs, was expelled from the party and dismissed from public office for serious violations of discipline and law.With the implementation of the new regulations on medical procurement, the healthcare industry is set to experience a significant shift in how medical supplies are sourced and evaluated. One key aspect of these new regulations is the emphasis on optimizing evaluation methods without resorting to a one-size-fits-all approach. This approach is aimed at promoting fairness, efficiency, and transparency in the procurement process, ultimately benefiting both healthcare providers and patients.GUANGZHOU, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 4, 2024-- The 2024 Understanding China Conference took place on December 3 at the Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center. Over 600 participants from political, strategic, business, academic, and think tank sectors, both domestic and international, attended. The conference, themed “Carrying Reform Forward: Chinese Modernization and New Opportunities for World Development,” was organized by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, and the Guangdong Provincial Government. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241204798538/en/ The 2024 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) took place at the Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center. (Photo: Business Wire) The Understanding China Conference has become an important international platform for dialogue on China’s development strategy, drawing increasing interest from participants around the world. This year's conference saw a significant rise in international representation, with over 100 delegates from overseas, including Hong Kong and Macao, attending. The attendees included nine former heads of state, 16 ministerial-level officials, two ambassadors to China, and other key leaders from various fields. This diverse participation underscores the conference's growing global relevance as a forum for international dialogue and consensus-building. The event featured a broad range of activities, including keynote speeches at the opening ceremony, six parallel seminars, 14 thematic forums, two closed-door discussions, and multiple supporting activities. It also attracted over 100 media outlets from both China and abroad, highlighting its role in fostering international engagement. During the conference, discussions centered on the ongoing reforms and the path of Chinese modernization, emphasizing how these efforts align with global development goals. High-quality development in China was presented as not only beneficial for the country's population but also as having positive implications for global growth and stability. Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome noted that China's progress presents new opportunities for international development and cooperation. This year's event highlighted the global significance of China’s reforms and the progress of Chinese-style modernization, emphasizing how these changes can contribute to global development in a collaborative manner. The conference agenda focused on demonstrating the characteristics and achievements of Chinese modernization, addressing international questions about China’s reform trajectory, and exploring China's commitment to expanding its global engagement. Key topics included the unity of China’s diverse ethnic groups, cultural preservation in historically significant cities, and the innovative development of women’s leadership. The conference aimed to foster cultural exchange, promote understanding, and encourage collaboration across borders, helping to bridge cultural differences through dialogue and shared learning. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241204798538/en/ CONTACT: Albert Huang Tel: +86-158-1001-4610 Email:1713543383@qq.com KEYWORD: CHINA MALAYSIA ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRANSPORT OTHER TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CONSULTING SOURCE: Guangdong Province Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/04/2024 06:45 PM/DISC: 12/04/2024 06:45 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241204798538/en