Mumbai: MahaYuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena NCP has not only recorded a landslide victory but its development plank with an assurance of continuity in governance convinced voters. Barely five months after the dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the five major factors that helped MahaYuti to score major victory include Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare and development schemes, RSS’ planning and Batenge To Katenge slogan, hard work by Devendra Fadnavis, aggressive campaign to counter opposition’s communal and divisive politics and promise to increase the pace of state’s development by carrying out a slew of infrastructure projects and keeping the state’s most favour destination status intact. Voters thereby preferred MahaYuti over Maha Vikas Aghadi. Ladaki Baheen Yojana Plays A Major Role Ladaki Baheen Yojana played a major role in the victory of MahaYuti. The Grand Alliance government changed the picture by introducing this scheme four months before the elections. More than 2.36 crore women got Rs 7,500 (Rs 1,500 each from July to November) with the assurance to increase the financial aid to Rs 2,100 and later to Rs 3,000 per month. Due to the flawless implementation of the scheme, women's faith in the MahaYuti increased. In Madhya Pradesh too, BJP got success with the Ladli Bahna scheme. The BJP had accused Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh of failing to implement welfare schemes. The opposition, especially the Congress, could not respond to this. BJP Makes Meticulous Planning For Maharashtra Assembly Elections After the shock in the Lok Sabha results, the BJP made meticulous planning in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly election. RSS and its affiliated organisations united and implemented the 'Sajag Raho' campaign (Remain Alert) appealing to the voters to vote and increase the voting percentage. It got a big response in the cities, but in the rural areas, it was clear from the results that the preachers stood with all their might in favour of the BJP. Slogans like 'Batenge to Katenge' and 'EkHai to Seif Hai' stirred the state. BJP and MahaYuti leaders cornered the Congress party to play appeasement politics, especially after its support to Ulema over the reservation to the Muslim community. The Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi tried to counter the Batenge To Katenge and Muslim reservation issue but failed to get voters’ support. In urban-rural areas, Hindu voters stood behind the MahaYuti across castes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath was the first to give the Batenge to Katenge slogan that helped the BJP to aggressively lure Hindu voters. Significance Of The Role Played By Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis BJP won 84 per cent of the seats it contested. The role played by DCM Devendra Fadnavis was quite crucial in BJP’s victory and increase in its strike rate. The pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil consistently targeted Fadnavis but instead of replying to him, the latter reminded the Maratha community voters that during his tenure as the state chief minister the state government had provided reservation in jobs and education to the Maratha community. His meticulous planning in the selection of candidates and campaigning yielded positive results for BJP. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah hinted that Fadnavis would be the next chief minister, Jarange stepped up attacks against Fadnavis. Jarange-Patil held meetings with Muslim, Dalit, and Maratha leaders to checkmate the BJP but it worked in favour of the BJP and MahaYuti to garner votes from OBCs. Moreover, urban voters overwhelmingly supported BJP and MahaYuti for undertaking a slew of infrastructure projects worth over Rs 8 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MahaYuti Jithe Ahe Tithe Pragati Ahe (where there is MahaYuti there is progress) call created magic as urban voters voted for MahaYuti in a big way. Nearly, 40 per cent of the seats in the state are urban-semi-urban of which 95 per cent were won by the MahaYuti. The effective marketing of projects like Samruddhi Marg, Atal Setu, Mumbai Coastal Road, and Metro projects worked wonders for the MahaYuti. The mega victory has boosted the BJP and MahaYuti especially ahead of civic and local body elections as they will make every effort to consolidate their positions. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi faces a tough challenge to stay relevant in state politics and counter the BJP-centric politics. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act, a bill that would support the development and deployment of clean shipping technology to transition to zero-emission vessels. The legislation would significantly reduce pollution, promote environmental justice, and green the shipping industry—a vital component of the global economy and coastal communities. Maritime shipping is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in coastal communities. As port economies continue to grow, the need for sustainable maritime solutions is more urgent than ever. “I’m proud to introduce The Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act, which provides critical investments to transition the maritime sector toward zero-emission technologies. This will help the U.S. meet its climate goals while addressing environmental justice concerns in our port communities, including the Port of Los Angeles in my district. By investing in the research, development, and deployment of green-shipping technologies, Congress can promote a cleaner maritime sector that aligns with the nation’s broader climate goals,” said Representative Barragan. The legislation authorizes a $1 billion a year Zero Emission Vessel Innovation Fund within the Maritime Administration to provide grants and low-interest loans to accelerate projects focused on zero-emission vessels, clean alternative fuel vessels that reduce ship emissions by at least 90%, and the necessary charging and fueling infrastructure to support both. The bill prioritizes projects that launch job training programs for maritime workers, include extensive input from port communities, use project labor agreements, and bring co-benefits such as reduced underwater noise. Funding for automated ships is prohibited, to safeguard good paying maritime jobs. By prioritizing innovative clean shipping solutions and centering the needs of impacted communities, the legislation is set to redefine the future of maritime transport, paving the way for a cleaner, greener shipping industry. “We applaud Representative Barragán for introducing the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act,” said Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment. “This bill will provide much-needed dedicated funding for the research, development and deployment of zero-emission ships and supporting infrastructure. Importantly, the bill prioritizes projects that advance environmental justice, engage frontline communities disproportionately harmed by maritime pollution and support workforce development. We call on Congress to pass this bill to accelerate the shipping industry’s transition off of dirty fossil fuels and help spur the market for the green-shipping technologies of the future.” “Transitioning the shipping industry to zero-emission technologies has the power to help us meet global climate goals and improve public health, and that starts right here in the U.S. This bill would provide much needed resources to ensure that we have the vessels, technologies, and charging or fueling infrastructure needed to make the transition to clean shipping in the United States. We are grateful for Representative Barragán’s unwavering support in the pursuit of cleaner shipping in the U.S. and a future with clean air for all.” – Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s U.S. shipping emissions policy manager “The Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act is a transformative bill, positioning the U.S. to help lead the way in innovative technologies and designs that will propel a new era of green shipping,” said Regan Nelson, senior ocean advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council. “Importantly, Representative Barragan’s bill will support the transition to carbon-free and quiet ships, securing wins for the climate, public health, and marine wildlife that are harmed by ocean noise.” The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Kevin Mullin (Calif.), Seth Magaziner (R.I.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Valerie Foushee (N.C.), Troy Carter (La.), and Robert Garcia (Calif.) The full text of the bill can be found here. The following organizations have supported the legislation: Pacific Environment, Ocean Conservancy, NRDC, Green Latinos, Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Clean Air Task Force, Move LA, Little Manila Rising, California Environmental Voters, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sunflower Alliance, Coalition for Clean Air, Brightline Defense, Ocean Defense Initiative, Stand.Earth, International Electric Marine Association, ExploMar, ZULU Associates, Fourth Tack LLC, Elliott Bay Design Group, EV Maritime, MOLABO, NT Systems, Waterfront Alliance. Source: Congressmember Nanette BarragánYamandu Orsi, the 57-year-old former history teacher, has emerged as the new president-elect of Uruguay after a tightly contested electoral race. Representing the left-leaning Broad Front coalition, Orsi secured 49.8% of the vote, as he defeated Alvaro Delgado from the governing National Party, who garnered 45.9%. Orsi's victory is underpinned by his promise to maintain Uruguay's moderate political landscape while modernizing the left. His campaign focused on addressing key issues like crime and poverty without resorting to tax increases, opting instead to encourage economic growth through foreign investment. He plans to prioritize social welfare alongside economic advancement. Emphasizing unity, Orsi's leadership style is described as folksy and collaborative, reminiscent of his mentor, former President Jose Mujica. Despite electoral gains for Broad Front in Uruguay's Senate, Orsi aims to promote dialogue as a cornerstone of his presidency, ensuring stability and continued economic prosperity. (With inputs from agencies.)Lea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” People are also reading... The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Notre Dame takes on Chaminade during the first half of a 2017 game in Lahaina, Hawaii. Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of a Nov. 16 game against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan. Mi zzo is making his fourth trip to Maui. The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii. Sports Week in Photos: Tyson vs. Paul, Nadal, and more Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Qatar tribune Jeff Galak The idyllic holiday scene — piles of presents, smiles all around — rarely matches reality. Who among us hasn’t faced the awkward silence of a gift that falls flat? Who hasn’t been disappointed by one we’ve received? Why then, do we get it wrong so often? Why are we so bad at giving gifts? I’ve researched these questions through the lens of social psychology, trying to understand the psychological science of gift giving in hopes of helping gift givers make better choices. And the good news is that after 10 years, we have some answers that could help every gift giver make better choices. The first thing to appreciate is that even though we all act as gift givers and gift recipients, we don’t typically do so at the same time: Even when exchanging gifts, we are thinking like a giver in advance, and then thinking like a recipient in the moment. This creates what is called an empathy gap. In short, when we are acting in one capacity, say as a gift giver, we typically do not consider or empathize with what it would be like to be a gift recipient. We apply a totally different psychology to gift giving than we do to gift receiving. This can be as simple as considering what matters most to gift givers and recipients. When we give gifts, what we tend to believe matters most is the moment of the gift exchange — the moment when a recipient unwraps their gift and sees it for the first time. We want that big “wow” moment where we see a huge smile and know that we’ve done a good job. The problem is that this moment, the big reveal, typically lasts for just a few seconds, but the recipient is stuck with the gift for much longer. What we know matters to the recipient, instead, is much less the moment of exchange, but rather the entirety of the gift’s ownership. Consider a novelty gift like a mug with a witty phrase like “World’s Best Procrastinator.” That’s sure to make someone chuckle when they see it, but then it’ll probably sit in their pantry collecting dust for who knows how long. Or consider a tchotchke that is intended to help decorate a home. It may spark excitement at first, but then the recipient is left with fitting it into the décor of their home ... no small task, and often an unwanted chore. Some gifts can leave a great first impression, but then fall flat later on. As gift givers, we need to think about the long-term implications of a gift, because that is what recipients truly value. As uninspired as it sounds, something like a toaster oven can be an amazing gift because it will be useful. It might not be the most exciting gift when it is opened, but your recipient will think fondly of you every time they use it. Beyond the useful, it’s important to consider that recipients care more about thoughtfulness than just about anything else. After all, what is a gift if not a way to show someone that you care about them and are thinking of them? What that implies, and what the science of gift giving endorses, is that cost is not what dictates how much a recipient loves a gift. In fact, research suggests that there is virtually no relationship between the price of a gift and how much a recipient likes it. Instead, what recipients value is something thoughtful. That can be a freshly baked batch of ********s, or a nicely framed photograph of a treasured shared past experience, or even just a sincerely written note on a holiday card. Science tells us that recipients value the care a giver puts into their gift, and not its cost. We can take this one step further and appreciate that thoughtfulness doesn’t come only on holidays and special occasions like birthdays. Instead, one can be thoughtful any day of the year! And what we’ve learned is that thoughtfulness on random days — not special occasions — is much easier to convey. A gift given out of the blue shows a recipient that they are being thought of not just on, say, their birthday, but all the time. These “just because” gifts are seen to be far more valuable to recipients than those that they receive at moments when they are expecting to be given gifts, such as holidays. Putting this all together, science shows us that the best way to give great gifts is to stop thinking like a gift giver, and instead start thinking like a gift recipient. We’ve all been in that role before, so consider what gifts worked for you and take it from there. Appreciate that being stuck with a bad gift is far from ideal and that the gifts we cherish most are the ones that make us feel cared for. If you can apply these lessons to your own gift giving, your recipients are sure to smile not just when they unwrap your gift, but when they treasure it for years to come. (Jeff Galak, co-founder of the GiftStar AI, is an associate professor of marketing and social and decision science at Carnegie Mellon University.) Copy 25/12/2024 10On Sunday, Japan will hold its first memorial ceremony for “all workers” who lost their lives at the Sado Island Gold Mines. Recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the mines hold a controversial legacy tied to Japan’s wartime history. Despite acknowledging the brutal conditions under which Korean laborers were forced to work during World War II, the Japanese government has avoided explicitly detailing these atrocities, a move critics say reflects a longstanding reluctance to confront its past. The Associated Press delves into the history of the Sado mines, the controversy surrounding their recognition, and what the upcoming memorial signifies. What Are the Sado Gold Mines? Located on Sado Island off the western coast of Japan’s Niigata prefecture, the Sado gold mines were once the world’s largest producers of gold. Discovered in 1601, they operated for nearly 400 years, supplying gold to the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period (1600-1868). The mines ceased operations in 1989 and have since been developed into a tourist attraction, offering visitors insight into mining technology and production methods through preserved shafts and ore dressing facilities. However, beneath their historical and cultural significance lies a darker chapter. During World War II, the mines became sites of forced labor, where hundreds of Koreans toiled under brutal conditions. Critics argue that Japan’s depiction of the Sado mines often glorifies their historical contributions while glossing over their association with Korean forced labor. The mines were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in July 2024 after Japan agreed to include exhibits detailing the conditions of Korean laborers and committed to holding a memorial ceremony to honor all workers. What’s the Controversy? The Japanese government’s handling of the Sado mines’ history has been a point of contention, particularly with South Korea. During the July UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, Japan installed new exhibition materials that acknowledged the hardships endured by Korean laborers. This included statements about their exposure to dangerous tasks, poor living conditions, and health problems such as lung disease. While Japan recognized these difficulties, it stopped short of labeling the labor “forced,” a term that carries deeper implications of wartime culpability. Historians and records indicate that many Korean workers were forcibly brought to Japan to address labor shortages as Japanese men were deployed to battlefronts. At the Sado mines alone, approximately 1,500 Koreans worked in perilous conditions, according to wartime documents. South Korea initially opposed the UNESCO listing, citing the omission of Korean forced laborers’ experiences. It later supported the inclusion after Japan agreed to address these omissions and organize a memorial. Nonetheless, South Korea continues to emphasize the importance of accurate historical representation. Critics, such as wartime historian Yasuto Takeuchi, argue that the Sado mines controversy reflects Japan’s broader denialism regarding its wartime atrocities. Takeuchi highlights Japan’s attempts to “beautify and justify” its history for tourism and national pride, sidelining the experiences of Korean victims. Who Does the Ceremony Commemorate? The memorial ceremony is intended to honor all workers who died at the Sado mines, including the hundreds of Koreans forced to labor during Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula (1910-1945). Organized by local politicians, business owners, and volunteers, the event’s preparation was overseen by local government officials. Approximately 100 individuals are expected to attend, including representatives from Japan’s local and central governments, South Korean Foreign Ministry officials, and relatives of Korean laborers. Guests will observe a moment of silence for those who perished due to accidents or other causes at the mines. However, the event has sparked dissatisfaction in South Korea, where critics accuse their government of lacking transparency in its communications with Japan. Questions have been raised about why Seoul supported the memorial without securing a firm commitment from Tokyo to explicitly highlight the plight of Korean laborers. Adding to the controversy, the South Korean government has agreed to cover travel expenses for families of Korean victims invited to the ceremony, fueling accusations of leniency in holding Japan accountable. Japan’s Wartime Accountability Japan has long faced criticism for its handling of wartime history, including its colonization of Korea and the exploitation of Korean laborers and “comfort women”—a euphemism for women forced into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers. While historians document the atrocities committed under Japanese rule, the government has often downplayed its role, referring to forced laborers as “civilian workers” and using euphemistic language to describe victims. Compensation demands for these abuses have repeatedly strained Japan-South Korea relations. In 2018, South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to compensate forced labor victims, a decision Japan opposed, citing the 1965 normalization treaty that settled wartime claims. Recent geopolitical pressures have prompted the two nations to mend ties, particularly as the United States urged closer cooperation in light of China’s growing influence. South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March 2023 that a domestic fund would compensate forced labor victims without requiring Japanese contributions. Japan’s then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed sympathy during a visit to Seoul, marking a thaw in relations. However, critics argue that Japan’s broader approach to wartime history remains problematic. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the government rejected terms like “sex slavery” and “forced labor” and instead promoted sanitized narratives of its past. Tourism and Historical Revisionism Listing sites like the Sado mines as UNESCO World Heritage landmarks aligns with Japan’s tourism strategy. By emphasizing industrial achievements while downplaying wartime exploitation, critics say Japan seeks to attract visitors while avoiding accountability. “The government wants to commercialize sites like the Sado mines by beautifying and justifying their history,” Takeuchi remarked. The approach, he said, underscores a broader reluctance to engage with the darker aspects of Japan’s past. Conclusion The memorial ceremony at the Sado mines reflects a complex intersection of history, politics, and diplomacy. While it marks a step toward acknowledging the workers who lost their lives, the event’s lack of explicit recognition for Korean forced laborers underscores ongoing tensions. As Japan and South Korea navigate their shared history, the ceremony serves as a reminder of the need for honest dialogue and reconciliation—a challenge that continues to shape the two nations’ relationship.
Saquon Barkley is closing in on the record for the most rushing yards in a single season, but the Philadelphia Eagles running back has other things on his mind at this point in the season. "I'm not overtly trying to get it. I'm not scared of it," he said after the Eagles' win over the Cowboys on Sunday, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo . "But we've got bigger things we're focused on. Whether we play next week or rest, I'm fine with that. I didn't sign here just to break a record. I want to do something special with the team." Barkley is enjoying the most successful individual season of his career, but he's also playing on a team capable of winning a championship for the first time in his career, something that means more to him than a record. His outstanding play this year helped the Eagles win a division title. "My first hat-and-T-shirt game," he said, per Garafolo . "I didn't even know that was a thing." This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .
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Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.