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2025-01-13
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board was blocked from modifying Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s duties by a Cook County Judge on Tuesday, giving the embattled schools chief a victory as he battles with City Hall over the district’s future. Judge Joel Chupack granted Martinez a temporary restraining order against CPS board members after hearing arguments that they obstructed Martinez’s performance of his job duties. The Tuesday hearing — which lasted over an hour and a half — included an assertion by Martinez’s lawyer William J. Quinlan that CPS board members appointed by Johnson met with the teachers union but not their own team while negotiating the teachers contract Monday. “They’re not shy about the interference. They’re brazen. They’re bullish. And they’ll tell you that,” said Martinez’s attorney Quinlan of Quinlan Law Firm LLC before the judge. The testimony came during a court hearing sought by Martinez to stop the board from removing his powers. He was fired on Friday but given six months to continue on the job. In firing the CEO, the board also voted on a resolution that modified his duties and responsibilities. The hearing was in many ways the fallout of that modification vote, following months of back-and-forth between Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Teachers Union and CPS amid ongoing teachers contract negotiations. Quinlan filed a lawsuit in the Cook County Court last Friday to prevent the board from firing the CEO, and then amended the complaint early Tuesday morning. “The CEO, is the ‘sole representative of the Board’ authorized to conduct such negotiations,” according to the complaint. In contrast, the complaint said, “nothing in the School Code or the Board Rules permits individual Board members to participate in such negotiations.” Jeremy Glenn, the lawyer representing the board, said the board was acting in its duties to attend negotiations Monday, adding “all contracts should be subject to approval by the Board of Education,” under board rules for collective bargaining agreements. “This is an employer, employee relationship,” Glenn said. “Can you imagine a situation where an employer who is approving a contract is not allowed to get updates?” Quinlan focused most of his testimony on the school board’s decision to attend teachers contract negotiations on Monday. He said the presence of the board members at negotiations made it so Martinez could not “effectively do his duty.” He told the judge it was “an emergency” since the board just voted to fire Martinez and now could do anything to push through a new teachers contract. The current teachers contract expired in June. “My concern is if they continue to obstruct the negotiations, it will change the tenor to a point where we can’t go back,” Quinlan said. Martinez, for his part, expressed alarm that the board members were collaborating with CTU. Though he was fired, he still has 180 days as acting CEO. “(The board) didn’t even go to my team. They went directly to CTU, and even went after to strategize,” Martinez told the judge. “They feel empowered ... They have the mayor and the board. And so they’re telling my team to agree.” Three board members — President Sean Harden, and members Olga Bautista and Frank Thomas — were seen by the Tribune exiting the teachers union’s headquarters Monday afternoon. Asked what teams they met with during contract negotiations, Thomas said both CPS and CTU. But Martinez asserted Tuesday in court that the board members went directly into a room with the teachers union. Judge Chupack, after adjourning for several minutes to deliberate, sided with Martinez. “What’s been raised is the defendant’s obstruction to Mr. Martinez performing his obligations,” Judge Chupack said. “The court finds that Mr. Martinez has established that his duties as chief executive officer have been diminished, not merely modified.” He requested the lawyers come to terms on clear language distinguishing the board members’ roles in contract negotiations versus the CEO’s. “Do you think you’ll have an order now, or do you think it will be Thursday?” he asked. “Today,” murmured CPS CEO Martinez. “Do you think you could hand-write something out?” Chupack asked later. The conflict dates back to September when the mayor asked CPS CEO Martinez to take out a $300 million high-interest loan to cover a new proposed teachers contract and a pension payment previously paid for by the city. Facing deficits of around $500 million in each of the next five years, Martinez said the loan would be fiscally irresponsible. Johnson then gave directives for Martinez to resign , according to an internal memo obtained by the Tribune. The mayor’s board resigned in October around the dispute, and Johnson — a former teacher and union organizer — appointed a new board. The court hearing occurred several hours after a leaked memo from a CPS official revealing Johnson remains on a “CTU leave of absence” from CPS. That means Johnson can return as a CTU teacher, after negotiations have wrapped up. Quinlan handwrote an injunction that he handed to the judge before signing off for the holidays. A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9 at 3:15 p.m. Chicago Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fightingMGX DEADLINE MONDAY: ROSEN, A TOP RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages Metagenomi, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important November 25 Deadline in Securities Class Action – MGX7 fortune

Canadian activist accuses Hong Kong of meddling, but is proud of reward for arrest VANCOUVER — A Vancouver-based activist is accusing Hong Kong authorities of meddling in Canada’s internal affairs after police in the Chinese territory issued a warrant for his arrest. Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press Dec 24, 2024 3:20 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Journalist Victor Ho poses for a photograph in Richmond, B.C., Wednesday, Aug, 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER — A Vancouver-based activist is accusing Hong Kong authorities of meddling in Canada’s internal affairs after police in the Chinese territory issued a warrant for his arrest. Victor Ho and fellow Canadian Joe Tay are among six overseas activists targeted by Hong Kong police who announced rewards of HK$1 million, equivalent to about C$180,000, for information leading to their arrests. The warrants announced on Tuesday say the six are wanted for national security offences such as secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces. Ho said in a Chinese-language post on Facebook that he's proud of the arrest warrant, joking that it's the "best Christmas present." "A Canadian citizen like me ... has the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and exercised his right to the freedom of speech," he said. Ho is the former editor-in-chief of the Sing Tao Daily newspaper, and helped launched a plan in Canada to elect an unofficial “Hong Kong parliament” in 2022. Only “patriots” are eligible for election to Hong Kong's true Legislative Council, under a 2021 law passed by China’s parliament, the National People’s Congress, and pro-democracy protesters have been the subject of mass arrests. When plans for the unofficial parliament were announced, Hong Kong’s Security Bureau said Ho and others were being investigated for subversion, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the National Security Law. In the Facebook post Ho said Canadian authorities have not arrested the organizers of the parliament. "But now it’s actually the Hong Kong communist authorities meddling in Canada’s internal affairs, repeatedly issuing wanted notices for this Canadian citizen. Are they trying for another cross-border arrest? Does Beijing want Canada to become their client/subordinate state?" He said the first elections for the unofficial parliament are set for March 2025. "It’s the first time in the world a referendum will be held using mobile apps to allow for an anonymous, one-person one-vote vote. It's easy for overseas Hong Kongers to participate, to show dictators and authoritarian regimes of Hong Kongers’ desire for self-determination," the post says. Tay is the founder of Canada-based activist group HongKonger Station and is seeking the Conservative Party nomination in Markham Unionville in Ontario. The Hong Kong Police say in a statement the six wanted activists have "absconded overseas." The Hong Kong government had previously issued two rounds of arrest warrants and bounties for other prominent activists, including former members of the Legislative Council. In his Facebook post, Ho joked that the reward being issued had allowed him to recover some "fugitive dignity." "So I’m worth something after all, and it’s hard for me to hide my pride as we enter 2025," he said. Neither Ho nor Tay immediately responded to requests for comment. — With files from Associated Press and Chuck Chiang This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024 Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News Wild Christmas: BC Ferries cancels many sailings over 'severe' forecast Dec 24, 2024 3:49 PM Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada Dec 24, 2024 2:49 PM Court hits pause on global streamers’ upcoming Canadian content payments Dec 24, 2024 1:59 PM Featured FlyerHalifax security forum gathers as Trump's support for Taiwan, Ukraine in questionSouth Australia Braces for Muggy Heatwave in Christmas and Increased Rate of Wildfire, May Impact on Travel Industry

Pep Guardiola’s side avoided the indignity of a sixth successive defeat in all competitions and looked on course for a welcome victory thanks to a double from Erling Haaland – the first from the penalty spot – and a deflected effort from Ilkay Gundogan. Yet Guardiola was left with his head in hands as Feyenoord roared back in the last 15 minutes with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Sergio Gimenez and David Hancko, two of them after Josko Gvardiol errors. Arsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials, and goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. Paris St Germain were left in serious of danger of failing to progress in the Champions League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Kim Min-jae’s header late in the first half was enough to send PSG to a third defeat in the competition this season, leaving them six points off the automatic qualification places for the last 16 with three games to play. Luis Enrique’s side, who had Ousmane Dembele sent off, were deservedly beaten by Bayern who dominated chances and possession. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid were 6-0 winners away to Sparta Prague, Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa each scoring twice whilst there were also goals from Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann. Barcelona ended tournament debutants Brest’s unbeaten start with a 3-0 victory courtesy of two goals from Robert Lewandowski – one a penalty – and Dani Olmo. Lewandowski’s first was his 100th Champions League goal, only the third man to reach the mark after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A Castello Lukeba own goal saw Inter Milan go top of the standings with a narrow 1-0 win over RB Leipzig at San Siro, whilst Bayer Leverkusen were emphatic victors against Red Bull Salzburg, Florian Wirtz scoring twice to move Xabi Alonso’s side into the automatic qualification places. Atalanta continued their strong start, albeit whilst conceding a first goal in Europe this season in a 6-1 win away to Young Boys, whilst Tammy Abraham scored the decisive goal as AC Milan beat Slovan Bratislava 3-2.

Global Hunger Crisis Worsens Amid Decline in Aid from Wealthy Nations

Judiciary on verge of institutionalising independenceAfter being bombarded for months with relentless political advertising, the 2024 election couldn’t end soon enough for many Montanans. But, one dedicated group is still digging into the details in hopes of improving the voting system and restoring public trust in its integrity. The Montana Election Observation Initiative sent 118 trained volunteers to monitor 76 polling locations in 16 counties across the state. Voters cast ballots at MetraPark in Billings on Election Day. Leaders of the independent effort to put nonpartisan eyes on the Nov. 5 election recently shared key takeaways after taking a close look at almost all aspects of the state’s voting process. Observers highlighted overall strengths, including local election workers adherence to the law, transparency from officials, a focus on ballot security and widespread regard for voter participation. “When you think about electoral quality and integrity, these strengths are not indicative of an election where someone is intent on malfeasance,” the initiative’s coordinator Daniel Bruce said. Snow and wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour didn't deter voters who waited hours outside the polls at MetraPark's Montana Pavilion in Billings on Election Day. Observers also reported weaknesses, such as long lines at some polling sites, lapses in ID verification, delays in setting up voting machines, insufficient supplies, staff shortages and fatigued election workers. In-person registration and voting is under way at MetraPark on Tuesday. The Georgia-based nonprofit Carter Center funded the observation effort, working in partnership with the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center. The group plans to release a more detailed report of its findings on Jan. 6, making the information available just in time for the upcoming legislative session. Katie Vaughan, director of civic engagement at the Mansfield Center, said initiative leaders hope to work with lawmakers, election officials and political parties to improve Montana’s voting system. Voters fill out registration forms at MetraPark in Billings on Nov. 5. “Our goal is to reinforce public confidence in elections through education and also highlight our role as a nonpartisan voice in this politically polarized environment for the 2024 election and now into the future,” she said. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country's highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections killed at least 21 people, including two police officers, authorities said Tuesday. Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court's announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. “From the preliminary survey, in the last 24 hours, 236 acts of violence were recorded throughout the national territory that resulted in 21 deaths, of which two members of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique also died," Ronda said. He said 13 civilians and 12 police were injured. Ronda said 25 vehicles were set on fire, including two police vehicles. He added that 11 police subunits and a penitentiary were attacked and vandalized and 86 inmates were freed. Tensions were high in the country ahead of the The Constitutional Council ruling on Monday and violent protests started immediately after the announcement was made. Footage circulating on various social media platforms showed protesters burning and looting shops in the capital Maputo and the city of Beira, where some city officials were reported to have fled the city. Mondlane has called for a “shutdown” starting Friday but violence in the country has already escalated and the situation remained tense in the capital on Tuesday night following a day of violence and looting by protesters. The country of 34 million people has been on edge since the Oct. 9 general elections . Mondlane’s supporters, mostly hundreds of thousands of young people, have since taken to the streets, and have been met by gunfire from security forces. This brings to more than 150 the number of people who have died from post-election violence since the initial results were announced by the country's electoral body.Boston Scientific, IBD Stock Of The Day, Has Surged 57% In 2024. This Is Why There's More Upside.

Why Are VF Corp (VFC) Shares Soaring Today

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to clumsily move through the regular season. The current roster is a mishmash of talent, with very little crossover into how head coach JJ Redick would like his team to play. Furthermore, LeBron James has begun to show signs of his age despite still putting up incredible averages. One serious area of concern for the Lakers has been their inconsistent offense. On some nights, they look like a team capable of contending for a championship, while on others, they appear to be on a fast track to a full-scale rebuild. Speaking to ESPN's Dave McMenamin , Redick detailed the fine margins the Lakers are facing and how slight tweaks could turn their season around. “I would probably point immediately to our shot profile,” Redick said. “Over the last 13 [games], we're taking five more non-paint twos — we're shooting 39% on those. And for all the people that hate math, I shared this with the team this morning and I think it's really interesting. We're last, or second to last, in the last 13 in our offense. Those five extra non-paint twos, if we shot them at the same rate as Phoenix — who shoots 49% on non-paint twos — our offense would go from 29th to 12th.” The problem is that it's easy to point to the slender margins on a stat sheet but far harder to make the necessary adjustments on the court. We've all seen the Lakers make bad decisions on offense this season, from poor shot selection to trying to play hero ball. Yes, making some of those shots would change how we speak about the Lakers' current struggles, but it would just be papering over the cracks. Redick needs a younger team that he can mold. He has a modern outlook on how the game should be played, but outside of James and Anthony Davis, he lacks the talent to translate his ideas onto the floor. He would be better served with young high-upside players who can develop within his system. Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves already fit that bill. Redick was always seen as a long-term hire. The Lakers want to build a system and style of play and begin developing their own talent. If that's the future Jeanie Buss envisions , it makes no sense to hang Redick out to dry with a team that doesn't fit together. Yes, the Lakers are within striking distance of figuring things out. However, any uptick in performance is unlikely to be sustainable long-term. Sooner or later, the front office must give Redick the chance to build his own team. Only then can we see what his system is truly capable of.Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PM

Washington (CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton was discharged from a hospital on Tuesday one day after being admitted for the flu, his office said. “President Clinton was discharged earlier today after being treated for the flu. He and his family are deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by the team at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and are touched by the kind messages and well wishes he received. He sends his warmest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season to all,” his office said in a statement. This story is breaking and will be updated. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Rare holiday overlap sparks reflection on faithAreona McKoy drives through the lane for a score in the second half. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Kiyah Braxton lets a deep jumper fly for the Leopards. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Jahmai Rich brings down the rebound and looks to pass it off to a teammate. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Karima Freeman plays tight defense on a Devil Pup in the first half. This was a catalyst for the late-game dominance by Lakewood. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent The undefeated Lady Leopards hosted the Lady Devil Pups of Lejeune on Friday night, looking to extend their unbeaten streak. That they did as they handed the Pups a 66-44 loss and grabbed their first home win of the season. Jahmai Rich tipped it to A’miyah Smith to start the game, who got the quick pass to Areona McKoy under the basket for a score, putting the Leopards on the board first. McKoy secured a rebound from an errant shot by the Devil Pups and Euro stepped her way around a defender for the early 4-0 lead. She hit almost the exact same motion on the Leopards’ next trip down the court, and they found themselves with a 6-2 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first. Lejeune snagged a couple more on a layup in front of the rim to close things back to 6-4. A layup and then a swift assist from Smith to Rich gave Lakewood the 10-6 advantage, but the Devil Pups continued to fight and closed it back to 10-8. With exactly four minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Rich was sent to the line on a foul on her shot, but neither of the shots fell and the score stayed the same. Lejeune tied the game at 10-all with under four minutes to go, and in response, the Leopards started a full-court press. McKoy made her presence known on a powerful put-back, which drew a foul, but gave Lakewood the 12-10 lead after her foul shot missed. The Devil Pups went to the other end and were fouled, which gave them two free throws of their own, and they sank both to tie the game. The teams traded possessions before McKoy got a big block on an open drive down the lane from Lejeune, sending the ball far out of bounds with about 2:30 to play. The defensive pressure from Lakewood was too much, and the Leopards forced a turnover, which gave Alexis Rhodes a fast break layup to once again give them the lead, this time at 14-12. As the clock moved toward the second period, so did the teams. Lakewood held an 18-14 lead going into the break, propelled by a long jumper from McKoy before the pause in action. Rich grabbed a rebound early in the second quarter and McKoy took a steal coast-to-coast and missed a layup, but the uptick in defensive pressure was being showcased by Lakewood early in the second period. McKoy finally completed the coast-to-coast move shortly after, as she swiped the ball and took it to the other end and scored. With 6:02 showing on the clock, Lakewood led, 22-14. It was Smith on the next one that went coast-to-coast, as she completed the same thing McKoy had just done to extend the Leopards’ lead to 24-14 with just about five minutes remaining in the opening half. Less than a minute later, the teams traded threes after the Devil Pups sank one and McKoy returned the favor. Lejeune sank another after McKoy missed a second attempt from beyond the arc, but the score remained at 31-20 with over three minutes to go. Kiyah Braxton to Trinity Bell was the connection this time on a pass-and-shoot that netted the Leopards three more. Lakewood held a 34-24 lead with 2:30 to go in the first half. Rhodes added two threes of her own in succession before the half ended, and Lakewood climbed out to a 40-26 lead over the visiting Devil Pups. Braxton dished a cross-court pass through the key on a breakaway to Rhodes, where she added two more. Despite a desperation layup attempt from Lejeune at the buzzer, the Leopards held onto the 42-26 lead as the teams moved to the halftime break. Scoring started off strong in the second half for both teams, as through the first 2:30, Lakewood scored four and Lejeune two, making it a 46-28 game. Smith made one of her free throws on a trip to the charity stripe with five minutes to go in the third. Later, Rhodes added a long jumper, and Lakewood had the 49-30 advantage. She doubled it up after a dish from McKoy gave her a wide open look at another long two. Lakewood held a 53-32 lead with 3:07 to go in the third as the game continued to move in their favor and any chance of a comeback by the Devil Pups faded with each ensuing possession. Scoring came to a halt for almost two minutes, but the Devil Pups sank a free throw with 1:39 left in the third quarter to make it a 53-33 game, still in Lakewood’s favor. After Lejeune grabbed a couple more via free throws, the quarter ended with Lakewood holding the commanding lead at 53-35. The stout defense from Lakewood continued even into the opening moments of the fourth quarter, as the Pups’ first possession was squandered with a a steal and a three from Rhodes at the other end. McKoy fought through contact on a layup and added to the lead, and after her teammate grabbed another steal and fed her the long pass on the next possession, she found two more points on a wide-open score under the basket to give Lakewood the 60-35 advantage with 6:44 to play. A tight defense from Karima Freeman, especially on the in-bound passes led to the McKoy show in the second half, as this was the outcome of seemingly every Lejeune possession in the latter stages of the game. Even the Devil Pups’ double teams weren’t effective in slowing her down. After Rich blocked a shot and the Leopards moved the ball down the court, McKoy grabbed a put-back layup on a rebound to extend her team out to a 64-39 lead with 4:43 to play. Just as it had in the third, scoring slowed for both teams in the fourth. Lakewood slowed their offense down to eat as much clock as possible, and Lejeune couldn’t get anything to fall in their hurried offensive approach. The only thing the Devil Pups had in their favor was the bonus, after Lakewood found themselves in foul trouble. Still, though, only three points were scored in over two minutes, and the Leopards had the 64-42 lead with 2:09 remaining. McKoy lit fans up once more on a drive through the lane starting at half court, when she put the defender on metaphorical ice skates twice and Euro stepped her way to a layup, reminiscent of an ESPN highlight to give them the 64-42 advantage with under a minuet to go. The Pups would score once more, but the Leopards had the 66-44 lead as the final buzzer sounded. “It’s always good to get the first game at home,” coach Lofton Kerr said. “I thought we played a little out of control at times, but it’s a good win. Anytime you win, it’s good. But, I want us to be a little bit more in control.” The Lady Leopards moved to 4-0 on the season with the win. They will host Heide Trask on Thursday at 6 p.m. for the Chasity Melvin Holiday Tournament. Reach Brandt Young at (910) 247-9036, at byoung@clintonnc.com, or on the Sampson Independent Facebook page.

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Lea en español For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Galloway Township gymnastics center co-owner charged with sexually assaulting minor Galloway man gets 3 years in Ocean City fatal crash Ocean City introduces new fees on rentals Jake Blum's 2-point conversion in OT propels Mainland Regional to second straight state final Prosecutor still determined to find whoever is responsible for West Atlantic City killings Atlantic City police say power restored after daylong outages High school football scoreboard: Friday's semifinal winners, plus Saturday updates Chicken Bone Beach foundation to purchase Atlantic City's Dante Hall with NJEDA grant Want a piece of Gillian's Wonderland? This Burlington County antique shop has tons of them. Offshore wind company to buy vacant 1.5-acre Atlantic City lot for $1 million South Jersey first grader assaulted by teacher during bus trip, lawsuit alleges Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason Not too late! Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week South Jersey student talks about her yearlong suspension as others adjust to school elsewhere: 'It was a hard lesson' The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Continuous Biomarker Monitoring Pioneer Proton Intelligence Inc Announces a $6.95 Million Seed Raise to Initiate Human Trials for Potassium Monitoring in Patients With Kidney Disease

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