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Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weightBig Central Conference: Patriot Silver All-Division football teams, 2024
2024 was a major year for new vehicle launches, with new generations of key models like the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, plus the first of a new wave of Chinese auto brands entering the market. But many models also departed the Australian market, headlined by the departure of what had been the longest-running auto brand in Australia: Citroen. In fact, there were so many discontinuations that we split all the SUVs axed in Australia into a separate article . Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Scroll below for all the passenger cars axed this year, or click on one of the links below to take you directly to a vehicle. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe If you love the look of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe , rest assured you’ll still be able to buy a car that looks like this – it’ll just have electric power. BMW revealed updated versions of the 4 Series Gran Coupe and its electric i4 sibling back in April, but never confirmed timing for the combustion-powered model. Somewhat unusually, the electric version sold in considerably greater numbers than the petrol model. To the end of November, BMW sold 1866 i4s in Australia this year, against just 243 examples of the 4 Series Gran Coupe. That led to BMW pulling the plug on the petrol-powered range. “The high volume of new BMW models introduced to the local market prompts us to constantly assess our product portfolio in line with customer demand and our commitment to offering products that suit individual needs,” a BMW Australia spokesperson told CarExpert in a statement. “This has led us to restructure the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe lineup.” The 4 Series Gran Coupe was the second BMW to bear the Gran Coupe nameplate, which has been applied to a five-door liftback (the 4 Series Gran Coupe), a four-door sedan (the 2 Series ), and what you could arguably call four-door coupes (the 6 Series and 8 Series ). This nomenclature was born in a period where BMW was busily chasing niches, including coupe SUVs like the X4 and X6 and the unusual Gran Turismo models which were more upright five-door hatchbacks. The second-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe was revealed in June 2021 and arrived here later that year, sharing the same plunging double-kidney grille as coupe and convertible 4 Series models. While it later gained an electric version, the i4, it never received a full-fat M version like the other 4 Series body styles. There was no M4 version of the first-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe, either. With the axing of the base 420i in 2023, just two variants remained: the turbocharged four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive 430i and the turbocharged six-cylinder, all-wheel drive M440i xDrive. Though the Gran Coupe brought superior practicality over the 3 Series Sedan , if not the Touring wagon, it cost up to $14,100 more than its booted counterpart. 4 Series Gran Coupe sales had peaked in 2015 and 2022 with 858 sales in both years – incidentally, both of which were the first full years of their respective generations. MORE: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe axed in Australia, i4 EV to live on MORE: Everything BMW 4 Series Citroen C4 and C5 X Citroen had been hanging on like grim death in Australia, even as its sales winnowed away each year. From a height of 3803 sales in 2007, Citroen fell below 1000 annual units in 2016 and continued sliding. Its retail network continued to shrink, and Peugeot Citroen Australia’s decision to make Peugeot its exclusive commercial vehicle brand here killed one of its higher-volume models, the Berlingo. Most embarrassingly for the brand, it was outsold by Ferrari in 2020 and 2021. But there were signs Peugeot Citroen Australia was taking the brand seriously here, introducing the C4 in 2021 and C5 X in 2022. These replaced the old C4 and C5 that hadn’t been on sale here for several years, and came after several years of Citroen focusing on more traditionally SUV-shaped models. Not that the C4 and C5 X were conventional passenger cars themselves, with their higher-riding stances blurring the lines between cars and SUVs. Though it was the C5 X that wore the ‘X’ suffix commonly used for SUVs, it was the C4 that was classified as an SUV in VFACTS industry sales reports. There was a C4 X, mind you, but this was a sedan version of the C4 that we never received. Confused? We were too. Disinterested? Well, it seems Australians were. C4 sales peaked at 94 units in its first full year on sale, before falling; the same happened with the C5 X, with 68 sold in its first full year on sale. From launch to the end of November 2024, Citroen sold just 200 C4s and 168 C5 Xs. The rarest of them all is the C5 X Plug-in Hybrid, for which orders opened in May... just three months before Citroen announced it was pulling up stumps here. Being an order-only vehicle and priced just over $16,000 higher than the regular C5 X, itself not the most affordable vehicle of its size, it may be one of the rarest Citroens ever sold here. The C4 and C5 X may have lacked the clever hydropneumatic suspension of older Citroens, but with their quirky styling and focus on comfort – in suspension tuning and even in the construction of their seats – these cars were distinctively Citroen. Alas, it seems buyers just didn’t care. MORE: Citroen leaving Australia after more than 100 years, importer focusing on Peugeot MORE: Everything Citroen C4 MORE: Everything Citroen C5 X Citroen C3 While we received new generations of Citroen’s small and medium/large cars, the latest C3 – revealed in electric guise in October 2023, and with petrol power in April this year – was kept from us. That was perhaps an early warning that the brand wasn’t going to stick around here for long, and in August this year distributor Inchcape Australia announced it would close orders for all Citroen vehicles. The third-generation C3 arrived here in 2017, with an extremely mild facelift coming in 2021. That means the C3 is much the same as when it arrived here around seven years ago, and sales figures have reflected that. From a height of 122 sales in 2018, sales fell to double digits in 2019 and have subsequently remained relatively steady, if very, very low. The price has climbed since launch and this year sat at $32,267 before on-road costs for the single Shine variant, putting it up against vehicles the segment above. But even comparing it with similarly sized vehicles with similarly premium pricing, the C3 comes up short. From its 2017 launch to the end of November this year, Citroen has sold 544 C3s. In contrast, Audi sold 462 A1s and Skoda sold 433 Fabias in 2023 alone. Showing just how far Citroen sales have dropped off over the years, as well as the decline in light car sales, the brand sold upwards of 908 examples of the first-generation C3 in 2003. MORE: Everything Citroen C3 Fiat 500 The Fiat 500 is cute as a bug, but its ability to survive year after year well after rivals were replaced made it seem like more of a cockroach. It’s still being manufactured, but Fiat announced it was axing the petrol-powered 500 in Australia in August. As of December, however, it still has stock at its dealers. The 500 and its hotter Abarth 595 sibling are sold alongside the new-generation Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e, electric-only micro cars with similar styling but much more modern underpinnings and technology. With the Fiat 500e set to be joined by a mild-hybrid petrol-powered variant in 2026, this should finally spell the end of the old 500, which has been in production since 2007 and which launched here in 2008. In that time, Fiats from the little Panda to the Dodge Journey-based Freemont have come and gone from the Australian market, but the little 500 has kept on ticking with the occasional minor refresh. Though it no longer sells in quite the same volumes as it did in the early/mid 2010s – where it sold between 2000 and 3000 units annually – it still sells in consistent volumes in a segment that consists solely of it and the Kia Picanto . Last year, Fiat sold 581 examples of the 500 and its Abarth sibling in Australia, an increase on the year before despite the axing of their cabriolet models. MORE: Fiat culls petrol 500 in favour of $50k EV hatch in Australia MORE: Everything Fiat 500 Jaguar F-Type When the E-Type ended production in 1974, it left a hole in Jaguar’s lineup. The XJ-S that succeeded it was more of a grand tourer, a tradition which its XK replacement followed in. It wasn’t until the F-Type , which entered production in 2013, that Jaguar had a genuine spiritual successor to the E-Type. An E-Type successor had existed in development hell during the 1980s and 1990s, before Jaguar revealed the F-Type concept in 2000... only for a planned production version to be scrapped before it could see the light of day. Fast-forward to the 2011 Frankfurt motor show and the F-Type as we came to know it was previewed in concept form, albeit featuring a supercharged V6 hybrid powertrain that never reached production. Instead, the production coupe – which looked essentially identical to the concept – was launched with a choice of supercharged V6 or V8 powertrains. Like the E-Type, there was also a convertible; unlike the iconic Jag, there was an all-wheel drive option. Also in a departure from past Jaguar two-doors, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine joined the range. Designed under Ian Callum, the F-Type was widely regarded as gorgeous. Somehow a facelift, revealed in 2019, arguably improved the styling with a more aggressive look up front. The F-Type featured all-aluminium construction, and Jaguar touted the coupe as the most torsionally rigid production car it had ever built. While the four- and six-cylinder powertrains weren’t shrinking violets, the supercharged V8 was the star. For 2022, Jaguar Australia dropped the four- and six-cylinder engines entirely, leaving the blown 5.0-litre in 331kW/580Nm P450 and 423kW/700Nm R tunes. In June 2024, Jaguar revealed the final F-Type and what it says will be its final combustion-powered sports car: a supercharged 5.0-litre V8-powered convertible in classic green-over-tan. A total of 87,731 F-Types were produced between 2013 and 2024. MORE: Jaguar reveals its last-ever petrol-powered sports car, bound for a museum MORE: Jaguar’s last ever petrol-powered sports car is coming to Australia MORE: Everything Jaguar F-Type Jaguar XE When Jaguar used the Ford Mondeo platform to create its first BMW 3 Series rival, many scoffed. To Jaguar’s credit, it went back to the drawing board and developed a rear/all-wheel drive sports sedan with tasteful, modern styling and poised dynamics. Look out, BMW! Except the XE is now being axed almost a decade after it entered production in 2015, as part of Jaguar’s pivot to being a more exclusive, electric-only brand. Jaguar is done trying to take on BMW and is aiming higher, with JLR design boss Gerry McGovern saying in 2023: “What we won’t worry about is being loved by everybody, because that’s the kiss of death.” “That’s what’s put Jaguar where it is today, which is with no equity whatsoever,” he said. The XE never could match its German rivals in the sales race, and JLR confirmed the sedan wasn’t profitable – something likely not helped by its use of aluminium suspension componentry and a bonded and riveted aluminium unitary structure, unusual for this segment. The 3 Series rival was offered with a range of powertrains, including turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines plus a supercharged V6. Jaguar even developed the limited-run SV Project 8, which featured a supercharged V8 engine. Sadly, the SV Project 8 never came here, nor did it presage a more widely available BMW M3 rival. The six-cylinder and diesel engines were also eventually phased out in Australia. Disappointing sales and the resultant lack of profitability doomed the XE, which was axed in the US in 2020 but grimly held on for a few more years in markets such as ours. Unusually, Jaguar Australia switched the XE from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive for 2021 for reasons unclear. For 2023, the XE range was whittled down to a single model and, though it still appears on Jaguar’s local website, production ended this year. In its best year, 2016, global sales for the XE reached 44,095 units. The same year, BMW produced over 400,000 3 Series models globally. In Australia, the XE’s best year was also 2016 with 1524 sold, beating the Infiniti Q50 and Volvo S60 and falling just short of the Lexus IS . But sales fell each year, plunging to double-digits in 2022. Last year, the XE was outsold by every single one of its rivals, with its 58 sales bested by the Genesis G70 (81 sales) and Volvo S60 (152). From launch to the end of November 2024, Jaguar sold 4332 XEs in Australia. While rivals received significant facelifts or new generations, the XE was left to soldier on as its lineup shrunk. It’s a sad end for what was an extremely promising BMW 3 Series rival. MORE: Everything Jaguar XE Jaguar XF If any car could make Jaguar’s XE look like a sales success, it’s the second generation of the brand’s BMW 5 Series rival. The first-generation XF was a breath of fresh air when it was revealed in 2007, with the Ian Callum-penned sedan casting aside the shackles of Jaguar’s retro design language in favour of a more modern yet still elegant look inside and out. The second generation wasn’t as impactful. Also attributed to Mr. Callum, the design was conservative, looking more like a stretched version of the XE with which it shared its new platform. Unlike the XE, however, there was a wagon version; this made the trip to Australia, even though the first-generation model was offered here only in sedan guise. Globally, the XF was offered with a choice of turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines, plus a turbo-diesel V6 and a supercharged petrol V6. Sadly, there was no supercharged V8 XFR as there had been with the first generation. To Jaguar Australia’s credit, it offered almost every available powertrain, and even brought the niche wagon here. But the British 5 Series rival was met with buyer apathy: sales shrunk compared to the outgoing model, with just 433 sold in 2016. That was down from the over 800 units Jaguar shifted in 2013 and 2014. Sales fell below three digits in 2019 with 50 units, and below two digits in 2023 with just 6 sold. By this point the XF range had been shrunk to a single variant, as for model year 2021 Jaguar axed all rear-wheel drive, diesel, six-cylinder and wagon variants in favour of a lone all-wheel drive turbo-petrol four-cylinder. MORE: Everything Jaguar XF Maserati Quattroporte Technically, Maserati didn’t sell any Quattroportes in Australia in 2024, with global production wrapping late last year. No further examples were delivered this year but as it appeared on Maserati’s local website during 2024, we’ve included it in this article. The Quattroporte nameplate is taking a leave of absence, with a replacement – featuring electric power – delayed until 2028. It’s not the first time the Quattroporte nameplate has taken a lengthy leave of absence, with gaps of several years between the first and second and the third and fourth generations. The Quattroporte competed in an extremely low-volume segment in Australia, battling the likes of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class . Maserati executives would therefore clearly bristle at the mention of the Quattroporte sharing a platform with Chrysler and Dodge. “From the Chrysler 300 we carried over the electrical system, a portion on the platform where seats are hinged and some elements of the air conditioning, that is all,” then-Maserati global CEO Harald Wester told Automotive News Europe back in 2013. The current, sixth-generation Quattroporte entered production that year, underpinned by what Maserati called its M156 platform which was also used by the Ghibli and Levante . The gorgeous, lithe Pininfarina styling of its predecessor made way for an in-house design that was more fuller-figured and conservative, with a clear kinship with the cheaper Ghibli. If it looked bigger than the previous Quattroporte, that’s because it was – in length alone, the Quattroporte VI grew by over 200mm. A Ferrari-developed twin-turbo V8 remained available, along with a twin-turbo V6 developed with the Prancing Horse brand. This was also the first Quattroporte to offer a diesel engine, a turbocharged V6 mill sold here from 2014 to 2019. While the Quattroporte had a decade-long production run, there were updates made during this time. In 2016, the Quattroporte received a new infotainment system and more standard equipment including a suite of active safety features. This suite was expanded in a subsequent update in 2018. In 2020, Maserati revealed a hot Trofeo version of its luxury limo, featuring a 433kW/730Nm tune of the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 – up 43kW and 80Nm on the GTS. This coincided with another minor facelift for the Quattroporte line that saw the old Chrysler-derived infotainment system swapped for one running on Android Automotive. The Quattroporte consistently sold in the double digits each year in Australia, before slumping to just three units in 2023. Even in a low-volume segment, that was very low. MORE: Everything Maserati Quattroporte Maserati Ghibli The Ghibli was first a stunning coupe and convertible in the 1960s, then a rather brutalist two-door in the 1990s, before being revived as a BMW 5 Series sedan rival that was revealed at the 2013 Shanghai motor show. It represented a return to a segment which Maserati last occupied in 1995 with the 430, a descendant of the Biturbo. With the introduction of the Ghibli and Levante, which entered production in 2013 and 2016 respectively, Maserati was chasing broader market appeal and therefore greater sales volumes. By the 2000s, after the end of the Biturbo era, its lineup had receded to a small, more exclusive one. In 2013, it announced plans to sell 50,000 vehicles each year around the world in 2015, more than eight times as many as it sold in 2011. The Ghibli used the M158 platform of the new sixth-generation Quattroporte, and shared its twin-turbocharged V6 petrol and turbocharged V6 diesel engines. There was a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, while an eight-speed automatic transmission was standard across the range. The Quattroporte’s twin-turbo V8 wasn’t added until 2020, while at the other end of the spectrum the Ghibli gained a turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain. Other changes to the Ghibli during its lengthy run mirrored those of the Quattroporte: new infotainment and a suite of active safety tech for 2017, and an expanded suite in 2018 enabled by the switch to an electric-assisted power steering setup. The Ghibli helped Maserati reach its 50,000-unit target, albeit a couple of years late. Alas, the brand’s sales dropped from then. In 2022, Maserati announced its plans to transition to an EV-only lineup by 2028, but conspicuous by its absence from these plans was the Ghibli nameplate. Instead, both it and the Quattroporte are set to be replaced by a single sedan model bearing the latter’s nameplate, though this has subsequently been delayed to 2028. In Australia, from a height of 345 sales in 2015, the Ghibli gradually declined before an uptick in 2021 to 152 sales. They then slumped to double digits, and just 17 Ghiblis found homes in Australia this year to the end of November. From its debut year, the Levante took over as Maserati’s best-selling vehicle locally, a title it maintained until the launch of the smaller Grecale SUV in 2023. The Ghibli remains on Maserati’s local website, but with production having ended it’s only a matter of time before the nameplate is retired for a third time. MORE: Everything Maserati Ghibli Mini Clubman Even as it rolls out new electric vehicles (EVs) like the Aceman , Mini has updated its long-running three- and five-door hatchbacks and convertible and given them a slightly fresher look. The same treatment hasn’t been extended to the long-running Clubman , which Mini ended production of in February after two generations. It’s probably best to blame the Countryman as, in many markets including ours, given the choice of a wagon or an SUV most buyers will opt for the latter. BMW launched Mini as a standalone brand in 2000, and for the first several years of its life it only sold a hatchback. A convertible followed, before the Clubman was launched as Mini’s third body style. It came during a period where Mini was rapidly and creatively expanding its lineup or, to put it less charitably, throwing things at a wall and seeing what stuck. If debuted in 2007, and was followed in 2010 by the Countryman SUV (which did stick) and the Roadster, Coupe and Paceman (which didn’t). Mini wisely added a pair of conventional rear passenger doors with the second-generation Clubman, which launched in Australia in 2015, replacing the suicide door setup of its predecessor. A more practical alternative to the hatchback it was based on, the second-generation Clubman stuck with the rear barn doors of its predecessor – highly unusual for a wagon in 2024. The second-generation Clubman moved to the UKL2 platform underpinning vehicles like the BMW 1 Series . While this platform was used for a raft of vehicles including BMW and Mini-branded hatchbacks, sedans and even a people mover, the quirky Clubman was the only wagon. While it offered a choice of petrol powertrains (though as with its predecessor, no diesel in Australia), including a hot John Cooper Works model with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Between the launch of the second-gen model and the end of November 2024, Mini Australia sold 3143 Clubmans. It was a steady if unexceptional seller, but over the same period Mini sold around twice as many Countryman SUVs. MORE: Everything Mini Clubman Peugeot 508 The 508 may have been the prettiest mid-sized Peugeot since the 406 Coupe of the 1990s, but that wasn’t enough to save it. While it lives on in Europe, in September Peugeot Australia pulled the plug on the liftback and wagon “in response to changing consumer preferences in the segment”. It arguably wasn’t a surprise, given Ford, Kia and Volkswagen, among other brands, had already exited the mid-sized segment. Peugeot sales have also been broadly on a downward trajectory over the past decade. Peugeot Australia added a plug-in hybrid version of the 508 Fastback in 2022, with a Sportwagon PHEV following in 2023. But with one hand Peugeot Australia giveth, and with one another it taketh away. Later in 2023, Peugeot axed the petrol-powered 508s, leaving only the pricier PHEVs. Unusually, the Sportwagon PHEV was introduced after Peugeot revealed a facelifted version of the 508 in Europe, for which it conspicuously didn’t announce specific local launch timing. The facelifted model never came, and when Peugeot UK announced earlier this year it was axing the 508, its local demise appeared inevitable. The second-generation 508’s best year in Australia was 2021, with 240 sold. That was a far cry from the first-generation model which in 2012, its first full year on the market, recorded 1085 sales. In fairness to the 508, mid-sized passenger car sales have fallen over the past decade or so. But in 2023, the 508’s 156 sales saw it outsold by the Volkswagen Passat and Arteon , and even more niche models like the Volvo V60 Cross Country. MORE: Another mid-sized car gets the axe in Australia MORE: Everything Peugeot 508 Renault Megane You can still buy a Renault Megane in Australia, but it’s quite a different creature. The last examples of the RS Trophy hot hatch, the sole remaining member of the combustion-powered Megane range, were sold earlier this year as the new electric Megane E-Tech joined the local lineup. The RS-badged Megane hatch, sent off with a special-edition RS Ultime, was the last member of a once significantly wider lineup of small Renaults. The current, fourth-generation Megane was revealed in 2015 and went on sale locally late in 2016. Wagon and sedan models, introduced in 2017, were dropped in 2019 along with the entry-level Zen hatch, while the RS Sport and RS Cup hatchbacks were axed in 2021. That left just the RS Trophy. Not only was the Australian Megane lineup winnowed down locally, the car was discontinued in almost every market. Turkish production continues, however, of the sedan. This mirrors what happened with the Ford Focus , with a once-wide lineup continually chipped away at in Australia until a single hot hatch was left, before the nameplate was axed entirely. The Focus is also being discontinued globally. Renault only sold 69 Meganes in Australia in 2023. That was well down on the 1259 units it shifted in 2017, its first full year on sale. The Megane RS Trophy (and RS Ultime) used a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, mated with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 221kW of power and 420Nm of torque (400Nm in the manual) Those outputs remained competitive even among a growing contingent of hot hatches on the local market. While Renault is moving away from hot petrol-powered models, it’s entering the hot electric hatch fray with both its namesake brand and its Alpine spinoff. It remains to be seen whether these hot EVs will come here, however. MORE: Everything Renault Megane MORE: Every SUV discontinued in Australia in 2024 MORE: Every car and SUV discontinued in Australia in 2023 MORE: Every car discontinued in 2022 MORE: Every car discontinued in 2021 MORE: The cars we lost in 2020
Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalGovernment to block incinerators that do not contribute to green plans
Cementing its position as an industry leader in sustainability and innovation TABUK, Saudi Arabia , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Abdullah Abdin Ready-Mix Concrete is proud to announce its achievement of the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) certification, a milestone that establishes it as a leader in sustainable construction in the MENA region. This recognition makes Abdullah Abdin Ready-Mix Concrete the first ready-mix concrete company in the MENA region—and the first outside Europe , South America , and Turkey—to receive this esteemed certification. The CSC certification highlights Abdullah Abdin’s dedication to implementing advanced sustainability practices and setting a higher standard for environmental and social responsibility, reflecting its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and reinforcing its position as a forward-thinking leader in the construction sector. Launched in 2017 as a global initiative to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the concrete sector, the Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) is the only globally applicable certification system for ready-mixed and precast concrete. With 1,288 active certified plants in 25 countries, CSC certification is recognized by leading green building labels such as LEED and BREEAM. To celebrate the achievement, an award ceremony took place today at the company’s premises in Sharma, NEOM, where notable attendees from the industry and the company’s partners gathered to mark this significant accomplishment, which is expected to inspire similar efforts across the region. “This milestone demonstrates our commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable development,” said Tariq Abdullah Abdin , CEO of Abdullah Abdin Ready-Mix Concrete. “As the first company in the region to achieve this certification, we aim to set the standard for environmentally responsible construction while contributing to the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals and fulfilling the aspirations of our partners, particularly in Giga projects with NEOM leading the way.” Cynthia Imesch , Coordinator and Sustainability Manager at the Concrete Sustainability Council, remarked: “ Abdullah Abdin’s achievement represents a significant step forward for the region’s construction industry. By integrating sustainability into their operations, they exemplify the transformative role businesses can play in achieving global climate objectives. Their leadership paves the way for broader industry adoption of these critical standards.” Rabih Fakih , Managing Director at Grey Matters, the regional system operator for CSC, added: “We are proud to support Abdullah Abdin in achieving this certification as it reflects the growing momentum for sustainable construction in the Middle East . This milestone not only highlights their leadership but also serves as an inspiration for other companies to adopt practices that align with the environmental aspirations of Vision 2030 and NEOM.” In addition to achieving CSC certification, Abdullah Abdin recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MENA region Cryo and CarbonCure Technologies. This collaboration focuses on deploying carbon capture and utilization technologies across its facilities, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the sustainability of concrete production. By leveraging innovative solutions such as injecting captured CO2 into concrete mixes, the partnership aligns with Abdullah Abdin’s broader mission to lead in eco-friendly construction practices and actively contribute to the Kingdom’s decarbonization goals. For more information about Abdullah Abdin and its sustainability initiatives, please visit https://aabdin-sa.com/ . About Abdullah Abdin Ready Mix Concrete Founded in 1981 in the Tabuk region, Abdullah Abdin Ready-Mix Concrete has become a trusted name in construction materials, known for its quality, innovation, and sustainability. The company’s contributions to major projects across Saudi Arabia underscore its reputation as a leader in building the Kingdom’s future. SOURCE Abdullah Abdin Ready Mix ConcreteBrendan Rodgers praises Celtic and Cameron Carter-Vickers’ mentality
Wall Street stocks finished little changed on Thursday as Treasury bond yields climbed further in the wake of a Federal Reserve decision that prompted deep selling in the prior session. US indices bounced early in the day, but the rebound faded as the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose above 4.5 percent. The Fed on Wednesday lowered interest rates but signaled it expects fewer interest rate cuts in 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose less than 0.1 percent to 42,342.24. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent to 5,867.08, while the Nasdaq Composite Index also declined 0.1 percent to 19,372.77. Thursday's move in stocks is "kind of a lacklustre recovery effort," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "A lot of good news has been priced into this market," he said. "And now the market is going to sit back and see if a lot of that good news that's priced in actually comes to fruition." Investors were monitoring Capitol Hill where an intervention by President-elect Donald Trump on a spending bill raised the possibility of a government shutdown. Among individual companies, Micron Technology sank 16.2 percent after projecting earnings that lagged estimates. While the chip company benefited from strong demand for artificial intelligence, analysts pointed to a drag from weak demand for personal computers and automobile clients. But Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden and other chains, jumped 14.7 percent after projecting a 1.5 percent rise in same-restaurant sales for its full fiscal year. (AFP)
New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in the national capital during which he observed that "Pro-People Pro-active Good Governance (P2G2) is at the core of our work through which we can achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat". Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "Attended the Chief Secretaries Conference, a vital platform for collaboration between the Centre and states to boost good governance. Discussions focused on furthering growth, ensuring effective governance, and enhancing service delivery to citizens. We also focused on how to boost infrastructure and leverage technology for better governance." The three-day Conference was held in Delhi from December 13-15. PM Modi observed that the greater benefit of this Conference was that Team India had come together for discussion with an open mind and work together for a Viksit Bharat. The Conference included discussions around the overarching theme of ‘Promoting Entrepreneurship, Employment and Skilling – Leveraging the Demographic Dividend’. The PMO in a release mentioned that the Prime Minister appreciated the advent of Start-ups especially in Tier 2/3 cities. He asked states to encourage such innovations and work towards providing an environment where start-ups can flourish. PM Modi urged states to identify locations suitable for entrepreneurs in smaller cities and take initiative to connect them with the banking system, provide logistics and facilitate them. The Prime Minister also asked the states to simplify the compliances which often lead to harassment of citizens. He urged the participants that states should reform the governance model in such as way as to encourage citizen participation or Jan Bhagidari. PM Modi also said that it is important to focus on reform, perform, and transform, and it is also important to inform the people about the various initiatives of the government. Talking about Circular Economy, the Prime Minister appreciated that the GOBARdhan programme is now being seen as a big energy resource. He observed that this initiative converts waste into wealth while also making the aged cattle an asset rather than a liability, the PMO release read. PM Modi directed the states to explore concepts of Viability Gap Funding for recycling of E-waste. This is particularly important as with increasing data and technology driven society, digital waste will further increase. Converting this e-waste into a useful resource will lessen our dependence on import of such material. In the health sector, PM Modi urged that under the Fit India Movement, obesity should be taken as a big challenge in Bharat. He said that only a fit and healthy India can be a Viksit Bharat. He also opined that Bharat can be made 'TB-mukt' by the end of 2025. He added that the ASHA and Anganwadi workers can play a big role in delivering this goal. The Prime Minister also observed that the old manuscripts were Bharat's treasure and technology should be used to digitise it. He said that states should take steps towards it. While appreciating that PM GatiShakti has been a key enabler for good governance, he also said that PM GatiShakti must be regularly updated and indicators for environmental impacts, disaster prone areas must also be included in it. Talking about Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, PM Modi said that competent officers posted in these blocks and districts can bring about massive changes at the ground level. It would also lead to immense socio-economic benefits. Talking about development of cities, PM Modi strongly encouraged for human resources development in order to develop cities as centres of economic growth. He emphasised on developing institutions for specialization in urban governance, water and environment management. With increasing urban mobility, he also stressed on providing adequate urban accommodation which would in turn lead to better productivity in the manufacturing sector in new industrial hubs. The Prime Minister also paid salutations to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel describing him as an inspiration for all civil servants. Citing that today is his death anniversary and this year is also his 150th birth anniversary, PM Modi said that next two years should be celebrated and we should work towards achieving his dream of India. To make every Indian an active participant in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat, he urged them to follow the example of the freedom movement. As men, women and children from all walks of life participated in the freedom struggle despite their different circumstances, ideological differences and different means, similarly every Indian must work towards making Viksit Bharat by 2047. Citing that India became independent 25 years after Dandi March which was a massive revolution in those times, the Prime Minister said that similarly if we decide that we shall become Viksit Bharat by 2047, we too will become Viksit for sure. The three day Conference emphasised on special themes which included Manufacturing, Services, Rural Non-farm, Urban, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy. The Conference was attended by Chief Secretaries, senior officials of all states/Union Territories, domain experts and senior officers in the Centre.
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Week 13 features only three games between two teams with winning records. All three matchups are on Sunday. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry face off when the streaking Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) take on the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) in a potential Super Bowl preview. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,392 yards rushing and Henry is next at 1,325. The Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) in a matchup between first-year coaches who’ve turned their teams around. Two surprise teams meet when the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) host the Arizona Cardinals (6-5). It’s a full schedule with no byes, beginning with three games on Thanksgiving and another on Black Friday. Five road teams are favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Pro Picks aims for another winning week. Line: Cowboys minus 3 1/2 The Giants are a total mess. General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are barely hanging onto their jobs. Drew Lock could become the third starting QB in three games. Standout rookie receiver Malik Nabers called his team “soft” after they played like a group that’s quit last week. The Cowboys aren’t much better, though they fought hard in an upset win at Washington. Cooper Rush had his best game filling in for Dak Prescott. A soft schedule has Dallas thinking the playoffs aren’t out of reach. The Cowboys can’t overlook New York. They’re 0-6 in their past six home games but have won seven straight matchups vs. the Giants. BEST BET: COWBOYS: 26-17 Line: Rams minus 2 1/2 The Saints are 2-0 under interim coach Darren Rizzi and are coming off a bye with a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. An offense that was unstoppable in the first two games this season is getting back on track thanks to an improved run game and back-to-back sharp outings from Derek Carr. Alvin Kamara should be excited to get the ball against the Rams, who just gave up 255 yards rushing to Saquon Barkley. Los Angeles needs to protect Matthew Stafford better and give him time to get the ball to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. UPSET SPECIAL: SAINTS: 24-23 Line: Lions minus 9 1/2 The Lions have lost seven straight games on Thanksgiving, including three times to the Bears. It would be a major upset if that happens again. Detroit has won nine straight games since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. The Lions are not only winning but dominating opponents with six victories by a double-digit margin during their streak. Jared Goff leads a prolific offense while the defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown the past two games. The Bears are trying to snap a five-game losing streak. Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown a pick in 193 passes. Detroit is 15-3 against the spread in its past 18 division games and 8-1 ATS in the past nine games overall this season. LIONS: 31-19 Line: Packers minus 3 1/2 Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending concussion the previous time the Dolphins faced Green Bay on Christmas Day in 2022. He has 11 TDs and only one interception in the five games since returning from his latest concussion and has led Miami to three straight wins. The Packers face a tough test in the middle of a stretch where they play three games in a 12-day span with a showdown against the Lions looming next Thursday. Jordan Love has bounced back from two rough games to play two solid ones. He’ll face a strong challenge against Miami’s top-10 defense. PACKERS: 23-21 Line: Chiefs minus 13 The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs keep finding ways to win barely. They’ve won 12 straight games decided by seven points or fewer, the longest streak in NFL history, and have won five games decided on the final play this season. Patrick Mahomes is the difference-maker in many of the close ones. Kansas City could use a rout. The struggling Raiders provide an opportunity for a lopsided victory. Las Vegas has lost seven straight and lost quarterback Gardner Minshew last week. The team will turn to Aidan O’Connell back off injured reserve to start on Black Friday. The Chiefs are due for an easy one, but they’re 0-5 ATS in the past five games. CHIEFS: 27-16 Line: Chargers minus 2 The Chargers hit the road on a short week after losing the “Harbowl” at home to the Ravens. Their offense could be without running back J.K. Dobbins and the defense has allowed 57 points in the past two games after giving up just 13.6 per game the previous five. Meanwhile, the rested Falcons are coming off a bye and eager to snap a two-game losing streak to maintain their hold on first place in the NFC South. FALCONS: 23-22 Line: Bengals minus 3 The AFC North-leading Steelers are road underdogs following a road loss at Cleveland. Russell Wilson has been hitting his deep throws but needs better protection. A usually stingy defense that couldn’t make stops against Jameis Winston in the snow now has to contain Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The underachieving Bengals need to stack wins to have any shot at climbing back into the playoff race. Cincinnati is 1-3 ATS as a home favorite this season. BENGALS: 24-23 Line: Vikings minus 3 1/2 Stout defense and solid play by QB Sam Darnold has helped Minnesota become the surprise team in the NFL this season. Only the Lions and Chiefs have a better record. The Cardinals are in a four-way battle in the NFC West. A disappointing offensive performance led to their four-game winning streak being snapped. It won’t be easy for Kyler Murray and Co. to score against the Vikings. VIKINGS: 23-17 Line: Colts minus 2 1/2 It’s no longer Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning in this rivalry. Anthony Richardson and Drake Maye go head-to-head in a matchup between young QBs taken in the top five of the draft over the past two seasons. The Colts can’t get their offense and defense to play well in the same game. That could turn around against the lowly Patriots. COLTS: 20-16 Line: Seahawks minus 2 Geno Smith faces the team that drafted him after turning his career around on his fourth stop and going to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons. The Seahawks are fighting for the playoffs while the Jets have fallen apart. Their coach and GM already have been fired. Aaron Rodgers’ future is uncertain. Yet, the team still has plenty of talent. SEAHAWKS: 20-17 Line: Commanders minus 6 Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have hit a detour on their road to the playoffs, losing three straight games. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has stalled during Washington’s recent skid. The Titans are coming off a big upset in Houston and Will Levis has asserted himself since returning from an injury a month ago. Tennessee has the No. 2 defense in the league so it’ll be tough for Daniels and the Commanders to get back on track in this one. COMMANDERS: 24-17 Line: Texans minus 4 1/2 C.J. Stroud and the Texans are having some issues this season. Not even close to Jacksonville’s troubles, though. The Jaguars could have Trevor Lawrence back after he missed two games. That won’t be enough. Houston has won 11 of the past 13 games vs. Jacksonville. The Texans are 2-6 ATS in their past eight games vs. AFC opponents. The Jaguars are 4-1 ATS in their past five games. TEXANS: 24-20 Line: Buccaneers minus 6 Panthers coach Dave Canales has the team playing better and Bryce Young is showing some of the potential that made him a No. 1 overall pick. Canales’ familiarity with Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offense should help Carolina’s defense. The Buccaneers can’t afford a letdown as they try to make a push to get back in the playoff race. They’re getting key players healthy, their three-headed rushing attack has added balance to the offense and the defense needs to build off a solid performance last week. BUCCANEERS: 24-20 Line: Ravens minus 3 Both teams are coming off impressive wins in the same stadium in Los Angeles one night apart. The Ravens had shorter rest following the Monday night win. Barkley has been a sensational addition for the Eagles. Henry has made a major impact in Baltimore. Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson go head-to-head for the first time. The Ravens have won two in a row in the series. Philadelphia has the better defense and that could be the difference. EAGLES: 26-23 Line: Bills minus 7 The inconsistent 49ers need Brock Purdy, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa back from injuries. The defending NFC champions have lost two in a row, but they’re only one game back in their division. The rested Bills have won six in a row and are coming off a bye. Josh Allen in the MVP favorite and Buffalo can clinch another division title this weekend. BILLS: 26-23 Line: Broncos minus 5 1/2 Maybe Jameis Winston gets to play in the snow again. Winston has reinvigorated the Browns, though too late for it to matter this season. Rookie QB Bo Nix has helped turn the Broncos into a playoff contender with plenty of help from receiver Courtland Sutton and a strong defense. BRONCOS: 23-19 Last week: Straight up: 9-4. Against spread: 8-5. Overall: Straight up: 121-68. Against spread: 97-80-2. Prime-time: Straight up: 28-12. Against spread: 21-18-1. Best Bet : Straight up: 8-4. Against spread: 7-5. Upset Special: Straight up: 7-5. Against spread: 7-5.
Steelers Get Bad News for Chances of Alex Highsmith Return This Week
ASML Deadline: ASML Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K Have Opportunity to Lead ASML Holding N.V. Securities Fraud LawsuitA team of the Election Commission (EC) of India, led by director Deepali Masirkar and under secretary Munish Kumar, reviewed the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls with January 1, 2025, as the qualifying date. District election officer Jitendra Jorwal detailed the ECI team about the current status of the whole exercise being carried out in the Ludhiana. The team took stock of the process, particularly in Ludhiana East, Ludhiana South and Sahnewal assembly segments. The team members also made calls on 1950 voter helpline to check facilities being offered besides inspecting new voters enrollment forms. The team stated that in case of deletion/shifting of voters, a proper procedure to be adopted before proceeding ahead. The team stressed that each one should work fairly. The team asked the officials to expedite the SVEEP (Systematic Voter Education & Electoral Participation) activities across the district, especially in those booth areas which have witnessed less polling to sensitise them of the voting right. The team made it clear that nobody would be left to be included as elector, if he/she qualifies for the same. District election officer Jitendra Jorwal directed the officials to follow all the guidelines issued by ECI team.Sports on TV Monday, Dec. 16
PM Modi chairs 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi51 Ministries Use DBT to Deliver Subsidies, Pensions, Benefits
Australian cricket legend Mark Taylor has sent a serious warning to Pat Cummins and his team ahead of the first Test in Perth . With the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India blasting off today (Friday), the former captain is telling the Australians to keep their mouths zipped. Head here to watch Australia v India live and free on 7plus Sport Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In particular, Taylor thinks the Aussies should not poke the bear ... the bear being 36-year-old superstar Virat Kohli. The veteran batter has struck just two centuries in his past 60 Test innings and was restricted to just 93 runs at an average of 15.5 during India’s shock 3-0 loss to New Zealand in India. But it is a sensitive topic for India and Taylor says now is not the time to start sledging. “I reckon that can backfire, particularly on Kohli,” Taylor said on 2GB. “If I was the Aussies, I’d be staying pretty quiet (and) just hitting a wide length around off stump and seeing if they can keep him under wraps by nicking balls. He has been doing this of late. “(But) I wouldn’t be saying too much to Virat. “He loves that combativeness of Test match cricket and that’s why he loves playing against the Aussies. “I remember interviewing him 10 years ago when he came over. He was really looking forward to the series and having the Australians in his face — bowling quick, bowling bouncers. He seems to thrive on that. “That’s going to be one of the great contests of this series. “I always fear someone like Virat Kohli when they’re out of form because he’s just too good of a player for this sort of slump to continue. “He does love playing here, he does love pace and bounce on the ball so he enjoys our conditions and averages 54 against Australia. “So, he’ll be up for it. There is no doubt. “He’s been worried about his form, he’s been working really hard over here from all reports to try and get it right, so Australia need to keep him down.” Meanwhile, stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah believes there are “ominous” signs that Kohli is returning to his best. “He is one of the greats of the game,” Bumrah said. “He’s the utmost professional that we have in our team. He’s got a lot of success. “He’s one of the leaders, I made my debut under him, so he knows what he’s doing. “OK, one or two series here and there can go up and down, but the confidence that he has at this moment, I have no doubts ... and he’s mentally switched on. “He’s looking to contribute. And the way I’ve seen him at training ... the signs are ominous. “I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything else, but yes, he’s looking in very good shape.” India have held the Border-Gavaskar trophy since 2016/17. They have pulled off two series wins in Australia since then, but their hopes of doing it again have been dealt a number of blows in the lead-up to the latest showdown. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test in Perth after remaining in India for the birth of his second child. Young star Shubman Gill will also be absent after injuring his thumb at training last week, while veteran paceman Mohammed Shami is still building his fitness following an ankle injury. Indian fans are still struggling to digest their team’s dismal performance against NZ on home soil, but Bumrah said the players are primed to bounce back. “The beauty about cricket is even if you win, you start from zero, and even if you lose you start from zero,” Bumrah said. “So that’s how I look at the game. The first Test begins on Friday, November 22 and is scheduled to run through to Tuesday, November 26. For the very first time Australians can stream the cricket live and free on 7plus Sport on any device — anytime and anywhere. Seven’s coverage kicks off at 12.30pm AEDT each day ahead of the first ball at 1.20pm AEDT. - With AAPBy Amanda Musa , CNN Content warning: This story discusses mental health and suicide. A list of helplines is available at the bottom of this page. A family man from Wisconsin . A spirited artist from Hawaii . An Ivy League graduate from Maryland . At face value, Ryan Borgwardt, Hannah Kobayashi and Luigi Mangione lead distinct lives and come from disparate backgrounds. Yet, they all took unexpected paths, disappearing from their jobs, routines, friends and family. Hundreds of thousands of adults are reported missing each year in the United States, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Some run away intentionally, according to former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe. "As an adult, you can just decide to leave your life and go start somewhere else, or go seek something, whatever that might be," McCabe told CNN. There are many reasons why a person would run, such as pressures at work, financial troubles, health issues, romantic relationships and social media, McCabe adds. These variables can lead to increased anxiety and stress, according to experts who note some people who do not have the emotional tools to cope with these issues may find it is easier to opt out of their current life and start a new one. Oftentimes, law enforcement designates these individuals as voluntary missing persons, McCabe said. This month, Kobayashi was declared a voluntary missing person after Los Angeles police say she travelled to the US-Mexico border and crossed into Mexico alone. The 30-year-old has since been "found safe", her family announced this week , but has not returned to the US. A family statement did not indicate where Kobayashi was or how the family determined she was safe. CNN has reached out to Kobayashi for comment. Kobayashi's family is still reeling from the death of her father, who killed himself a few days before Thanksgiving after he travelled to Los Angeles to search for her. As cases of missing Americans continue to captivate the public's attention, this culmination of events is not necessarily a coincidence, according to Lauren Cook, a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety and is based in Los Angeles. It is not uncommon for adults with full lives to have passive thoughts about walking away from everything they know, Cook said. Before leaving Hawaii, Kobayashi had expressed a desire to disconnect from modern technology, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. While extreme, these recent stories speak to the "great level of overwhelm people are feeling," Cook, who is not involved with any of the cases, told CNN. "They don't always know easy solutions to their problems, and so then they do find themselves wanting to run away and escape it all." Why would an adult run away? Running away from home is a common threat young children make when they are angry or feel misunderstood, experts say. As we age, we usually learn how to regulate our emotions. But not every adult does, and without that skill, life changes and anxiety can become too much for one person to handle. "When people don't know how to self-regulate, they can unfortunately make some really dire choices," Cook said. Many people, through no fault of their own, are not taught how to self-regulate as they develop into adults, she added. In 2023, more than 563,000 missing person reports were recorded by the National Crime Information Centre, a database run by the FBI and comprised of criminal data, including missing persons cases involving minors and adults. For about half of those cases, optional criteria were used to help classify a person's disappearance as an abduction or voluntary, according to an NCIC report. Of those cases, approximately 95% were labelled as runaways, data shows. Some runaways may be responding to too much stimuli, Cook adds. "When someone is so taxed neurologically day after day after day, eventually they're not going to have the same cognitive capacities to make decisions as somebody who is well rested and feels capable of managing what's going on in their life," Cook said. Someone with an overloaded brain can begin to dissociate from their lives and ultimately become removed from their ability to empathize with others, Cook said. Voluntary missing people and those in "extreme escapism situations" are more likely to make reckless decisions that not only harm themselves, but their loved ones as well, Cook added. Going missing is not a crime. Sometimes Local law enforcement agencies across the country are responsible for investigating missing persons cases, according to McCabe. When it comes to missing people under 21, authorities are required by law to report every missing persons case to the National Crime Information Centre, even if they left of their own accord. However, if an adult voluntarily leaves, there is not much local law enforcement or the FBI can do, McCabe said. "Unless there's some reason to believe that there might have been a crime involved (authorities) can't afford to take the time and effort to basically unwind all of that person's history and movements," McCabe said. Missing persons investigations often involve forensic analysis, gathering cell phone data and requesting search warrants, he said. "That is expensive," McCabe said. Missing persons investigations require a lot of manpower, according to McCabe, taking precious time away from public resources like police officers, forensic analysts and judges. If a person is missing because they want to be, those resources are not being used fairly, he said That is a hard truth to grapple with for both investigators and the families of missing adults. "There's nothing criminal about" going missing voluntarily unless you commit a crime in the process, McCabe noted. Last week, Borgwardt was charged with one count of obstructing an officer after Wisconsin officials say the 45-year-old staged a kayaking accident and faked his own death before travelling to Eastern Europe, leaving his wife and three children. For seven weeks, the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office searched for Borgwardt's body but didn't find it. Eventually, officials uncovered evidence Borgwardt fled to Europe by way of Canada. Wisconsin investigators say Borgwardt faked his own death for a "number of reasons," and have remained tight-lipped on exactly where he was as authorities spent weeks searching for him. Borgwardt has not released a statement regarding his actions, and neither has his family. Borgwardt, who does not appear to have an attorney, did not respond to CNN's request for comment. In another high-profile case, Mangione, the man facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was reported missing last month by his mother . One of his attorneys has denied his client's involvement in the killing in New York and anticipates he will plead not guilty there to the murder charge, among other counts. Mangione's mother hadn't spoken to her son since July, she told police in San Francisco, where she knew he had been living. His phone consistently went to voicemail, which was also full, she told police. It also appears Mangione disappeared from social media this year. In July, a user tweeted at Mangione, "I haven't heard from you in months." The 26-year-old appeared to be driven by anger against the health insurance industry and viewed the targeted killing as a direct challenge to "corporate greed", according to an NYPD intelligence report. For every voluntary missing person who is found, there is another who is never located. Families who feel like no one is searching for their loved one are encouraged to persistently follow up with the investigating agency involved, McCabe said. "It's entirely possible that law enforcement might come across them in the course of their duties," he said. The age of overwhelm In recent years, the percentage of American adults reporting anxiety and depression symptoms significantly increased, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. During 2022, about one in five adults aged 18 and older experienced any symptoms of anxiety (18.2%) or symptoms of depression (21.4%) during a two-week period. Anxiety and stress can have major health implications and can motivate people to do things they normally wouldn't do, said Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, a developmental psychologist and senior research scholar in psychology at Clark University. "Depression is different," Arnett said. "Depression usually comes with a certain lassitude. You don't feel like doing anything. But anxiety and stress are the opposite, and they make you want to do something to relieve that condition." Anxiety and stress can be managed through communication, therapy or medication, experts note. Current anxiety levels are particularly elevated for people aged 18 to 29, Arnett said, noting the Covid-19 pandemic's impacts on mental health. Cook agrees, noting the financial disparity between Millennials and Baby Boomers plays a role. "Young adults today, they're not able to afford housing, they're barely living paycheck to paycheck," Cook said. "They're feeling so overwhelmed by all of these different things that they saw their parents do seemingly more easily, and that gets really defeating over time." Along with poor health care, increased cost of living and rampant gun violence in the US, the current political climate is prompting some Americans to consider leaving the country, Cook said. Using anxiety to your advantage When a person is so stressed they feel like a tea kettle ready to boil, Cook and Arnett say they should prioritise communication. Sometimes that looks like calling a friend. "If the distress gets to the point where you feel like it's interfering with your daily functioning and with your relationships, and that you really are on the verge of doing something extreme, then it's time to get help," Arnett said. "It's time to talk to other people about it, especially the people you're closest to." Withdrawing from family, friends and social media can be a signal something is wrong. Anyone looking to make a drastic life change should try to include their loved ones in that decision, Cook said, so they don't worry unnecessarily. "Our human brains go to the worst places," she said. "It becomes problematic when people aren't communicating their plans to walk away." Cook also recommends seeing a therapist to help relieve tension. Breath work, exercise and journaling are some of the many practices someone can implement or consistent relief, according to the CDC. Ultimately, Arnett argues stress and anxiety can be harnessed and used to someone's advantage if they can identify the stressors. "Anxiety is a motivator, and so it's possible to use it constructively," Arnett said. "What are those things for you? And how can you relieve that sense of being oppressed by them and threatened by them?" - CNN Where to get help: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. Lifeline : 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline : 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202 Samaritans : 0800 726 666 (24/7) Youthline : 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz What's Up : free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm Asian Family Services : 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline : 0800 787 254 Healthline: 0800 611 116 Rainbow Youth : (09) 376 4155 OUTLine : 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm) If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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