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EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — JuJu Watkins scored 21 points to lead No. 6 Southern California to a 66-53 win over Oregon in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Saturday. Watkins was 6 for 15 from the field, including 3 of 9 on 3-pointers, in 28 minutes before fouling out. Kiki Iriafen added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Trojans (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten). Deja Kelly scored 16 points and Peyton Scott added 13 to lead the Ducks (7-3, 0-1). Oregon led 13-12 after the first quarter, but USC scored the first 18 points of the second quarter and never trailed again. The Trojans built the lead to 40-19 at halftime with 15 points from Watkins. Scott opened the third quarter with four straight points, but USC scored five straight points right after and kept the lead in double digits the rest of the way. USC: The Trojans won their fourth straight since a loss to No. 10 Notre Dame. USC returns to nonconference play over the next three weeks, including a trip to No. 2 UConn. Oregon: The Ducks started the season 6-0 and moved up to No. 23 in the AP poll but have now lost three of four games. Kelly scored to put Oregon up 13-12 early, but USC held the Ducks scoreless for more than five minutes to start the second quarter while scoring 18 straight points. Watkins had a seven-point run of her own within that span. USC outrebounded Oregon 45-31, including 34 defensive rebounds. The Trojans are averaging nearly 12 more rebounds per game than their opponents on the season. USC hosts Fresno State on Tuesday night, and Oregon hosts Air Force on Dec. 17. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballGalaxy holds on to claim 6th MLS CupCHICAGO — Joel Embiid missed his first seven shots Sunday afternoon. And then he turned into vintage Embiid. Embiid amassed 31 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in his return from an ongoing knee condition, propelling the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-100 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. All-Star point guard Tyrese Maxey compiled his first career triple-double for the Sixers with 25 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists. But Embiid’s production – and the ability to move over the course of 33 minutes despite wearing a bulky knee brace – was the story of the Sixers’ fourth win in their past five games, continuing some momentum following a disastrous start to the season. Embiid, who had missed the previous seven games and 17 of his team’s first 21 games overall, scored 19 of his points during a dominant second quarter, anchoring the game’s flip from a 10-point Sixers deficit into a 12-point advantage. He made eight of his 12 shot attempts during the period. He got on the board with a turnaround jumper from the block, then finished a putback through contact for the and-one. He took multiple feeds from Maxey for open looks, reviving that two-man game that was so dominant last season. He hollered when he banked in a shot. Embiid continued to roll out of the break, converting a wild and-one finish over Nikola Vucevic and stepping into two textbook jumpers. That helped push the Sixers’ lead out to 19 points in the frame, before the Bulls rallied to get as close as 96-92 on a Zach LaVine 3-pointer with about five minutes remaining. The bulk of Embiid’s scoring opportunities came while sharing the floor with Maxey and Paul George (12 points on 6-of-13 shooting, seven rebounds), the new All-Star trio that the Sixers (7-15) believed would vault them into championship contention but had played only six minutes together entering Sunday. Rookie guard Jared McCain, who initially came off the bench but started the second half in place of Guerschon Yabusele, added 11 points and four assists. The Sixers next hit a light stretch of their schedule while the league plays the knockout round of the NBA Cup. They host the Indiana Pacers on Friday before a road date against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 16, then have a home-road back-to-back against the Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 20 and 21.

Ange Postecoglou relishing Tottenham’s key run of fixtures before Christmas( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the "architect of India's transition" and lauded his contributions towards Political stability, nation-building, and good governance on the occasion of Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary. Born on December 15, 1994, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee, a poet and politician, served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms -- first for a term of 13 days in 1996, second, for a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, third, a full term from 1999 to 2004 -- becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full term in the office. He left an indelible mark on the country's political and social fabric. His birth anniversary is also celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' in India. In a heartfelt blog post, PM Modi described December 25 as a special day for the nation, marking the centenary of Vajpayee's birth. "Today, 25th December is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th Jayanti of our beloved former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people," he wrote. Highlighting Vajpayee's pivotal role in shaping India's future, PM Modi wrote, "Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India's transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998, our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years, we had seen four Lok Sabha elections." "The people of India were getting impatient and sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance." PM Modi highlighted Vajpayee's achievements across sectors, stating, "His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information Technology, telecom, and communications. The NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the efforts to enhance local connectivity through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. His government also laid the groundwork for the Delhi Metro, which stands as a world-class infrastructure project." Touching upon Vajpayee's contributions to social reforms, PM Modi said, "An initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms which set the stage for India's economic surge after decades of stagnation." PM Modi also cited the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests as an example of Vajpayee's resolute leadership. "On 11th May, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. Any ordinary leader would have buckled under international pressure, but Atal Ji was made differently. India stood firm and resolute, conducting another set of tests on 13th May. This was a message to the world that India would no longer buckle under threats or pressure," he wrote. Despite facing international sanctions, Vajpayee articulated India's right to safeguard its sovereignty while advocating for world peace. PM Modi further noted, "Atal Ji presided over the creation of the NDA, redefining coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together, making the NDA a force for development and national progress. His Parliamentary brilliance was evident throughout his political journey." Slamming the Congress, PM Modi remarked, "As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. Despite spending much of his career in Opposition, he carried no bitterness, even though the Congress stooped to calling him a traitor. He preferred to resign in 1996 rather than resort to horse-trading. In 1999, despite losing by one vote, he upheld integrity and returned with a resounding mandate." Recalling Vajpayee's commitment to democracy, PM Modi wrote, "He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. He agreed to merge the Jan Sangh into the Janata Party in 1977, prioritising the Constitution over personal or party interests." The Prime Minister also praised Vajpayee's pride in Indian culture, citing his speech in Hindi at the United Nations as External Affairs Minister, which showcased his immense pride in India's heritage and identity. Calling Vajpayee's persona "magnetic," PM Modi wrote, "A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and offer solace. His poetry, reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across generations." Concluding his tribute, the Prime Minister acknowledged Vajpayee's foundational contributions to the BJP and his unwavering dedication to ideology over power. "On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Atal Ji's unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder," he wrote. MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028685 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

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( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other party leaders paid homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary on Wednesday. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Respectful tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his 100th birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to building a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant India. His vision and mission will continue to give strength to the resolve for a Viksit Bharat." In a video message, he highlighted the significance of Vajpayee's legacy, stating, "Today, in honour of Atal Jayanti, is celebrated as 'Good Governance Day.' Good governance means when the Centre doesn't have a feeling of power but of service." He urged citizens to fulfil their responsibilities, adding, "It should be our aim to achieve our goals on this occasion of 'Good Governance Day' and in remembrance of Atalji. This is the expectation of the public, and this is the lesson Atal Bihari Vajpayee taught us." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to Vajpayee, calling him a leader who ushered in an era of development and good governance. "Atal ji made cultural nationalism a work culture and always kept the country's security and public welfare paramount. He made the BJP popular with the masses with his purity and self-restraint in political life. Like the Pole Star, Atal ji will continue to guide the countrymen on the path of national service till eternity," Shah wrote. BJP President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, in his tribute, lauded Vajpayee's contribution to Indian politics. "Revered Atal Ji gave new heights to the tradition of integrity and service in Indian politics. His contribution to establishing the country as a global superpower is unforgettable," Nadda wrote. He further described Vajpayee's life as "an inspiration" and extended greetings on 'Good Governance Day,' stating that the day reflects Vajpayee's dedication to all-round national development. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined in paying tributes, referring to Vajpayee as "a pillar of independent Indian politics." "Atal ji set new standards in both politics and diplomacy, working throughout his life with the resolve to build a strong and prosperous India," Singh wrote, adding, "His significant contribution to India's progress cannot be appreciated enough. Today, on his 100th birth anniversary, I pay my humble tribute to him." Vajpayee, remembered as a statesman and visionary leader, served as India's Prime Minister three times and played a pivotal role in shaping modern India. His leadership continues to inspire millions across the country. MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028642 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.LA Galaxy strike early, hold off New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win their record 6th MLS Cup championshipWASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.

BNP Paribas Financial Markets cut its position in Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ( NYSE:PB – Free Report ) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,794 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 1,671 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in Prosperity Bancshares were worth $1,787,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PB. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. lifted its stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 41.9% in the second quarter. Amica Mutual Insurance Co. now owns 157,770 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $9,646,000 after buying an additional 46,593 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares in the 3rd quarter worth about $4,804,000. Prospector Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 24.6% in the 3rd quarter. Prospector Partners LLC now owns 228,992 shares of the bank’s stock worth $16,503,000 after acquiring an additional 45,177 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in Prosperity Bancshares by 16.0% during the 2nd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 811,772 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $49,632,000 after purchasing an additional 112,101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in Prosperity Bancshares by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,720 shares of the bank’s stock worth $340,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Prosperity Bancshares Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of PB stock opened at $81.93 on Friday. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has a 12-month low of $57.16 and a 12-month high of $86.75. The company has a 50 day moving average of $77.11 and a 200-day moving average of $70.43. The firm has a market cap of $7.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.39, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.92. Prosperity Bancshares Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. This is a positive change from Prosperity Bancshares’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.56. Prosperity Bancshares’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.56%. Insider Transactions at Prosperity Bancshares In other news, Chairman H E. Timanus, Jr. sold 4,000 shares of Prosperity Bancshares stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.50, for a total value of $346,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 229,953 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,890,934.50. The trade was a 1.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, Director Ned S. Holmes sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.44, for a total value of $40,720.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 113,815 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,269,093.60. The trade was a 0.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 7,100 shares of company stock worth $604,114 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 4.28% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently commented on PB. Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $90.00 price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Truist Financial cut Prosperity Bancshares from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $81.00 to $79.00 in a research note on Friday, September 20th. DA Davidson lowered shares of Prosperity Bancshares from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $80.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Hovde Group raised their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $80.50 to $82.50 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $76.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $80.68. View Our Latest Analysis on PB Prosperity Bancshares Company Profile ( Free Report ) Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; term loans and lines of credit; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ( NYSE:PB – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Prosperity Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prosperity Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Spotify has just released its 2024 Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly listening habits. It gives you a fun recap of your most listened to songs, artists and genres from the past year – complete with stats like how many minutes you listened and your top genre “phases” or “moments”. The tradition has seized the cultural zeitgeist throughout the whole year, with a lot of online discourse surrounding what music will top your listens for the year. In addition to the exciting way the list is presented (aesthetically pleasing tiles, interactive elements), the answer to its ability to captivate may be found in one simple idea: we inherently like understanding ourselves. But what does this mean? We can unpack this further in the psychological theories of self-concept, social comparison and social connection. Self-concept Self-concept is how we see ourselves. It develops from our experiences and our responses to these experiences. Music is one of those unique mediums that reflects what we’ve experienced (for example, a break-up) and how we feel (sadness and yearning). So, when we see a yearly list of our top artists, genres and songs, it’s like looking into a mirror that tells us who we’ve been throughout the year. This drive towards self-reflection is likely because it fulfils some of our most fundamental human needs. Remember that time when everyone was doing the Myers-Briggs personality test ? In 1943, the American psychologist Abraham Maslow developed his theory of human needs . According to this theory, humans have a need for esteem (gaining respect and recognition within our communities) and self-actualisation (realisation of one’s potential). Neither of these can occur without first an understanding of who we currently are. Sharing a list, then, is a way of saying to others, “this is me!”. But sharing your Wrapped list serves more functions than simply self-expression. It facilitates social comparison and social connection. Social comparison In 1954, American social psychologist Leon Festinger published his social comparison theory . He believed humans are naturally inclined to compare themselves to others. We constantly evaluate where we stand in relation to those around us. When you post your Wrapped list, you aren’t just saying, “this is what I listened to” or “this is who I am”. You’re also inviting others to engage in a subtle social dialogue. Seeing someone else with the same song on their list might spark a sense of connection. Seeing that you’re in the top 1% of Taylor Swift fans might make you feel even a little superior (and others a little envious). (As a side note, I hope this happens to me again this year.) Seeing someone else’s Wrapped can also inspire and validate. If a friend’s list includes a mix of genres you’ve never explored, you might feel encouraged to branch out. Or you might see someone else’s list and feel relieved you’re not the only one obsessed with an artist. Whether conscious or subconscious, these comparisons drive engagement with Spotify. Social connection Sharing our Spotify Wrapped satisfies another fundamental human need: belonging. Humans are inherently social creatures who want to feel loved and accepted. Music is one of the oldest ways we’ve connected with one another . Sharing our Wrapped lists isn’t just about showing off who we are, but about finding common ground. It’s about finding your tribe, a group of people we can feel safely connected to. This is even more important during a period in which people’s opinions are becoming more divided and for a younger generation where loneliness is becoming an increasing problem . Building on your own wrap This urge to know about yourself and to share is very human. This year, however, I challenge you to go beyond just dropping a like on someone’s story. Sure, the dopamine hit is great and is part of what keeps us coming back to this yearly ritual. But it takes more than that to meet our need for connection. This year, use Spotify Wrapped to start up a conversation with someone. Maybe about how their experiences and feelings this year led to the songs appearing on their list. You might learn something new about them and create or revitalise a meaningful connection. And that’s a wrap.

Don’t be a Scrooge: Where to get your festive on this Christmas