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The International Monetary Fund has told the federal government and Coalition that Australia needs a major policy package to deal with the nation’s unaffordable housing, saying everything from tax to the supply of new land should be on the table. Just days after Reserve Bank research showed lower interest rates had contributed to the collapse in homeownership among young Australians, the fund used its annual review of the economy to argue a string of politically contentious policy changes were needed to ensure housing remained within the financial reach of ordinary people. The International Monetary Fund says a major package of changes, from tax to land supply, are needed to make Australian housing more affordable. Credit: Louie Douvis Across all international metrics, Australian housing is among the most expensive in the world despite a recent slowdown in prices. Sydney, says US-based analytics organisation Demographia, is the world’s second most expensive city – after Hong Kong – with 13.8 times the median household income needed to buy a median-priced house. Melbourne and Adelaide are in the top 10 most expensive, while Brisbane and Perth are in the top 20. The federal government has set a target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029, putting together a series of policies worth more than $30 billion to lift housing construction. The Coalition has promised $5 billion towards local government infrastructure to unlock housing projects. But the IMF says all levels of government must go further, arguing that eradication of state stamp duties and a shift to land taxes, lifting the number of workers in the sector and easing zoning rules had to be on the agenda. “A comprehensive policy package is essential to tackle Australia’s housing affordability crisis, focusing on increasing the construction workforce, relaxing zoning regulations, advancing initiatives to boost new housing supply, and re-evaluating property taxes and stamp duty,” it said. Last week, research by Reserve Bank economists estimated a quarter of the sharp drop in homeownership among Australians under the age of 40 since the mid-1990s was due to low interest rates. But it also found state government stamp duties had contributed to the problem, along with other policies involving such tax arrangements as capital gains. Coalition MPs are pressing to relax the interest rate buffer imposed by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority on bank loans to first time buyers, arguing it has contributed to the cost pressure on young people. But the IMF rejected any change to the 3 percentage point buffer. “Macroprudential policies should remain stringent to protect household balance sheets, especially in the context of rising housing prices,” it said. “Additionally, the authorities are encouraged to proactively adapt their macroprudential tools to pre-empt excessive buildup in household indebtedness, including when the time is appropriate for monetary policy easing.” Last week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed a $22 billion deterioration in the budget bottom line over the next four years. Next financial year’s forecast deficit is $46.9 billion, with Chalmers arguing much of the government’s extra spending was unavoidable. The IMF says if the rate of inflation does not continue to ease, all governments would have to look at “expenditure rationalisation” to reduce aggregate demand across the economy. This could include axing infrastructure projects or targeting welfare payments more carefully. In what would be a challenge for either side of politics, the fund says tax reform has to be on the agenda to help improve the economy’s performance and reduce structural pressures on the budget. Jim Chalmers, in his mid-year budget update, revealed a $22 billion deterioration in the nation’s bottom line over the next four years. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen “Tax reforms should focus on efficiency and fairness, reducing dependence on direct taxes and high capital costs, and phasing out tax breaks like capital gains tax discounts,” it said. Chalmers said the IMF fund validated his budget settings. “We’ve overseen a record-breaking fiscal turnaround – the budget is $200 billion better than what we inherited, and our back-to-back surpluses have helped in the fight against inflation, a point the RBA governor [Michele Bullock] has made,” he said. “The IMF has endorsed our efforts to make our economy more competitive, dynamic and productive, like our historic shakeup to Australia’s merger settings.” The fund believes Australia is still on track for an economic soft landing over the next 12 months, with growth lifting from 1.2 per cent this year to 2.1 per cent in 2025. It forecast underlying inflation to ease to 3 per cent and unemployment to lift to about 4.5 per cent. But it said the risks to the economy were tilted to the downside, with soft consumer spending and a deterioration in the global outlook the largest threats to its forecasts. Much hinges on the Reserve Bank’s expected cuts to interest rates next year. A stronger jobs market or extra government spending could force the bank to leave rates higher for longer. “Conversely, weaker-than-expected growth or a faster-than-projected increase in unemployment may prompt the Reserve Bank to lower interest rates sooner,” it said. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .The Seattle Seahawks hit the road to face off with the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks have dropped their last two after rattling off four straight victories. Meanwhile, the Bears have completely fallen flat and are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. Seattle’s last two losses both came as slight underdogs on the point spread, including its 27-24 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. The Seahawks are now favorites on the road, where they’re 5-1 on the season. Let’s get right into our FanDuel SGP for Seahawks vs. Bears on Thursday, December 26th. Bears vs. Seahawks Same Game Parlay The odds for our Seahawks - Bears Same Game Parlay are +737 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Leg 1: Jaxon Smith-Njigba 70+ Receiving Yards (-128) Leg 2: Caleb Williams Over 1.5 Passing TDs (+144) Leg 3: DJ Moore Over 5.5 Receptions (-108) If you bet $100, you will receive $637.08, plus your stake of $100 back if the parlay hits. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has been breaking out in a big way in the second half of the season. After compiling just 388 yards on 43 catches through his first eight games, he has racked up 701 yards on 50 catches in his last seven contests. The second-year wideout is making the most of his opportunity in Seattle. He’s had at least 70 receiving yards in each of his last seven games. It hasn’t been particularly close in most of those either with totals of 180, 110, 77, 74, 82, 83, and 95 yards last week. The Bears have allowed at least one wide receiver to break the 70-yard mark in each of their last six games. Last week it was both Jameson Williams (143 yards) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (70) to do so for the Lions. Caleb Williams hasn’t had the season that Chicago fans were hoping for this year. The Bears sit at just 4-11 with Williams throwing for 19 touchdowns in those 15 games. However, Williams has had a bit of a resurgence in recent weeks. After a four-week drought with no touchdown passes from Week 7 to 10, Williams has been red-hot for the Bears. The rookie quarterback has thrown for multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games with a total of 10 scores in that span. He’s being trusted to throw the ball upwards of 40 times and he still hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 6 either. The Seahawks have allowed multiple touchdown passes in four straight games, including a three-TD game by Sam Darnold last week. Seattle has allowed 2+ passing TDs in nine games this season, all coming since Week 4. One of the reasons for Williams’ success in recent weeks is having a veteran wide receiver like DJ Moore to throw to. He’s seen his target share increase over the last few games and that should continue here on a shortened week. Moore has had at least six catches in six straight games and has had at least seven receptions in five of those contests. Most recently, Moore was targeted 10 times and made seven catches last week against the Lions. Overall this season, Moore has gone Over 5.5 receptions in nine of 15 games, but keep in mind his recent stretch of high-volume games. More stories on Sports Betting Prop bets, odds, picks and predictions for Seahawks vs. Bears on Thursday Night Football Anytime touchdown scorer odds and prop bets for Seahawks vs. Bears on TNF DraftKings promo: Get $150 in Bonus Bets for NFL Christmas Day games on Netflixwow jili secret code 。

‘We can make it if we try’Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle could be in line for a big game against Carolina's 32nd-ranked run defense

Marin supervisorial candidate concedes District 2 raceLast Christmas , the song almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets became the number one song for the second consecutive year, according to Andrew Ridgeley of the duo. ET Year-end Special Reads Gold outshines D-St with 20% returns, but 2025 may be different The year of the pause: How RBI maneuvered its policy in 2024 2024, the year India defeated China's salami-slicing strategy Wham!'s Last Christmas is the UK Christmas No. 1 for the second consecutive year, forty years after Band-Aid kept it off the top spot, as quoted in a report by The Guardian. One-half of Wham was Andrew Ridgeley! Celebrated with the late George Michael , they said that it took 37 years to reach No. 1, 39 years to reach Christmas No. 1, and then, like London buses, they all appear at once! I'm particularly happy for George because he would have been overjoyed. His wonderful Christmas composition has become a classic and is practically as synonymous with Christmas as mince pies, turkey, and pigs in blankets. Perhaps the most iconic song of modern Christmas, "Yuletide Heartache," has become so commonplace that it has spawned a game called " Whamageddon ," in which players attempt to avoid hearing it for as long as possible every year. 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View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program It is still very popular not only in the UK but all over the world. It is currently at No. 4 in this week's US singles chart and receives 7.7 million plays daily on Spotify. In the 40th anniversary edition of Band Aid's charity classic Do They Know It's Christmas, George Michael also makes an appearance at No. 12 on the chart. Ed Sheeran and others criticised the new version, which was a mashup of the three earlier official versions, for reinforcing stereotypes about the suffering of Africans. However, co-writer Bob Geldof defended it, stating that a little pop song is probably responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of people if not millions. Last Christmas's nearest rival in the contemporary Christmas canon is Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You, which is at No 3. Tom Grennan's new song, It Can't Be Christmas, is part of Amazon's push to dominate the Christmas charts. The retailer has commissioned Christmas songs which it hosts exclusively on its Amazon Music service, with many listeners telling Alexa devices to play Christmas songs, ensuring a rise up the charts. FAQs How did Last Christmas do on the charts this year? Last Christmas became the UK Christmas No. 1 for the second year in a row, nearly 40 years after its original release, cementing its status as a holiday favourite. Why is Last Christmas so popular around the world? The song remains a timeless Christmas classic, with over 7.7 million daily Spotify plays and a current ranking of No. 4 on the US singles chart. ET Year-end Special Reads An Indian's guide to moving abroad as the world looks for 'better' immigrants The year of the HNIs: How India's rich splurged in 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

That doesn't mean it can't happen. The Saints (4-7) had been on a seven-game skid when Rizzi, the club's special teams coordinator, was promoted. They've since won two straight, and as the club entered its Week 12 bye, prominent players were already discussing their desire to continue improving Rizzi's resume. “He’s definitely had an impact on our football team,” quarterback Derek Carr said after New Orleans' 35-14 victory over Cleveland last weekend. “We want to keep winning so that maybe he gets a chance to be the coach here for a long time. “That’s what we want as players,” Carr continued. "Hopefully, we can continue to have success, keep winning and give him that opportunity.” Before the Saints' demoralizing defeat at Carolina precipitated the firing of third-year coach Dennis Allen , Rizzi had never been a head coach at the NFL or major college level. The north New Jersey native and former Rhode Island tight end got his first head coaching job at Division II New Haven in 1999. He also coached his alma mater in 2008 before moving to the NFL with Miami in 2009 as a special teams assistant. By 2010, he was the Dolphins' special teams coordinator and added the title of associate head coach in 2017 before ex-Saints coach Sean Payton lured him to New Orleans in 2019. A common thread shared by Payton and Rizzi is that both worked under Bill Parcells. Parcells — known best for winning two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants — was coaching the Dallas Cowboys when Payton was his offensive coordinator. Rizzi, who grew up a Giants fan during the Parcells era, got to know his childhood idol during his first couple years in Miami, where Parcells executive vice president of football operations. Since his promotion, Rizzi has spoken to both Payton and Parcells. And he has begun to employ motivational techniques reminiscent of Payton, who left New Orleans in 2022 as the franchise leader in wins (152 in the regular season and nine in the postseason — including New Orleans' lone Super Bowl triumph). Payton as a big believer of symbolic imagery and motivational props, from baseball bats distributed before contests that were expected to be especially physical to gas cans left in the lockers of aging veterans whose performance was key to the club's success. Rizzi, who describes himself as a “blue collar” guy, has his own spin on such things. He began his tenure by asking players to accept individual responsibility for the metaphorical hole the team had dug itself and asked them all to embrace the idea of filling it up — one shovelful at a time. He even has brought a shovel — as well as a hammer, tape measure, level and other construction tools — to team meetings to help make his points. Saints tight end Taysom Hill, who also plays on special teams, has gotten to know Rizzi well during a half-decade of working together. Hill doesn't sound surprised to see Rizzi's combination of work ethic, enthusiasm and personal touch resonating across the entire team now. He also made a lot of changes , from weekly schedule adjustments to reconfiguring players' lockers by position. “He has a really good pulse on what we need collectively as a team to get ready for a football game," said Hill, who scored three touchdowns and accounted for 248 yards as a runner, receiver, passer and returner against Cleveland. “Guys have responded to that.” Because Rizzi's first victory came over the first-place Atlanta Falcons , and because the Falcons lost again last week, the Saints now trail Atlanta by just two games with six to play. Suddenly, the idea of the Saints playing meaningful football down the stretch is not so far-fetched. “We’re starting to get our swag back, and that makes me happy,” Rizzi said. ”We’re going to have some downtime now to kind of press the reset button again and see if we can make a push here." When the Saints return to action at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec 1, they'll do so with a level of momentum and positivity that seemed to steadily drain out of the club between their first loss of the season in Week 3 through the six straight setbacks that followed. While Saints players have tended to blame themselves for Allen's demise, they've been quick to credit Rizzi for the turnaround. “He’s pointed us and steered the ship in the right direction,” Carr said. “Hopefully, we can just keep executing at a high level for him, because we love him.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflIf you’re a Hallmarkie, you know that Andrew Walker is one of the faces of the channel. And what a face it is. It’s like The CW used an AI lab to create a leading man made of the best parts of Glen Powell , Ryan Eggold , and a young Clint Eastwood . It’s insulting really, how he just walks around with that thing out in the open, making the rest of us normies look like something out of Middle Earth. Thankfully, Walker is one of the authentically good ones. Humble, engaging, totally Canadian, and a dang workhorse. The Montreal-born actor-producer has shot six movies for Hallmark this year, including Countdown to Christmas’s Jingle Bell Run and Three Wiser Men and a Boy ! On top of that, he’s also a husband, father of two sons, and an entrepreneur, having co-founded the SkinMason skincare line ... which is clearly working, since there are zero signs of fatigue on his matinee-idol mug. “Obviously I use skincare on a daily basis, and when I wrap from set, I’m always washing my face off,” he explains of the inspiration behind SkinMason. “I have used very abrasive products that have given me skin [issues], I’ve broken out, I’ve had rashes. I used to have these little alcohol wipes to take the rest of my makeup off.” During a dinner with his friend Dr. Hussein Kanji, a heart and lung surgeon who’s “always working with different types of products for [organ] detoxification and antioxidants,” the two agreed to partner on a product line. SkinMason “He had an idea for a very simple yet effective skincare brand, ideally targeted to men to start with, because the women’s space is so massive...but women and men can use the same skincare,” Walker continues. “And I said I’d love to venture into this, first off, because my wife [Cassandra] always scolded me for using way too much of her expensive skincare products—I don’t know what to use! It’s like, there’s so many products out there.” Andrew Walker Dishes on Amazing Rom-Com Race in Hallmark's ‘Jingle Bell Run’ Two years later, Walker and Kanji had the first two core products of the line, exfoliating wipes and a serum, which were soon followed by their new moisturizer. “We don’t even call it a moisturizer. It’s a bioactive cream.” Noting that Jean Carruthers, the co-innovator of Botox, has endorsed all of their products, Walker explains that their formula boasts retinoid, Vitamins C, and phospholipids that rebuild collagen. The SkinMason site is having a 40 percent off Black Friday sale and you can order each item individually or as a set, with a VIP subscription for regular refill orders at a 10 percent discount. Better yet, he laughs, “My wife has now turned on to using my products!” Andrew Walker / Instagram Speaking of his wife, how do the Walkers plan to spend the holidays? “With family,” he immediately offers. “We moved up to Vancouver for a year and it’s been amazing. It’s been quiet because we live next to a forest. So the holidays this year are just going to be family and trying to take a moment to put away the phones, put away technology, and just focus my time on my kids and my wife and each other.” Now that is a good look for everyone. Three Wiser Men and a Boy & Jingle Bell Run , Streaming Now, Hallmark+ More Headlines: Hallmark Fave Andrew Walker Goes Inside His Skincare Line and Shares Holiday Plans (VIDEO) ‘The View’ Cohosts Slam Trump Case Dismissals: ‘There’s No Such Thing as Karma’ When Will ‘The Talk’ Final Episode Air? All the Details on Its Last Week of Live Shows Wendy Williams’ Legal Guardian Shares Heartbreaking Health Update Ex-ABC News Anchor Kendis Gibson Says Toxic Work Culture Led to Suicide Attempt

TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Tips to celebrate Christmas alone without feeling lonelyNFL NOTES

Hundreds of U.S. Steel workers rally in Clairton in support of Nippon dealCYPRESS LAKE, Fla. (AP) — Robert McCray scored 21 points as Jacksonville beat Siena 75-64 on Tuesday. McCray added eight rebounds and five assists for the Dolphins (4-3). Zach Bell scored 11 points, going 3 of 5 and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. Zimi Nwokeji went 3 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points, while adding six rebounds. Gavin Doty finished with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Saints (3-4). Major Freeman added 12 points and four assists for Siena. Tajae Jones also had 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .

CYPRESS LAKE, Fla. (AP) — Robert McCray scored 21 points as Jacksonville beat Siena 75-64 on Tuesday. McCray added eight rebounds and five assists for the Dolphins (4-3). Zach Bell scored 11 points, going 3 of 5 and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. Zimi Nwokeji went 3 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points, while adding six rebounds. Gavin Doty finished with 21 points and nine rebounds for the Saints (3-4). Major Freeman added 12 points and four assists for Siena. Tajae Jones also had 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Hallmark Fave Andrew Walker Goes Inside His Skincare Line and Shares Holiday Plans (VIDEO)

Italy's Serie A does deal with Meta to fight illegal streamingEminem Believes Kendrick Lamar Is Going to ‘Sweep’ 2025 Grammy Awards

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Philippe Clement claims that Rangers have been consistent over the last two months. But the form guide tell a different story. The Belgian was left beelin' by his side's first half showing in St Mirren . But an improved second half was undone by a stoppage time winner for the Buddies to leave Gers trailing Celtic by 12 points. Clement admitted he was an angry man at the break in his post-match debrief. And he was so incensed because of how consistent he believes his side have been in recent weeks, only for them to produce what they did over the first 45 minutes in Paisley. But a quick check of their last 12 results blow that out of the water. Of their last 12 outings in all competitions, Gers have won six, lost three and drawn three, meaning they have failed to win as many times as they have managed it, which in others' book is the definition of inconsistency. That run includes the Premier Sports Cup Final defeat to Celtic, which did finish level after 120 minutes. But losing on penalties is still losing. Europa League draws with Olympiacos and Tottenham were seen as positive outcomes at the time. Four consecutive wins over Nice, St Johnstone Kilmarnock and Ross County was their longest run of unbroken triumphs, which spanned a period of ten days between Nov 28 to Dec 8. In the four matches since that victory in Dingwall, they've won once. Prior to winning in Nice, it was one in 5.Lea en español For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!

Royce Micro-Cap Trust (NYSE: RMT) as of Nov 30, 2024SANTA CLARA — Jake Moody missed another goal attempt in Week 17, setting social media and talk radio ablaze. Time for the 49ers to get a new kicker, or at the very least some competition during training camp in 2025. Not necessarily, even if coach Kyle Shanahan threw his tablet on the sidelines in frustration after Moody missed a 41-yard attempt in a 29-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. “I believe we’ve got the right guy,” Shanahan said Thursday as the 49ers (6-9) began preparations to host the Detroit Lions (13-2). “He’s showed that at times. I thought he showed that at times in his rookie year. I thought he showed that in being 12 of 13 to start the year and I think he’ll show that in the future.” But rest assured that Moody will be watched closely to see how he performs in the final two weeks of the season, beginning with a spotlight game on Monday night in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game won 34-31 by the 49ers. Since the game is at Levi’s Stadium, Moody should enter with some confidence. He’s 23-for-30 on field goal attempts a 76.7 rate that’s unacceptable in today’s NFL, let alone for a kicker who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. But all seven of his misses have been on the road — one in Miami, two in Buffalo in the snow, three in Tampa Bay in the sunshine and one in Los Angeles. Which apparently came as news to Moody. “I actually didn’t know that,” Moody said. “That’s pretty interesting. I don’t think that necessarily has anything to do with it, being home or away. It’s just the misses, I’ve got to hit better kicks. It’s not any specific reason why I miss. I’ve just got to make sure I’m dialed in on my form.” Moody is 15-for-15 in field goal attempts at home, starting off 6-for-6 in the opener against the New York Jets. But Moody sustained a high ankle sprain on his right kicking foot in Week 5 against Arizona, missing three games as the 49ers cycled through Matthew Wright (also injured on a kick return) and Anders Carlson. “Since he’s come back, he hasn’t been as consistent, obviously,” Shanahan said. “I think a lot of it probably has to do with (the injury), just common-sense wise. Hopefully he can get to this offseason, heal up and find a stroke again.” Having a midseason injury was a “learning experience,” according to Moody. “Whether or not that was an issue, I don’t know. I’m still doing the best I can trying to keep everything what it was prior to the injury,” Moody said. “It’s not like you can really blame something.” While tempted to alter his approach and preparation, Moody thought better of it. He considers kicking similar to golf, and said it can take years for golfers to master a swing change. “In this business you don’t have that much time to try and dial something in and do big changes like that,” Moody said. “You’ve got to be consistent and not be changing too many things or you’ll be overwhelmed by everything.” While the 49ers may bring another kicker into camp just for an extra leg, Shanahan didn’t sound as if he was looking to set up a competition for No. 1. “I think you’ve got the wrong guy if you have to,” Shanahan said. “You do that when you don’t think you’re going to have a guy, but when those guys miss too much you go get a new one usually. And that’s what’s tough about the kicker position.” GREENLAW DONE FOR THE YEAR Shanahan hinted strongly Monday that linebacker Dre Greenlaw wouldn’t play in the last two games, saying he’d wait until talking to him before making it official. “He’s not going to play in these two games,” Shanahan said Thursday. “He understood.” Left tackle Spencer Burford (calf) did not practice and Shanahan thought there was a chance he’d be ready to face Detroit with Trent Williams and Jaylon Moore both on injured reserve. Left guard Aaron Banks (knee), who hasn’t yet been placed on IR, did not practice and neither did edge rusher Robert Beal Jr. Those who were limited were safety Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle), running back Isaac Guerendo (foot/ankle). Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) was off the injury list. Veteran offensive lineman Matt Hennessey was added to the roster with Williams going on injured reserve, with Sebastian Gutierrez joining the practice squad. Shanahan will try to piecemeal an offensive line heading into Detroit, with newcomer Charlie Heck also in the mix. “We’ve got to mix and match a number of guys,” Shanahan said. The 49ers activated the practice clock on rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune, who has been out with a knee injury in hopes of getting him back before the end of the regular season. LIONS EXPECT 49ERS BEST SHOT Detroit Dan Campbell thinks last year’s loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game helped prepare them for taking another run at this season. “I think we’re really more mature,” Campbell told the Detroit media. “Every year you learn something about winning and losing. And when you take an `L’ like we did last year you learn from that . . . I think we’re much more prepared than at that time. You feel like you’re (prepared) but you get into that with a heavyweight that’s been there numerous times, you don’t always know. I think that as an experience has served us well moving into this year.” The Lions have also taken notice of what happened to the 49ers in 2022 when Brock Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow in the NFC title game against Philadelphia and didn’t have a viable quarterback. Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was signed to the roster, giving the Lions three quarterbacks along with starter Jared Goff and backup Hendon Hooker. STAT WATCH — Tight end George Kittle (68 receptions, 967 yards) needs 33 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for the fourth time in his career and second in succession. With eight touchdown receptions, he’s three shy of his career high of 11 set in 2022. — Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (63 receptions, 856 yards) needs 144 yards in his last two games to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career. His six touchdown receptions are a career best. — Bosa has has seven sacks and needs three over the last two games for his fourth consecutive season in double figures. Bosa had 15 1/2 in 2021, 18 1/2 in 2022 (winning NFC Defensive Player of the Year) and 10 1/2 last season. First, Bosa is thinking about his eighth sack. “Just trying to get to the next one,” Bosa said. “But it would be cool.” — Defensive end Leonard Floyd has 8 1/2 sacks and needs 1 1/2 over the last two games to reach double figures for the second consecutive season and for the fourth time in his career. — Middle linebacker Fred Warner (117 tackles) needs 21 in his last two games to exceed his career high of 137 in 2021. Warner has exceeded 100 tackles in each of his seven seasons. — Purdy has 31 rushing first downs, three more than Colin Kaepernick had in 2013 and 2014.

The United Kingdom is looking to fend off Tesla CEO Elon Musk after he showed his political mettle in the United States and Germany. Musk wielded a decisive hand in the U.S. 2024 election, throwing his fortune behind President-elect Donald Trump . He has since begun commenting more on international politics, voicing his support for the Alternative fur Deutschland in Germany and Reform U.K. in the U.K. The Labour government, fearful that Musk could have a decisive effect, is eyeing ways to neuter his influence. The U.K. government has floated the idea of taking further measures to prevent foreign figures from making outsize political donations, the Wall Street Journal reported . “We have no immediate plans to do, but we do have a manifesto commitment to look more broadly at our elections regime in the country, from things like votes at 16, which we are committed to, but also to make sure that our electoral system has got that integrity and is robust from many of the new issues that face undermining our democracy and our elections,” Commons leader Lucy Powell told Sky News. “But just to be clear, foreign donations to U.K.-based political parties is prohibited under current law, so that’s something that already exists,” she added. Powell later said the Labour government was looking to combat "many of the issues that are undermining our democracy at the moment — like mis- and disinformation, foreign state actions and so on." The alarm was raised by a meeting between Reform U.K. Party head Nigel Farage and Musk at Mar-a-Lago last week, during which they discussed political strategy. In a joint statement, Farage and the party's treasurer Nick Candy said they had “learnt a great deal about the Trump ground game” and would have “ongoing discussions” with Musk in other sectors. “We only have one more chance left to save the West, and we can do great things together. Our thanks also to President Trump for allowing us to use Mar-a-Lago for this historic meeting. The special relationship is alive and well,” it added, referring to the close relationship between the U.S. and U.K. Musk has gone after the left-wing Labour government with increasing ferocity in recent weeks, comparing it with the Soviet Union and Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Stalin, as well as deriding the U.K. as a "totalitarian police state." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Musk, a South African native, has largely been absent from his home country's politics, turning his attention internationally. Last week, he gave the AfD a major boost by declaring it the only viable path forward for Germany, incurring the wrath of the German government. His support garnered the controversial party renewed international attention, as well as right-wing sympathies.Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions

TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Several city streets had been closed during the day for the annual Santa Claus parade. The Maple Leafs earned their fourth consecutive win by defeating Utah 3-2. The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” highlighting his government’s plan to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation. It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time. In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlLea en español For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!