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US tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China take effect, opening door to painful trade war.
President Donald Trump’s blanket 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, an extraordinary action aimed at bringing America’s top trading partners to heel. But it threatens to weaken the North American economy, including that of the United States, at a time of significant stress.

Trump also doubled the tariff on all Chinese imports to 20% from 10%. Those duties sit atop existing tariffs on hundreds of billions in Chinese goods.

“While President Trump gave both Canada and Mexico ample opportunity to curb the dangerous cartel activity and influx of lethal drugs flowing into our country, they have failed to adequately address the situation,”

The tariffs threaten to raise the prices Americans pay for a wide array of goods that are imported from the three nations, which collectively shipped $1.4 trillion worth of goods to the US last year.
China, Canada retaliate-
Beijing retaliated on Tuesday by announcing 15% tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission. Additionally, a 10% tariff on “sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products,” was also imposed, it said.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said it added 15 American companies, including drone maker Skydio, to its export control list, which would bar Chinese companies from exporting dual-use equipment to them.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said “China will fight till the end” if the US “insists on waging a tariff war, trade war or any other kind of war.”

“I want to reiterate that the Chinese people have never feared evil or ghosts, nor have we ever bowed to hegemony or bullying. Pressure, coercion and threats are not the right ways to engage with China. Trying to exert maximum pressure on China is a miscalculation and a mistake,” he added.

China plans to issue guidance to encourage the use of open-source RISC-V chips nationwide for the first time, two sources briefed on the matter said, as Beijing accelerates efforts to curb the country's dependence on Western-owned technology.

The policy guidance on boosting the use of RISC-V chips could be released as soon as this month, although the final date could change, the sources said.

It is being drafted jointly by eight government bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the China National Intellectual Property Administration, they added.
The sources declined to be named as the policy discussions were still under way. The four ministries did not respond to requests for comment.

RISC-V is a open-source technology that is used to design a range of less-sophisticated chips, from those in smartphones to CPUs for artificial intelligence servers.

It competes globally with proprietary and more commonly used chip architecture technology including x86, dominated by U.S. firms Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, and Arm, developed by SoftBank Group-owned Arm Holdings.

President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an order to impose stiff tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, drawing swift retaliation and an undeniable sense of betrayal from the country's North American neighbors as a trade war erupted among the longtime allies.

The Republican president posted on social media that the tariffs were necessary “to protect Americans," pressing the three nations to do more to curb the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl and for Canada and Mexico to reduce illegal immigration into the U.S.

The tariffs, if sustained, could cause inflation to significantly worsen, threatening the trust that many voters placed in Trump to lower the prices of groceries, gasoline, housing, autos and other goods as he promised. They also risked throwing the global economy and Trump’s political mandate into turmoil.

Trump declared an economic emergency in order to place duties of 10% on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada.

Gangs in Haiti could overrun the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading to a complete breakdown of government authority without additional international support for the beleaguered national police, the United Nations chief warned.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to coincide with a Security Council meeting Wednesday on the deteriorating situation in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country that “time is of the essence.”

Further delays in providing the police with additional officers for the multinational force trying to curb gang violence or additional assistance “carry the risk of a catastrophic collapse of national security institutions,” he said.
“This could allow the gangs to overrun the entire metropolitan area, resulting in a complete breakdown of state authority and rendering international operations, including those to support communities in need, in the country untenable,” Guterres said.
“We must urgently do everything in our power to prevent such an outcome

Vietnam and Russia inked Tuesday an agreement to boost cooperation on nuclear energy during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s two-day visit to Hanoi.
The Southeast Asian country has been trying to revive its nuclear energy plans — after it shelved building two nuclear power plants in 2016 due to ballooning costs and concerns around safety — hoping it will help it become energy-sufficient and reach its goal of curbing additional greenhouse emissions by 2050.

The agreement was signed between Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom and Vietnam’s state-owned power utility EVN.
Mishustin also held bilateral talks with his counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and met Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and the chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.
“Vietnam is an important partner of Russia in Southeast Asia," Mishustin said. “Today we plan to discuss with you a comprehensive plan for cooperation between Russia and Vietnam, which runs until 2030.”

Six European Union countries on Monday called on the European Commission to lower the $60 per barrel price cap put on Russian oil by G7 countries, arguing it would reduce Moscow's revenues to continue the war in Ukraine while not causing a market shock.
Price caps on Russian seaborne crude as well as refined petroleum products were set by G7 countries to curb Moscow's revenues from oil trade and in this way limit the country's ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine.

"Measures that target revenues from the export of oil are crucial since they reduce Russia's single most important income source," Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia said in a letter to the EU executive arm.
"We believe now is the time to further increase the impact of our sanctions by lowering the G7 oil price cap," it said.
G7 price cap was set at $60 per barrel of Russian crude and for petroleum products at a maximum of $100 per barrel of premium-to-crude products and $45 per barrel

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rolled out an economic plan aimed at curbing imports from China in an apparent nod to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his allegations that Mexico is a back door for Chinese goods entering the United States.
Sheinbaum also used her speech to defend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact, only way to compete with China.

The moves come as trade tensions with the United States - Mexico's top trade partner - are heightened on tariff threats from Trump, who has accused Mexico of being a back door for Chinese goods to circumvent existing U.S. tariffs.
Mexico denies such accusations, but has since cracked down on contraband goods coming into the country from Asia and rolled out tariffs targeting e-commerce giants such as Shein and Temu.

"Our objective is to expand to the entire American Continent, which is the vision we want to have in order to be the region with the greatest potential and development in the world," Sheinbaum said.

China’s new trade war blow could be fatal for US’s ability to arm itself.
In the not so distant future, both China and the United States could be at war, triggering the most significant global crisis since World War Two.
Tensions between the two global superpowers have been steadily escalating, as Beijing prepares its military to capture Taiwan.

In response, Washington’s generals have been steeling themselves for a fight, devising new war-fighting strategies and building new military alliances.
While we’ve not yet reached the stage of a “hot war” just yet, the tech war is well and truly underway.

On Tuesday, China retaliated against US chip export curbs by banning shipments of materials critical to the production of weapons in the other direction.
Military hardware
Most commonly the materials are used to produce everyday items like solar panels, batteries and semiconductors.

Chinese companies should be wary of buying U.S. chips as they are "no longer safe" and buy locally instead, four of the country's top industry associations said on Tuesday in a rare coordinated response to Washington's curbs on Chinese chipmakers.

The two nations have targeted each other's economies in the last few days, escalating tensions even before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Trump has promised to impose heavy tariffs on imported Chinese goods, reviving a trade war from his first four-year term as president.

The industry association warnings came after the United States on Monday launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group.
Their advice could affect U.S. chipmaking giants such as Nvidia, AMD, and Intel which, despite export controls, have managed to keep selling products in the Chinese market.

Chinese chip companies targeted by Washington with fresh export controls have vowed to speed up supply chain localisation and said they would be able to continue production thanks to recent efforts to build equipment stockpiles.

The latest curbs, the third U.S. crackdown on the Chinese sector in three years, focused on chipmaking equipment, software and high-bandwidth memory. They restrict exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group and ACM Research.

Empyrean, a maker of electronic design automation (EDA) tools also known as Beijing Huada Jiutian Technology, said its inclusion on the list would have little impact on operations.
"The company will seize the development opportunity to accelerate the localisation process of full-process EDA tools,"

Jiangsu Nata Opto-Electronic Material, which manufactures materials used in chipmaking, said it had stocked up and would also make domestic substitutions, but did not provide specifics.

The United States launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group

The effort to hobble Beijing's chipmaking ambitions also hits Chinese chip toolmakers Piotech and SiCarrier Technology with new export restrictions as part of the package which also takes aim at shipments of advanced memory chips and more chipmaking tools to China

The move is one of the Biden administration's last large-scale efforts to stymie China's ability to access and produce chips that can help advance artificial intelligence for military applications, or otherwise threaten U.S. national security
The package includes curbs on China-bound shipments of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, critical for high-end applications like AI training; new curbs on 24 additional chipmaking tools and three software tools; and new export curbs on chipmaking equipment made in countries such as Singapore and Mal

The European Union is proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it claims helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is also looking into imposing restrictions on additional Russian oil tankers to curb Moscow’s ability to circumvent existing restrictive measures.
Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Italy this week are set to pledge “appropriate measures” against China and other countries that are supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The EU measures would require the backing of all 27 member states.

Chinese Spokeswoman Mao Ning denied the allegations and said that China was opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.
“We have never provided any weapons and we have strictly controlled dual-use item, including the export of drones,” she said. “We will take necessary measures to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”

Iran has taken a preparatory technical step towards curbing its production of highly enriched uranium, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said on Tuesday, several days after his talks in Iran.

According to Grossi's non-public report, which has been seen by dpa, Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium with a purity level of almost 60% - which is nearly suitable for nuclear weapons - by around 18 kilograms to approximately 182 kilograms in recent months.

However, Iran took steps over the weekend to ensure that the amount does not increase any further, the report said.

Grossi proposed this step in view of the current tensions in the region, a high-ranking diplomat said in Vienna.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a component of Iran's nuclear programme was damaged in Israel's retaliatory strike against Iran in October.

As leaders of dozens of Arab and Islamic nations gather in the Saudi capital for a summit, there is widespread speculation about what a second Trump presidency will mean for the region.

In sharp contrast to the fears voiced in Europe about Donald Trump’s famous unpredictability, Gulf Arab countries tend to view him as a force for stability.

UAE business leader Khalaf al-Habtoor says: “In a Middle East where security is paramount, Trump’s focus on strengthening alliances and curbing extremist forces offers a way forward.”

Here in Saudi Arabia, Trump is viewed much more favourably than Joe Biden.
Trump chose Riyadh for his first overseas trip as President in 2017.

Through his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump enjoys warm relations with the de facto Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known by his initials, MBS. The crown prince has never forgiven or forgotten Biden saying that Saudi Arabia needed to be made a pariah for its attitude to human rights.

The EU does not want a trade war with Beijing but five years of talks have yielded no real progress, the bloc's ambassador to China said on Saturday, adding that concern was growing over Chinese market access for European medical devices.

Trade frictions between the bloc and China have intensified over the past year after the EU launched an investigation into Chinese-made imports of electric vehicles (EVs) that prompted Beijing to launch probes into Europe's pork and dairy industries and curb brandy imports.

New EU tariffs of up to 45.3% on Chinese EV imports came into effect.

On top of that, the EU launched a probe into China's public procurement of medical devices in April, which Beijing swiftly criticised at the time.
EU's Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo said "We have found out, that it's clear ... European companies, that have been producing medical devices in China for the last two decades, are being discriminated against their Chinese competitors in public procurement,

The head of Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday that states supplying weapons to Israel as it pursues conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon despite evidence of violations of international law are empowering belligerents elsewhere.

Tirana Hassan, HRW's said that countries like the United States, Germany and Britain could influence Israel's actions and should do so by ending arms sales.

"If there continues to be military support to the Israeli Defense Force and they know that these weapons are being used in the commission of war crimes, then that should be enough for weapons sales and transfers to stop,"

"At this stage, the parties that could have some sort of influence and curb the behavior of the warring parties, when it comes to Israel, it's the U.S, it's the UK, and it's Germany, and it's through weapons sales and transfers."

Israel says it takes care to avoid harming civilians and denies committing abuses and war crimes in the conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in L

A budding alliance between Russia and North Korea is handing Chinese President Xi Jinping another problem, as Beijing comes under growing international pressure to rein in two of its closest diplomatic partners.
The revelation last month that Kim Jong Un sent thousands of troops to Russia’s border sparked fears that Europe’s largest conflict since World War II was on the verge of escalating. The prospect of North Koreans fighting for Vladimir Putin also prompted calls for China to use its sway to intervene.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said American officials had urged Beijing to leverage its influence to “curb these activities” during “robust” talks. A senior South Korean official told reporters that the troop deployment didn’t align with China’s interests, adding that Seoul had asked officials in Beijing to play a responsible role in the conflict.
For Xi, it’s a diplomatic headache that comes at a perilous time.

The United States on Wednesday imposed curbs on hundreds of targets in fresh action against Russia, taking aim at sanctions circumvention in a signal that the U.S. is committed to countering evasion.

The action, taken by the U.S. Treasury and State departments, imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals from over a dozen different countries, according to statements from the Treasury and State departments.

The action was the most concerted push so far against third country evasion, a State Department official told Reuters. It included sanctions on dozens of Chinese, Hong Kong and Indian companies, the most from those countries to be hit in one package so far, according to the official.

Also hit with sanctions were targets in Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Switzerland and elsewhere.

Gambling poses a growing worldwide threat to public health, with its rapid expansion via mobile phones and the internet harming far more people than previously thought, a report warns.

Much stronger global regulatory controls are urgently needed to curb the impact of commercial gambling on global health and wellbeing.

About 450 million people have at least one behavioural symptom or have experienced a harmful personal, social or health consequence of gambling.

80 million people suffer from gambling disorder, a mental health condition identified by a pattern of repeated and continuous betting despite negative consequences on a person’s life.
Incredibly sophisticated marketing, ever-widening easy access to the internet and mobile phones are enabling the gambling industry to reach more people than ever before. These included adolescents and younger children who were routinely exposed to advertising of gambling products in ways that were unprecedented before the digital revolutio

China's anti-dumping measures against brandies imported from the European Union are "legitimate trade remedy measures", the commerce ministry said on Wednesday, a day after imposing the temporary curb.

French brands such as Hennessy and Remy Martin will face the strictures, adopted just days after the 27-nation bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), sparking its biggest trade row with Beijing in a decade.

China's commerce ministry said preliminary findings of an investigation showed that dumping of brandy from the European Union threatened "substantial damage" to domestic industry.

On Wednesday the ministry said the EU's actions against Chinese EVs "seriously lack a factual and legal basis" and "clearly violate" World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
Trade tensions have surged since the European Commission said last week it would press ahead with tariffs on China-made EVs, even after Germany, the bloc's largest economy, rejected them.

China's meteoric rise as the world's powerhouse of electric vehicle production makes Western efforts to curb their exports a tough sell -- and means they could even stifle the fight against climate change, analysts warn.

The European Parliament is expected to vote Friday on whether to impose hefty tariffs on imported EVs from China -- part of a bid to protect its automotive industry from low-cost, subsidised competition.

And the United States has sought to stop a flood of cheap Chinese electric cars from flooding its markets, undercutting its own car giants and pricing out American workers

Western powers have long raised concerns about the risks of Chinese "overcapacity", fuelled by Beijing's vast industrial subsidies and waning consumption at home

"There is no way the EU and US can reach their climate goals within the timeframes they've originally articulated without the help of Chinese EVs," Tu Le

"They'll either need to reconcile their goals or allow some entry of Chi

China Warns Japan of Retaliation for Possible New Chip Curbs..
China has threatened severe economic retaliation against Japan if Tokyo further restricts sales and servicing of chipmaking equipment to Chinese firms, complicating US-led efforts to cut the world’s second-largest economy off from advanced technology.
Chinese officials have repeatedly outlined that position in recent meetings with their Japanese counterparts. One specific fear in Japan, Toyota Motor Corp. told officials in Tokyo, is that Beijing could react semiconductor controls by cutting Japan’s access to critical minerals that are essential for automotive production.

Toyota most important companies in Japan and is deeply involved in the country’s chip policy, partly reflected by the fact that it has invested in a new chip campus being built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in Kumamoto.
Tokyo Electron Ltd., the semiconductor gear-maker that would be principally affected by any new Japanese export control

Oil prices face pressure from slow China demand and inventory rise.
Analysts have lowered their 2024 oil price outlook due to weak fuel demand from leading importer China and rising inventory levels as Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ allies prepare to ease some output cuts from October, a Reuters poll found.

The poll of 37 analysts and economists surveyed by Reuters in the last two weeks forecast Brent crude would average $82.86 per barrel in 2024, a fourth straight cut in estimates, from $83.66 forecast in July.

The poll showed U.S. crude would average $78.82 this year, slightly lower than last month's estimate of $79.22.

"Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, oil prices have been trading below $90 per barrel so far this year, as weak crude intake from China and Europe has offset the bullish impact of still-curbed OPEC supplies," Florian Grunberger, senior analyst at data and analytics firm Kpler.

Geo-Political Issues:-
How do energy resources and energy dependency shape international relations?
By Hugo Keji

Energy resources and energy dependency play a crucial role in shaping international relations by influencing economic power, geopolitical strategies, alliances, and conflicts.

1. Economic Power and Influence
Resource Abundance as Leverage: Countries rich in energy resources, such as oil, natural gas, and coal, often wield significant economic and political influence. For example, major oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia use their energy exports as tools of economic power, shaping global markets and influencing the policies of energy-importing nations.

Revenue and Development: Energy-exporting countries generate substantial revenue from resource sales, which can be invested in national development or used to exert influence abroad. However, this can also lead to over-reliance on energy exports, making these economies vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy prices.

2. Energy Dependency and Vulnerability
Import Dependence: Countries that rely heavily on imported energy are vulnerable to supply disruptions, price volatility, and geopolitical pressure from supplier nations. For example, Europe’s dependence on Russian gas has influenced its foreign policy, making it cautious in its dealings with Russia, especially during crises like the Ukraine conflict.

Diversification Strategies: To reduce dependency and vulnerability, countries often seek to diversify their energy sources, suppliers, and routes. This includes investing in renewable energy, securing alternative suppliers, and developing strategic reserves.

3. Geopolitical Alliances and Conflicts
Strategic Partnerships: Energy needs often drive the formation of alliances and partnerships. For instance, China's "Belt and Road Initiative" includes significant energy infrastructure projects, strengthening its ties with energy-rich countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Resource Conflicts: Competition over energy resources can lead to conflicts. The South China Sea is a prime example, where overlapping territorial claims are driven by the desire to control potentially vast underwater oil and gas reserves.

4. Energy as a Foreign Policy Tool
Energy Sanctions: Countries may use energy as a tool of foreign policy, imposing sanctions or embargoes to exert pressure on other nations. For example, the United States has used sanctions on Iran’s oil exports to curb its nuclear program, significantly impacting Iran’s economy and international relations.

Supply Manipulation: Energy-rich nations can manipulate supply to achieve political objectives. Russia has occasionally reduced gas supplies to Europe to exert political pressure, highlighting the leverage that energy suppliers have over dependent countries.

5. Energy Transition and Global Competition
Renewable Energy and Technology Race: The global shift towards renewable energy is reshaping international relations, with countries competing to lead in green technologies. This transition is creating new alliances and rivalries, as nations like the U.S., China, and the EU vie for dominance in renewable energy markets and technological innovation.

Resource Control in Energy Transition: The move to renewable energy has also sparked competition for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, essential for batteries and other technologies. Countries rich in these resources, such as Australia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are becoming strategically important.

6. Energy Security and Military Strategy
Protecting Supply Lines: Energy security concerns often drive military strategies. The protection of oil shipping lanes, like the Strait of Hormuz, is a key strategic priority for countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil. Military presence in these regions is often justified by the need to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.

Resource Wars: Historical and potential future conflicts over energy resources, termed "resource wars," can involve military intervention to secure access to vital energy supplies. Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, driven by oil disputes, is a notable example.

7. Regional Stability and Instability
Energy Wealth and Regional Influence: Energy-rich countries often play pivotal roles in regional politics, using their wealth to influence neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia, for example, uses its oil wealth to exert influence in the Middle East, funding allies and stabilizing markets during crises.

Resource Curse: The "resource curse" refers to the paradox where countries with abundant energy resources often experience economic instability, corruption, and conflict. This instability can spill over into international relations, as seen in regions like the Middle East and parts of Africa.

8. Climate Change and International Relations
Global Energy Transition: The global effort to combat climate change is influencing international relations, with countries negotiating how to transition away from fossil fuels. This transition is creating both cooperation and tension, as nations balance environmental goals with economic and energy security concerns.

Environmental Diplomacy: Energy-dependent economies are increasingly engaging in environmental diplomacy, negotiating carbon emissions reductions, and participating in international agreements like the Paris Agreement. These negotiations are shaping global power dynamics, particularly between developed and developing nations.

Energy resources and dependency are central to international relations, affecting everything from economic stability and geopolitical alliances to conflicts and environmental policies.
The control, distribution, and transition of energy resources continue to shape the strategies and interactions of nations, making energy a pivotal factor in global affairs.
As the world moves towards renewable energy, the landscape of international relations will likely evolve, introducing new dynamics and challenges.

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FOCUS NIGERIA: Nation wide Protest. (Part2)
Nigerians are planning a Nation wide protest against bad government of the ruling party APC and it's President Bola Tinubu.
By Hugo Keji

To calm Nigerians and protest organizers, the government can take several immediate and strategic actions to address the underlying issues and demonstrate a commitment to positive change:

Immediate Actions:
Engage in Dialogue:

Initiate Open Discussions: The government should openly invite protest leaders and civil society groups for discussions to understand their grievances and seek mutually agreeable solutions​ (TheCable)​.

Create a Dialogue Platform: Establish a dedicated platform or committee to facilitate continuous dialogue between the government, protest organizers, and various stakeholders.

Address Key Demands:

Economic Relief Measures: Implement immediate relief measures to address the high cost of living, such as subsidies or temporary price controls on essential goods and services​ (allAfrica.com)​​ (Punch Newspapers)​.

Transparency and Accountability: Publicly disclose and reduce the salaries and allowances of lawmakers, and take steps to curb corruption through transparent government practices​ (allAfrica.com)​.

Ensure Security and Protection:

Peaceful Protests: Guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and protest, ensuring that security forces are trained to handle protests without resorting to violence​ (Punch Newspapers)​.

Community Policing: Engage community leaders and stakeholders to maintain peace and order during protests, preventing escalation into violence​ (Daily Post Nigeria)​.

Strategic Actions:
Economic Reforms:

Subsidy Reassessment: Review and possibly reinstate critical subsidies, such as those on fuel and electricity, to alleviate immediate financial burdens on citizens​ (TheCable)​​ (allAfrica.com)​.

Inflation Control: Implement policies aimed at controlling inflation and stabilizing the economy, such as monetary policy adjustments and support for local production​ (allAfrica.com)​.

Institutional Reforms:

Electoral Transparency: Reform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure its independence and transparency, addressing concerns over electoral processes​ (allAfrica.com)​.

Judicial Reforms: Strengthen the judiciary to enhance accountability and ensure justice for all, particularly in cases involving corruption and abuse of power.

Public Communication:

Regular Updates: Provide regular updates on government actions and progress through transparent communication channels, fostering trust and accountability​ (Punch Newspapers)​.
Public Engagement: Use media and public forums to engage with citizens, listen to their concerns, and explain the government's plans and policies clearly.

Social Programs:

Education and Employment: Invest in education and job creation programs to provide long-term solutions to unemployment and underemployment, addressing one of the root causes of discontent​ (Daily Post Nigeria)​.

Social Safety Nets: Expand social safety net programs to support the most vulnerable populations, ensuring that basic needs are met during times of economic hardship​ (TheCable)​.

By taking these steps, the government can demonstrate its commitment to addressing the concerns of its citizens, potentially calming tensions and preventing the escalation of protests into violence.

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What are the major public health challenges facing India today?
By Hugo Keji

Major Public Health Challenges Facing India Today
India, with its vast population and diverse socio-economic landscape, faces numerous public health challenges.
These challenges are multifaceted, ranging from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and are compounded by socio-economic factors, environmental issues, and healthcare infrastructure limitations.

Below are some of the major public health challenges facing India today:

1. Infectious Diseases
Tuberculosis (TB): India has the highest burden of TB globally, with drug-resistant strains adding complexity to treatment efforts.

HIV/AIDS: While progress has been made, HIV/AIDS remains a significant health issue, particularly among marginalized groups.

Malaria and Dengue: Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are prevalent, especially during the monsoon season, posing ongoing public health threats.

COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities in India's healthcare system, from testing and treatment capacity to vaccine distribution challenges.

2. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Cardiovascular Diseases: Rising rates of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality.

Diabetes: India is often referred to as the "diabetes capital of the world," with millions affected by this chronic condition.

Cancer: Increasing cancer rates, partly due to lifestyle changes and environmental factors, present a growing health burden.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are prevalent, exacerbated by air pollution.

3. Maternal and Child Health
Maternal Mortality: Despite improvements, maternal mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Child Malnutrition: Malnutrition, including undernutrition and stunting, affects millions of children, impacting their growth and development.

Infant Mortality: High rates of infant mortality, driven by factors like low birth weight, infections, and inadequate neonatal care, are a persistent challenge.

4. Environmental Health Issues
Air Pollution: India has some of the world's most polluted cities, leading to severe respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.

Water and Sanitation: Access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation remains limited for many, contributing to diseases like diarrhea and cholera.

Climate Change: Extreme weather events and changing climate patterns exacerbate health risks, including heat-related illnesses and vector-borne diseases.

5. Healthcare Infrastructure
Access to Healthcare: Disparities in healthcare access, especially between urban and rural areas, pose significant challenges.

Healthcare Workforce: A shortage of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and allied health workers, hampers effective service delivery.

Healthcare Financing: High out-of-pocket expenses and inadequate health insurance coverage lead to financial strain and limited access to essential healthcare services.

6. Mental Health
Stigma and Awareness: Mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicide, are rising, with stigma and lack of awareness limiting access to care.

Availability of Services: Limited mental health services and trained professionals restrict the ability to address these issues comprehensively.

7. Public Health Infrastructure and Policy
Disease Surveillance: Strengthening disease surveillance systems is crucial for timely detection and response to health threats.

Health Education: Enhancing public health education and awareness campaigns can help prevent many health issues.

Policy Implementation: Effective implementation of health policies and programs is essential to address these challenges sustainably.

Addressing these public health challenges requires a multi-faceted approach, involving government initiatives, community engagement, and international cooperation.
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to essential services, and addressing socio-economic determinants of health are crucial steps toward a healthier future for India.

How has India managed the COVID-19 pandemic?

India's management of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a complex and multifaceted endeavor, involving nationwide lockdowns, healthcare system strengthening, mass vaccination drives, and public health campaigns.

Here’s a detailed look at the key strategies and actions taken by India to manage the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Initial Response and Lockdowns
Nationwide Lockdown: India imposed a strict nationwide lockdown in March 2020, one of the earliest and most extensive measures globally, to curb the spread of the virus. This lockdown aimed to reduce transmission rates and prepare healthcare infrastructure.

Containment Zones: The government identified and isolated containment zones where infection rates were high, implementing strict movement restrictions and targeted interventions.

2. Healthcare Infrastructure and Capacity Building
Hospital Capacity: Efforts were made to increase hospital capacity, including setting up temporary COVID-19 care centers and converting existing facilities to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

Oxygen Supply: Amid the devastating second wave in 2021, the government focused on ramping up the production and distribution of medical oxygen, addressing critical shortages that had led to numerous deaths.

Ventilators and ICU Beds: The procurement of ventilators and the expansion of ICU bed capacity were prioritized to handle severe cases.

3. Testing and Contact Tracing
Testing Expansion: Testing capacity was rapidly expanded across the country, with both RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests becoming widely available.

Contact Tracing: Extensive contact tracing efforts were implemented, utilizing mobile applications like Aarogya Setu to track and notify individuals of potential exposure to the virus.

4. Vaccination Campaign
Vaccine Development: India played a significant role in vaccine development, with Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (developed by AstraZeneca and produced by the Serum Institute of India) being the primary vaccines used.

Mass Vaccination Drives: The government launched one of the largest vaccination drives in the world, aiming to inoculate its vast population. By the end of 2021, India had administered over a billion doses.

Free Vaccination: The government provided free vaccines to all eligible citizens, prioritizing healthcare workers, frontline workers, and high-risk populations initially.

5. Public Health Measures and Awareness Campaigns
Mask Mandates and Social Distancing: The enforcement of mask-wearing and social distancing measures was promoted through public health campaigns.

Information Dissemination: The government utilized various media channels to disseminate information on COVID-19 protocols, symptoms, and vaccination benefits.

6. Economic and Social Support
Economic Relief Packages: To mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, the government announced relief packages that included direct cash transfers, food distribution, and support for small and medium enterprises.

Migrant Workers: Special trains and transportation arrangements were made for migrant workers stranded during the lockdown, although initial efforts faced significant challenges.

7. Research and Innovation
Genomic Surveillance: India enhanced genomic surveillance to track virus mutations and variants, contributing to global understanding of the virus's evolution.

Treatment Protocols: Continuous updates to treatment protocols based on emerging evidence and global best practices helped improve patient outcomes.

Challenges and Criticisms:
Despite these efforts, India faced several challenges and criticisms in its COVID-19 management:

Second Wave Impact: The second wave in April-May 2021 was particularly devastating, with overwhelmed healthcare facilities, oxygen shortages, and a high death toll highlighting gaps in preparedness and response.

Vaccine Hesitancy: Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation posed obstacles to achieving widespread immunization coverage.

Inequities in Healthcare Access: Disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas, and among different socio-economic groups, affected the overall effectiveness of the response.

India’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic involved a mix of stringent public health measures, rapid healthcare system enhancements, and an ambitious vaccination campaign.
While there were significant achievements, particularly in vaccine rollout and testing capacity, the pandemic also exposed vulnerabilities in the healthcare infrastructure and the need for better preparedness for future health emergencies.
Ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and improve public health resilience remain crucial for managing the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

What strategies can be implemented to tackle non-communicable diseases?

Strategies to Tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases are significant public health challenges worldwide. Effective strategies to tackle NCDs require a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early detection, management, and policy interventions.

1. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct widespread campaigns to raise awareness about the risk factors and prevention methods for NCDs. This includes education on healthy lifestyles, balanced diets, regular physical activity, and the dangers of tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.

School Health Programs: Implement health education programs in schools to instill healthy habits from a young age. This can include nutritional education, physical activity, and anti-smoking campaigns.

Community Engagement: Mobilize communities through local health initiatives, support groups, and outreach programs to promote healthy living and early detection of NCDs.

2. Policy and Regulation
Tobacco Control: Enforce strict regulations on tobacco advertising, increase taxes on tobacco products, and implement smoke-free public places to reduce tobacco consumption.

Alcohol Control: Regulate alcohol advertising, increase taxes on alcoholic beverages, and implement programs to reduce alcohol abuse.

Food and Nutrition Policies: Promote healthy eating by regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to children, and encouraging the availability of healthy food options in schools and workplaces.

Urban Planning: Develop urban policies that promote physical activity by ensuring the availability of parks, walking and cycling paths, and recreational facilities.

3. Screening and Early Detection
Routine Health Screenings: Promote regular health check-ups and screenings for early detection of NCDs, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and cancer screenings.

Accessible Diagnostic Services: Ensure that diagnostic services are accessible and affordable, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Mobile Health Clinics: Deploy mobile health units to reach remote and underserved populations for screening and early detection services.

4. Healthcare System Strengthening
Integrated Care Models: Develop integrated care models that address the continuum of care for NCDs, from prevention and early detection to treatment and rehabilitation.

Training Healthcare Professionals: Train healthcare workers, including community health workers, in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of NCDs.

Patient-Centered Care: Implement patient-centered care approaches that involve patients in decision-making, emphasize self-management, and provide holistic care.

5. Management and Treatment
Affordable Medications: Ensure the availability of affordable medications for the management of NCDs, including essential drugs for hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Chronic Disease Management Programs: Develop and implement chronic disease management programs that provide continuous care and support for patients with NCDs.

Rehabilitation Services: Provide rehabilitation services for patients recovering from NCD-related conditions, such as cardiac rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

6. Research and Innovation
Epidemiological Research: Conduct research to understand the epidemiology of NCDs, including risk factors, disease patterns, and effective interventions.

Innovative Technologies: Utilize digital health technologies, such as telemedicine, mobile health apps, and electronic health records, to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and management of NCDs.

Behavioral Interventions: Develop and test innovative behavioral interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and adherence to treatment.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation
Surveillance Systems: Establish robust surveillance systems to monitor the prevalence and incidence of NCDs, as well as the effectiveness of interventions.

Outcome Evaluation: Regularly evaluate the outcomes of NCD prevention and management programs to identify best practices and areas for improvement.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data from surveillance and research to inform policy decisions and allocate resources effectively.

Conclusion
Tackling non-communicable diseases requires a multifaceted approach that involves health promotion, policy interventions, healthcare system strengthening, and community engagement. By implementing these strategies, countries can reduce the burden of NCDs, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for their populations. Coordination among governments, healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, and communities is essential to achieve these goals effectively.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted India's GDP and economic recovery?
By Ugo Ikeji

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on India's GDP and Economic Recovery.

Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on global economies, with India being no exception. As one of the largest emerging markets, India's economic trajectory has been significantly influenced by the pandemic.
This article explores the impact on India's GDP and the measures taken for economic recovery.

1. Pre-Pandemic Economic Context
Before the pandemic, India was experiencing a period of moderate economic growth, with GDP growth rates fluctuating but generally positive.
However, structural issues such as unemployment, banking sector weaknesses, and fiscal deficits were prevalent.

2. Immediate Impact of COVID-19-
2.1. Lockdown and Economic Contraction
Stringent Lockdowns: In March 2020, India imposed one of the world's strictest lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19, which brought economic activities to a near halt.

GDP Contraction: The Indian economy contracted sharply, with the GDP shrinking by 24.4% in the first quarter of FY2020-21, marking the worst decline in decades.

Sectoral Impact:
Manufacturing and Services: Manufacturing and services sectors, especially hospitality, travel, and retail, saw significant declines.

Agriculture: The agricultural sector remained relatively resilient, providing a cushion against a more severe downturn.

2.2. Unemployment and Labor Market Disruptions
Mass Unemployment: The lockdown led to widespread job losses, with the unemployment rate peaking at 23.5% in April 2020.

Migrant Worker Crisis: The sudden lockdown caused a mass exodus of migrant workers from urban to rural areas, exacerbating economic distress.

3. Government Response and Stimulus Measures:
3.1. Fiscal Stimulus Packages
Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) Packages: The government announced several stimulus packages totaling around 20% of GDP, aimed at reviving the economy.

Key Initiatives:
MSME Support: Financial aid and credit facilities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Direct Transfers and Food Security: Direct cash transfers and expanded food security measures to support vulnerable populations.

3.2. Monetary Policy Measures
Rate Cuts and Liquidity Support: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) implemented significant rate cuts and liquidity infusion measures to support businesses and maintain financial stability.

4. Economic Recovery Trajectory:
4.1. V-Shaped Recovery in FY2021-22
Rebound in GDP: After the severe contraction, the Indian economy witnessed a V-shaped recovery, with GDP growth rebounding to 8.9% in FY2021-22.

Sectoral Recovery:
Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector saw a robust recovery due to pent-up demand and government initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Services: Services sector recovery was uneven, with IT and digital services performing well, while travel and hospitality continued to struggle.

4.2. Ongoing Challenges
Supply Chain Disruptions: Global supply chain issues continued to impact certain sectors, including manufacturing and construction.

Inflationary Pressures: Rising commodity prices and supply-side constraints led to inflationary pressures, complicating the recovery process.

5. Long-Term Implications and Structural Reforms:
5.1. Digital Transformation
Accelerated Digital Adoption: The pandemic accelerated digital adoption across sectors, enhancing productivity and efficiency.

E-Governance and Financial Inclusion: Increased focus on e-governance and financial inclusion through digital platforms.

5.2. Healthcare and Infrastructure Investment
Healthcare Sector Boost: Increased investment in healthcare infrastructure to prepare for future health crises.

Infrastructure Development: Continued focus on infrastructure development to drive long-term economic growth.

Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to India's economy, causing a severe contraction but also paving the way for significant reforms and structural changes.
The recovery has been marked by resilience and adaptation, though ongoing challenges remain.
With continued efforts towards digitalization, healthcare improvement, and infrastructure development, India is poised to strengthen its economic foundation and ensure sustainable growth in the post-pandemic era.

References:
Government of India. (2020-2022). Atmanirbhar Bharat Economic Packages.
Reserve Bank of India. (2020-2022). Monetary Policy Reports.
National Statistical Office (NSO), India. (2020-2022). GDP Data Reports.
Various news articles and economic analysis reports from leading financial journals and news portals.

Is It a Panic Attack or Anxiety?
How to distinguish between the mental health conditions of panic and anxiety.

KEY POINTS-
Panic and anxiety attacks can disrupt the daily function of life but typically differ in severity and cause.
Studies show that females are more likely than males to have both panic attacks and anxiety.
There are real-time practices for working through anxiety and panic attacks.

I was 8 years old when the wrecking ball of doom came a-swinging. One minute I was riding my Huffy Sweet Thunder down the road, speed lifting my pigtails, adrenaline twisting the handlebars as I launched off the curb, bravado daring me to let go, as if to say, “Hell yeah, I’m omnipotent.” And the next moment, invincibility took a digger. I landed with a face full of dirt and a mouthful of blood, heart on fire, trembling like a newborn in the cold, drenched as if I had just gone swimming. I can still feel my T-shirt clinging to my back.

I was in the world, but not of it. My mind was screaming, “run away… run away!” But my body was frozen. What exactly I was running from I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that some reality had just blindsided me, awakening a terror within.

After five or so minutes in Dante’s inferno, the terror gave way, and some sense of “normal” returned. I pushed myself up from the dirt, de-clung my shirt, took a deep breath, and tried to steady myself enough to ride. I was wobbly for a while—not only while peddling my bike, but also inside; my thoughts, feelings, and mood all were “off.”

Whether it was from fear, shame, confusion, or some combination thereof, I kept the whole disconcerting episode a secret for years to come, as well as a few other episodes in kind that followed.

The difference between a panic attack and anxiety
The distress I experienced that day on my bike was a classic panic attack.

Panic attacks are short bursts of intense fear often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, chest pain or shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea, and mental symptoms; for instance, feeling like you’re losing control or going crazy, or are detached from yourself or your surroundings, or having a sudden fear that you will die. Typically, panic attacks last fewer than 30 minutes and can occur once or repeatedly, sometimes without reason. Panic attacks often send people to the ER because they can be easily mistaken for a heart attack.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is essentially what happens when we worry about some future event—the stressful anticipation of a bad outcome or perceived threat. While anxiety can also cause our hearts to race, breath to quicken, and dizziness to take hold, it also can trigger muscle tension, our startle reflex, difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, disturbed sleep, and a general sense of restlessness and uneasiness.

Whereas panic attacks come on suddenly but leave relatively quickly, anxiety usually comes on gradually, becoming more pronounced over minutes or hours. Anxiety may also persist for days, weeks, even months and its intensity can vary in degrees.

How our bodies decide which response is appropriate
Both panic and anxiety are meant to help us survive. They serve as a built-in alarm system designed to protect us from danger. This alarm system is called the autonomic nervous system, and it is on constant alert. Panic attacks are associated with the amygdala, an area of the brain that is the core driver of fear. Anxiety is primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex, which has to do with planning and anticipation.

What’s important to know is that with panic, the body codes it as an immediate, right-here-right-now threat. With anxiety it’s more, “You’re not in trouble yet, but trouble is coming, so you better ready your defenses.” (Whether this is an accurate assessment is another story. Anxiety often sends us out of our calm, rational “window of tolerance.”) It’s also worth noting that both conditions can occur at once. Say, a person is anxious for weeks about an upcoming event. And when they arrive at the festivities, a wave of panic crashes over them, sending them into fight/flight/freeze.

Why we get panic attacks or have anxiety
People are hardwired for both panic attacks and anxiety, but there are some who are more likely to experience them; for instance, those who:

Have an anxious personality.
Have another mental health condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Have family members with anxiety, panic disorders, or history of trauma.
Are more prone to worry because they grew up with worriers who taught them to do the same.
Are living with a chronic medical condition or life-threatening illness.

Have issues with alcohol or drug abuse.
Have ongoing stress in their lives, such as family conflict, relationship problems, or financial hardship.
Have experienced a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, or the loss of a meaningful relationship.
Have experienced past trauma or witnessed a traumatic event, either as a child or an adult.

Studies (McLean et al., 2011) show that females are more likely than males to have both panic attacks and anxiety. Also, people who experience anxiety have a greater risk of experiencing panic attacks. This said, just because you have anxiety doesn’t mean you will experience a panic attack.

What to do if you have a panic attack or experience anxiety
“Admit, acknowledge, and accept” that what you’re feeling is real. This means that while the distressing experience may feel awful, it’s not actually dangerous; and that it will pass—especially if you stop fighting it—and in time, you will be alright. In short, don’t deny the premise or clobber yourself with shame. Panic and anxiety are natural responses. You’re only weak if you don’t face the reality of them head-on.

Try grounding techniques, so that you stay firmly planted in the present, not lost in the dizzying past or fearful future.
Practice titration. In somatic psychology, the word “titrate” is used to describe how much emotional “flow” we let into our system’s internal reservoir. To titrate our experience is to keep ourselves in an intentional place of choice and safety by opening and closing the tap on our emotions. It’s a process by which we slow down our internal response—emotional, cognitive, and physiological—so that we can more effectively process incoming information and get back into our rational mind.

See a professional if either condition starts to affect your ability to function normally in life. You get no points for being a “survivor,” “victim,” or “martyr.”
Every year, upward of 10% of Americans experience a panic attack, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Approximately 2% to 3% of them develop panic disorder. Anxiety is no different; it’s one of the most common mental health challenges, affecting over 19% of U.S. adults each year.

Some of us have diabetes or a heart condition. Others have vertigo, learning disabilities, claustrophobia, migraines, irritable bowel, inflamed gums, and so on. Honestly, it all stinks. But thankfully, there are real-world, real-time solutions that can help us overcome them.

So, do check them out.

MINDFULNESS-
Catch a Falling Leaf: A Different Approach to Mindfulness.
Once you appreciate what mindfulness really means, you can find it in any activity.

KEY POINTS-
Mindfulness is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress.
By focusing on present moment, we can practice not worrying so much about the future or regretting the past.
There is no rule that says we can only experience mindfulness in certain ways.

Mindfulness is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. Many people think only of meditation when they consider mindfulness, but there are a multitude of ways to experience it. There are familiar ways, like yoga or exercise, but once you appreciate what mindfulness really means, you can find it in any activity. By focusing on the moment at hand, we can learn to practice not worrying so much about the future or regretting the past, and appreciate our lives in the present moment. It also engenders a sense of self-acceptance and a suspension of judgment that can help us be kinder to ourselves and to others.

There are many established ways to practice mindfulness, but there is no rule that says you can only experience it in certain ways. I find that when I’m more in touch with this feeling of mindfulness, I tend to find moments in my everyday life that reflect it, and I try to recognize and appreciate those moments. One of my favorite ways to experience mindfulness in everyday life is by catching a falling leaf.

I spend lots of time walking in my neighborhood, getting exercise and sunshine, listening to podcasts or talking on the phone. One time I was walking along and noticed a tall tree with leaves that were starting to change color from green to yellow and brown. Just then a gust of wind blew a leaf off a limb. As it started to flutter to the ground my first instinct was to run and catch it, but then I decided not to, and then I changed my mind just as fast and wanted to catch it, but before I could move, the wind picked up and delivered the leaf right to me. All I had to do was hold out my hand and catch it.

I guess I was in an especially pensive mood that day because, as I held the leaf, I thought about how long it had been on that tree, how many days it must have taken to slowly grow and mature and get to the point where it was ready to fall, and the many gusts of wind that came closer and closer to dislodging it, until finally, at some random moment, its time had come, and the leaf fell down to me, who had spent my life traveling to arrive here at the exact moment the leaf fell.

I took the leaf home and put it on my desk. When I looked at it, it reminded me of how my entire life and that leaf’s entire life had built up to one serendipitous moment when we crossed paths. I also appreciated that I could easily not have seen the leaf fall and continued walking. What would have happened then? Nothing, I guess. The leaf would have fluttered to the ground, and nobody would have noticed. In fact, moments like that happen millions of times a day. Every leaf on a tree has to fall eventually. I just happened to be there and noticed it happening.

The mindfulness aspect I took away from this experience was how much I enjoy seeing these moments happen. Looking for falling leaves while I’m walking means I’m aware of my surroundings, not walking along trapped in anxious thoughts about the to-do list of the future. It made me more aware of the color of the sky and the feeling of the breeze on my skin, as opposed to self-critical thoughts about difficult relationships from the past and how they might pop up again in the future. It’s easy to walk along, head down, full of thoughts about everything except what’s happening right around you. Looking for falling leaves on my walks unlocked a mindfulness practice that I find simple and effective.

Here’s the thing about falling leaves, though: They’re not easy to catch! Those things flutter like a knuckleball. There are also obstacles to consider, curbs to avoid tripping over, streets to avoid darting into while your eyes are locked in on a falling leaf. It got to the point where my walks were getting longer because I was spending too much time standing under trees waiting for a leaf to fall. I think the universe was teasing me by making the first time I caught a falling leaf so easy. So the next time you notice a leaf falling from a tree, stop and consider it. Maybe try to catch it. But be prepared to experience how hard it is to catch a falling leaf. Much like being in the moment, it sounds simple, but it’s not as easy as you think.

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