by Pam Key, Breitbart: Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that he is confident President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the FBI, Kash Patel, will be confirmed. Schmitt said, “I do think Kash Patel is the right man for the job. He served as chief of staff for the Department of Defense. […]

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The holidays often promise warmth, connection, and celebration, but for those with toxic family dynamics, they can feel more like a minefield. If a controlling relative, competitive sibling or dramatic in-law has you dreading the season, take heart—mental health experts Janet Bayramyan, LCSW, and Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, ACSW, ACHT, are here with practical tips to help you protect your peace and navigate these tricky waters. 1. Set healthy boundaries When it comes to toxic family members, boundaries are your best friend. “Express your boundaries upfront in any interaction,” says Dr. Pion-Berlin. This might mean limiting time commitments, avoiding certain topics, or even planning an exit strategy for uncomfortable moments. Bayramyan suggests practical ways to implement boundaries, like “shortening your visits, arriving late, leaving early, or spending time with others to minimize interaction.” Remember, boundaries are about safeguarding your mental well-being, not pleasing others. 2. Know when to step away Sometimes the best way to handle a toxic person is to skip the gathering altogether. “Your mental health and well-being should always come first,” Pion-Berlin emphasizes. If attending an event feels more harmful than joyful, it’s perfectly okay to bow out. Bayramyan echoes this sentiment: “Protecting your peace is a priority.” If the host is someone you care about, consider suggesting an alternative plan. “You could meet up at another time for coffee or a private gathering,” Pion-Berlin suggests. This lets you maintain bonds without subjecting yourself to unnecessary tension. 3. Avoid confrontation during the holidays While it may be tempting to address longstanding issues during a family gathering, the experts caution against it. “Holidays are often high-stress and emotionally charged, making it an unideal time for confrontation,” says Bayramyan. Heated exchanges can not only escalate tensions but also ruin the occasion for others. Instead, save difficult conversations for a calmer, private setting when both parties are more likely to engage constructively. “If something said makes you uncomfortable, try to change the subject or calmly excuse yourself,” advises Pion-Berlin. “The goal isn’t to confront the individual but to safeguard your peace of mind.” 4. Focus on neutral topics When conversations steer toward drama or conflict, redirecting to light and neutral topics can help keep the peace. “Steer conversations to subjects like the weather, favorite TV shows, or family traditions,” suggests Bayramyan. Sure, these may feel surface-level, but they’re far less likely to stir conflict than diving into controversial or sensitive issues. 5. Practice emotional detachment Toxic behaviors can feel personal, but often, they’re not about you. “Recognize that their behavior is about them, not you,” Bayramyan advises. Visualizing an emotional “shield” can help you deflect negativity and maintain your inner calm. Detaching emotionally doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you’re prioritizing your mental health. Stay focused on what you can control and let go of the rest. 6. Build a support system Navigating challenging family dynamics can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Bayramyan encourages leaning on trusted friends or family members for support, whether they’re present at the gathering or available afterward for a debrief. “There’s strength in having allies,” she says. Planning a check-in with a supportive friend after a gathering can provide relief and reassurance, helping you process any stress. Making the holidays work for you The holiday season doesn’t have to revolve around pleasing everyone else. “The goal is to prioritize your well-being and create a holiday experience that aligns with your needs,” says Pion-Berlin. Whether that means setting firm boundaries, walking away from conflict, or opting out of certain events entirely, you’re in control of your holiday experience. With these expert-backed strategies, you can approach the season with confidence, knowing you’re equipped to handle difficult dynamics while safeguarding your peace. As Bayramyan puts it: “Protecting your peace is a priority.”The post How to navigate the holidays with toxic family members: expert advice for a peaceful season first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Ghana elected Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as its first female Vice President, marking a pivotal advancement in gender inclusivity within the nation’s political sphere. Her triumph, with President-elect John Dramani Mahama under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) banner, is nationally lauded as a significant advancement for women’s representation in governance. A trailblazer in academia Born on November 22, 1951, in Cape Coast, Central Region, Opoku-Agyemang’s journey is one of breaking barriers. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, subsequently acquiring a Master’s and Ph.D. in English Literature from York University in Canada. In 2008, she became the first woman to lead a public university in Ghana, serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. Her term was characterized by significant reforms, encompassing infrastructure enhancements and the advancement of gender parity within the institution. Move to political leadership Opoku-Agyemang’s political career began in 2013 when she was named Minister of Education during Mahama’s presidency. During her tenure, she oversaw major educational reforms such as the elimination of temporary “schools under trees,” the construction of modern buildings, and the distribution of free textbooks and school uniforms. In 2020, she achieved a historic milestone as the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate, becoming the first woman selected for the role by a prominent political party in Ghana. Her nomination demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusivity and gender equality. The significance of her election Opoku-Agyemang’s election signifies a pivotal advancement for Ghana and exemplifies a model for the African continent. Her background in education and public service qualifies her to support school reform, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Her leadership is poised to introduce a novel viewpoint to national policies, especially in developing innovative measures to enhance Ghana’s education sector. Beyond Ghana, her election represents a symbol of progress for female representation in African political leadership, pushing women all around the continent to pursue positions of prominence. National commemoration Following the election results, euphoric NDC supporters took to the streets around the country to celebrate their historic triumph. Women around Ghana were proud of Opoku-Agyemang’s accomplishment, seeing it as a tremendous reinforcement of women’s leadership potential. Anticipating the future During Ghana’s power transition, Opoku-Agyemang’s involvement will be crucial in determining the nation’s destiny. Her commitment to education, gender equality, and national unity will lead her as she takes on this new responsibility. Her election is not only a victory for the NDC but also a success for all Ghanaians, epitomizing advancement, resilience, and the potential for a more inclusive political environment. Under the stewardship of Mahama and Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana is positioned for a future characterized by unity, diversity, and visionary leadership.The post Ghana elects first female Vice President in historic leap first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

A joint Spanish and Egyptian archaeological mission excavating the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus near Al-Bahansa, 100 miles south of Cairo, has unearthed 52 Ptolemaic-era mummies, 13 of which had gold tongues still in their mouths, and one of which also had gold fingernails. The gold tongues and nails were meant to enhance their speech and gestures to appeal to Osiris and the other gods adjudicating their entry into the afterlife. These are the first golden tongues and nails discovered at the Al-Bahansa site. Archaeologists from the University of Barcelona and the Institute of the Ancient Middle East have been excavating ancient Oxyrhynchus since 1992. Some of the ritual texts and deities in some of the wall paintings unearthed in this season’s excavation are the first examples of their kind found in the Bahansa Archaeological Region. They are a major new source of information about the religious practices in the area during the Ptolemaic period (305–30 B.C.). The team discovered a rectangular stone burial shaft that led to a tomb with a vaulted ceiling and three chambers. Some 300 mummies were found side by side in the chambers, evidence of communal burial. Another group of funerary chambers were found in an adjacent burial shaft, one of which was decorated with brightly colored hieroglyphic inscriptions and wall paintings identifying the tomb’s owner as a man named Wen Nefer. The paintings depict Wen Nefer and his family making offerings to deities Anubis, Osiris, Atum, Horus and Thoth. The ceiling is painted with a celestial scene of a white, topless goddess Nut against a blue background surrounded by stars. Sacred boats carry deities including Ra, Khepri and Atum. The chamber also contained four limestone sarcophagi. A particularly important painted scene features the deceased being embalmed by Anubis. The face of the mummy is coated in a thin but completely opaque layer of shiny gold. The faces of Osiris, Isis and Nephthys in front of and behind the deceased are also painted in gold. Gold-painted faces like these have never been found before at Oxyrhynchus. One tomb contained the remains of an adult female. It was looted in antiquity shortly after she was buried, but the thieves missed some of the portable treasure. Archaeologists found beads, a headrest amulet, a figurine of the god Horus and two more gold tongues. Another tomb was still sealed when archaeologists discovered it. It contained a sarcophagus with the mummified remains of an adult male with a gold tongue. The team also found a heart scarab amulet still in situ — a very rare discovery — four canopic jars holding his embalmed organs and 400 pieces of funerary pottery, including amulets, Djed pillars, Wadjet eyes and figurines of deities. The inscriptions on the canopic vessels are currently being studied and translated. They will likely identify the deceased.

By Gloria Ogbonna The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) have issued a stark warning to residents of New Jersey about the dangers of shooting at mysterious unidentified…

By Gloria Ogbonna On Monday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby addressed growing concerns about the unusually high number…

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The following article, Subversive Anti-American Senate Democrats Introduce Amendment To Eliminate Electoral College, Disenfranchise Most of American Voters, was first…

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The following article, Subversive Anti-American Senate Democrats Introduce Amendment To Eliminate Electoral College, Disenfranchise Most of American Voters, was first…

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Mystery drones are captivating the media and dominating Americans’ conversations. When unidentified flying objects started popping up over US military installations a year ago, there wasn’t much made…