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Iowa cornerback Jermari Harris has opted out of the remainder of the 2024 season in order to prepare for the NFL draft, according to a report by 247Sports.com . The 6-foot-1 sixth-year senior from Chicago has recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions and a team-high seven pass breakups in 10 games for the Hawkeyes this season. That includes a pick-6 in a 38-21 win over Troy earlier this season. Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) plays at Maryland on Saturday before closing out its regular season at home against Nebraska on Nov. 29. The Hawkeyes are already bowl eligible, so Harris is likely opting out of three games in total. After missing the entire 2022 season due to an ankle injury, Harris was suspended for two games of the following season for his involvement in the gambling investigation into Iowa athletics. He later emerged as the Hawkeyes' top cornerback, earning the team's comeback player of the year award after compiling 42 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups. Harris will finish his college career with 105 tackles and eight interceptions. --Field Level Media
Musk, Ramaswamy spar with Trump supporters over H-1B work visasTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — If Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has given any thought to the possibility of clinching a playoff berth in his first season with the team with a win at New England on Saturday, he isn't letting it show. “Just attacking, that’s our mindset. Win the next game," he said. Harbaugh's relative silence on the topic isn't a total departure from his usual business-first approach, but there could also be something else at play. Aside from wrapping up what would be Harbaugh’s fourth postseason trip in five years as an NFL head coach, since the Chargers (9-6) have the tiebreaker over the Denver Broncos but not against the Pittsburg Steelers, Los Angeles would appear destined to be the sixth seed in the postseason. That would mean a trip to Baltimore and a possible Harbaugh Bowl 4 matchup opposite older brother and Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens beat the Chargers earlier this season 30-23. But first things first. And that's taking care of the Patriots (3-12), who have lost five straight games but showed several signs of offensive improvement during their 24-21 loss at Buffalo last week. Jim Harbaugh sees a dangerous group. And his players say they are locked in on the present. “Always one week at a time. We’ve got a lot of respect for this Patriots team," Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. "We know we’re going on the road and have to be prepared for everything.” If the Patriots are going to play the role of spoiler, it must start with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. He has thrown a touchdown pass in seven consecutive games, tied with Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest such streak by a rookie in franchise history. But he has also thrown at least one interception in each of the past seven games. Overall, the Patriots have a minus-9 turnover margin. The Patriots did score 14 points in the first half during last week’s loss at Buffalo. Still, New England's offense has had trouble finishing drives, scoring touchdowns on only 47.7% of its chances in the red zone. Maye said that doesn't mean he plans to be timid over the final two games. “I think there’s definitely a way we need to cut down turnovers,” he said. “That starts with me protecting the football and throwing it incomplete or throwing it in the dirt or little things like that. I’m still going to be aggressive.” The Chargers could have a major weapon return in running back J.K. Dobbins, who has been on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury against Baltimore on Nov. 25. With Dobbins out of the lineup, the Bolts have struggled to have any consistency on offense. Los Angeles has averaged only 74.8 rushing yards in the past four games, which is quite a drop from the 118.1 they were generating before Dobbins’ injury. Dobbins was listed as questionable, while Gus Edwards — who rushed for two touchdowns and a season-high 68 yards in last Thursday’s win over Denver — was ruled out with an ankle injury. Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins would likely take over in the backfield if Dobbins also can't play. Justin Herbert, who has 20,466 career passing yards, needs 153 yards to surpass Peyton Manning for the most in a player's first five seasons in league history. Ladd McConkey is 40 yards away from becoming the first Chargers rookie receiver to reach 1,000 yards since Keenan Allen in 2013. The Chargers have won 11 of their past 13 when playing in the Eastern time zone, including last year’s 6-0 victory over the Patriots. Los Angeles has five of its nine games on Eastern time this season for the first time since 2005. They are trying to become the ninth team since 1988 on Pacific time to win at least four games when having to travel at least three time zones. The Chargers have given up two touchdowns and a field goal on the first possession in the last three games. They allowed only one touchdown on an opening drive in the first 12 games. Another cause for concern is that the Bolts have given up scores on the first two series in back-to-back games. AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Los Angeles contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLUnleashing Gaming’s Secret Weapon? Discover the Power of ‘MOS Stock’.AI-Powered Leap Financial Raises $3.5 Million Seed Round Led By Fuel Venture Capital
PM Anwar (left) being escorted by Premier Abang Johari during the former’s visit to Kapit on Sept 29. — Bernama photo YEAR 2024 was a busy one for Kapit, somewhat correlating with the prediction for the Year of the Wood Dragon on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Many astrologers have said that the Year of the Wood Dragon will be a time of growth and changes, but not without its challenges especially in terms of the environment. Here is the list of happenings in Kapit that have taken place throughout the past 12 months. Visits by nation’s leaders On Jan 15, Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni visited Kapit Hospital to officiate at the presentation of the new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility, meant to enable the medical officers in diagnosing the patients more accurately. According to Kapit Hospital director Dr Francis Lee, previously the patients had to be referred to Sibu Hospital for the MRI, which was quite burdensome for them, not to mention time-consuming. In April this year, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick performed the earth-breaking ceremony for the portable petrol pump owned by Sungai Kapit Cooperative at Kampung Sawang, Jalan Melekun in Baleh. This new facility meant to ease the congestion at the already-existing two petrol stations in town. On July 3, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited Punan Ba at the border of Kapit and Belaga districts. He also announced various infrastructure projects for Kapit, including the federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKLW)-funded works on water treatment plant, solar hybrid energy, Sungai Ba Bridge, and Jiwa Murni Belaga-Punan Ba road, set to benefit over 1,300 villagers in the area. On Sept 29, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated at the earth-breaking for the RM150-million new Kapit District police headquarters at Bletih, meant to replace the old station that was built 1970. The new police station to boost the security here. The Prime Minister also announced that the federal government agreed to give priority to the construction of several road projects in Kapit Division. He had said that the first phase of the road construction should kick off in 2025, and that he had asked Public Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi to ‘speed things up’. Anwar, who was accompanied by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, also attended a briefing on the construction of a bridge across the Rajang River in Nanga Yong during his Kapit visit. Later, Anwar attended a gathering with community leaders and longhouse chieftains in Kapit and Song districts, at Rumah Robert in Nanga Sebatu. On Kapit’s news police headquarters, Anwar said it would house 146 personnel, including senior and junior police officers and general officers. “With the new Kapit District police headquarters, it will raise the effectiveness of assignments, ensure public order and safety in the district and facilitate service delivery to the people of Kapit district. “It will also benefit police officers and personnel in Kapit by ensuring their welfare and reducing their cost of living expenses,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that the project would be implemented in two phases from 2025 to 2029, beginning with ground works and then the construction of the headquarters’ complex. On the Nanga Yong bridge project, Anwar said it would encompass a new tarred road and two bridges connecting Jalan Nanga Belawai and Jalan Song-Kapit, as well as the upgrading of two junctions scheduled to kick off in 2025, and reach completion in 2029. “This project will bring socio-economic development to residents in settlements along Rajang River, including in Nanga Belawai and Kapit town. “Upon completion, it will be a safe and comfortable rural road network for all residents, and create a platform to build other public facilities, including electricity, water and telecommunications,” he said. The Prime Minister also approved allocations of RM2 million for bank restoration works meant to overcome erosion issues along Sungai Rejang at Robert Longhouse, Nanga Sebatu. ‘A visit, 45 years later’ In May this year, 90-year-old Reverend Pastor Richard Schwenk from Chicago, USA, spent a week in Kapit, visiting his former parish and reconnecting with old colleagues, friends and the longhouse folks in town and also in Baleh. Richard, who was accompanied by his son John and grand-niece Kete, arrived in Kapit in 1965, where he served as an Agriculture Missionary under Sarawak Methodist Iban Annual Conference till 1979. (From left) John, Kete, Richard, Ling Geok Lian and Kimi Soon Peng Hai during the recent meet up in Kapit. “I was stationed at Nanga Mujong in Baleh to teach the longhouse folks about cultivating their land for paddy, vegetable and fruit tree farming, aiming for food sufficiency. “Later, I was attached to the Methodist CHEMPRO (Community, Health, Education, Motivation and Propagation). “I also taught English Language and Bible Studies at SM Methodist Kapit,” recalled Richard. Changes in leadership Year 2024 also witnessed changes in community leadership. In April, Kapit Division Chinese paramount community leader Temenggong Yong Thu Fook passed away at age 71, which resulted in promotion of several appointments. Pemanca Toh Tze Hua was later appointed as the Temenggong, Penghulu Lim Eng Hock as the Pemanca, and Kapitan John Khoo as Penghulu. Kapit Iban community leader Pemanca Enggin Nyipa, 85, retired and consequently, Penghulu Pasang Tubak became the Pemanca. Pemanca Steward Saweng also retired and was replaced by Penghulu Bunsu Geringang, while ‘Tuai Rumah’ (Longhouse Chieftain) George Tang became Penghulu. Malaysia Games 2024 On May 19, the division-leg ‘Sukma Baton Run’ kicked off with 500 participants covering the 2.3km route around Kapit town. Among them were past Malaysia Games (Sukma) top athletes Tiong Tien Kong (boxing), Stanley Jaranding (swimming), Richard Lim (weightlifting) and Jenny Saie (hockey). Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Customs and Laws) and Bukit Goram assemblyman Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat performing the flag-off for the division-leg of the Sukma Baton Run, at Kapit Civic Centre. The run was conducted to promote the 21st edition of the Games, hosted by Sarawak from Sept 20 to 28. It kicked off in Limbang, proceeding to Miri, Bintulu, Mukah, Sibu, Kapit, Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman, Serian and Samarahan, before ending in Kuching. River tragedies On March 7, a speedboat transporting five passengers from SK Lepong Baleh jetty to Nanga Tulie, capsized in Baleh River. All five men on board that ill-fated vessel were part of a team transporting explosives to a construction site in Nanga Tulie. Four of them were pulled underwater after the boat turned over, but a passing boatman managed to rescue one passenger, Muhammad Firdaus Ngui Abdullah @ Moses Ngui. On March 9, the body of Sgt Jonathan Lambet was found near Kapit Express, while the boat driver Jack Balan was found in Sibu, and Amerson John Nain was found in Meradong. On March 15, police found the body of Cpl Iskandar Ibrahim at the Seputin section of the Rajang River, about 2km from the site of the incident. On March 19, at around 2pm, Muhammad Firdaus was pronounced dead at Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, where he was receiving treatment. On Nov 19, Tuai Rumah Bubut Benang went missing after the fibreglass boat that he was in struck a rock and sank in the Rajang River. Bubut, a contractor, together with his wife and a worker, were travelling from Rumah Belaja in Nanga Benin to Kapit town. Bubut’s wife, in her police report, said their boat struck a rock in the middle of the river and sank. She, along with the worker, managed to swim to safety, but her husband was nowhere to be seen. Bubut was returning from inspecting the ongoing construction of a bridge at Rumah Belaja, some 30km from Kapit town. His body was found at around 3.30pm on Nov 21, located some 500m downriver from where the incident occurred. On Nov 27, 75-year-old retired pastor Bangau Amping lost his life when his car was washed away during the flash floods at Sungai Selepong in Selirik. It was reported that he was driving home after dropping his wife at the Terasang Market, at around 5.30am, when the incident occurred. It was also stated that the continuous heavy rain since around 2am, had caused the water level at Sungai Selepong to rise quickly and inundate the road. The fast-flowing waters carried Bangau’s car around 50m away from the road before the vehicle got stuck in the riverbed and was almost submerged. The first responders from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force and police arrived at the scene around 7am, where they saw Bangau trapped in the driver’s seat. However, upon extricating him from the saloon car, the retired pastor was pronounced dead at the site. This major unusual flooding was among four recorded in Kapit this year: the others occurred on July 3, Aug 22, and Oct 19. Photo shows floodwater almost submerging the vehicles at the 43-door Rumah Dennis Langok at Sungai Amang in Selirik. A century of peace The 100th anniversary of Kapit Peace Agreement Kapit was hailed as a significant milestone for this division, in that it emphasised the importance of peace in growth and development of a region. The celebration, which ran from Dec 1 to 8, commemorated the historic event at Fort Sylvia on Nov 16, 1924, which ended years of tribal warfare and division. The Tun Jugah Foundation, in a statement, highlighted the chaotic era before the Brookes administration, noting the conflicts often arose over spiritual beliefs, social status, territorial disputes and resources. Rivalries existed both between and within ethnic groups, exacerbating the unrest. Nanta (front, second left) and former federal minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie, on his left, arriving at Kapit Civic Centre to attend the closing of the seminar, carried out in connection with 100th anniversary of Kapit Peace Agreement Kapit. It said under Rajah James Brooke’s rule starting in 1841, pacification tactics were introduced to quell uprisings and resistance movements. These efforts included symbolic peace ceremonies featuring exchanges of valuables and acts of reconciliation, such as the killing of pigs. “The Brookes administration faced serious opposition from the local leaders who fought with courage and resilience, seeking to preserve their traditions and autonomy. The Brookes resorted to pacification tactics as a way to quell uprisings, rebellions, and resistance movements,” said the foundation, as cited in a Bernama report. The Brookes also undertook punitive expeditions to restore order, including the Katibas, Ulu Ai, and Great Kayan expeditions. A notable effort, the Kayan Expedition, involved over 15,000 fighters using 500 longboats. These missions laid the groundwork for the eventual peace ceremony in Kapit. The pivotal peace ceremony of 1924 marked the end of conflicts among the Iban, the Kayan, the Kenyah and the Kajang communities. Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, also the chairman of the Tun Jugah Foundation, described the agreement as ‘a beacon for future progress in the region’. “As Kapit enters its second century, the legacy of the 1924 Peace Agreement continues to guide its journey. “The 100th anniversary celebration served as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of peace, unity, and collaboration,” said the statement.As Xiang Zuo made his way to his waiting car, the crowd slowly dispersed, their hearts full of excitement and joy from having been a part of such a memorable experience. 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Poulin has game winner as Montreal Victoire tops Minnesota Frost 3-2 for 3rd straight winUnretired two-time Pro Bowl LB Shaquil Barrett signs to resume career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers