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Dec. 26—Jason Mackey: Hello, everyone. Thanks for finding my weekly chat. You know the drill. We'll get started in a few minutes. Tom: So when the Steelers schedule rolled out, literally everyone said they would need to win early and probably lose in the brutal second half. So they did exactly what they needed to do and what everybody thought they would do but somehow the world is still ending? Please explain Jason Mackey: You want me to explain how the entire Steelers fanbase reacts to something? I don't know if I can do that, Tom. I do know — and I wrote this for A1 today — that the Steelers are where about where thought they would be. 10-6 or 10-7, maybe 11-6 ... but still flawed and a coin flip to win a football game. I'm not sure if that's much different than what you're saying. Tom: Are you suprised the Pens are playing Jarry so much? Jason Mackey: I'm not. I think they know they need to find out what they have in him. One, it allows him to get into a rhythm. I think it might help him get comfortable. At minimum, you know what you have. Covering Tristan, I've always found him to be the type of guy who does better when he's involved with the group, not doing things on his own like a backup would. Stairway to seventh seed: Jason: what a disaster. As of right now what would be your 2025 QB plan? 12 days ago I thought they would give Wilson a Baker Mayfield like 3 yr $100m deal. Now I think it is between Wilson at say $22m per, Fields at $14-16m, or other. It is hard to evaluate a QB playing behind this line with this group of WRs, but I say go with the younger, cheaper Fields. Am I over-reacting? Jason Mackey: I think you're overreacting. I don't have an answer on that right now because I'm not against it. I do think 3 years, $100 million is probably high. But if Wilson leads them to a playoff win or two, I'd probably feel differently about it. I think you just need to see how the balance of this plays out, honestly. I know that's an unsexy answer, but it's kind of where I'm at with all of it. Brad: It seems like the Steelers defense is really mad at one person talking about it can't just be 10 guys on the same page. Who are they criticizing? Jason Mackey: I don't know if it's one guy all the time. It's kinda true of defense writ large. If everyone isn't on the same page, you're gonna have problems. Stairway to seventh seed: Connor Heyward's offsides penalty yesterday was obviously the least of our concerns, but what does it say about the accountability on this team that such a fringe NFL player who has made no contribution on offense and a limited one on special teams can commit a half dozen or so pre-snap penalties this year and still be on the roster? Jason Mackey: Yeah, he does get penalized a lot. More than he should for his role, no doubt. I don't know what it says, but probably that stuff like that is being tolerated more than it should. demosthenes98: Happy Boxing Day! Since this is a holiday celebrated in Canada and has a name with connotations of socially acceptable violence, I have to ask—what's your all-time favorite hockey fight? Jason Mackey: Alex Semin vs. Marc Staal. demosthenes98: Andrew McCutchen has contributed many things to the Pirates over the course of his lengthy association with them, not the least of which is leadership. With that in mind, which move shows more leadership? Is it meekly returning to put lipstick on the proverbial pig? Or is it telling the low-character liars on Federal Street NO, then going public with it and the reasons why? Jason Mackey: I'm not sure it's either. Cutch wants to come back. He likes it here. He thinks they can win. You're free to disagree or get mad at Bob Nutting. But the premise of your question doesn't make sense based on what I know about Cutch. He hit 20 homers last year. Had a pretty respectable OPS. Would have to think he'd have a job somewhere if he really wanted it. He wants to be here. demosthenes98: Is it possible that the Pitt football team isn't as good as they looked when they were 7-0 or as bad as they've looked since then? That, instead of being world-beaters or bottom-feeders, they're just...okay? Jason Mackey: Yeah, that's possible. If not likely. Erryg: How concerned are you that Russell Wilson may not be the solution at QB? Jason Mackey: I don't know. I think he can be a solution. I just don't know if he would be worth $30 million. His return will be about how much he wants, what he's willing to accept, etc. We've been talking about Russ for $100 million over three. I'd have a hard time with that. But if he wanted $45 million over three, that's a different discussion. artie bridge: Jason, After three straight debacles, what specific steps can we take to get this train back on track? And, is the post-season already all but lost? Jason Mackey: Their only postseason hope might be beating a bad Texans team. Actual steps: communicating better, tackling better, not turning it over, leaning on Jaylen Warren, involving George Pickens even more ... yeah, there's stuff they can do. But the defense does have to improve. Seferg: Are there any quarterbacks in this year's draft that you would trade up for? Jason Mackey: Honestly, no. I'd rather see them preserve picks to address other areas of need, chiefly defensive line, defensive back and wide receiver. Seferg: How would you grade the Pirates trade for Horwitz? Fair, gave up too much or we got a great deal? Jason Mackey: I don't hate it as much as I originally did. He's one of those players who probably requires some nuance and numbers to grasp. Certainly not anyone who's gonna blow you away. But I still don't like that they gave up a bunch of young pitching to do it. Ortiz straight up, fine. Or the prospects. Just not both. Jason: Hi Jason! If the Steelers get a late game and the Ravens get an early game depending on the outcome should the Steelers rest as many starters as possible? They sure seem Jason Mackey: They probably should. But I also don't love it because I think this group probably needs some confidence. Maybe if you could have a good half and call it a day that would work. You certainly don't want to get anyone hurt. Jason: like there isn't much left in the tank and understandably so. Jason Mackey: I see this is the second part to your question. Joel: Jason, Happy Holidays to you and your family. Sorry you had to spend Christmas Day dealing with another Steelers debacle. I know that Tomlin is getting torched by frustrated Steelers fans, but isn't the core problem roster construction rather than coaching? Tell me a coach in this league who could win 10 games with this roster. So my critique of Tomlin (and Khan and Wylie) is around the inability to choose players that can win on game day against elite teams. Jason Mackey: I think the people fixating on Tomlin are ignoring the other factors. In other words, he's not absolved. But, yeah, it's an imperfect roster, to be kind about it. Players have also underperformed. But he's been around a while and hasn't helped himself with his performance of late. James of WV: Hi Jason, I hope your holiday season has been better than the Steelers. Jason Mackey: I can confirm that it has. Thanks, James. Jeff: Thanks for the chats Jason. World is clearly ending here in the Burgh...steelers reeling, pens fighting to just make playoffs and the pirates, well nothing seems to ever change. Question on the pirates do you see any younger arms in the minors making it to the bigs this year? I cannot believe we are dangling Jones. Without the starting pitching we lose 90 games! Oh and happy holidays Jason Mackey: They're not going to trade Jones. I doubt they trade Keller. I don't know if this is what you mean, but I'd expect Chandler, Harrington and Ashcraft to make their MLB debus this year. Jason Mackey: debuts* Country Roads JP: Hello Jason, I realize there's reason for pessimism about the Steelers but it seems they never do well on short weeks and I feel if they can regroup and rest over the next 10 days and get back to playing on Sundays again they will perform better plus there's a strong possibility they will open the playoffs against Houston which is their best case scenario. Jason Mackey: I don't disagree with you. The short week thing is real. And I don't think the Texans are very good. They could win that game. Bill in Clinton: Seriously, what will it take for Nutting to sell the team? Jason Mackey: I don't think he has any interest in selling. Sid: There's a lot of talk about RSNs and how teams like Yankees/Cubs/Dodgers are good, but small-market teams aren't. How secure are the Pirates with SNP, and what would happen if it fell through? Jason Mackey: I don't expect the Pirates to be long-term with SNP. I expect, when the next CBA is up for them to move to MLB's in-house model. Greg Brown: Will I call a Pirates World Series game before I retire? Jason Mackey: I sure hope so, Brownie. You deserve it my man. Sam: Is pedigree so important in sports that despite Jaylen Warren performing better than Najee Harris when he's in there, Harris' next contract was thought of as "too expensive" to be worth extending, but Warren is considered a no brainer signing this offseason? I know if you try bell cow status with a guy Warren's size he's liable to wear down, but if you did one of those blind resume graphics or simply watch how dangerous each one looks with the ball, you'd probably answer that Warren is worth more money. Just because he went to Alabama and was a #1 pick. Jason Mackey: Yeah, it has something to do with it, I'm sure. I think that's true at all levels. To be fair, he's also proven a lot more than Warren has. Jaylen Warren doesn't have four 1,000-yard seasons. Or one. But I agree with you: He's probably the better fit for the Steelers' offense right now. JR IN ATL: Hey Jason, do you think Tomlin's coaching tree has basically no branches because he feels threatened by coaches that might perform better than him as coordinators. I still think Flores would have been a much better coordinator than Austin, and we already had him in the building. Jason Mackey: Could be that. I'd also argue that he hasn't done a very good job hiring assistants. He might not have been threatened by Matt Canada. Matt Canada simply wasn't very good. It's probably a combination of both. But it is crazy how it has zero branches. Gary: Why do they only throw to Pickens along the sidelines? How about the middle of the field, WR screens, Reverse? With his speed and strength, I feel they are not tapping into all of his skills. Totally predictable like the rest of the offensive game plan. Jason Mackey: I agree they could go over the middle more. But (1) he's an outside receiver. He's also more likely to get man-to-man coverage that way, and that works to Pickens' benefit. When you consider the quarterback, Russ is short. It's not the easiest thing for him to see some of those routes. The truth: Was Arthur Smith an overrated hire? He obviously couldn't be worse than Canada, but he seems really middle of the road to me. He doesn't seem to scheme guys open, is always changing personnel, and is is very predictable at times. The offense only took off once Russ was named starter, and lately it's still very mediocre. Yesterday was an offensive coaching clinic by KC, and it looks like Smith isn't anywhere close to that. Jason Mackey: Yeah, I think that's fair. I don't think Arthur Smith has been a disaster by any stretch. But I also don't think he has delivered on the considerable excitement that surrounded his hire. I think he's been merely OK. Jason: I'm not sure why people are down on Wilson so much. The lack of a legit #2 WR and the horrible play of the OL should fall on Omar and the coaches not on Wilson. Yes he has had a few bad turnovers but besides him not sliding on the fumble last week the man is under pressure almost everytime he drops back to pass. Jason Mackey: A fair, balanced way of looking at it. There's a lot at play here. The Dude: Tomlin promised changes, since it certainly makes no sense to continue the way things are going. What changes do you expect to see for the Bengals game, and will any of them help? Jason Mackey: Sadly, he has promised them before — and then done nothing. I'm not expecting a ton to change. There's only so much he can do. Maybe a little more man coverage? They didn't do a good job in zone. Nate: Jason, friends of mine are all on the "Fire Tomlin" bandwagon. As someone who believes he is a top 5 coach in the league, my bigger concern is we don't have a franchise QB. You could have the greatest coach in the history of football but no QB makes it impossible to win the big one. Why does no one seem to realize this? Jason Mackey: I think people are aware you need a good quarterback to win. I also think people are frustrated with Tomlin and want to see the Steelers win a playoff game. Both can be true. Draft Milroe: Let's do the damn thing! Draft Milroe, sign Russ for 3 years, first year guaranteed, then let Milroe play when he is ready. I am sick of this not having a franchise QB thing! Jason Mackey: To each their own. If I bring Russ back, I'd probably use my draft resources differently. They need receivers. They're also thin at DL and DB. Kyser Sozay: If it turns out the Steelers go to Houston, then I would contend that things didn't turn out all that badly. Agree? Jason Mackey: If they go there and win ... Shane in Colrain: Did you see Pickens taking his helmet off after plays in the 4th quarter and screaming at the sidelines? Surprised he wasn't penalized. He should be benched by Tomlin for that since they were 3 scores down. Send a message. Thoughts? Jason Mackey: I saw it. You think Tomlin is suddenly gonna lose his you know what over that? I didn't love it, but benching Pickens only hurts the Steelers. Part of the problem they have with him. He's also done far worse that went unpunished. Shane in Colrain: Sam Darnald or Russell Wilson for QB next year? Jason Mackey: I'd want to know the prices for each. WTF: Please explain how Nutting can have one of the greatest arms of all time, yet not expand payroll while he's here? I am not asking for us to have a payroll of 200 million but to have Skenes here for 5 more years and not having a payroll eclipse 100 million is beyond baffling. Jason Mackey: I don't have a good answer for you. I'm with you. If now isn't the time to increase payroll, when is? I do think it'll go up some — like $5 million — but they should spend more. Tim Imperial: The offensive line has been a huge disappointment in pass pro, I say fire the o-line coach!!! Jason Mackey: They have two rookies and a sophomore starting. Three guys are out for the season with injuries. I agree it has ben bad, but I'm not sure the OL coach needs fired. Shane in Colrain: Baltimore cycles through OCs and DCs every couple of years with success. Why can't the Steelers find a guy who can be successful? Jason Mackey: More questions than my wife today, Shane. I don't know. But you bring up a good point. Other NFL teams seems to be able to do that fairly routinely. In Smith's defense, though, he's drawing up an offense for a group without a WR2. That's not his faut. Shane in Colrain: The best gift you got yesterday was...? Jason Mackey: Really, my wife and kids. But in terms of actual gifts, probably a T-shirt from my wife that says Lange, Prince & Cope, honoring the legendary announcers. Shane in Colrain: At least the Chiefs didn't score over 30 point. Silver lining? Jason Mackey: Oh, yeah. Surprised that wasn't a headline. The truth: George Pickens has the skills to warrant a huge deal, but he seems Jason Mackey: I would pay Pickens. Jules Winfield: I know folks are down on Russ at this point, but who you gonna get that's better? Assuming he can be had for between 15 and 20 million for a couple of years, he seems a better choice than Fields or some others. Right or wrong? Jason Mackey: I would take Russ over Fields, yes. I don't know what Darnold would want. But, yeah, if you can make it work financially, it probably does make the most sense to keep Russ. Jason: If the excuse is the Pirates won't spend because they are a small Jason Mackey: What excuse? Erryg: Will Cutch be the most expensive free agent signing for the Pirates this off season? Jason Mackey: Yes. But I think they will add some salary in the form of a trade or two. PQ: Jason, any current or former employee of the PG, including the old Pittsburgh Press, makes that catch on a ball tumbling to earth at free fall, no? Jason Mackey: Little surprised you dropped that, PQ. Jason: If the Pirates use the small market excuse for not spending would the Steelers and Pens use the same excuse if there was no cap in the NFL or NHL? Jason Mackey: They are vastly different businesses. That's not excusing the Pirates, but comparing MLB to any other sport is foolish given how its finances are derived. Mr. Smith: Jason, in retrospect, was a little too hasty on that whole college opportunity thing? Jason Mackey: We are on the overreaction rollercoaster something terrible today, folks! Gregg@7723ft : In all honesty, really, not being a doomsayer, I see the Steelers losing to Cincy and their playoff opener. Should that come to fruition....man, I don't know. There has to be some major changes, don't there? Jason Mackey: Yeah, that's a fair way of looking at things. I get it. I don't know if they'll win another game. I hope they do. That would be really ugly. And I would think if they don't win a game, yeah, that has to result in something. Seven: I hope you and your wonderful family are enjoying the holidays, Jason. I was hoping that the Steelers were one good offseason away from being a top tier team, but they still need a lot of help at DB, DL, WR and obviously QB will be a temporary fix at best. Do you see this team going deep into the playoffs next year? Jason Mackey: Not as currently constituted. They have to get better in several areas. They're a playoff team, sure. But going deep in the playoffs is what's tripping me up. Stash: Jason, did C Patt give Arthur a lucrative stock pick back in the day? Jason Mackey: Sure seems like it. Wild how much of a part of things he remains. Seven: I think that a well-deserved shout out is in order for the Penn State volleyball team, and also the football team's advance through the playoffs. Do you see the Lions winning on the blue field on New Year's Eve? Jason Mackey: Absolutely. Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud. And, yes, I do. Though they're playing at the Fiesta Bowl. That's not blue, is it? Stash: Jason, The Kinks have the best holiday song of all time. And it's not even close. Your thoughts? Jason Mackey: Um, no. My favorite rock 'n roll Christmas song is probably Tom Petty, Christmas All Over. Sully: Jason, I assume you are hearing less of those nasty fire Sully demands? Jason Mackey: Yes. Including fewer that come from my own mouth and fingers. Pretty amazing what this team has been able to do. Russ: Jason, was that fun till it lasted? Jason Mackey: It might not be over. I seriously could see Russ bouncing back against the Bengals. Jeff: is Ben trying for an outfield bat or is he going with Palacios, Yorke and Cook combo? Jason Mackey: I think Suwinski would be given first crack ahead of those guys. But I do expect them to add an OF bat in some form or fashion. Either trade or via agency. Probably the latter. Gene: Do you think the reason the Steelers have lost the last 3 games is coaching injuries or that the team just can't win against great teams because of talent? Jason Mackey: I read this as coaching injuries. Like the Steelers lost their past three because Mike Tomlin pulled his hamstring. That made me laugh, and I think we need some of that today. I think it's all three, Gene. Injuries have exposed a lack of depth. Coaching decisions haven't been great, the game plan unimaginable. Players have also done a poor job executing. I don't think you can narrow it down to one thing. Jeff: So if it is Suwinski, and no other additions due to payroll and lack of trading partner, is this team as constructed now a playoff contender? Jason Mackey: No. I think they need to fix the bullpen. And I believe they will. I also think they'll add an outfield bat in some capacity. They did go 56-54 through 100 games last year and have a pretty solid starting staff. Kordell: The Steelers are not a serious organization any longer. Nepotism reigns, the defense can't even line-up correctly (see Worthy TD), and the top players make crucial mistakes at crucial times (Najee, Wilson, Freirmuth). Is a total house-cleaning in order? Jason Mackey: No. But points on the unserious organization comment. That's how you know things are bad around here. Baghdad_Ben: Jason — I see the question(s) about us being where we thought we would be. True, I have to agree we are. But, what has become clear is we are no closer to being a real contender. We still are featherweights against the good teams. Something in the Steeler's recipe is missing. The fan base is tired of hearing it is the players. No one ever seems to develop and improve outside of TJ Watt. Jason Mackey: I think that's probably an over-generalization. I think some linemen have improved. Jaylen Warren. Shoot, Pickens has improved since his rookie year. Payton Wilson has promise. You're upset because they lost, I can't it. I just don't totally agree with you here. Scorp: Does Teryl Austin get fired after the season? Jason Mackey: If they don't win again, I could see that happening. Jason: I live in Clearwater and can't wait for Spring Training. You have any tips on how to get Paul's autograph? I am really having bad luck when I go see them play against the Phillies lol Jason Mackey: I don't. Outside of the fact that he's probably not signing when he's pitching. That's his day, a work day. But I know he has been incredibly accommodating on days where he doesn't pitch. There's also a lot of interested. So, you might have to be patient. Bob: Where is the accountability with the coaching staff and players ? Tomlin won with Cowher's players and remaining coaches. Tomlin is a very poor game manager. A hugh issue is that his job will be there no matter what a game's outcome. Week 16, and he is just now reviewing and making changes. Time to go. Jason Mackey: I feel like you can copy/paste this response and use it every year Tomlin has been here. Shoot, there might be a billboard somewhere around tahn with this on it by now. Kordell: JMac — thanks for the long chat, insights are always great. Are players allowed to call time-outs? There were multiple plays where the defensive guys were gesturing, pointing, etc... and clearly not on the same page. If a player can call a time-out, you'd think that would be in order on some of those plays to avoid, you know, communication issues? Jason Mackey: Thanks, Kordell. Appreciate you stopping by. Yes, they are. Usually that would be the defensive captain or green dot guy, something of that nature. Jason: I think Gruden would be the perfect coach for the Steelers next year. Jason make it happen! Jason Mackey: Yeah, that's likely. Ha. Fun thought. Not gonna happen. Not in a billion years. Jeff: Given his history, I'm not confident Cherington can pull off any of the needed pieces. Jason Mackey: The past trade history is not good. I hear you. That being said, you only need one or two to hit. Ben has made some good moves (Bart, the Chandler draft pick looks solid, I don't hate IKF, Skenes though it was obvious, bringing up Jones, etc.) But yeah, the trade return hasn't matched what was going out. Guest: Howdy. Hope your holiday is a happy one. Read elsewhere about what a great job Hines is doing at Arizona State. And yet both Georgia and (even worse) the Steelers wouldn't hire him. What gives? Jason Mackey: I think they're vastly different jobs. Just because you're a solid HC or assistant somewhere, doesn't automatically make you a fit. May have something to do with Pickens. Maybe Azzanni has a specific personality type? I don't know. I'm not in those rooms. I'm just saying that we don't know everything there is to know about the Hines Ward situation. sam: who do you think will play rightfield for the pirates in 2025 Jason Mackey: Can I have two options? I'd go with Jack Suwinski or TBD. Not the pitching TBD we've come to know so well, but I do think they could acquire that guy still, possibly via trade. I do think they're gonna give Jack a chance to win the job. Jason Mackey: OK, everybody. Thanks so much for this. Really enjoyed it. Was bummed our site was down for last week's. Let's do this again real soon. (c)2024 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MacKenzie Scott gives rare third gift to medical debt relief groupDel. Dana Jones, who has represented the greater Annapolis area for more than four years, intends to run for the open Senate seat in January.Chhapra: Saran district registered 2,314 cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act between 2018 and 2024. The first compensation installment was provided to victims or their kin in 1,954 cases, while the second installment was issued in 486 cases. Payments for the remaining 279 cases were delayed owing to the lack of the chargesheet copy. The details were disclosed during the Thursday meeting of the district-level SC/ST Prevention Act Monitoring Committee , chaired by Saran DM Aman Sameer . We also published the following articles recently Saran registers over 2k cases underSC/ST Atrocities Act in six years Saran district recorded 2,314 SC/ST Act cases from 2018 to 2024, with compensation released in most cases. Delays in 279 payments were due to missing chargesheets. Rs 3.05 crore was disbursed to 512 victims this year, and government jobs were offered to dependents of murder victims, with two employments completed and eight pending. Development projects discussed at Sarans monitoring committee meeting Various development projects in Saran district were reviewed in the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting, chaired by MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Updates included progress on ring roads, bypass roads, and NH projects. The meeting also addressed delays in NH-19 completion, environmental initiatives, and the expansion of municipal areas. Connectivity and drainage improvements were discussed. Saran declared as model district in controlling kala-azar disease Health minister Mangal Pandey honored the Saran vector borne disease team for their efforts in controlling kala-azar. The team, led by Dr Dilip Kumar Singh and Dr Anuj Kumar, was recognized for raising awareness, identifying patients, and ensuring timely treatment. Saran has been declared a 'model district' for its exemplary work, with hopes of becoming kala-azar-free. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .
hile some teams continue to or better seeding to secure home-field advantage in the last two weeks of the regular season, the will essentially have before their next meaningful game. With their dominant -their largest margin of victory this season-the . This means the road to the in New Orleans will go through Kansas City for the AFC teams. Kansas City Chiefs Still Eye Record-Breaking Season With the win, the dating back to last season. They also , becoming just the eighth team in NFL history to record - the first since 2015 Panthers. Heading into their next game in Denver, the Chiefs will likely be looking to tie 2007 Patriots as the team with the . The Patriots finished that season , the second team ever to do so in the regular season, as the did it in 1972, but they finished 14-0. It's worth noting that the NFL is expanding its schedule from 17 weeks to 18 weeks starting in 2021. The records continue to pile up for the Chiefs as they chase the , . But for the Chiefs, Brady's 2007 season also . Despite his surreal season, it ended with to Eli Manning and the Giants. Heading into their next meeting, , but will likely sit this one out, with expected to step in and break the single-season win record. will likely choose to rest his stars, including , who is on pace for in a season. Even if the Chiefs lose to the Broncos - who, unlike Kansas City, - the Chiefs' focus will remain solely on their quest for a historic three-peat. Chiefs Prioritize Winning Over Style in 2024 The wins as in years past, but the Chiefs are focused on what matters most: . The extra rest for Mahomes will be a blessing for the Chiefs, especially after the . Additionally, we can expect to see the , as he's proven time and time again. After all, he holds the record for Plus, it's highly likely that the Chiefs won't face the Bills or Ravens until the - the two teams that pose the biggest threat to Andy Reid's team, especially since the of the season. I'm not a Chiefs fan but we might witness history in February. at the most critical point of the season, with . He has also completed - opponents should fear him and bring their A-game. also returned at the perfect time to bolster the passing attack alongside , who is chasing his first ring, and the aforementioned . Finally, the running back duo of and promises to be a nightmare for opponents in the playoffs, making the Chiefs a very well-rounded team as the since last season.Saturday, December 28, 2024 Cuba’s tourism sector, once a vital economic lifeline, is faltering as the country battles chronic power shortages, a stuttering economy, and the ongoing effects of a decades-long U.S. embargo. Compounding these challenges, the possibility of tighter restrictions under the potential return of Donald Trump’s administration looms large. Tourism in the Dark In cities like Trinidad, known for its colonial charm and proximity to national parks, visitors are greeted by warm evenings but also by frequent power cuts. Guests staying in private accommodations, or casas particulares, often find themselves relying on camping lamps during blackouts, as electricity outages can last hours. Restaurants and hotels power through with generators, but smaller businesses struggle to keep up. Across the island, power shortages disrupt daily life in major tourist hubs, including Havana, Santa Clara, and Vinales. Electricity is sometimes available for only a few hours each day, creating a challenging environment for travelers and business owners alike. A hostel owner in Old Havana described the situation as “very, very difficult,” noting a significant drop in tourist numbers. While his central location ensures a steady stream of guests, others face dwindling bookings, particularly in areas more severely affected by power cuts. Tourism’s Struggles Post-COVID Cuba has been slow to recover from the downturn in tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Emily Morris, a senior research fellow at University College London, attributes the sluggish rebound to U.S. sanctions, which have cut visitor numbers to around half of pre-pandemic levels. The sanctions have also led to foreign exchange shortages, undermining the quality of hotels and facilities. Repairs are delayed, staff morale has declined, and these issues are increasingly reflected in negative reviews, further discouraging visitors. Power Crisis Rooted in Sanctions Cuba’s power shortages stem from a “confluence of different issues,” according to Dr. Helen Yaffe, a political studies expert. U.S. sanctions restrict Cuba’s access to international credit and essential equipment, while also complicating fuel procurement, which hampers power generation. A nationwide blackout in October underscored the fragility of the island’s energy infrastructure. Recent efforts to reduce vulnerability to power outages have shown some progress, with quicker recovery times after incidents. Cuba is also ramping up its solar energy capacity, aiming for renewables to constitute nearly a quarter of its energy mix by 2030. These efforts are often supported by Chinese suppliers, reflecting Cuba’s pivot toward nations outside the U.S. sphere of influence. A Shrinking Population and Economy Beyond power and tourism struggles, Cuba faces a declining population and economic hardship. With shortages of basic medicines and widespread poverty, many citizens are emigrating in search of better opportunities. The World Health Organization forecasts that Cuba’s population, currently around 11 million, could drop to 9.4 million by 2050. Signs of economic distress are evident across the island, from dilapidated housing blocks to the reliance on horse-drawn carts and oxen for transportation and farming. Despite these challenges, the Cuban government under President Miguel Díaz-Canel continues to prioritize energy independence and resilience. A Complex Political Landscape The strained relationship between Havana and Washington, which briefly thawed under Barack Obama, has since hardened. In the latter part of his first term, Donald Trump designated Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism, discouraging travel and financial remittances. If Trump returns to office, experts expect further restrictions, particularly under the influence of Senator Marco Rubio, a vocal opponent of the Cuban regime. Dr. Yaffe suggests that the U.S. aims to create conditions for Cubans to turn against their government. However, she sees little sign of internal collapse, noting that most vocal critics of the regime have left the country. Younger Cubans, while less ideologically aligned with the revolution, appear more focused on personal survival than political upheaval. Outlook for Cuba While Cuba’s economic and social challenges are stark, the country’s resilience remains a defining feature. The energy transition, strengthened ties with nations like China, and the enduring determination of its people suggest that while the road ahead may be difficult, Cuba is not on the brink of collapse. For now, the nation faces the dual task of weathering its internal crises and navigating the external pressures of its geopolitical environment.Media tour in conjunction with D S Simon Media and Shipt shopping expert, Julie Coop, delivering last-minute gifting hacks, money and time saving opportunities and holiday hosting tips. NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What if you could give time as a gift this holiday season? Imagine fewer frantic dashes to the store, less stress forgotten items, and more moments spent where they matter most—with the people you love. That’s the magic of Shipt. The holidays can feel like a race against the clock, but Shipt, the retail technology company specializing in delightful same-day delivery, is offering the ‘Gift of More You’ by helping with last-minute shopping and preparation through reliable delivery and savings opportunities. While ground shipping deadlines have passed, Shipt can alleviate some of the last-minute pressures by offering reliable same-day delivery and savings solutions for last-minute shoppers. Shipt orders placed before 3pm local time on Tuesday, December 24, will be delivered same-day, so you don’t have to run out to the store or show up empty-handed. Whether it’s forgotten ingredients or last-minute gift shopping, holiday prep is made easy with Shipt by bringing the store straight to your door. During the busy holiday season, everyone could use the gift of more time. In fact, Shipt saves its members, on average, 80 hours per year. Treat yourself to a membership this holiday season to unlock the ultimate convenience. And if you’re a Target Circle 360 member, you already have access to Shipt’s marketplace and membership perks making it easier than ever to shop! Shipt is the ultimate gift this busy holiday season. With a newly launched Shipt gift card program, giving the gift of time has never been easier. Now available to load with a custom amount that never expires, or an annual or six-month Shipt membership, these gift cards offer the ultimate convenience that keeps on giving. Now until January 4th, you can give your loved one (or yourself) the gift of time through Shipt’s reliable, personalized same-day delivery platform at a steep discount. Get an annual Shipt membership for just $49/year (reg. $99) for a gift that shows your love all year long! To learn more about how Shipt can be a last-minute resource for the holiday season, visit Shipt.com or download the Shipt app. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Shipt. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104
Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause
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Internal Qualcomm documents revealed the company estimated it could save up to $1.4 billion annually on payments to Arm by acquiring the startup Nuvia in 2021. The projection was disclosed during a trial as CEO Cristiano Amon testified about Qualcomm's strategy. Amon emphasized that the potential savings justified the acquisition, which aimed at reducing costs related to royalty payments to Arm. The trial seeks to resolve disputes over whether Arm can compel Qualcomm to dismantle technology obtained from Nuvia due to unapproved license transfers. This legal wrangle is tied to Qualcomm's ambition to expand its presence in the PC market by leveraging Nuvia's capabilities while managing their reliance on Arm's designs. Closing arguments in this high-profile trial are expected on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies.)Messi's son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch