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{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-27T23:24:10+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-27T23:24:10+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-27T23:24:08+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22168/sports/football/rwanda-premier-league-is-rescheduling-games-affecting-clubs", "headline": "Rwanda Premier League: Is rescheduling games affecting clubs?", "description": "Rescheduling league games has been a constant feature in the Rwanda Premier League and on the African continent at large for many years. The league body...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22168/sports/football/rwanda-premier-league-is-rescheduling-games-affecting-clubs" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64989.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/27/64989.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Rescheduling league games has been a constant feature in the Rwanda Premier League and on the African continent at large for many years. The league body normally issues the fixture schedule before the season starts but the calendar may change and force games rescheduled due to clubs' engagement in Africa competitions and international football games among other factors. This scenario has over the years affected many teams not only in Rwanda alone but also across the entire African continent. Narrowing down our sphere, there have been clubs such as MO Bejaia and MC El Eulma of Algeria as well as Marumo Gallants of South Africa who got relegated from their domestic league the same season they played in Africa club competitions. This was due to the fact that they had so many rescheduled games and could not catch up. APR FC are supposed to play four rescheduled league games in the space of 11 days between December 1 and December 11 to ensure that all first round matches need to end before the Christmas break The military club is in a predicament which other clubs have also faced in the past years and, aside playing in CAF club competitions, national team camping has also caused the league to be rescheduled a host of times. With that, there is not much to say as Amavubi remains a big priority. ALSO READ: Rayon vs APR derby postponed again In the recent 2025 African Cup of National (AFCON) and CHAN qualifiers, Amavubi coach Frank Torsten Spittler emphasized that the league should go on as he doesn't need players for long periods as they already know his philosophy. I do not need players camping for a long time and the league can go on this weekend, we already have the core of the team and the national team games are closer to each other so whatever we learnt is still in their head, Spittler said before Amavubi beat Djibouti 3-0 win in the CHAN qualifiers. ALSO READ: Rayon Sports vs APR to be rescheduled For the clubs, rescheduling league games is a real headache as it serves as a bane to their plans, technical team tactics, finances from game proceeds. Mukura Victory Sports Managing Director Protais Musoni believes the fixture calendar can be managed if all concerned stakeholders make it their responsibility. Rescheduling Rwanda Premier League games disrupts clubs plans, affects player recovery, technical preparations, finances, and fan engagement. Some clubs have to play 3 matches in 10 Days. Some matches will be played in midweek that affects fan attendance at stadium, Musoni told Times Sport. It's very challenging. Hopefully, it's a lesson for clubs, and Rwanda Premier league, next time fixtures might be adjusted and planned based on international competitions either for clubs or national teams.” How does rescheduled games affect players? Players are the main actors in football. According to Sems-Journal on Sports & Exercise medicine published in Switzerland on November 1, 2019, when the football schedule is congested (that is two matches per week over several weeks), the repetition of matches can lead to a chronic fatigue among the players who play regularly, as the recovery time between two successive matches may be too short. Players need a minimum three to four days (72 hours to 96 hours) to effectively recover fully from a match. Otherwise, the risk of getting injuries increases due to fatigue. In Europe, teams playing in lesser European competitions do not risk, for example 90 percent of Chelsea players playing in the UEFA Conference League this season are not actively playing in league games. Again, even those teams like playing in top European competitions like the Champions League and the Europa, they manage things very well and the system there is that tedious. Traveling is easy, no long transit, and even after games, they have special nutritionists, doctors and others who make sure the players regain their energy. Moreover, unlike Africa where continental club competitions are mostly played on weekends, in Europe, they are played in midweek making clubs have the chance to play their domestic league games on the weekend. Rescheduling league games is not only a Rwandan league problem but an issue for Africa. It is about time that fixtures are made by the various football federations and league boards taking club and national team football into consideration. When this is done, leagues will go on smoothly without being interrupted. This will help both the players, fans and club management.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edmund Okai Gyimah" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
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Making quantum physics easier to digest in schools November 27, 2024 Universität Leipzig A team of physics educators is focusing on a new approach to teaching quantum physics in schools. Traditional classroom teaching has tended to focus on presenting the history of the origins of quantum physics, which often poses problems for learners. Using the quantum measurement process as an example, the researchers have now published their first empirical findings on learning quantum physics -- based on two-state systems. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email The researchers, including physics education specialist Professor Philipp Bitzenbauer from Leipzig University, concentrate on what are known as qubits. These are two-state systems, the simplest and at the same time most important quantum systems that can be used to describe many situations. Controlling and manipulating these qubits plays a central role in modern quantum technologies. According to Bitzenbauer, until now there have been no empirical studies of the effectiveness of these approaches using two-state systems in developing conceptual understanding in learners. There is also a lack of scientific research on the specific advantages and disadvantages for learning of different teaching approaches based on two-state systems. "Using the example of the quantum measurement process, one of the central problems of quantum physics, we show how to develop a survey method that can then be used in the field as part of intervention studies. Overall, teaching concepts that focus on two-state systems do indeed appear to be more conducive to learning than the traditional approach," says the Leipzig-based physics education specialist, who is the first author of the paper. Making two-state systems the starting point for understanding quantum physics has been the subject of much discussion in recent years. According to Bitzenbauer, this approach opens the door to modern quantum technologies, be it quantum cryptography or quantum computing. One of the aims of quantum cryptography is to make communication secure against eavesdropping. Quantum computers can be used to solve problems that even supercomputers can only solve after a very long time or not at all, such as breaking down large integers into prime factors. "My team and I are working to make the ground-breaking potential of quantum technologies accessible to schoolchildren," says Bitzenbauer. The American Physical Society (APS) has invited him to present the results of the project at the APS Global Physics Summit in Los Angeles in March 2025. Bitzenbauer points out that 2025 will be the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: the scientific community can look back on 100 years of quantum mechanics making world history. And it continues to do so today, albeit at a more advanced level. Scientists are talking about a second quantum revolution that will shape the new century in the same way that the first quantum revolution shaped the 20th century. "Today, the focus is on the transition from many-body systems to the control and manipulation of single electrons, single photons or, more generally, single degrees of freedom in a quantum system. The simplest and most important quantum system has only two degrees of freedom -- the two-state system. And this is the starting point for teaching quantum physics in schools," says the researcher. Story Source: Materials provided by Universität Leipzig . Original written by Susann Sika. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :
What's Going On With Workday Shares Wednesday?
Romania’s telecoms regulator is asking for TikTok to be suspended as the country’s defence council prepares to discuss cyber risks to its elections, after a little-known ultranationalist came from nowhere to win the first round of the presidential vote. The country’s constitutional court will also examine two allegations of electoral fraud after Călin Georgescu, a Moscow-friendly, EU-sceptic and anti-Nato independent, topped the ballot in a result that upended Romanian politics. Georgescu was polling at barely 5% days before Sunday’s vote but surged to a shock victory with a campaign heavily based on viral TikTok videos that were reportedly boosted by bot-like activity, raising fears of possible external interference. The far-right candidate, who has claimed Nato would never help Romania and called for an end to the war in Ukraine, scored almost 23% and will face pro-EU centrist Elena Lasconi in the second round on 8 December after parliamentary elections on Sunday. Georgescu, a sustainable development expert, has also denied the existence of Covid-19, described two second world war-era Romanian fascists as “national heroes” and claimed that in foreign affairs Romania would benefit from “Russian wisdom”. The deputy head of the country’s telecoms regulator, Ancom, said on Wednesday it was calling for the suspension of TikTok, a China-owned platform, from Thursday, pending an investigation into possible election manipulation, profit.ro reported . “I request the suspension of TikTok on the territory of Romania until the completion of the investigation by state institutions regarding the manipulation of the electoral process of the first round of the presidential elections,” Pavel Popescu said. He added that he was asking for the suspension “on the basis of ... some evidence regarding the manipulation of the electoral process by the platform.” The national defence council, chaired by the outgoing president, Klaus Iohannis, said it would analyse “possible risks to national security generated by the actions of state and non-state cyber actors on infrastructures supporting the electoral process”. The country’s national audiovisual council, CNA, has also called on the European Commission to investigate TikTok’s role, saying it suspected “manipulation of public opinion” and “algorithmic amplification” of posts favouring a particular candidate. TikTok has dismissed the CNA’s allegations. A spokesperson said: “These reports are inaccurate and misleading, as most candidates have established a TikTok presence and the winners campaigned on other digital platforms beyond ours.” Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion Two candidates knocked out in the first round, Sebastian Popescu and Cristian Terheș, have further asked the country’s constitutional court to annul the first round result on the grounds that Georgescu did not declare any campaign funding sources. Georgescu, who left the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) after it criticised his pro-Russia, anti-Nato stance, has not responded to the complaints but has previously said he had no campaign budget and all the work was done by volunteers. Romania has been a reliable EU and Nato ally since emerging from communism in 1989 and plays a strategic role in western support for Ukraine, hosting a military base , donating an air defence battery and providing a vital transit route for Ukrainian grain. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Georgescu insisted he did not want Romania to leave Nato or the EU. “What I want, however, is to take a stance, not to kneel over there, not to take everything. Like I said, we should do everything in our national interest,” he said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to a press conference in Jerusalem on Dec 9. TEL AVIV - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will testify on Dec 10 for the first time in his long-running corruption trial. Here is what you need to know about the charges that have divided the Israeli public at a time of Middle East turmoil. What are the charges? Mr Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust - all of which he denies. The trial began in 2020 and involves three criminal cases. He denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. CASE 4000: Prosecutors allege Mr Netanyahu granted regulatory favours worth around 1.8 billion shekels (S$672 million) to Bezeq Telecom Israel (BEZQ.TA). In return, prosecutors say, he sought positive coverage of himself and his wife Sara on a news website controlled by the company's former chairman Shaul Elovitch. In this case, Mr Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. CASE 1000: Mr Netanyahu has been charged with fraud and breach of trust over allegations that he and his wife wrongfully received almost 700,000 shekels in gifts from Mr Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and an Israeli citizen, and Australian billionaire businessman James Packer. Prosecutors said gifts included champagne and cigars and that Mr Netanyahu helped Mr Milchan with his business interests. Mr Packer and Mr Milchan face no charges. CASE 2000: Mr Netanyahu allegedly negotiated a deal with Mr Arnon Mozes, owner of Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, for better coverage in return for legislation to slow the growth of a rival newspaper. Mr Netanyahu has been charged with fraud and breach of trust. Will a verdict come soon? Unlikely. Unless Mr Netanyahu seeks a plea deal, it could be many more months before the judges rule. How can he be on trial and remain prime minister? Under Israeli law, a prime minister is under no obligation to stand down unless convicted. If he or she appeals their conviction, they can keep their office throughout the appeals process. Could he go to jail? Bribery charges carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine, or both. Fraud and breach of trust are punishable by up to three years in jail. What has the impact been? The shock attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war, swept Mr Netanyahu's trial off the agenda, as Israelis came together in grief and trauma. Before the war, Mr Netanyahu's legal troubles bitterly divided Israelis and shook Israeli politics through five rounds of elections. After Mr Netanyahu's decisive 2022 victory at the ballot box, his far-right government launched a judicial campaign to curb the powers of the court. It sparked mass protests in Israel and fears among Western allies for the country's democratic health. Mr Netanyahu denied any link between the judicial overhaul and his trial. He largely abandoned the plan after war broke out, but has revived some anti-judiciary rhetoric in recent weeks. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
NORTH ALABAMA 100, DALTON STATE 69LANSING, Mich. — Republican Michigan state Rep. Josh Schriver said Monday that gay marriage should be "illegal again," voicing opposition to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that set the standard for the nation and spurred same-sex weddings across the country nine years ago. Schriver of Oxford made his statement on the social media platform X, 27 days after the Nov. 5 election, in which the Michigan GOP won back control of the state House, and 30 days before their majority takes office. Because gay marriage is legal in Michigan and elsewhere through a court ruling, Schriver can't alter the policy in his position in the state House. But his remarks likely shine light on how one member of the new majority caucus in the House will approach LGBT legislation. "Make gay marriage illegal again," Schriver wrote Monday. "This is not remotely controversial, nor extreme." However, he received a swift backlash from Michigan Democrats, including Attorney General Dana Nessel, who previously represented the two Hazel Park women who were part of a landmark lawsuit that opened the door for all same-sex couples to legally marry in the United States. Nessel is also married to a woman, Alanna Maguire. The couple married in 2015. "Please explain how dissolving my marriage, or that of the hundreds of thousands of other same-sex couples living in America, provides a benefit to your constituents or anyone else," Nessel wrote on X in response to Schriver Monday. "You’re not interested in helping Michiganders. You want only to hurt those you hate. Shame on you." In addition, Rep. Jason Morgan, D-Ann Arbor, who also is gay, posted on social media that Schriver was "saying my marriage to the man I love should be illegal." "This is definitely both controversial and extreme, along with anti-family," Morgan said. "I grew up believing I'd never be able to get married and I'm not going back." In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the country on June 26, 2015, citing the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "The court now holds that same-sex couples may exercise the fundamental right to marry," wrote then-Justice Anthony Kennedy. "No longer may this liberty be denied." Unlike in 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court now has a 6-3 conservative majority. Asked why he wants to ban gay marriage, Schriver, who's in his first House term, responded to The Detroit News by referencing a series of Bible passages. "Jesus defines marriage as between a man and a woman," Schriver wrote, while citing verses in the book of Matthew . In a text message Monday evening, Schriver noted the U.S. Supreme Court has "the power to overturn a past ruling." Schriver also posted on social media Monday a 2004 clip of Democrat Barack Obama discussing marriage being "between a man and a woman." "America only 'accepted' gay marriage after it was thrusted into her by a perverted Supreme Court ruling," Schriver wrote in a comment on the video. Obama came out in support of same-sex marriage in 2012, while he was president . Schriver, who won a second term in November with 68% of the vote, has made controversial comments in the past on social media. In February, Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, stripped Schriver of his office staff and budget and committee assignment for sharing a racist population conspiracy theory on social media . His posts about gay marriage Monday came after another message on Nov. 25, in which he said he was turning off his social media devices for seven days and going on a trip with family. ©2024 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Amidst ongoing innovations, shifting consumer preferences, and global challenges, the meetings and events sector is rapidly transforming. Catherine Chaulet, President and CEO of Global DMC Partners, oversees the world’s largest network of independent Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and specialized event service providers. From her vantage point, Chaulet has pinpointed ten critical trends that event professionals should be aware of as we approach 2025. “Overall, the MICE industry is embracing a future that values intentionality, resilience, and sustainability while balancing the transformative potential of technology with the irreplaceable power of human connection,” stated Chaulet . “As planners navigate these trends, the focus will remain on creating meaningful, forward-thinking events.” Planners are Choosing Increasingly Varied Destinations Event planners are venturing beyond traditional locales in search of novel and underexplored destinations, with a growing interest in secondary and exotic places across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Additionally, overtourism is prompting destinations to highlight less frequented areas. Portugal, for instance, is promoting regions outside of Lisbon, presenting MICE groups with unique opportunities to discover lesser-known areas, thus alleviating pressure on more frequented cities and aligning with sustainability initiatives. Constraints in the Supply Chain Influence Costs and Availability Challenges in the supply chain, from shortages in airline parts to notable bankruptcies like Spirit Airlines’, are not likely to lead to lower prices as demand still exceeds supply. The need to reroute flights around conflict areas also affects both logistics and costs. As a response, many planners are choosing 4-star hotels over 5-star ones, focusing more on the quality of the destination experiences rather than luxurious accommodations. This shift helps in budget optimization while still providing quality stay experiences that fulfill attendee expectations. Geopolitical Uncertainty Affects Event Planning With ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic instability, event planners are adopting flexible, last-minute planning strategies to avoid potential cancellations. Seasonal Flexibility Increases Regions traditionally off-limits during certain seasons are now considered all-year-round destinations. For instance, the milder weather in Boston during early spring reduces risks associated with event planning, helping planners avoid high season rates while offering attractive settings. Sustainability Gains Importance Sustainability is becoming a crucial aspect of MICE events, driving efforts to minimize waste, utilize local produce, and deliver experiences that benefit local communities and economies. These sustainable practices are not just beneficial for the environment but also enhance cultural appreciation and support economic growth. Personalization Through AI Enhances Experiences Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing event planning, from personalized agendas to innovative engagement strategies. In 2025, there will be a significant focus on using AI to enhance event experiences while maintaining the human element essential to the industry. The Value of In-Person Meetings Despite technological advancements, the inherent value of in-person interactions remains a pillar of the MICE industry. The necessity for direct contact is particularly recognized in fostering relationships, creativity, and innovation, although the pharmaceutical sector continues to favor virtual meetings due to their often urgent nature. Addressing the Needs of a Diverse Audience Event planners are increasingly accommodating a diverse and multigenerational audience by integrating various meeting aspects like adjustable seating, downtime, and accessible options including closed captioning. Advancing Beyond Basic Wellness Wellness at events is evolving from traditional relaxation activities to include high-performance living programs inspired by athlete recovery techniques, offering advanced diagnostics and specialized recovery plans that enhance both physical and mental well-being. The Evolution of Event Fashion The trend towards comfort in event attire continues, with attendees opting for stylish yet comfortable outfits like custom-designed, fashionable sneakers, moving away from traditional business wear and expressing individuality and company identity through their clothing choices. “As the meetings and events industry faces unprecedented complexities, DMCs have become indispensable partners for planners navigating the road ahead,” shared Chaulet . “From managing geopolitical risks to uncovering secondary destinations and crafting bespoke, sustainable experiences, DMCs bring local expertise, creative solutions, and logistical precision to every event. In 2025, planners should lean on DMCs to ensure seamless execution, unlock hidden gems, and deliver experiences that resonate deeply with attendees while respecting the unique challenges of each destination.”S&P/TSX down more than 100 points, U.S. markets mixed ahead of rate decisionCHICAGO — IBM, the tech giant known for revolutionizing computing over the past 70 years, is setting up shop on Chicago’s South Side to develop what could be the field’s next big leap: quantum technology. It’s part of a multi-year effort from Gov. JB Pritzker, state officials and economic development groups to turn Illinois into a global hub for quantum computing and research. IBM announced Thursday it will open a facility known as the National Quantum Algorithm Center that will bring together experts and researchers to focus on ways to combine quantum computers and traditional computers to solve complex problems. It will also house IBM’s Quantum System Two, a quantum computer that can be upgraded as the company develops its technology further. Quantum technology uses quantum mechanics – the sometimes counterintuitive physics of very small particles – to perform calculations and do other computing tasks very quickly, some of which would take a traditional computers thousands or even millions of years. IBM is the latest organization to join the state’s efforts to make Illinois a quantum computing hub. Over the past year, several quantum computing organizations have made Chicago a go-to destination for quantum researchers and businesses, capitalizing on Pritzker’s goals for the research park. In July, the federal Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, announced it was going to launch a program meant to serve as a “proving ground” for quantum technologies – testing how useful they could be in real-world settings. The same month, the state unveiled its plans for a quantum research and business park – with $700 million in tax incentives, grants and other financial support. The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, or IQMP, is set to open in about two years with California-based PsiQuantum as its first anchor tenant. DARPA and IBM will also have facilities at the quantum park, with the state kicking in $25 million to purchase equipment and make preparations to house IBM’s new quantum computer. As part of its initial commitment to the state, IBM said its development will bring 50 permanent jobs to the park in addition to construction work. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said Thursday he expects the company’s overall investment in the facility to be in the tens of millions or low hundreds of millions. He said he expects that figure – and the number of jobs generated by the project – to grow as the company begins to host student intern programs, graduate fellowships and university faculty for research projects. “Being at the forefront of this industry holds the potential to deliver long-term, broad-based economic prosperity for our people,” Pritzker said Thursday. The IQMP is being built at the lakefront site of a former U.S. Steel plant on Chicago’s South Side. That plant closed in the early 1990s, but at its height of its operations was the source of tens of thousands of jobs and significant economic activity for its surrounding neighborhood. Some local residents are worried that the benefits of a high-tech research and business facility won’t reach the neighborhood that still feels the absence of U.S. Steel’s plant. “We’re a very unique and diverse community with a lot of talent, but there’s been a lot of disinvestment,” Vanessa Schwartz, a born-and-raised resident of the Southeast Side, told Capitol News Illinois in a late-November interview. “That property alone has had a lot of investors with plans that have fallen through, so there’s some kind of reticence with the community to see if this is going to be something like that.” Schwartz, who now runs the Metropolitan Family Services’ Southeast Chicago Center, said residents in her community feel wary of the potential environmental impacts of the project and are worried they will lose access to a lakefront park at the site. “The real fear is what’s going to happen to the local residents and the local neighborhood,” Schwartz said. “Will they be priced out, will rents increase?” Schwartz said there have been several well-attended community meetings held to discuss the development, but much of the information provided to residents so far has been in “broad strokes” and been “too vague.” Pritzker and others on Thursday defended efforts to meet with the community and address these concerns. He noted a “real commitment” from himself and many of the groups involved in the quantum park to address concerns from residents. Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, represents the district where the IQMP is being built and he said his office has received calls with concerns that are “very relevant,” but that he didn’t think a formal community benefits agreement was necessary for the project. Still, he applauded the community engagement efforts he’s seen so far. “I’ve been around a long time. I used to work for Mayor (Richard M.) Daley’s office almost 20 years ago,” Tarver said. “This is as much engagement as I’ve seen on a project in quite some time. It really is.”
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level MediaNone
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s public justification of his decision to pardon his son — accusing the Justice Department of political targeting — threatens to undermine the image he carefully cultivated through decades in politics as an honest broker whose principal loyalty was to protecting the sanctity of critical U.S. institutions. Biden’s 180-degree turn on pardoning his son led Republicans to accuse the president of lying to the public ahead of the election only to reverse course after the political stakes disappeared. The White House provided scant justification for the reversal, offering merely that Biden changed his mind after “wrestling” with the decision over a Thanksgiving holiday spent partly with his son. The blanket pardon spanning a decade of possible criminal activity also offered ammunition to critics who have long questioned whether Hunter Biden engaged in illicit lobbying or foreign dealings, including while his father served as vice president. While no evidence of such crimes has been made public, immunity from those possible charges was central to a plea deal that collapsed last year. Beyond tarnishing a legacy already badly bruised by his withdrawal from the presidential race and President-elect Donald Trump’s subsequent victory, Biden’s justification has fanned concerns, even among allies, that his move will be seized upon by the incoming administration to overhaul the federal government and dispense with longstanding norms protecting the independence of the criminal justice system. Implicit in his explanation was the suggestion that prosecutions, even under his leadership, had been politicized, a point that incoming Trump officials have used to justify planned overhauls at the Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and intelligence agencies. “President Biden’s decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all,” Senator Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, said Monday. ‘What he believed’ The widening fallout left White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the back foot Monday, as she struggled with questions about the implications of Biden’s statement. “Two things could be true — the president does believe in the justice system, and the Department of Justice, and he also believes that his son was singled out politically,” Jean-Pierre told reporters on Air Force One as Biden flew to Africa. “They would continue to go after his son. That’s what he believed.” The decision to ultimately pardon Hunter was hardly shocking given the tragedy that has gripped Biden and his family throughout his career, and the emphasis the president has placed on protecting those bonds no matter the cost. Biden’s first wife and daughter perished in a traffic accident just weeks after he was first elected to the Senate, and his eldest son, Beau, died of cancer during his tenure as vice president. Beau’s death rocked the family, and Hunter has pointed to the loss in explaining his spiral into drug and alcohol addiction. In justifying the pardon, Biden said he believed “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” It’s a dramatic reversal for Biden, who staked so much of his presidency and his campaigns against Trump on faith in institutions. It’s also a major concession for a Washington hand who wanted to be president all of his adult life, and who cast his presidency as a moment to take the heat down in politics. Paired with Trump’s comeback, the pardon of Hunter was a tacit admission he fell short at one of his main presidential objectives. The intervention offers political cover for Trump to widely issue clemency decisions. Trump has regularly mused about pardoning or commuting sentences of all those convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, and immediately raised the issue in response to Biden’s move. “Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 hostages,” he wrote on Truth Social, referring as he regularly does to the convicted riot participants as hostages. “Such an abuse and a miscarriage of justice!” Trump in waiting Trump is readying to reshape the system in his own way, including with his plan to appoint loyalist Kash Patel as director of the FBI. Patel, like Trump, is an outspoken critic of certain federal agencies, pledging to dismantle key tenets of the “deep state.” Trump also nominated another loyalist, Pam Bondi, as attorney general after his initial pick, Matt Gaetz, bowed out. The pardon is a focal point in the frenzied final year of Biden’s presidency — one that began with him running again before stepping aside amid slumping polls and mounting pressure. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign then largely sidelined him, and operatives have lamented that his unpopularity, and Harris’ hesitance to criticize him, was a core challenge for her, ultimately helping Trump. Biden has steered away from the public eye since Trump’s victory, keeping a modest profile. He announced the pardon on the eve of his trip to Africa, guaranteeing that Jean-Pierre’s confrontation with reporters would remain off camera. Biden is not expected to hold a press conference during his time in Africa. While the administration is racing to wrap up some projects, preparing a new round of Ukraine aid and signaling new funding for the Lobito corridor infrastructure project that’s a hallmark of this week’s trip, Trump is operating as president-in-waiting, holding meetings at his Mar-a-Lago club and pressuring foreign leaders on his priorities. Biden had repeatedly publicly ruled out intervening in his son’s case and the White House offered no new evidence for the change beyond his growing belief that opponents would continue to target his son. The administration cast it as a case of him changing his mind, rather than lying. Jean-Pierre pointed to the collapse of a plea agreement as evidence of a double standard, and repeatedly said the case would have been handled differently if the defendant were not the president’s son. “The president believed enough is enough. And the president took action. And he also believes that they tried to break his son in order to break him,” she said. (With assistance from Skylar Woodhouse.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) SEOUL - Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and agreed to boost military cooperation between the two isolated nations, Pyongyang state media said on Saturday. The United States and South Korea have accused the nuclear-armed North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine, with experts saying Kim is eager to gain advanced technology, and battle experience for his troops, in return. Kim, who met Belousov on Friday, blasted the recent decision by Western powers to permit Kyiv to strike inside Russia with their weapons, saying it constituted a "direct military intervention in the conflict", according to KCNA. "It is an exercise of the right to self-defence for Russia to take resolute action to make the hostile forces pay the price," Kim was quoted as saying. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim signed a strategic partnership treaty in June that obligates both states to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other and jointly oppose Western sanctions. KCNA said on Saturday that Belousov's visit "would greatly contribute to bolstering up the defence capabilities of the two countries and... promoting the friendly, mutual cooperation and development of the relations between the two armies." Belousov, in a statement, expressed gratitude for the two countries' deeping bonds and praised North Korea's "absolutely independent foreign policy". Analysts have suggested Pyongyang could be using Ukraine as a means of realigning its foreign policy. By sending soldiers, North Korea is positioning itself within the Russian war economy as a supplier of weapons, military support and labour - potentially even bypassing traditional ally, neighbor and main trading partner China, they say. Russia also offers access to vast natural resources, such as oil and gas, they say. Belousov is well-placed to help with such arrangements, Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP, calling the Russian "an economic expert without a military background". As Russia's defense chief, he specialises in "long-term strategies for securing weapons and military supplies, evading sanctions, and overseeing post-war reconstruction," Hong said. Invariable support Russia and North Korea have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both countries are under rafts of UN sanctions -- the former for its nuclear weapons programme and the latter for the Ukraine conflict. Since US President-elect Donald Trump's victory earlier this month, the Joe Biden administration has stepped up its support for Kyiv, transferring more weapons and giving Ukraine permission to fire long-range missiles onto Russian territory. Kim said on Friday that his government, army and people would "invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity". Earlier this month, Pyongyang said it had ratified the landmark defence pact with Russia, after lawmakers in Moscow voted unanimously in favour of the deal, which Putin later signed. South Korea and Ukraine said on Wednesday they would deepen security cooperation in response to the "threat" posed by the deployment of North Korean troops, but there was no mention of potential arms shipments. President Yoon Suk -yeol said earlier this month that Seoul was "not ruling out the possibility of providing weapons" to Ukraine, which would mark a major shift to a long-standing policy barring the sale of weapons to countries in active conflict. MENAFN02122024000028011005ID1108949059 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.