Carson Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns as No. 10 Georgia pummeled UMass 59-21 on Saturday in Athens, Ga. Nate Frazier ran for career highs of 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Arian Smith caught three passes for 110 yards and a score as the Bulldogs (9-2) won their second straight game and 30th straight at home, dating back to 2019. AJ Hairston completed 7 of 16 passes for 121 yards and a score for the Minutemen (2-9), who dropped their third straight. Jalen John ran for 107 yards and a score and Jakobie Keeney-James caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Peyton Woodring kicked a 53-yard field goal to extend Georgia's lead to 31-14 on the first drive of the third quarter. But UMass wasted little time responding, as Hairston hit Keeney-James for a 75-yard touchdown to get the deficit down to 10. Georgia then finished its sixth straight drive with a score, as Frazier's 9-yard run up the middle gave the Bulldogs a 38-21 lead at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter. After UMass punted, Georgia played add-on in its next possession, with Frazier scoring from 15 yards out with 1:39 left in the third to lead 45-21. Frazier stamped his career day with his third touchdown run, a 2-yarder with 6:33 left, before Georgia capped the scoring with Chris Cole's 28-yard fumble return with 3:28 remaining. UMass took the game's opening drive 75 yards down the field -- aided by Ahmad Haston's 38-yard run -- and scored on CJ Hester's 1-yard run with 9:15 left. Georgia answered on its ensuing drive, as Beck's 17-yard passing touchdown to Oscar Delp tied the game at the 5:05 mark of the first quarter. Following a short punt by UMass, Beck connected with Smith for 49 yards, and a roughing-the-passer penalty put the ball at Minutemen's 14-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-4 from the 8-yard line, Beck found Cash Jones for a touchdown to take a 14-7 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter. On UMass' next play from scrimmage, Raylen Wilson recovered John's fumble on the Minutemen's 28-yard line. Three plays later, Beck connected with Dominic Lovett for a 15-yard touchdown with 8:56 remaining. UMass then scored after a 14-play, 75-yard drive, finished off with John's 3-yard rushing score with 1:55 left in the first half. Georgia answered quickly, as Beck's 20-yard pass to Cole Speer set up a 34-yard touchdown pass to Smith with 43 seconds remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 28-14 halftime lead. --Field Level MediaNo. 10 Georgia scores nearly at will, destroys UMass
5 top tech gifts for the holidaysWASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. RELATED COVERAGE Gaetz’s withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney general Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. What to know about Trump’s second term: Staffing the administration: Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far. Plus, a look at recess appointments and how could Trump use them to fill his Cabinet. Follow all of our coverage as Donald Trump assembles his second administration. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. AP AUDIO: Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports Matt Gaetz says he is done with Congress. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.
A group of pro-Palestinian protestors targeted The Great Synagogue in Sydney on Wednesday evening as members of the Jewish community were holed up inside. The synagogue was hosting an event to mark 100 years of the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion), with esteemed professors, artists and political thinkers headlining the occasion. Outside, the protest group Stop the War of Palestine led chants of ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and held up a slogan calling for the eradication of the state of Israel. Sky News reported that when police arrived on the scene, the Synagogue was in lockdown with those inside unable to leave, according to a senior source involved in the situation. NSW Police said that two men – one aged 37 and another aged 50 – “not associated with the event” were seen carrying a flag. “The man – aged 37 – was approached by police for breach of peace and issued a move on direction, which he complied,” authorities said in a statement. “The second man – aged 50 – allegedly failed to comply with the move on direction, and issued an infringement notice for failure to comply.” Rabbi Yossi Friedman was inside the synagogue to lead the prayers for Israel, the IDF and the hostages still held in Gaza. “We gathered in peace to celebrate the amazing achievements of Israel (and the Technion in particular) in tech and innovation,” he posted on Instagram. “Achievements, I add, that have benefitted not only israel but the entire world! Inside the very iPhones of those protestors is technology that has come out of the Technion. Yet those protestors are ignorant of this and choose to ignore it. They only know of hate and come to disrupt and scream. When will the world (and our government) WAKE UP and see??” The group of protestors, which was apparently “supported by staff and students” from UTS and Sydney University, claimed it was only protesting against Technion, despite gathering outside the home of Sydney’s oldest congregation and a significant religious site.
Lennar: A Solid Investment With Its Land-Light Strategy
Saturday, November 23, 2024 Princess Cruises is evoking cherished memories of romance and adventure with its latest global advertising campaign, Love Boat by Hannah. The campaign stars Emmy-winning actress and musical theater sensation Hannah Waddingham, known for her standout role in Ted Lasso. With her dynamic vocals and captivating presence, Waddingham breathes new life into one of television’s most beloved theme songs, “The Love Boat.” The original Love Boat series, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986, was a cultural touchstone, with its catchy theme song becoming synonymous with escapades on the high seas. In this campaign, Waddingham delivers a refreshed rendition of the classic tune, blending contemporary flair with the timeless spirit that helped solidify Princess Cruises as a symbol of luxury travel. Directed by the renowned Dave Laden of Hungry Man and produced in partnership with Princess Cruises’ creative agency, Terri & Sandy, the campaign showcases Waddingham indulging in the many pleasures of a Princess cruise. From savoring gourmet dishes and sipping on artisanal cocktails to enjoying serene moments by the pool, the scenes capture the elegance and joy of life aboard. A touch of humor is woven throughout as Waddingham sings the theme song while relishing every moment—including playful interactions with dolphins and blissful relaxation during a massage. The music for the campaign was recorded at Miami’s iconic Criteria Recording Studios, a site rich with musical history, having hosted legends such as ABBA, Bob Marley, Jay-Z, and Shakira. Waddingham’s powerhouse performance adds to the studio’s storied legacy, ensuring the theme song continues to captivate audiences across generations. By blending nostalgia with a fresh, vibrant energy, Princess Cruises’ Love Boat by Hannah campaign reintroduces a classic to a new era, inviting travelers to embrace the magic of cruising in style. “Hannah Waddingham brings something truly special to one of the most recognizable theme songs in television history and Princess Cruises brand anthem,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “As Godmother of Sun Princess, she infuses the beloved tune with her extraordinary talent and playful energy, paying tribute to The Love Boat’s Hollywood legacy, which featured thousands of memorable guest stars. Her performance beautifully captures the timeless elegance and spirit of adventure that define the Princess Cruises experience.” Princess Cruises invites travelers to rediscover the romance and adventure of The Love Boat with its new campaign, Love Boat by Hannah. Featuring Emmy-winning actress and musical theater star Hannah Waddingham, the campaign celebrates the joy of cruising, made unforgettable by Waddingham’s electrifying rendition of the iconic theme song. Earlier this year, Waddingham was named the Godmother of the Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ latest flagship vessel. This prestigious role places her in the company of legendary women such as Diana, Princess of Wales, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren, further cementing Princess Cruises’ tradition of honoring influential luminaries. The Love Boat by Hannah campaign will roll out in a series of eye-catching 60-, 30-, 15-, and 6-second spots across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. Viewers can experience the magic through connected TV, digital platforms, and an engaging social media strategy. The flagship 60-second ad will even grace cinema screens, debuting before blockbuster hits like Wicked and Gladiator 2. Designed to captivate both seasoned cruisers and those new to the experience, the campaign speaks to a wide audience. From tech-savvy adults and active seniors to families with teenagers and multi-generational groups, Love Boat by Hannah highlights the allure of Princess Cruises as the perfect setting for shared adventures. With its blend of nostalgia, modern flair, and Waddingham’s vibrant energy, the campaign promises to inspire travelers to embark on a journey where every moment is truly unforgettable. “Hannah Waddingham has a presence as powerful and radiant as the Sun Princess herself,” said JP Gomez, Creative Director at Terri & Sandy. “From start to finish, she brought brilliance and humor to the creative process, contributing clever, witty ideas that elevated the entire campaign. This production was a celebration of nostalgia blended with the sleek, contemporary elegance of the Sun Princess. We couldn’t have asked for better partners than Hannah and the Princess team.”
Let change come organically, not by force I have read with interest the various pieces about why Kamala Harris lost this last election in such a decisive manner. Not a landslide by any means, but a decisive loss nonetheless. The rhetorical contortions are nothing short of amazing. She lost for the simple reason that she was an inauthentic, dishonest shill for the progressive left. No one was buying what she was selling. In today’s political landscape, each party pretty much owns its base. What a 45/45 split? Sadly it only about 10% actually decide the vote. The main issue before the people was the progressives obsession with forced social change. We as a society are based on the Judeo-Christian concept. With all the baggage and benefits derived therein. That is a simple fact. The drive to force such radical change so fast was their downfall. Let change come organically. Likely most people don’t have have serious issues with the personal choice of other people. But the aggressive nature of the progressive social warriors and their media allies has probably caused more harm than good to their cause. Let the change come organically. No one wants it forced down their throats. Karl Kunkel, Bloomington Labels divide us It’s now been a month since our national, state and local elections. In reflecting back over the last several months, it seems there was more “name calling” than ever before. There was clearly a lack of respect and simple courtesy to one another. Also, it was evident that we are now using more “labels” on ourselves and others than ever before. In prior generations, the labels often focused on race, gender and our Republican and Democrat political parties. Undoubtedly, some of this individuality has been our own creation, but nothing is wrong with this. The label that really intrigues me is that each generation/decade now needs their own label of x, y, z. The days of young and old have become history. My point in writing this letter is to raise the question of whether all these labels being created are more harmful than helpful. It sure appears that we use more and more labels when we talk about each other. I wonder whether we can all tone down the talk of differences and simply focus on a respect and acceptance for each other. It’s simply showing courtesy to one other. Can we give it a try and eliminate the labels that divide us? Jim Fruin, Bloomington A president-elect without integrity, empathy Once again our nation has chosen a president who chooses to have no integrity or empathy. This is what we have chosen to be not only our leader but also the leader of the free world. All the best to everyone! Randy Rasse, Minier What does CIRA’s future hold? I am writing this letter concerning a lack of flight options at the Bloomington-Normal airport. Why does the Peoria airport offer more destinations than CIRA? It would appear that Bloomington-Normal demographics out perform Peoria in population and job growth. Peoria has 40 daily flight departures and we have 7. I believe its time to hear from the CIRA airport board on exactly what is the goal and future of this beautiful underutilized airport to the citizens of this and surrounding communities is and what can be done to put CIRA back on the fast track as it once was. Robert Vericella, Bloomington Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
University of Michigan to host ‘recognizing racism’ workshop for graduate students
Canada set to spend over $1B on borderAustralia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere - or even there?
LUANDA, Angola (AP) — long-delayed trip to Africa had many of the hallmarks of a traditional state visit: There was a 12-shot cannon salute. A series of warm handshakes with Angolan President João Lourenço. Celebratory music. Photo opportunities. But another issue overshadowed the visit. When reporters tried to question the president about why he after repeatedly saying he would not do so, Biden tried to brush aside the questions. He gestured toward Lourenço and laughed, declaring, “Welcome to America.” Biden saluted Lourenço for his efforts to bolster stronger U.S. relations, declared that would shape the world's future and even indulged his love of trains by championing a major railway project that his administration says could change the way the entire continent does business. Some takeaways from the president's visit: (Don't) meet the press Biden offered the joke about America before his meeting with Lourenço, and he answered a question on Tuesday about the political situation in South Korea, saying only that he'd not been briefed — something that was rectified moments later when advisers filled him in on what was happening as the motorcade sped away from a site where he'd given a speech. Other than that, Biden went the entire trip, which began Sunday night and included two brief stopovers in Cape Verde in addition to Angola, dodging reporters. He did similar during last month's . Biden's press secretary tried to explain the pardon decision Since Biden announced his pardon decision shortly before climbing aboard Air Force One bound for Africa, it fell to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to spend nearly half an hour offering long and awkward answers to uncomfortable questions aboard the aircraft hours later. Biden said in a statement explaining the pardon that, while he believed in the justice system, he also felt that politics had infected the cases against his son and “enough was enough.” Jean-Pierre maintained that he wasn't trying to have it both ways. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction,” she said. “Two things could be true. You can believe in the Department of Justice system, and you could also believe that the process was infected politically.” She also bristled when it was suggested that such complaints about the Department of Justice smacked of President-elect Donald Trump's of federal bureaucrats that he's said for years are out to unfairly undermine him and fellow top Republicans. ‘All in on Africa’ — with time running out During his meeting with Lourenço at the presidential palace, Biden said, and extolled how strong Angolan relations were with Washington. His administration has invested billions in Angola, with the centerpiece being promoting the Lobito Corridor, a vast project to revitalize supply chains by refurbishing 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) of train lines in Angola, Zambia and Congo. Given where Angola was barely a generation ago, the alliance is in many ways remarkable. An oil-rich nation on Africa's southwest coast, Angola achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, but spent subsequent years embroiled in civil war, which often featured proxy fighting between U.S.-backed forces and those allied with the Soviet Union. Even today, the country's red and black flag features a yellow machete and half-cog, an insignia resembling the Soviet hammer and sickle. But Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, and Lourenço, like many leaders of African nations, has already begun suggesting that he's looking toward a Trump-dominated future. Biden administration officials say they're hopeful Trump and top Republicans will continue a business-friendly approach to investing in Africa that includes continuing to support the Lobito Corridor. Now the Africa policy will be up to Trump Biden lauded Lourenço for helping boost his country's relationship with the United States, and he said the youth of Africa would change the world. He also visited the country’s national slavery museum, stressing how Angola and the United States — which were once linked by the horrors of enslaved human beings, now could increasingly be linked by economic opportunity. But if Biden came to Angola hoping to cement his foreign policy legacy in this country and throughout Africa, it will actually fall to Trump — the man he and spent much of 2024 running against before in July — to see it through. ___ Will Weissert, The Associated Press
FDA Grants IDE Approval for the Pivotal Trial of the JuxtaFlow® Renal Assist Device (RAD)
How is the Big Bash League faring after 14 years of ups and downs – and what’s next?Ireland fans will face a nightmare trek to make the Nations League play-off first-leg against Bulgaria on March 20. The Bulgarian FA have confirmed that the match will take place in Plovdiv, 150km south east of the capital Sofia. With no flights scheduled between Dublin and Plovdiv, the best option will be to fly into Sofia and get a two-hour bus to Bulgaria’s second-largest city. READ MORE: Aiden McGeady details awkward way Celtic stars brought him ‘down a peg or two’ READ MORE: Warning issued as accounts show millions in combined League of Ireland losses But that is complicated by the fact that the only direct flight option listed between Dublin and Sofia around the date of the match involves a four-night stay - and the cost of the return flight is already over €500. Meanwhile, the capacity of the recently renovated Hristo Botev Stadium is just over 18,000 - with around 900 seats (five percent) available for away fans. Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed why the Bulgarians selected Plovdiv as the venue for the game. “We just met them after the draw and it's confirmed that it's Plovdiv, they were re-laying the grass before the last game, that's why they played the last game in Sofia,” he said. “It's a better stadium, a newer stadium so they want to play there.” While the team will take a chartered flight straight into Plovdiv, Hallgrímsson still has to work out the timing of their arrival and departure. “Because it's the first game, I think it's a little bit tricky,” he said. “Do we do Monday and Tuesday in Dublin and then fly, and do Wednesday, MD-1 training session there in the stadium? “And then coming back home, again the tricky thing is, do we fly straight after the match or stay a day down there? “It's now logistics work for the federation. I think they are going next week for a site visit, just to check the hotel and locations so we can prepare in advance.” Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
Burnaby, BC-based legaltech company Clio made Canadian tech history this year when it $1.24-billion CAD ($900-million USD) Series F round at a $4-billion CAD ($3-billion USD) pre-money valuation. The fundraising itself is one of Canadian tech’s biggest stories of 2024. After all, the round dethroned 1Password’s $744-million CAD in 2022 to become the largest-ever raise in Canadian tech history, and accounted for nearly half of all dollars raised in the country during Q3 2024. More important than what the round achieved is what it represented: a private company expertly navigating market demands while public market contemporaries floundered or fled. . Clio CEO Jack Newton said at in October that he felt the weight of demand to exit via IPO or a sale from existing investors aging out of their funds. So Newton used the round, which was “substantially secondary,” to release the pressure and avoid entering a hostile IPO market that forced many in Canadian tech to go private this year. “You don’t need to sell,” Newton said on stage, adding that founders can look at the private markets as a way of “letting your existing investors punch out.” Clio’s desire to stay private helps explain why so many publicly traded Canadian tech companies returned to the private markets this year, ultimately taking buyouts from deep-pocketed private equity firms. According to a September report from , 20 tech IPOs occurred during the 2020 IPO boom, and almost half of those have since gone private, delisted, or been taken over. “Maybe you go public again in a few years but, you know, it’s tiring being public. It’s brutal.” Some of this year’s go-private transactions came from , , ., , , and . One of the largest was Montréal-based payments company , which was acquired by Boston-based private equity Advent International for $6.3 billion USD about three and a half years after it first went public during the IPO wave of 2020. After of Montréal-based payments company Lightspeed Commerce, Dax Dasilva , initiating a of the business that could result in a similar go-private move. That review led to Lightspeed its Capital Markets Day last month. So why did the great go-private wave of 2024 (which we began to see in 2023) happen? According to Thomson Reuters Ventures managing director Tamara Steffens, going private means less scrutiny for companies at a time when they can’t put together the results needed in the public markets. “If you don’t have the financial stability to continue to pull together quarter after quarter after quarter, you may be better off pulling in private [and] cleaning it up behind closed doors, from a cost basis perspective, which you can do less visibly than if you’re a publicly traded company,” Steffens told BetaKit in an interview. “Maybe you go public again in a few years but, you know, it’s tiring being public. It’s brutal.” Steffens said that valuations have gotten more realistic since the boom of 2021, and a number of companies will opt for an exit rather than a down round. Since valuations have become “much more realistic,” the companies that did jump through the wide-open IPO window a few years ago now suddenly pine for greener grass. It’s also why Clio, which in 2022 as it prepared to go public, still hasn’t pulled the trigger. Newton said at BetaKit Town Hall: Vancouver that Clio’s $200 million USD ARR, larger than Shopify’s at the time of its IPO, needs to reach $500 million to entertain the current IPO market. Steffens noted that while it’s not any harder to IPO than it was last year, the choice to do so (or dip) will stem from the investor pressure Clio deftly defied. “If there’s less funding happening, there’s going to be a natural progression to either exit via sale to another company or to go IPO,” Steffens said. “There hasn’t been as much return [to LPs in recent years], and [investors] are going to have to make some decisions and push some companies in one direction the other.” While it’s all about timing, many Canadian tech companies say they’re ready for when the time comes. recently compiled a list of 71 privately held technology companies that have reached $100-million USD in annual recurring revenue (ARR), a milestone indicating maturity and sustainability. We have profitability, we have a strong team, we have all of the attributes [of a good public company]. It’s just a matter of when.” One of the companies is travel app , which has exceeded $300-million ARR. When BetaKit spoke with Brightspark Ventures managing partner and Hopper board member Sophie Forest in September, she said that the company will tackle an IPO when it makes sense, but there’s no urgency to do so. In the meantime, Hopper to follow Clio and raise a large secondary round to quell investors, just like San Francisco-based artificial intelligence data company Databricks did with its staggering $10-billion Series J round. When BetaKit spoke with Fullscript CEO Kyle Braatz last month, whose company has nearly achieved $1 billion in ARR, he also indicated that he’s just waiting for the right time to test the markets. “I would say we’ve got the market tailwind. We’ve got recurring revenue that’s very predictable,” Braatz told BetaKit. “We have profitability, we have a strong team, we have all of the attributes that a good public company has. It’s just a matter of when.” According to Steffens, the “when” might be just around the corner. She predicts the IPO market will open up “a little bit” in 2025, and even more so in 2026.