Macron to name new French PM Friday after days of deadlock
NEW YORK , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global advanced wound care market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.19 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 6.05% during the forecast period. Technological advancements in wound care products is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing demand for combination dressings. However, high cost of wound treatments and advanced wound care products poses a challenge.Key market players include 3M Co., 4L Health Co. Ltd., Anika Therapeutics Inc., Cardinal Health Inc., Carilex Medical Inc., Coloplast AS, ConvaTec Group Plc, DeRoyal Industries Inc., Essity AB, Hollister Inc., Integra Lifesciences Corp., Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., Lohmann and Rauscher GmbH and Co. KG, Medline Industries LP, Medtronic Plc, Molnlycke Health Care AB, Organogenesis Holdings Inc., Paul Hartmann AG, Smith and Nephew plc, and Vericel Corp.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The Advanced Wound Care market is experiencing significant growth due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly among the geriatric population. Diabetic foot ulcers are a major concern, leading to increased demand for innovative products like nanoparticle-based wound healing and gene therapy. ScienceDirect reports that surgical site infections and chronic wounds, including pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers, result in high hospitalizations and healthcare expenditure. Companies like DuPont, JeNaCell, and ConvaTec offer advanced wound care products such as dressings, therapy devices, biologics, and matrices. Surgical procedures, medical tourism, and sports-related injuries also contribute to market growth. Strategic partnerships, manufacturing facilities, and supply network expansions are key strategies for market players. Innovative products include electronic skin patches, compression therapy, and debridement devices. Chronic nonhealing wounds, ischemia, bacterial contamination, and chronic inflammation are significant challenges. Obesity and diabetes are major risk factors for venous ulcers and diabetic ulcers. Home healthcare, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Wound Care Centres are emerging trends. Financial performance is monitored through strategy maps, focusing on revenue growth, market share, and product development. Advanced wound care market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of antimicrobial agents in wound dressings. Silver, iodine, and honey are commonly used antimicrobial agents in advanced wound dressings. These dressings offer multiple benefits, combining physical and chemical properties for optimal functionality. They are suitable for both partial and full-thickness wounds. End-users prefer combination dressings due to their ease of use and availability. These dressings integrate distinct components into a single dressing, providing functions such as absorption, adhesion, and protection against bacteria. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Advanced Wound Care market faces significant challenges due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly among the geriatric population. Diabetic foot ulcers are a major concern, leading to increased demand for innovative solutions like nanoparticle-based wound healing and gene therapy. ScienceDirect reports that surgical site infections also pose a challenge, driving the need for advanced medical devices and home healthcare services. Key players like DuPont, JeNaCell, and ConvaTec offer a range of wound care products, including dressings, therapy devices, and biologics. Hospitals and clinics in emerging economies are increasing their expenditure on chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers, leading to opportunities for manufacturers. However, challenges include managing infections, chronic inflammation, and ischemia, as well as ensuring bacterial burden management and pressure management. Innovative products, such as electronic skin patches and tracking devices, are gaining popularity for postoperative care and sports-related injuries. The supply network must adapt to meet the demand for these advanced wound care solutions, including surgical wounds, while managing the financials and implementing effective strategies. Ambulatory Surgical Centers and Wound Care Centers/Ambulatory Centers are also important players in this market. The advanced wound care market growth is influenced by the high cost of advanced wound care products. For example, Smith & Nephew's ALLEVYN foam dressing has a material cost per change of USD9.83 and a nursing cost per change of USD9.18 . Similarly, AxioBio's MaxioCel Wound Care Dressing For Ulcers costs USD50 per dressing. Frequent dressing changes are necessary for most patients, with alginate dressings requiring changes every two to three days, foam dressings every three to four days, hydrogel dressings every one to two days, hydrocolloid dressings every three to four days, and wound contact materials every four to seven days. These costs add up significantly, potentially limiting market expansion. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This advanced wound care market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Advanced wound dressings 1.2 Wound therapy devices 1.3 Wound care biologics 2.1 Hospitals 2.2 Clinics 2.3 Home healthcare 2.4 Others 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 Asia 3.4 Rest of World (ROW) 1.1 Advanced wound dressings- The advanced wound dressings market is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic wounds and burns, the growing aging population, rising awareness about the clinical benefits of advanced wound dressings, and the increasing number of surgical procedures. The moist wound dressings segment, which includes alginate, collagen, foam, hydrocolloid, hydrogel, wound contact layer, and film dressings, dominates the market due to its ability to promote fast healing, maintain a hydrated environment, and prevent infection. Alginate dressings, derived from seaweed, are highly absorbent and non-adhesive, making them easy to remove and painless for patients. Collagen dressings, derived from animal sources, stimulate the growth of new collagen and promote quick recovery. Foam dressings provide a moist environment for quick healing and are available in various compositions and sizes. Hydrocolloid dressings maintain moisture in wound treatment and are commonly used in difficult-to-dress areas. Hydrogel dressings provide a moist wound environment for cell migration and accelerate healing. Wound contact layer dressings protect the tissues from bacterial attacks and are absorbent. Film dressings protect the skin in pressure spots and promote wound healing. Antimicrobial wound dressings, which include silver, iodine, honey, and zinc dressings, eliminate or prevent bacterial growth and are used to treat localized wound infections. The market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the increasing adoption of advanced wound dressings, the focus on reducing hospital-acquired infections, and the rising preference for minimal and non-invasive procedures. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Advanced Wound Care market encompasses innovative technologies and treatments for managing chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers. Chronic diseases, particularly in the geriatric population, contribute significantly to the prevalence of these wounds. ScienceDirect reports that chronic wounds affect over 6 million people in the US alone. Nanoparticle-based wound healing and gene therapy are emerging areas of research for advanced wound care. Home healthcare and MEA (Medical Equipment and Supplies) companies play crucial roles in providing wound care solutions. DuPont and JeNaCell are among the notable players in the market for wound care products, which include wound dressings, grafts, matrices, and surgical procedures. Surgical site infections, venous ulcers, and diabetic ulcers are common types of chronic wounds. Financial growth in the advanced wound care market is driven by increasing healthcare expenditure, the rising number of hospitals and clinics, and the growing demand for medical devices. Emerging economies offer significant opportunities for market expansion. Strategies for market success include product innovation, partnerships, and expanding reach into emerging markets. Market Research Overview The Advanced Wound Care market encompasses innovative technologies and treatments for managing various types of chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, surgical site infections, and venous ulcers. Chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity, are major contributors to the rising prevalence of chronic wounds. The geriatric population is another significant factor, as they are more susceptible to wounds due to aging and comorbidities. ScienceDirect reports that nanoparticle-based wound healing and gene therapy are emerging areas in advanced wound care. Home healthcare, MEA (Medical Equipment and Supplies) companies, and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are increasingly adopting innovative products such as wound care kits, therapeutic devices, biologics, and extracellular matrix substitutes. Surgical procedures, plastic surgery, and medical tourism contribute to surgical wounds, which can lead to chronic nonhealing wounds. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare expenditure continue to drive the market for wound care products, including dressings, grafts, matrices, and monitoring devices. The supply network includes key players like DuPont, JeNaCell, and ConvaTec, offering a range of products and services, from dressing and therapy devices to biologics and wound care centers. Innovative products include electronic skin patches, tracking devices, compression pressure monitoring, point-of-care imaging devices, and bioelectronic devices for debridement, pressure management, and bacterial burden management. Financial performance, strategy maps, and manufacturing facilities are essential aspects of the advanced wound care market, with companies focusing on cost-effective production and competitive pricing while maintaining quality and innovation. Emerging economies offer significant growth opportunities due to increasing healthcare expenditure and a large patient population. In summary, the advanced wound care market is a dynamic and growing industry, driven by demographic trends, technological advancements, and increasing healthcare expenditure. Companies must navigate the complex supply network, regulatory landscape, and competitive landscape to succeed in this market. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Advanced Wound Dressings Wound Therapy Devices Wound Care Biologics End-user Hospitals Clinics Home Healthcare Others Geography North America Europe Asia Rest Of World (ROW) 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio
(The Center Square) — California’s senators have sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting last-minute federal funding for the state’s high-speed rail project before the Trump administration takes office in January. This move comes amid concerns that the incoming administration might pull federal funding from the now $135 billion project, and use California as a national example for redirecting federal funds from Democratic priorities. Once complete, the project is supposed to carry passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in under three hours, with one-way tickets priced at $86. It’s unclear how competitive this will be with air travel; one-way flights booked more than two weeks in advance currently cost $59 on Southwest, which includes two checked bags. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), proposed by the incoming Trump administration, aims to reduce what it views as wasteful government spending, recently spotlighted the project, and Congressmen Kevin Kiley, R-California, announced his bill to eliminate federal funding for the endeavor. Amid the state’s financial foes, a pause or withdrawal of federal funding could leave the state with no choice but to put the project on hold. During the spring, the California High Speed Rail Authority requested the use of state rainy day funding to plug the $8 billion to $10 billion funding shortfall for the system’s initial $30 billion to $33 billion, 171-mile segment connecting the cities of Bakersfield and Merced in the relatively sparsely populated Central Valley. But with the state’s legislative analyst now finding the state has “no capacity” for new spending and projecting annual deficits will soon rise to $30 billion, enhanced state support for the project is unlikely, leaving federal funding as the only option to fill the gap. The letter , signed by Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, and Reps. Pete Aguilar, Zoe Lofgren, and Jim Costa, requests an additional $536 million to join $134 million in state funds to complete a 30%, or preliminary, design of one tunnel in Southern California and one tunnel in Northern California. The letter also recounted the federal government’s existing $6.8 billion in support for the project, and $22 billion from California for the project thus far. “By preparing for future final design and construction of complex tunnels in this corridor, the Project will advance both state and federal goals to improve safety, expand economic strength and global competitiveness, address equity issues, and implement sustainability practices to confront climate change,” wrote the federal legislators. “These investments will continue to support living wage jobs, provide small business opportunities, and equitably enhance the mobility of communities in need – including disadvantaged agricultural communities – all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” In 2012, the state legislative analyst’s office found the bullet train would increase overall greenhouse gas emissions for the first 30 years of its operation, putting the project’s emissions impact — and state funding based on emissions reductions — into question. Kiley, who is aiming to pass a bill in Congress ending federal support for the project, said even if a grant is approved, he hopes to keep that money away from California’s bullet train. “A small group of CA Democrats is asking Biden to send even more money for High-Speed Rail ... before Congress can pass my bill to deny further funding,” said Kiley on X. “If Biden complies, we will make sure that the grant is promptly revoked.” Because U.S. Congress holds “power of the purse,” Kiley’s bill could allow the federal government to withhold any further funding from the project – even spending that is already approved. However, it's less clear whether the Trump administration could unilaterally halt funding. As a discretionary grant under the Department of Transportation, such a decision might fall within its authority, but political and legal challenges could arise.
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President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday that he would act on his first day in office to pardon rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, further building expectations for a broad granting of clemency. "I'm going to be acting very quickly, first day," Trump said on NBC News' "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker" when asked when he planned to pardon his supporters who were charged in the attack aimed at overturning his 2020 election defeat. Trump told Welker that there could be "some exceptions" to his pardons if the individuals had acted "radical" or "crazy" during the assault, which left more than 140 police officers injured and led to several deaths. READ | Trump declares Russia and Iran in ‘weakened state’, says Putin ‘not interested in protecting’ Syria's Assad But Trump described the prosecutions of his supporters as inherently corrupt and did not rule out pardoning the more than 900 defendants who had already pleaded guilty, including those accused of acting violently in the attack. "I'm going to look at everything. We're going to look at individual cases," Trump said. The comments - Trump's most detailed on the issue of pardons since he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election - will likely add to already high expectations for broad action once Trump is sworn into office on Jan. 20. "He continues to put out the public message closer and closer to what the J6 community is asking for, which is clemency for all of the January 6ers," Suzzanne Monk, a longtime advocate for defendants charged in the riot, told Reuters. Hopes among Jan. 6 defendants and their supporters for broad-based clemency have been growing over the past week after President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, marking a reversal from his pledge not to interfere with his son's criminal cases. Biden said Hunter deserved a pardon because he was the victim of political persecution, an argument Trump will likely use to justify mass pardons. Some Biden critics said his decision would lessen the political cost for Trump. Kimberly Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, said she was worried broad amnesty for Jan. 6 defendants would serve to wrongly incentivize the fomenting of unrest or even violence on behalf of a president. "The idea that he's going to reward people for violating the law on his behalf in connection with an attempt to overthrow legitimate election results... that's not precedented," said Wehle, author of a recent book on presidential pardon power. 'NASTY SYSTEM' In what has been billed as America's largest-ever criminal investigation, at least 1,572 defendants have been charged in the Jan. 6 attack, with crimes ranging from unlawfully entering restricted grounds to seditious conspiracy and violent assault. Of that total, more than 1,251 have been convicted or pleaded guilty and 645 have been sentenced to prison, with punishments ranging from a few days to 22 years, according to the latest data from the Justice Department. John Pierce, a lawyer who has represented dozens of Jan. 6 defendants, urged Trump to issue a blanket pardon for all who were charged with participating in the riot. "I just don't know how you do it otherwise," he said, noting that it would be difficult to parse which conduct out of the scores of cases that have already worked their way through the legal system would merit a pardon. "I think you would see a lot of unhappy people in the January 6 community" if pardons were granted on a case-by-case basis, he said. In the NBC interview, Trump lamented those held for long periods of detention, saying they were being kept in "a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn't even be allowed to be open." He described them as being victims of a "very nasty system." READ | Donald Trump says 'can't guarantee tariffs won't impact US prices', keeps door open for revenge prosecutions Attorney Norm Pattis believes pardons should cover his clients, Zachary Rehl and Joseph Biggs, two former leaders of the Proud Boys militant group sentenced to 15 and 17 years in prison after a jury convicted them of seditious conspiracy. Pattis said Trump, in promoting the idea that the 2020 election had been stolen from him through widespread fraud - an assertion for which there is no evidence - prompted his clients to believe that they had to take drastic action. "He needs to own the fact that he created a tremendous sense of expectations with his claims about a stolen election, and people responded to him as President of the United States," Pattis said. "I would hope that he would pardon broadly." Pattis said it was unclear how Trump might draw a line excluding some defendants from clemency due to acts of violence. Jake Lang, a New York man who was charged with assaulting police officers and has been held in jail before trial, said he was hopeful he would be swept up in a blanket pardon. "I think on January 20, 2025, we are going to see a similar situation to Hunter Biden," Lang said in a phone interview. “Everybody's pardoned, full exoneration. Get them all out of prison and get this thing over with, so that we can start the national healing process.”
A McAlester resident has been spreading kindness, love and hope on social media platforms for the last few years. Barry “Bear” Mathews is known as @bearthevoice3 on TikTok, where he talks to his followers, or as he calls them his friends, for the last two and a half years, but has been present on the platform for three and a half years in total. Mathews journey into the world of social media started with a conversation and a misunderstanding as he was gathered around a swimming pool with his daughter. “She said, ‘Daddy, you need a TikTok.’ I said, ‘Baby, I got a watch.’ She was like, ‘What? No. It’s an app that goes on your phone.’ I said, ‘Sweetheart, I’ve got a clock app on my phone.’ I’m thinking ‘tic toc’ like a clock. I had never heard of the app,” Mathews said. After his daughter explained and showed Mathews the app, he questioned why he would even need TikTok. His voice was the answer. “She said ‘Daddy, you have the coolest voice on the planet, man. Your voice is just cool. People will watch your TikToks just to hear you talk,’” Mathews said. The now TikTok star was not initially game for making an account, but allowed his daughter to do so anyways, marking the birth of Bear the Voice. Mathews said his content was just like any other found on the app until he made a video talking about how proud he was of his son. “Somebody made a comment that said, ‘I wish I had a dad who would tell me he was proud of me,’” Mathews said. “So I did a video reply to that comment where I just looked at the camera and said ‘Well, I am proud of you. I’m very proud of you.’” The video went viral with many more content to follow suit, as he now has 1.32 million followers and 18.1 million likes. Mathews’ account is a combination of content ranging from life advice to cooking. Mathews said he didn’t have a clue his account would reach the success it has and still finds it mind blowing. “I think the reason my account has grown the way it has is because I’m not going to respond with hatred,” Mathews said. “I’m going to treat people the way that I want people to treat me, and I’m going to be tremendously honest and caring in doing so. I think that is something people look for. We live in a very superficial age, where it’s all about the trend and not about the compassion and honesty with one another.” The TikTok platform has been under fire for the last few years with the social media app having a potential of being banned in the U.S. in January 2025. Mathews has started to move his content to all social media platforms, like Instagram and YouTube, in case this takes place. Some upcoming projects Mathews has included hosting a Meet and Greet and Eat in June. Mathews said there is a community of cooking content creators, such as himself, who will be gathering June 14 at the Lightning C Arena. The event – a third of its kind – will feature foods made by potentially 100 content creators. As his popularity has grown, Mathews has continued to respond to comments from his friends with kindness and has even been given the moniker of “America’s Grandpa.” “I said in a video that I absolutely adore being a grandpa, and someone put a comment on it that said ‘You probably would not want to be a grandpa to a young Black woman.’ And I knew I had to make a video response to that...,” Mathews said. “I called her by name and told her I don’t care if you’re Black or white or red or green. I don’t care what color you are. Human need is human need, and it knows no race, so I would love for you to call me grandpa. Since then I’ve kind of turned into America’s grandpa.” A grandfatherly figure is something Mathews said he believes America needs right now, as a grandfather not only loves their grandkids regardless of anything but will also dole out advice and guide the person through life. Mathews said he doesn’t want to come across as a know-it-all, but that he does know what it’s like to deal with tragedies and how some just need to be told it will be OK. Mathews current job is social media due to his battle with Polycythemia vera – a chronic, rare blood cancer – which has progressed to cause Mathews to not have the ability to do everything he once could. Prior to the age of TikTok, Mathews drove trucks and worked in the oilfield, which is what brought him to McAlester in the first place. Since 2009 Mathews has made McAlester his home, where he tries to give back when he can. From making Angel Tree donations to helping pay for others at Walmart, Mathews has been living out his kind nature past the phone screen and into the real world of McAlester for years. One example is when Mathews recognized the look of panic on a father’s face after his card declined at a register. As the father tried to pull up his online bank account and find out why his deposit wasn’t showing up, Mathews heard the man’s son ask what was happening. Mathews then told the child the card must be broken and paid for the groceries. “I think that’s not an act of charity it’s an act of kindness that if you can afford to do that that is what you should do,” Mathews said. “We all got to eat, and if I have the money in my account, I’m not going to let you or your little boy go hungry.” Mathews said he helps out when he can because he knows what it is like to need someone. From falling on financial hard times to a flooded house to a house fire, Mathews said he knows what it feels like to not have anything with no one to turn to. “A lot of people who I have talked to personally [will say] ‘God has allowed so many tragedies.’ But I don’t believe a person can truly find humility without having been humiliated and I have been,” Mathews said. “So rather than allow that to make me bitter I’ve tried to let it make me grow into a better person. It’s so easy to be bitter, but it’s also easy to be better.” Becoming TikTok famous has been what Mathews referred to as cool with fans coming up to him in stores and telling Mathews how he has impacted them or even saved their life. Mathews said learning how he has made such an impact on people has been a humbling experience. Mathews said he has not always been this way, but after the death of a child, step sister, and both parents he knows what it is like to lose someone. “That’s a feeling that so many people feel, like they’ve lost everything and they feel like their world is hopeless, and if I can give them a little bit of hope, maybe one day God will smile at me face to face,” Mathews said. Something that Mathews ends each video with is a saying he takes to heart and means to every friend who hears it – “I love all of you. I truly do.” “I think love is something that is a rarity in all societies, not just ours, but all societies these days,” Mathews said. “We don’t have to see eye to eye politically or spiritually. I don’t care – like I said to that young lady – I don’t care what color you are. I don’t care if you’re heterosexual or homosexual. I don’t care if you were born Beverly and you want to be called Billy. I don’t care. Love and compassion is what this world needs the most of, so I love all of you. I truly do.” Skyler Hammons writes for the McAlester News-Capital.Why Iron Man 3’s Shane Black Sets Most of His Movies at Christmas Time
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EAST RUTHERFORD — Joe Schoen apologists will tell you that he hasn’t had a chance to “pick” his own quarterback. Yet all he did this season was assemble one of the worst quarterback rooms in modern football history. Three quarterbacks have tried and three quarterbacks have failed miserably in this putrid Giants offense — the latest example coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium when Drew Lock had poor pocket presence and missed open receivers in the Giants’ 14-11 loss to a bad Saints team. “Obviously we could’ve done a better job in certain areas whether it’s protection, reads, throws, calls — [...]Commentary: Find gratitude on Thanksgiving with memories, experiences
President Emmanuel Macron is to name a new prime minister on Friday, aides said, after days of deadlock over finding a candidate to replace Michel Barnier whose ousting by parliament pushed France into a fresh crisis. Barnier was toppled in a historic no-confidence vote on December 4 and there had been expectations Macron would announce his successor in an address to the nation even a day later. But in a sign of the stalemate in French politics after inconclusive legislative elections this summer, he did not name his successor then and has now missed a 48-hour deadline he gave at a meeting meeting of party leaders on Tuesday. On Thursday, Macron left France on a day-long trip to key EU and NATO ally Poland but shortened the visit in an apparent bid to finalise the appointment. "The statement naming the prime minister will be published tomorrow (Friday) morning," said an aide to to the president, asking not to be named, late Thursday just after Macron touched down from the trip to Poland. "He is finishing his consultations," the aide added, without giving further details. Whoever is named will be the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate after the toppling of Barnier, who lasted only three months, and faces an immediate challenge in thrashing out a budget to pass parliament. Each premier under Macron has served successively less time in office and there is no guarantee for the new premier that they will not follow this pattern. Macron remains confronted with the complex political equation that emerged from the snap parliamentary polls -- how to secure a government against a no-confidence vote in a bitterly divided lower house where no party or alliance has a majority. All the candidates widely floated so far have encountered objections from at least one side of the political spectrum. "They are stuck," said a person close to Macron, asking not to be named and lamenting that "each name gets blocked." "No one is in agreement around the president," added the source, expressing hope Macron will surprise everyone with an unexpected choice. Macron's rumoured top pick, veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, raises hackles on the left -- wary of continuing the president's policies -- and on the right, where he is disliked by influential former president Nicolas Sarkozy. Beyond Bayrou, prime ministerial contenders include former Socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, current Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu, a Macron loyalist, and former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Another name being discussed in the media is Roland Lescure, a former industry minister, but the nomination of the former Socialist risks inflaming the right. These "are names that have been around for years and haven't seduced the French. It's the past. I want us to look to the future," Greens leader Marine Tondelier said. "The French public want a bit of enthusiasm, momentum, fresh wind, something new," she told France 2 television. Polls indicate the public is fed up with the crisis. Just over two-thirds of respondents to one Elabe poll published on Wednesday said they want politicians to reach a deal not to overthrow a new government. But confidence is limited, with around the same number saying they did not believe the political class could reach agreement. In a separate IFOP poll, far-right National Rally (RN) figurehead Marine Le Pen was credited with 35 percent support in the first round of a future presidential election -- well ahead of any likely opponent. She has said she is "not unhappy" that her far-right party was left out of the horse-trading around the government, appearing for now to benefit from the chaos rather than suffer blame for bringing last week's no-confidence vote over the line. In a critical looming moment, Le Pen on March 31, 2025 faces the verdict in an embezzlement trial on charges she denies. If convicted, she could lose the chance of standing in the 2027 elections and with it her best chance yet of winning the Elysee. burs-tgb-sjw/rlp
Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH — Many Americans consider social media a scourge, but for a home cook, it can be a fun and informative place to get help deciding what to eat. Sure, some of the recipes would-be influencers recommend are in fact pretty abominable — check out @chefreactions on TikTok, Instagram or X for many, many examples — but I have stumbled across some pretty good recipes on many occasions, too. Related Articles Restaurants Food and Drink | Lots of holiday singing and giving in the Best of the Week of Dec. 14-20 Restaurants Food and Drink | In season: The universal joy of carrots Restaurants Food and Drink | Don’t shun pinot grigio! The good versions of wines you think are bad Restaurants Food and Drink | Quick Fix: Horseradish Crusted Snapper with Arugula Pasta Restaurants Food and Drink | 3 recipes to help you through the busy holiday season One that’s been going viral for a while and but only recently caught my eye shines a spotlight on the creamy, tomatoey dish known as Marry Me chicken. There are probably as many recipes for Marry Me chicken on social media as there are cooks. (Delish claims to have created the video recipe for the original dish, also known as Tuscan chicken, in 2016.) But in my opinion, the best variations hang their chef’s hat on a sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and cream. Yum! This rich and luxurious entree is a definite step above the “engagement” chicken that caused a similar stir when it made its debut in Glamour magazine in 2004. That proposal-worthy recipe — saved for posterity in the 2011 cookbook “100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know: Engagement Chicken and 99 Other Fabulous Dishes to Get You Everything You Want in Life” — featured a whole chicken roasted with lemon and herbs. Awesome for sure, but not nearly as swoon worthy. I’ve been married for a very long time, so I’m not looking for a dish that will get me engaged. But who wouldn’t want applause when they put dinner on the table? That’s how Delish’s original recipe made it into the latest installment of “Dinner for Four for $25.” Usually when I’m building these economical meals, I do all my shopping in one store. This time, I shopped over the course of a weekend at some of my favorite haunts to see if that made a difference. (And no, I didn’t factor in the cost of gas, but maybe should have!) First stop after downing my Saturday morning latte and Nutella mele at a street-side table at Colangelo’s in the Strip District: Wholey’s Market, where I found boneless chicken breast at the bargain price of $3.89 per pound. I then crossed the street and headed down the block to Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., where I found several varieties of sun-dried tomatoes to chose from. I went with a jar of Ponti sun-dried cherry tomatoes for $5.09 — a definite splurge when your budget is only $25, but an ingredient I knew would deliver plenty of flavor. At Aldi, I found a bag of five huge lemons for $3.89, or 78 cents apiece, and a nice package of fresh broccoli for $2.28. A bargain, considering I would only use about two-thirds of it. The German supermarket chain known for its low prices and no-frills shopping experience (you have to deposit a quarter to get a shopping cart) also had butter — a main ingredient in my sandwich cookie dessert — on sale for $3.99 a pound. A bag of powdered sugar was pretty cheap, too, at just $2.09 for a two-pound bag. “Shopping” my pantry for ingredients I always have on hand, including garlic, olive oil, spices, rice, molasses and vanilla, once again helped keep costs down. Total bill: $24.38, or 62 cents under budget. Not bad when you consider the homemade dessert recipe makes more oatmeal sandwich cookies than a family can/should eat at one sitting. Marry Me Chicken PG tested Sun-dried tomatoes could be considered a splurge item because even a tiny jar is expensive, but their concentrated, sweet and tangy tomato goodness add so much flavor to a dish! They are certainly the star of this chicken dish that has been making the rounds on social media platforms. Some say the entree is so good, you’ll get a marriage proposal out of it. At any rate, the Parmesan cream sauce that gets spooned on top of the chicken and rice will certainly make your diners swoon. This original recipe from Delish.com is a pretty easy dish to get on the table in quick fashion. Just remember to use a dry pot holder to take the pan out of the oven because it will be very hot; I very stupidly used a damp dish towel and now have another cooking scar. 4 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 3/4 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Fresh basil, torn, for serving, optional Cooked rice, for serving Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Generously season chicken with salt and black pepper and cook, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate. In same skillet over medium heat, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Stir in garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan; season with salt. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet. Transfer skillet to oven. Bake chicken until cooked through and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife, 10-12 minutes. Arrange chicken on a platter. Spoon sauce over. Top with basil, if using, and serve with cooked rice. Serves 4. — delish.com Broccoli with Lemon PG tested Broccoli is a reliable veggie when you need a little something extra to round out a meal and don’t want to spend a fortune. Here, it’s blanched until crisp-tender and then tossed with lemon juice and zest and a pinch of red pepper flakes. I used lemon olive oil (already on hand) for an extra burst of citrus flavor. 1 large bunch broccoli, separated into florets 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter 1 clove garlic, minced Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon 1 pinch (or two) red pepper flakes Flaky salt and freshly ground ground black pepper, to taste Place broccolini in a large skillet with about 2 inches of water; bring to a boil and cook until bright green, 1-2 minutes. Drain. Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic and cook until golden and fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add broccoli; cook and stir until heated through, 2-3 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice and zest over broccoli and season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Serves 4. — Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette Oatmeal Cream Cookies PG tested Remember how if you were lucky when you were a kid you got an individually wrapped Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie in your lunchbox? These soft and chewy oatmeal cookies sandwiched with vanilla buttercream taste exactly the same. Actually, they’re better because they’re not made with corn syrup and artificial flavorings, but rather real butter and brown sugar. It’s important to let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack. Otherwise they will fall apart. The icing is very sweet, so you might want to reduce the amount of powdered sugar. For cookies 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon molasses 1 large egg, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt For filling 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 3 cups powdered sugar 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 teaspoons vanilla Pinch of salt Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line two sheet pans with parchment paper. In stand mixer outfitted with whisk attachment add butter, brown sugar and molasses and beat on low speed until combined. Gradually increase speed to medium-high and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl with spatula, then add egg and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until combined. Add flour, oats, baking soda and salt and beat on low speed until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Use a 1/2 -ounce cookie scoop tor tablespoon measure to portion out equal amounts of dough. Roll the dough in your hands to smooth the edges, then place 2 inches apart on prepared pans. Bake until cookies have puffed up and are set and firm around the edges but still somewhat soft in the middle, 9-11 minutes. Remove sheet pans from oven and allow cookies to rest on the pans for 5 minutes, then use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cookies have cooled, make filling. In stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, confectioners’ sugar, cream, vanilla and salt. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing the speed to high, until creamy and fully incorporated, about 45 seconds. If filling is dry, add a small splash or two of cream. Assemble cookies. Using a small offset spatula or butter knife to spread about 2 tablespoons of filling onto the bottom side of one cookie, then place second cookie on top to sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies and serve. Makes 16 sandwich cookies. —”Sweet Tooth” by Sarah Fennel (Clarkson Potter, $35) ©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The Atlanta Falcons drafting of Michael Penix Jr. just six weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract doesn't seem like that much of a head-scratcher anymore. Penix, the eighth overall pick in this year's draft, was supposed to serve as Cousins' understudy for a year or two, a plan that was scuttled when Cousins quickly lost the zip and accuracy on his passes and his grip on the starting job. It was hard to argue with making the change after Cousins had nine picks and one touchdown pass in his last five starts — but it was a daring move nonetheless with the Falcons trailing first-place Tampa Bay by a single game with three weeks left. Penix made the move pay off with a solid first NFL start in the Falcons' 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday that bolstered Atlanta's playoff hopes , and the Falcons (8-7) moved back into first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers' loss at Dallas on Sunday night. The left-hander was not at all overwhelmed by the moment, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards — numbers that would’ve been better if not for at least three dropped passes, one of which Kyle Pitts bobbled right into the hands of a New York defender for Penix’s lone interception. “He went out and played almost flawless football,” coach Raheem Morris said. Cousins will almost certainly be looking for his fourth team in 2025. If the Falcons cut ties as expected, they'll have paid Cousins $90 million for 14 games. Cousins' career earnings are about $321 million and his record is 84-77-2, including a 1-3 mark in the playoffs and 7-7 this season. In the spirit of expedited judgments, let's take a gander at how other quarterbacks have fared with their new teams in 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers landed the biggest bargain of the season in Wilson, whom they signed for the veteran's minimum of $1.21 million, leaving his former team, the Denver Broncos, on the hook for the remaining $37.79 million of his 2024 salary. Wilson's calf injury in camp forced the Steelers to start Justin Fields, who went 4-2 before Mike Tomlin made the risky switch to Wilson, who's gone 6-3 with 15 TD throws and four interceptions. With the Steelers (10-5) playoff-bound, Wilson will make his first postseason appearance since 2020. The only question is whether it'll be at home as AFC North champ or on the road as a wild-card. They're tied with the Ravens atop the division but currently own the tiebreaker. This was expected to be a rebuilding year in Minnesota after the Vikings lost Cousins in free agency. They signed Darnold, the third overall pick in 2018, to a $10 million, one-year contract and drafted national champion J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener and has undergone two surgeries, opening the way for Darnold's breakthrough season. Darnold brought a 21-35 career record with him to Minneapolis and all he's done is go 13-2 while setting career highs with 32 touchdown passes, 3,776 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage. The Vikings are tied with the Lions atop the packed NFC North and the division crown could come down to Minnesota's season finale at Detroit on Jan. 5. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract and he beat out incumbent Aidan O'Connell for the starting gig. But he only went 2-7 and sustained a season-ending broken collarbone in a Week 12 loss to the Broncos, opening the door for O'Connell (1-4) to return. The Raiders' 19-14 win over Jacksonville on Sunday snapped a 10-game skid but might have taken them out of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes. They are 3-12, a game behind the Giants (2-13), who jettisoned QB Daniel Jones less than two years after signing him to a four-year, $160 million contract and have gone with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito instead. The Chicago Bears had high hopes after drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, but it might turn out that the second QB taken — Washington's Jayden Daniels — is better than the first as was the case last year when C.J. Stroud outperformed Carolina's Bryce Young. Williams has a terrific TD-to-INT ratio of 19-5, but the Bears are 4-11 and have lost nine in a row. Their last win came way back on Oct. 13 against Jacksonville. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU has led the Washington Commanders (10-5) to the cusp of their first playoff appearance since 2020. His bolstered his Rookie of the Year credentials with a five-TD performance Sunday in leading the Commanders to a 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. For the year, Daniels has 22 TD throws and eight interceptions. The former Auburn and Oregon star hasn't looked much like a rookie after starting an NCAA QB record 61 times in college. The Broncos (9-6) could snap an eight-year playoff drought with a win Sunday at Cincinnati thanks to Nix's steady play , Sean Payton's exhaustive guidance and Denver's traditionally stingy defense. Nix was drafted 12th overall after the Broncos released Wilson despite a a whopping $85 million dead money charge on top of the $37.79 million they're paying Wilson to play for Pittsburgh this year. With 22 TDs and 11 interceptions, Nix has almost matched Russell's win total (11-19) in his two seasons in Denver. AP Sports Writer Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed to this report. Behind the Call analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL during the season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, has died at 100BEIJING , Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the end of 2024, we take a look back at the Chinese economy's performance this year. China's domestic GDP grew by 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, 4.7 percent in the second quarter and 4.6 percent in the third quarter this year, with an average growth rate of 4.8 percent in the first three quarters. Since September, as a package of incremental policies continues to yield its effects, China's economy maintains an upward trend. Overall, we are fully confident in achieving our economic growth goal this year. The country's economic performance has been hard-won. Externally, transformations around the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a greater pace, with global economic growth remaining sluggish, and the complexity, severity and uncertainty of the external environment on the rise. At home, domestic demand is insufficient, social expectations remain weak and there are difficulties associated with structural adjustments. The situation is severe and complex, and the task is difficult and weighty. However, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Chinese localities and government agencies are more confident and are taking solid steps to deliver outcomes. The results underscore that "fundamentals of the Chinese economy, and favorable conditions such as a vast market, strong economic resilience and great potential remain unchanged." Huge market, vast space Markets are the scarcest resource. The modernization achieved by 1.4 billion Chinese people has resulted in the addition of a new super-large market larger than those of all developed countries combined. The new development paradigm will enable China to fully unlock its market potential and create greater demand for other countries. With a new car rolling off production line on November 14 , China's annual production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassed the 10 million milestone, becoming the first country in the world to do so. Behind the number is China's robust supply and demand. In the first 10 months, China's production and sales of NEVs grew by 33 percent and 33.9 percent year-on-year, respectively. China continues to take the lead in the electrification and intelligence transformation of the automotive industry, which is attributed to the supply, policy support and demand advantage in the ultra-large market. Markets bring valuable business opportunities. Take cars for example. By the end of June, China had 345 million cars, but the country's car ownership level per 1,000 residents is less than half of that in developed countries. Additionally, China's NEV ownership is only 24.72 million, which means continuous demand in the future. Markets breed competition advantages. China's vast market contributes to the formation of "economy of scale" and "economy of scope," which generates greater profits for enterprises and reduces innovations costs, and also helps provide a large number of application scenarios and boost the large-scale application of innovations. China leads the world in batteries, motors and electronic control technologies, while its intelligent cockpits and intelligent driving are internationally advanced. Thanks to the benign interactions between supply and demand, the industrialization of new technologies and new products is speeding up. Strong resilience, solid basis Resilience strengthens self-belief. China has come to where it is today after overcoming all kinds of difficulties and challenges. Foreign trade is an important barometer in this regard. In the first 10 months of the year, China's foreign goods trade rose by 5.2 percent year-on-year to reach a new high compared with the same period historically. The improvement in the quality and efficiency of the country's foreign trade against the backdrop of shrinking external demand reflects China's economic resilience. This resilience originates from China's solid manufacturing basis and industrial chain advantages. "We could not do what we do without them," Apple CEO Tim Cook said of Chinese suppliers during his third visit to the Chinese mainland this year, as over 80 percent of Apple's 200 major suppliers have set up factories in China . China has the world's most comprehensive industrial categories and a well-rounded industrial system, with the scale of manufacturing industry ranking top for 14 consecutive years. The high-end, intelligent and green development of the manufacturing sector continues to strengthen the stability of the country's industrial and supply chain. In the first three quarters, the manufacturing industry contributed 32.2 percent to the country's economic growth, up 11.2 percentage points. China moved up to 11th place in the ranking of the world's most innovative economies. The basis is solid, and risks and challenges are not to be feared. Resilience also comes from excellent policy adjustments. The nation has been strengthening counter-cyclical adjustments, accelerating the implementation of major national strategies and the development of securities capabilities in key areas while supporting large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in policies for consumer goods with robust measures, boosting the stabilization of the property market and galvanizing the capital market. The government has also put forward a package of measures to dissolve local government debt risks. This year, a series of existing policies continue to produce effects and incremental policies are being effectively implemented, jointly helping the economy stabilize. Vast potential, strong momentum China's economy has vast potential and many advantages and favorable conditions for sustaining long-term development momentum. China has been the world's second-largest economy for many years, but still has vast development potential in terms of per capita and structure. China's per capita GDP remains relatively low, and the country's amount of infrastructure per capita is only 20-30 percent of that of developed countries. In 2023, China's urbanization rate, which measures the ratio of permanent urban residents relative to the total population, reached 66.2 percent by the end of 2023. Estimates show that each percentage point increase in the urbanization rate could drive 1 trillion yuan ( $137.55 billion ) in investment. Currently, both China's fiscal deficit ratio and government debt ratio are low, and the country's policy toolbox remains well-stocked. The potential also lies in elementary resources. China's human resources in science and technology ranked first in the country and the average length of education received by new entrants into the workforce has increased to 14 years, turning the demographic dividend into a talent dividend. In addition, overall sufficient social capitals, vast room for the highly efficient use of land and the vast unleashing of the potential of digital elements provide solid foundational support. This potential also comes from the huge market. The country's population of over 1.4 billion and middle-income population of over 400 million support a large-scale, diverse and huge domestic market. Accelerating the building of a unified national market will improve overall economic operation efficiency and continuously unleash the potential of domestic demand. Overall, China is a country with vast territory, a large population and unbalanced and uncoordinated development. This is a shortcoming, but also represents potential and a driving force for future development. Sparking vitality and building synergy through reform is essential to continuously unleashing development potential. From implementing regulations for fair competition reviews, accelerating the legislative process of the law on the promotion of the private economy and formulating normal communication mechanisms between governments and enterprises, to releasing a new national negative list for foreign investment and removing all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, China's reforms in key fields continue to deepen this year and high-level opening-up advances in an in-depth way. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization. Driven by reform of the economic system, China is correspondingly boosting reform in other fields, and the internal development momentum and vitality will continue to strengthen. Reviewing allows a clear understanding of the situation and better moving forward. While some major economies experience low growth rates and high inflation this year, China is expected to achieve its economic growth target of around 5 percent, and continue to contribute around 30 percent to world economic growth. This stable performance underlines the fact that China's economy will continue to remain on a positive trajectory over the long run. The story was originally published on the front page of the People's Daily on December 8, 2024 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-peoples-daily-article-says-favorable-conditions-for-chinas-economic-development-remain-unchanged-302325568.html SOURCE Global Times
The Atlanta Falcons drafting of Michael Penix Jr. just six weeks after signing Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract doesn't seem like that much of a head-scratcher anymore. Penix, the eighth overall pick in this year's draft, was supposed to serve as Cousins' understudy for a year or two, a plan that was scuttled when Cousins quickly lost the zip and accuracy on his passes and his grip on the starting job. It was hard to argue with making the change after Cousins had nine picks and one touchdown pass in his last five starts — but it was a daring move nonetheless with the Falcons trailing first-place Tampa Bay by a single game with three weeks left. Penix made the move pay off with a solid first NFL start in the Falcons' 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday that bolstered Atlanta's playoff hopes , and the Falcons (8-7) moved back into first place in the NFC South with the Buccaneers' loss at Dallas on Sunday night. The left-hander was not at all overwhelmed by the moment, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards — numbers that would’ve been better if not for at least three dropped passes, one of which Kyle Pitts bobbled right into the hands of a New York defender for Penix’s lone interception. “He went out and played almost flawless football,” coach Raheem Morris said. Cousins will almost certainly be looking for his fourth team in 2025. If the Falcons cut ties as expected, they'll have paid Cousins $90 million for 14 games. Cousins' career earnings are about $321 million and his record is 84-77-2, including a 1-3 mark in the playoffs and 7-7 this season. In the spirit of expedited judgments, let's take a gander at how other quarterbacks have fared with their new teams in 2024. Russell Wilson The Pittsburgh Steelers landed the biggest bargain of the season in Wilson, whom they signed for the veteran's minimum of $1.21 million, leaving his former team, the Denver Broncos, on the hook for the remaining $37.79 million of his 2024 salary. Wilson's calf injury in camp forced the Steelers to start Justin Fields, who went 4-2 before Mike Tomlin made the risky switch to Wilson, who's gone 6-3 with 15 TD throws and four interceptions. With the Steelers (10-5) playoff-bound, Wilson will make his first postseason appearance since 2020. The only question is whether it'll be at home as AFC North champ or on the road as a wild-card. They're tied with the Ravens atop the division but currently own the tiebreaker. Sam Darnold This was expected to be a rebuilding year in Minnesota after the Vikings lost Cousins in free agency. They signed Darnold, the third overall pick in 2018, to a $10 million, one-year contract and drafted national champion J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. McCarthy tore the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener and has undergone two surgeries, opening the way for Darnold's breakthrough season. Darnold brought a 21-35 career record with him to Minneapolis and all he's done is go 13-2 while setting career highs with 32 touchdown passes, 3,776 passing yards and a 67.2% completion percentage. The Vikings are tied with the Lions atop the packed NFC North and the division crown could come down to Minnesota's season finale at Detroit on Jan. 5. Gardner Minshew The Las Vegas Raiders signed Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract and he beat out incumbent Aidan O'Connell for the starting gig. But he only went 2-7 and sustained a season-ending broken collarbone in a Week 12 loss to the Broncos, opening the door for O'Connell (1-4) to return. The Raiders' 19-14 win over Jacksonville on Sunday snapped a 10-game skid but might have taken them out of the Shedeur Sanders sweepstakes. They are 3-12, a game behind the Giants (2-13), who jettisoned QB Daniel Jones less than two years after signing him to a four-year, $160 million contract and have gone with Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito instead. Caleb Williams The Chicago Bears had high hopes after drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, but it might turn out that the second QB taken — Washington's Jayden Daniels — is better than the first as was the case last year when C.J. Stroud outperformed Carolina's Bryce Young. Williams has a terrific TD-to-INT ratio of 19-5, but the Bears are 4-11 and have lost nine in a row. Their last win came way back on Oct. 13 against Jacksonville. Jayden Daniels The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU has led the Washington Commanders (10-5) to the cusp of their first playoff appearance since 2020. His bolstered his Rookie of the Year credentials with a five-TD performance Sunday in leading the Commanders to a 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. For the year, Daniels has 22 TD throws and eight interceptions. Bo Nix The former Auburn and Oregon star hasn't looked much like a rookie after starting an NCAA QB record 61 times in college. The Broncos (9-6) could snap an eight-year playoff drought with a win Sunday at Cincinnati thanks to Nix's steady play , Sean Payton's exhaustive guidance and Denver's traditionally stingy defense. Nix was drafted 12th overall after the Broncos released Wilson despite a a whopping $85 million dead money charge on top of the $37.79 million they're paying Wilson to play for Pittsburgh this year. With 22 TDs and 11 interceptions, Nix has almost matched Russell's win total (11-19) in his two seasons in Denver. AP Sports Writer Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed to this report. Behind the Call analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL during the season. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila on Wednesday called on the faithful to pray for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte for peace to reign between them. “I humbly exhort you all to pray for them that they may receive the grace to exercise statesmanship in most trying times, so that sobriety may prevail in our land, and that political issues and personal interests may not divide the nation,” Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said in a statement. “It is our prayer that they may have the humility to listen to each other with respect and act together for the sake of the country,” the cardinal added. He also urged government and sectoral leaders to help ease the situation instead of aggravating tensions. “I ask all the leaders of goodwill from different sectors of our society to do what they can to prevent the escalation of political and personal conflicts,” Advincula said. He noted that further escalation of this conflict will only bring harm and further neglect those who need help. “The brewing political storm that our political leaders are facing has drained their energy to serve those in most need and the neglected,” the head of the Manila archdiocese added. READ MORE Disbarment complaint against VP Sara Duterte filed by Gadon Marcos no comment on relationship status with Sara Duterte