SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy is charged with distributing the ball to the 49ers’ still-plentiful array of offensive weapons. On Tuesday, he threw disgruntled wide receiver Deebo Samuel his full support. “I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could,” Purdy said. “I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things, and we all do in this building.” Thing is, Samuel’s sub-par production this season has mirrored the 49ers’ rocky road to a 6-7 record entering Thursday night’s visit by the Rams (7-6). “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrote Monday in a since-deleted post on the social media platform X. The timing off that complaint was peculiar. The 49ers had just shaken a three-game losing streak with a 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears, a game Samuel acknowledged was their best offensive showing and most complementary outing. But the 49ers did so with minimal production again from Samuel, who had two catches for 22 yards and five carries for 13 yards. “You read what you read. A little frustrated, for sure,” Samuel said Tuesday at his locker before practice. General manager John Lynch asked 49ers fans to give Samuel “some grace,” and coach Kyle Shanahan also threw support behind Samuel’s gripes. “Deebo and I talk every day so I understand Deebo saying that,” Shanahan said. “Deebo wants to help us out, and the only way he is helping us is getting the ball more. And we’d like to get him the ball more.” Samuel, a two-time captain, has scored just two touchdowns (Week 1 run, Week 5 reception) after 12 last regular season; he had 14 in 2021. He missed the 49ers’ Week 3 loss in Los Angeles because of a calf injury. Three years removed from his All-Pro breakout season, Samuel’s production has taken a nosedive this season, even though he is getting the ball. His 72 touches (40 receptions for 533 yards, 32 carries for 92 yards) are second to only now-injured running back Jordan Mason’s 164. In an X post 10 minutes after complaining about his opportunities, Samuel wrote : “Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!!” Jauan Jennings (57 catches, 774 yards, six touchdowns) and tight end George Kittle (56-800-8) have seized more on their targets from Brock Purdy, while 2022-23 mainstays Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey have missed most of the season injured. “We’d always love things to stay in-house,” Shanahan said. “It’s probably why I don’t go on social media: I’d get worked up if I was reading stuff all the time. Is it a distraction in our building? No.” “He’s one of my best friends on this team. I absolutely love Deebo and what he’s done for me,” Purdy said. “He’s right: he’s doing great right now with what we ask of him the offense. He’s not struggling. Like Ricky (Pearsall) or Aiyuk last year a little bit, there are moments through a season where guys just don’t get the ball, depending on defensive schemes and taking guys away.” Samuel has flourished in the 49ers’ rivalry against the Rams, including three years ago when his “wide back” persona emerged as he scored on both a run and a reception to lead the victorious 49ers out of a 3-5 rut and toward the playoffs. That dual-threat duty is not such an inventive concept anymore, however. “They’re not surprised anymore,” Samuel said. “We’ve been doing it almost three years now, so you’ve got a 50-50 chance whether I’m in the backfield getting a handoff or anything along those lines. They have a glimpse of what’s going on. ... There’s three or four (defenders awaiting) no matter who has the ball.” “Deebo has created such a high standard, the things he’s done, the innovation which we’ve created things for Deebo. That’s part of the problem,” said Lynch, noting that multiple teams now deploy Samuel-esque, dual-threat players that no longer surprise defenses. “... That frustration mounts. But he’s made so many plays for us, I think we need to give this guy some grace and bring him along, because we need him the rest of the way,” Lynch added. “We need him Thursday night. Deebo’s a big part of this team. We’re alright. We can all learn from different situations and a lot of things in the world these days that you can get caught up in.” Some of Samuel’s most productive efforts this season have come as a kick returner (11 returns for 333 yards, including six returns in their Dec. 1 loss at Buffalo). “We’ve got a lot of big football to play and he’ll be a big part of our season moving forward,” Lynch said. As for next season, Samuel carries a $16 million mark on the salary cap. The 49ers restructured his contract in March, so he would incur a $31.6 million hit if he’s released or traded before June 1; after that date, an exit would count $11 million in 2025 and $21 million in ’26. GUERENDO IDLING Running back Isaac Guerendo’s foot sprain Sunday kept him out of Tuesday’s light walkthrough and it’s uncertain whether he’ll make a second straight start. Guerendo ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and he had 50 yards on two catches, before exiting and bequeathing the backfield to Patrick Taylor Jr. Guerendo got clocked at 20.2 mph on a 30-yard, second-quarter carry that was the NFL’s fastest by a running back in Week 14. GREENLAW UPDATE The 49ers remain reluctant to declare whether linebacker Dre Greenlaw will make his season debut Thursday night, the date pegged for his comeback from an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Shanahan said there’s been no setback, that he merely wants to talk first to Greenlaw and see how the next two days go. OTHER INJURY UPDATES Defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique, hip) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will officially miss the fourth week of practice, albeit this week’s only consisting of Tuesday’s walk-through that began at 5:10 p.m. Shanahan has not indicated whether they’ll miss a fourth straight game. While left guard Aaron Banks practiced for the first time since a Nov. 24 concussion in Green Bay, guard Ben Bartch (ankle) did not practice and is expected to go on Injured Reserve before Thursday’s kickoff. Limited were defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, safety Malik Mustapha, and linebackers Dee Winters and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. HARGRAVE MOVEMENT Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s bloated contract was restructured to lessen the 49ers’ financial restraints next year. While that could stage his potential release after two seasons, as pointed out by OverTheCap.com, Hargrave is also more affordable to keep, seeing how his 2025 salary was chopped from $19.9 million to $2.1 million, and his salary cap mark fell from $28 million to $10.3 million. “The plan for him is to be a Niner,” Shanahan said, deferring business matters to the front office staff. “The mechanics of contract stuff, those are things I don’t look into until after the offseason.” Hargrave, 31, has been on injured reserve since tearing a biceps in the Sept. 22 loss at Los Angeles. He made the Pro Bowl last season and totaled seven sacks in his first year with the 49ers. Jordan Elliott replaced him in this season’s lineup next to Maliek Collins, with rookie Evan Anderson, Kevin Givens, Kalia Davis and Khalil Davis also in the interior rotation.
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Dean McCullough's tears have been sneered at by some celebrities who insisted he "wasn't scared" when he was asked to role-play a mummified body and get buried up to the thigh in sand while having meal-worms thrown into his make-shift "sarcophagus". There's been even worse to come for the tearful I'm A Celebrity contestant, who couldn't stand being submerged in sand, as he seemed to receive a very icy rebuttal from Ant McPartlin on tonight's episode. The BBC Radio 1 star, who was nominated for a further trial, exactly as fans had predicted, attempted to crack a joke to relieve the tension. Turning to Ant and Dec, he exclaimed: "Well, well, well. We need to stop meeting like this. I've told you I didn't want another date!" While Declan Donnelly gamely laughed along, Ant gave a blank stare in his direction instead. Fans took to social media to address the apparent snub, with one writing: "Ant hates Dean so much omg his face says it all." A second agreed: "Ant can’t stand Dean. you can tell." A third viewer chimed in: "Ant literally looks like he hates Dean." Meanwhile, poor Dean's attentions might be more focused on the horrors of the trial ahead, after being nominated for the terrifying Jack and the Screamstalk trial. Tulisa made an unsuccessful attempt to reassure him, insisting that the trial wouldn't necessarily be "critter-related". Fortunately for her, she's exempt for "medical reasons" - and the public voted Dean to take on the responsibility. The BBC star has already attracted negative attention for being too theatrical during previous trials, as some refuse to believe that he's scared. He screamed, cried and almost hyperventilated his way through the infamous sarcophagus trial, prompting Strictly pro Ola Jordan and fellow dance champ husband James Jordan to debate on Twitter whether he was "acting". Ola claimed: "I don’t believe one bit that he was scared of that #ImACeleb." James then shot back: "I’m sure he’s a lovely guy but needs to work on his acting skills massively otherwise he will come across a bit fake as he’s definitely trying to play the game." Dean, who recently opened up about his battle with "hidden homelessness" , opted out of the trial after just two stars, yelling the code-word, "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!" as he begged to be released. The decision made him less than popular with his hungry campmates, who'd been struggling alongside him in the jungle - and now fans are certain that Ant is acting frosty too.It isn’t often a UK stock appears on a US company’s investment list. But as 2025 approaches, ( ) shares are top of one firm’s portfolio – and it’s not just any US company. It’s the Sequoia Fund. I don’t spend much time looking at what other investors are doing as a rule, but there are a few exceptions – and this is one of them. Buffett’s only recommendation In 1969, decided he couldn’t see attractive investment opportunities in the stock market. So he made his one-and-only recommendation for investors: the Sequoia Fund. At the time, this was run by Bill Ruane. Not to be confused with Sequoia Capital – a venture capital operation – the firm was focused on principles that align with Buffett’s own and remains that way today. These include thinking like the owner of a business and buying shares in companies to hold for the long term. And since the fund began, this strategy has outperformed the by more than 2% a year. Heading into 2025, Rolls-Royce shares are the company’s largest holding, accounting for around 10% of its overall portfolio. I think that’s something worth paying attention to. Growth sources Over the last couple of years, Rolls-Royce shares have primarily been driven by a recovery in the number of flying hours. But even with this stabilising, Sequoia sees longer-term opportunities ahead. In a letter from this year, the firm identified two major sources of growth for Rolls-Royce. The first is engine innovation in its civil aerospace division, which is around 50% of total revenues. The second is new contract wins in the defence segment. While the payoff for these is further in the future, Sequoia’s anticipating significant returns starting at the end of the decade. These are ongoing long-term sources of growth that explain why the fund hasn’t been selling its stake in Rolls-Royce. But it also hasn’t been adding to its investment. Valuation Sequoia’s investor letter from this year said the following: That’s clearly an attractive proposition, but the Rolls-Royce share price was £3.01 at the time the letter was released. It’s around £5.75, as I write this, which changes the equation a bit. Even if all of the anticipated cash is still to be returned, this now accounts for around 26% of the current . Over the next three years, that’s still a very good return, but it’s much less than it was. There are also clear risks. Anything that disrupts flying hours – such as a pandemic, an Icelandic ash cloud, or a recession – has a big impact on the firm’s profits and the rewards on offer need to justify this. I’m not buying Sequoia’s neither buying nor selling Rolls-Royce shares right now. And I’m not buying either. While I thought the stock was significantly undervalued at the start of this year, I’m not so sure going into 2025.When St. Louis University played a solid defensive first half against Wofford on Wednesday night and then couldn’t follow it up with a similar second half and lost on its home court for the first time this season, coach Josh Schertz pointed to what he called competitive stamina. “Competitive stamina is the ability to play with maximum effort and maximum concentration,” he said. “And that’s what it takes to beat really good teams. You got to do it. You got to be able to do it for 40 minutes. And we got to build that. We haven’t been able to in practice develop that level of competitive stamina.” And one of the reasons they haven’t is because SLU’s personnel situation has made it difficult. As SLU’s bench shortens, the playing time for its starters lengthens. One way to get maximum effort is to give players a rest during a game and, even with all the TV timeout stoppages, Schertz can’t do that. With Kellen Thames looking to be shut down until after Christmas with his strained hip flexor, and with his likelihood of playing even half a game unlikely because of his cramping issue, with Josiah Dotzler out for the season with a knee injury and Larry Hughes II having left the program, that has greatly limited Schertz’s options on the perimeter. Gibson Jimerson and Isaiah Swope both played the full 40 minutes against Wofford and Kobe Johnson, who has stepped into Thames’ starting spot, played 31 minutes. Jimerson is third in the nation in minutes played per game and Swope is 37th. Jimerson has gone the distance four times, including twice in four days against Illinois State and Wofford, and he’s gone at least 37 minutes, 23 seconds in the past six games. Swope has gone 40 twice and 36 minutes or more in six of SLU’s 10 games. With 8:44 to go on Wednesday against Wofford, Schertz had his five starters back on the court and they stayed there until Kilian Brockhoff went in for Kalu Anya with 13.8 seconds to take away the option for Wofford to send Anya to the free throw line again. If Thames can’t play, Schertz has two scholarship perimeter players at his disposal, guard Amari McCottry and forward Dylan Warlick, both freshmen. (In fact, until junior forward AJ Casey can work himself back into game shape, SLU’s entire bench is three freshmen and one sophomore.) Schertz acknowledges that the forced necessity of keeping certain players on the court so long is not helping and he has got to find minutes to give his best players a break, but right now, that’s not easy to do. Still, some of the team’s better pushes in the past two games have come when the rested bench players have come in. SLU has outscored opponents by 14 points with Brockhoff on the court and nine with Warlick playing in the past two games. “I think fatigue can be a part of it,” Schertz said Friday before the team flew to Phoenix for its final nonconference road game, on Sunday afternoon against Grand Canyon. “I think I’ve got to find ways to build in rest for as many guys as I can and I got to find ways to at least sneak ‘Gib’ and Isaiah, some minutes here and there. “Our perimeter is where it’s the hardest because we only have, right now, five perimeter players available. When our roster is fully whole, if you take Kellen out and you take Josiah out and you take Larry out, the 10 players you have left, you have five bigs and you have five guards. And the guards, if you just look at how minutes are broken up, they play about 120 minutes and you have five players trying to get those minutes. And then you got 80 minutes of the four or five, and you got five players competing for those 80 minutes. “But I’ve got to find ways to with Amari, with Dylan, right now, I’ve got to find ways to get those guys more minutes. I think they’re both playing well enough that we can try to squeeze in some more minutes and then build in some breaks for guys like Isaiah and guys like Gib.” Brockhoff’s stock has risen in the past two games. The sophomore transfer from UC Santa Barbara played 9:39 against Illinois State as Avila had foul trouble, and then got 7:10 against Wofford in a game where Avila didn’t have foul trouble. He’s played almost 17 minutes in the past two games after playing just under 23 minutes in the first eight. “He’s got a good-looking shot,” Schertz said. “He can pass the basketball. He’s pretty mobile. Where Kilian’s got to continue to improve is his defense and his rebounding. And I thought he got four rebounds in seven minutes against Wofford, that was a massive for him step forward because he had a couple of chances to make rebound plays against Illinois State and didn’t, and those hurt us a little bit .” Grand Canyon (7-4) is SLU’s last real tune-up before conference play begins on Dec. 31. SLU has one more nonconference game, against NAIA school William Woods. GCU, coached by Bryce Drew, son of former Valparaiso coach Homer Drew, is 7-4. The Billikens and Antelopes have one common opponent, Chicago State, which they both beat at home by 23 points.Q. I recently retired as a customer service specialist in the healthcare industry. I loved my work, the connection to people and feeling I made a difference. I have been slow to look for volunteer work. When I finally decided to do so, I could not find the right fit. Any suggestions? L.G Great news, you made the decision to volunteer. In addition to doing good for individuals or organizations, volunteering in later life has many personal benefits, and that’s for the volunteer. Here are a few reasons to volunteer: Promotes physical and mental health. We know aging ultimately is a declining and gradual process. Volunteering can counter the risk of decline of one’s physical health, reducing risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and even mortality. That’s according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine . The National Institute on Aging reports that volunteering also can affect cognitive aging by keeping the brain engaged, thereby lowering the risk of dementia. Prevents loneliness. Social isolation is a major challenge for many older adults and is considered a public health crisis , according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Volunteering can be part of the solution by providing opportunities to socialize and even make best friends. It can support those suffering from depression. Those who volunteer report their depression is shorter compared to those who do not volunteer, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service . Provides a feeling of purpose. For many, retirement can be a period of relief and at the same time, uncertainty about one’s purpose. In the workplace, purpose typically is well defined. In retirement, not so much. Volunteering can be a reason to get up in the morning, to make a difference or have an opportunity to learn something new. It can help a person feel recharged and needed. Reduces the rate of aging. Individuals age at different rates. According to a study by Associate Professor Cal Halverson at Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, even a small amount of volunteering is linked to slowing the acceleration of biological aging among retirees, even more than for working folks. Volunteers in the study just aged a bit slower. Bridges the generation gap. Interacting with younger generations provides older adults the opportunity to share life lessons. At the same time, younger generations can offer older adults a new way of looking at life that incudes technology. Respect and affirmation are most often shared by both. Here are a few resources that promote intergenerational relationships. CoGenerate, a nonprofit organization, features new multigenerational initiatives and research. See https://cogenerate.org/ . Then there is Sages and Seekers that connects young people with vetted older mentors for weekly virtual conversations. Eldera is a global virtual village where generations come together to connect, learn from each other, have fun and at the same time, create a better future. Now ask yourself a few questions. What do I love to do? Is it working with older adults, children or those with challenges? Do I prefer an outdoor volunteer experience as opposed to spending time in an office, workroom or even remotely. Do I want a hands-on experience or working at a board or policy level?? How many hours a week or days do I want? Am I comfortable making a commitment? Most communities are rich with volunteer resources. One example is the South Bay, Harbor and Long Beach Volunteer Center. It connects volunteers to over 20 organizations that need and welcome volunteers in areas of gardening, education, those with special needs, history and the arts. Also check out Volunteer Match with opportunities linked to your geographic area. AmeriCorps Seniors , a network of volunteer programs for Americans 55 years and older, is another option. Volunteers work in their community and are engaged in academic tutoring and mentoring, elder care, disaster relief, and more. They also are the umbrella organization for the Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP and Senior Companion Program. And don’t forget to check volunteer opportunities at your local hospital, library, school district, botanical gardens as well as art museums. Use your network. If you know someone who has an interesting volunteer position or experience, meet with that individual and learn about possibilities. Finding the right volunteer position takes research, networking and more than that, it involves taking a risk. Know you have nothing to lose. One thing is clear, whatever you chose, you are bringing your life experience and knowledge with you. So, before you even begin, you are an asset. Stay well, enjoy the holiday season and know, “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of others.” ~ Joseph Addison, English poet, playwright and politician. (1672-1719). Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at Helendenn@gmail.com . Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity
Judge grants dismissal of election subversion case against TrumpStock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000Yamandu Orsi, the 57-year-old former history teacher, has emerged as the new president-elect of Uruguay after a tightly contested electoral race. Representing the left-leaning Broad Front coalition, Orsi secured 49.8% of the vote, as he defeated Alvaro Delgado from the governing National Party, who garnered 45.9%. Orsi's victory is underpinned by his promise to maintain Uruguay's moderate political landscape while modernizing the left. His campaign focused on addressing key issues like crime and poverty without resorting to tax increases, opting instead to encourage economic growth through foreign investment. He plans to prioritize social welfare alongside economic advancement. Emphasizing unity, Orsi's leadership style is described as folksy and collaborative, reminiscent of his mentor, former President Jose Mujica. Despite electoral gains for Broad Front in Uruguay's Senate, Orsi aims to promote dialogue as a cornerstone of his presidency, ensuring stability and continued economic prosperity. (With inputs from agencies.)
MIKEL ARTETA did not hold back in his praise for Myles Lewis-Skelly after his first Champions League start as Arsenal's latest graduate more than repaid the faith. Lewis-Skelly showed the confidence and understanding of a player with more than 100 appearances under his belt as the Gunners saw off Monaco 3-0 . Brave on the ball and playing a key role in Arsenal 's first goal - this was a night he can remember fondly. While Arteta continues to worry about just how many injuries are piling up in North London - at least he now has someone he can trust at left-back. With Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined and Jurrien Timber not ready to start, the 18-year-old was given the nod ahead of Kieran Tierney. Arteta hailed the youngster after his Champions League debut versus Monaco, saying: "A really proud moment. He’s one of our own. "It’s just a joy to watch it him, a privilege to be able to give the chance to somebody. He took the chance." Gunners fans have had glimpses in the past, especially when he was involved in a spat with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland before he had even turned 18. But with his progress this season having been hindered by an infected toe, supporters have had to wait a while longer for a proper display. There was plenty to be excited about here, with even Bukayo Saka raving about his display, saying: "His future is very bright. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS "He just needs to keep the same head that he has got, his mentality is top and he is always asking questions, looking to learn. I'm so proud of him. "I just said to him, like I said to him before the game - this is his level. "He needs to have no doubts and play with confidence. “What he’s doing, we see it in training. I was pleased with him, he was a big part of the first goal.” Despite being the youngest player to start in the Champions League for Arsenal since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011, Lewis-Skelly was not lacking in confidence. Whether that was on the ball, taking possession in tight spaces and always looking to play forwards, or telling other far more senior team-mates where they should be. Lewis-Skelly completed a very impressive 45 of 47 attempted passes, always looking to keep the tempo up and with team-mates not afraid to hand him the ball. Arteta asks his full-backs to move inside when the Gunners are in possession and, having come through the ranks as a midfielder, the teen looks more than comfortable doing so. He just needs to keep the same head that he has got, his mentality is top and he is always asking questions, looking to learn. I'm so proud of him. It was from this position he helped craft the opener. Having shifted inside alongside Declan Rice , Lewis-Skelly collected a pass from skipper Martin Odegaard. Under pressure from Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, the No49 took a touch backwards to draw the Frenchman in before darting forwards, leaving him stranded. The England Under-19 settled himself and quickly set Gabriel Jesus in behind with a fine pass, from where the Brazilian squared to setup Saka. As the Gunners had to dig in after the break, Arteta sent on the more experienced Timber to shore things up. But Lewis-Skelly still departed to a standing ovation - surely not the last he will receive from Arsenal supporters. BUKAYO SAKA scored twice as Arsenal saw off Monaco 3-0 in the Champions League. Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players' performances. DAVID RAYA – 7/10 Rarely troubled throughout the game, but did what he had to do. Commanding in the box, and pretty good distribution-wise, with only a few mistakes on that front. THOMAS PARTEY – 6 A mixed bag from Partey tonight, with a few nice passes creating dangerous attacks, and a few going wildly astray. Wasn't caused an awful lot of trouble by Monaco's left side. WILLIAM SALIBA – 7 Solid at the back as per usual. Always gives you a seven out of ten. JAKUB KIWIOR – 7 A capable deputy in Gabriel's absence, sharp on the ball and dependable off of it. Equally as good as Saliba next to him. MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 9 Playing as a left-back, Lewis-Skelly became the latest Hale End academy graduate to make his full Champions League debut vs Monaco. A sensational bit of play to beat Monaco's press allowed him to slot an inch-perfect ball into Jesus who set up Saka for Arsenal's opener. Given a standing ovation by the home support when he left the pitch after 64 minutes. DECLAN RICE – 7 Broke up play nicely as he always does, often sliding in to shut down Monaco attacks. Not as threatening as we have seen him be previously going forward, but that wasn't his job this evening with Merino alongside him. MIKEL MERINO – 4 I wasn't moved. Arsenal fans might be left slightly disappointed by the Odegaard - Merino - Rice midfield they were excited about. Looked heavy and slow, and got booked. MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5 Not his usual elegant self in midfield for Arsenal. Unfortunately let down by his end product tonight, as he missed two huge chances to double their lead either side of half-time. GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 4 A threat down the left side in the first half, he should've had an assist were it not for Arsenal's number nine. While he showed some bright sparks, his end product in general was not good enough. BUKAYO SAKA – 8 In the right place at the right time as he so often is to open the scoring after a great ball across the box by Jesus. Reacted quickly to a goalkeeper mistake and finished into the far corner for what was his seventh home Champions League goal in seven home Champions League games - clinical. GABRIEL JESUS – 5 Could've had a first-half brace, but for his lack of composure, as he missed TWO huge 1v1 chances early on in the tie. What he lacked in finishing however, he made up for with a quality assist to set up Saka for the opening goal. SUBS: LEANDRO TROSSARD (GABRIEL MARTINELLI, 64) – 5 Much the same story as the man whom he replaced. JORGINHO (DECLAN RICE, 64) – 6 A calming presence in the Arsenal midfield, helped to settle the ball when he got on it. JURRIEN TIMBER (MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY, 64) – 6 Replaced the best player on the pitch and Arsenal's level didn't drop much. KAI HAVERTZ (GABRIEL JESUS, 73) – 8 Put the goalkeeper under plenty of pressure to force the mistake for Saka's second. Got the faintest of nicks for the Gunners’ third. ETHAN NWANERI (MARTIN ODEGAARD, 79) – 5 Another good few minutes in the tank for the Arsenal starlet with a very bright future. Some good touches to get the home fans excited.
“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. Related Articles “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.
NEW YORK — Half of the claims for public matching funds that Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign submitted in the most recent reporting period were deemed “invalid” by the city’s Campaign Finance Board, the highest rejection rate the mayor’s team has faced to date, records obtained by the Daily News show. The rejections come at a critical time for Adams’ campaign. The CFB is weighing whether to give Adams’ 2025 campaign any matching funds at all amid his federal indictment on charges alleging he took illegal political donations and bribes, mostly from Turkish government operatives. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.NoneHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
As BlueSky Surges, Could Trump Sell His Truth Social Shares Ahead of Inauguration?
The 2024 college football season may have slowed down, as most teams across the country have shifted into bowl and playoff mode. But one thing that is heating up every day is the college football transfer portal. The official transfer portal window opened on Monday, Dec. 9, and will close on Dec. 28. The transfer portal has become a vital tool in college football recruiting, especially in 2024. Coaches across the county use both the portal and recruiting classes to build their rosters every season. Let's run through the top list of college football transfer portal players and see which guys can make immediate impacts at their schools. MORE CFB: Transfer portal QB tracker | Bill Belichick rumors tracker Transfer portal rankings 2025: Top players available While this list is subjective, we'll use 247Sports' rankings as a guide. 1. Luke Kromenhoek, QB, Florida State: Florida State switched between quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei, Brock Glenn, and true freshman Luke Kromenhoek this year. In six games during Florida State's 2-10 season, Kromenhoek threw for 502 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, rushing for 113 yards. A 4-star recruit, Kromenhoek was the No. 5 ranked signal-caller from the class of 2024, per 247Sports. Possible landing spot: Georgia Bulldogs, given that he is from Savannah and was a top-10 prospect in the state. 2. Eric Singleton Jr., WR, Georgia Tech : Singleton had an outstanding first two seasons at Georgia Tech. He started playing as a true freshman and combined for 1,468 yards receiving with nine touchdowns over his past two seasons. Possible landing spot: He is scheduled to visit Ole Miss, Georgia, and Auburn this week. Any one of these teams could use a talented wideout like Singleton. 3. Princewill Umanmielen, EDGE, Nebraska: Princewill is the younger brother of former Florida and Ole Miss defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen. He spent the past two seasons at Nebraska, where he racked up 35 total tackles with eight for loss, including 1.5 sacks. Possible landing spot: 247's Crystal Ball projections has him following his older brother and ending up at Ole Miss. 4. Dane Key, WR, Kentucky: Key was a bright spot during a tough year for the Wildcats, who finished 4-8 on the season. Key put up the best numbers of his career, getting 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns. Possible landing spot: A Kentucky native, Key has the talent to transfer to a bigger SEC program. He has been rumored to potentially be taking a visit to Louisville, as well. 5. Nic Anderson, WR, Oklahoma: Anderson had an unfortunate start to 2024, playing in just one game before suffering a season-ending quad injury. He had a breakout season for the Sooners in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, making 38 catches for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns, which was second on the team. Possible landing spot: Although Anderson doesn't have visits lined up just yet, he took official visits to USC, Oregon, and Penn State in high school. He is originally from Kathy, Texas, so the Longhorns could certainly be in play. 6. Hunter Zambrano, IOL, Illinois State: Zambrano spent the past four seasons at Illinois State, making 23 starts from 2021-23. He suffered a season-ending hip injury early in the 2024 season. Possible landing spot: Zambrano is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He'll have his pick of schools as an experienced offensive lineman, despite his injury. 7. KC Concepcion, WR, NC State: Concepcion had a breakout season as a true freshman at NC State, accounting for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. His numbers dipped a bit this year, getting just 53 receptions for 460 yards and six scores. Possible landing spot: Concepcion has reportedly been targeted by Alabama and is visiting Texas A&M on Tuesday. 8. Maalik Murphy, QB, Duke: Murphy started his career at Texas from 2022-23, making two starts for the Longhorns in 2023. He threw for 477 yards three touchdowns and an interception. Following his transfer to Duke last offseason, he threw for 2,933 yards with 26 touchdowns —a Duke school record— and 12 interceptions. Possible landing spot: Murphy is from Inglewood, Calif., so the likes of USC and UCLA could certainly be in the mix. He has the experience to have his pick of where to play, though. 9. Patrick Kutas, IOL, Arkansas: Kutas started in 13 games over two seasons for the Razorbacks, where he signed in 2022. Possible landing spot: 247's Crystal Ball projects Kutas to end up at Ole Miss. 10. Jaheim Oatis, DL, Alabama: Over his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa from 2022-23, Oatis accounted for 55 total tackles, including 16 for loss. Early this season, Oatis dealt with numerous injuries and didn't see much playing time, prompting him to opt out of the season and enter the portal in early October. Possible landing spot: 247's Crystal Ball also predicts Oatis to sign with Ole Miss. 11. Micah Hudson, WR, Texas Tech: Despite being a former 5-star recruiting prospect and the nation's No. 4 overall wideout for 2024, Hudson didn't see the field much this year in Lubbock. He finished with just eight receptions for 123 yards. Possible landing spot: Hudson is reportedly set to visit Texas A&M in the coming weeks. The Aggies also recruited him while he was in high school. 12. Williams Nwaneri, EDGE, Missouri: Williams was a highly-touted recruit from the class of 2024. A former 5-star prospect, he was the No. 1 overall defensive lineman prospect in his class. He played in just two games for Missouri this season, getting two total tackles and a sack. Possible landing spot: He'll have his pick of schools as a talented prospect, but he looks to be an early LSU target. 13. Barion Brown, WR, Kentucky: Over the past three seasons for the Wildcats, Brown had accounted for 1,528 yards with 11 touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per catch. Possible landing spot: He reportedly is being recruited by a number of SEC schools, as well as Florida State. 14. Bear Alexander, DL, USC: Alexander is on the move again, starting his career at Georgia in 2022 and winning a national title with the Dawgs that season. He transferred to USC before the 2023 season and had 48 total tackles with 1.5 sacks last year. After playing in three games for USC this season, he decided to take a redshirt and enter the transfer portal. Possible landing spot: Alexander has been linked to Oregon, Penn State, and SMU early on. 15. James Williams, EDGE, Nebraska: Williams spent the past two seasons at Nebraska, accounting for 18 total tackles including seven sacks in Lincoln. Possible landing spot: Williams already has a visit lined up with Florida State in the coming weeks. 16. Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M: Weigman is one of the more talented signal-callers in this year's transfer portal class. He was a five-star QB prospect from the class of 2022, signing with Jimbo Fisher's No. 1 overall recruiting class. Although he has dealt with some injuries during his career, he's thrown for 2,694 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions over the past three seasons. Possible landing spot: Weigman can have his pick of where to go. One possible fit might be Notre Dame, which has used transfers like Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard in back-to-back seasons. 17. Mario Craver, WR, Mississippi State: Craver spent 2024 as a true freshman at Mississippi State. He had a solid season, finishing with 17 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Possible landing spots: Craver played high school football in Alabama, so expect Alabama and Auburn to be in the mix. Both schools offered him during his recruiting process last year. 18. Max Klare, TE, Purdue: During the Boilermakers' 1-11 season, Clare was a bright spot. He led the team in receiving with 685 yards and four touchdowns on the year. Possible landing spots: A native of Cincinnati, Klare was previously committed to Duke during his high school recruiting process. 19. Johntay Cook II, Texas, WR: It's rare to have a player on a team in the CFP enter the portal, but Cook II is here. He hasn't had much production, accounting for just 16 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons. He was ranked as the No. 3 wideout in the class of 2023. Possible landing spots: There were rumors that Cook was planning a visit to Texas A&M, but it appears he doesn't have any set just yet. He is from DeSoto, Texas. 20. Reggie Virgil, WR, Miami (Ohio): Virgil has spent the past three seasons at Miami of Ohio, getting 43 receptions for 878 yards and 10 touchdowns. Possible landing spots: Virgil, from Apopka, Fla., is expected to be a Miami Hurricanes target, and he reportedly has plans to visit the University of Florida. Transfer portal rankings 2025 by position Quarterbacks Wide Receivers Running backs Tight ends Offensive tackles Interior offensive lineman Defensive linemen EDGE rushers Defensive backs Linebackers Punters/Kickers TBD
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw (Image: AAP/Dominic Giannini) Immediately following the horrific antisemitic arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue, before perpetrators or their motives had even been revealed — and before our communities had a chance to catch our breath — politicians and interest groups started capitalising on the attack by advocating for increased policing and a law and order response. As a Jewish historian, I’m deeply concerned that this approach fundamentally misunderstands antisemitism and how to combat it. Antisemitic arson attacks on synagogues and cars are beyond the pale and an attack on our collective values of diversity. The perpetrators must be investigated and held to account for the terror they have instilled in Jewish communities. But a broad police crackdown — including targeting protests, as suggested by Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism — will not make even a small dent in antisemitism. A synagogue minutes from my home was set ablaze. This is why many Jewish Australians live in fear Read More The Australian Federal Police has set up special operation Avalite , a mobile squad of counterterrorism investigators who will have expanded powers to focus on threats, violence and hatred toward the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians. There is a real problem of antisemitism in Australia, but it can not be solved by more policing. It’s a problem of racism. At the Jewish Council of Australia, where I am executive officer, we cop antisemitic abuse daily — from the far right, from conspiracy theorists, from Zionists attacking our Jewish identity, and from a lot of people who think we are somehow responsible for Israel’s genocide. It’s well documented that antisemitic incidents increase whenever Israel is committing atrocities. Jewish identities trace back more than 3,000 years and span many cultures and traditions. Zionism is a political ideology with Jewish and non-Jewish adherents, just over 120 years old. When the media, politicians and pro-Israel lobby groups all consistently assert a fictitious, absolute alignment between Jewish identity in Australia and the actions of Israel, it’s not hard to see why a racist idea takes hold that Jews as a whole are to blame for Israel’s actions. But this form of racism does not take place in a vacuum. Contrary to Zionist rhetoric, antisemitism is a historical and political phenomenon , not an “eternal hatred” that simply recurs in all societies for thousands of years. It is not a pathology or a problem of “antisemites”, or an issue simply of the far right or far left. Antisemitism is a form of racism that has come to the fore at various points throughout Australian society since the 1890s, shaped by broader racial ideologies. Racism against different groups in Australia has always been tied to geopolitics and Western imperialism: from invasion and colonisation, to competition with China, to the War on Terror — from the exclusion of Chinese people through to panics around asylum seekers and Muslim migrants. White Jews in Australia were mostly considered “white” until the 1930s, when potential Jewish migrants — refugees from Germany and Austria — were racialised and considered unassimilable. Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s, Australia’s immigration policies discriminated against Jews. In the late 1940s, antisemitism was exacerbated by fears of Jewish terrorism in Palestine and stereotypes portraying Jewish Holocaust survivors as clannish, communist agents, black marketeers and anti-British. These racist ideas mirrored those directed against Asians, illustrating how antisemitism in Australia has always intertwined with and reinforced other forms of racism. ‘They’ll be more upset’: Albo flagged shift in Australia’s Israel-Palestine position at private Labor event Read More Understanding antisemitism requires seeing beyond an exceptionalist narrative. It demands we recognise how racism works through an interconnected racial order that continually redraws boundaries of power and belonging. The Human Rights Commission’s recently released national anti-racism framework draws these links and gives us a solid plan to tackle all forms of racism across Australian society. The spectacle of arrests in a law and order crackdown, likely including some of the favourite Muslim and Palestinian targets of pro-Israel Jewish groups and the right-wing press, will serve as national security/anti-terror theatre. The optics aim to reassure the public, and Jews in particular, but they do so by racialising and marginalising others. The Scanlon Foundation’s recent “Mapping Social Cohesion” report found that negative attitudes towards Jewish people have increased from 9% in 2023 to 13% in 2024. While this is certainly worrying, it pales in comparison to the now one in three (34%) adults that have a somewhat or very negative attitude towards Muslims (up from 27%). These figures can’t be separated from the rhetoric of “anti-terrorism” and Israel’s genocidal war, which has seen anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim racism proliferate . True safety for Jewish communities cannot be achieved through divisive crackdowns that associate Jews and the fight against antisemitism with the police and state power. The continued exceptionalisation of antisemitism, treating it as a standalone or special type of racism — put starkly by Senator Dave Sharma who recently condemned ALP ministers for talking about a “fictitious Islamophobia” in the same breath as antisemitism — is a recipe for the continued use of Jews as political footballs by both major parties and the entrenchment of anti-Jewish attitudes. Jewish communities deserve real protection — not a false sense of security purchased at the expense of other marginalised groups. We need solutions that address the roots of antisemitism in the broader problem of racism in Australian society, not law enforcement theatre that only breeds more division. Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, is continuing to meet with Senators who will decide whether to approve his elevation to the post. There are still questions about reported sexual misconduct allegations, allegations of mismanagement of funds while leading a veterans' charitable organization, and questions about alcohol and drinking issues that he reportedly had while working at Fox News. Those questions have reportedly come up with Hegseth's meetings with senators. Hegseth met Monday with Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, who is herself a military veteran and a sexual assault survivor. Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday told reporters he has learned more about Hegseth's reported history with alcohol. "[Hegseth] admitted that coming back from deployment he and a lot of his young single service members did enjoy drinking and partying. I don't find that unusual or abnormal," Cornyn said. "He doesn't currently believe that he has a problem. He has in the past consumed alcohol, but I don't think he would be unique here on Capitol Hill or in the Pentagon for having done that." RELATED STORY | Trump doubles down on support for Hegseth amid contentious nomination process Cornyn and other Republican senators have also reiterated that the allegations of sexual misconduct against Hegseth so far come from anonymous accusers. It's still not clear if accusers would come forward before or during confirmation hearings. Hegseth is expected to meet soon with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, another pivotal voice in the Senate who could lend crucial support to Hegseth's nominations. Republicans have a large enough majority in the next Congress to not need Democratic votes to confirm any of Trump's cabinet nominations — but that majority is still slim enough that the party can sustain only a few defections.
‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?
It’s not hard to understand the value tight end Josh Oliver brings to the Vikings. ADVERTISEMENT Just listen to the way people talk about him. “He’s an animal,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said. “Once he gets his hands on somebody, it’s kind of like, ‘Good luck.'” It was similar sentiment from offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. “He’s the best blocking tight end in the league, and that’s no disrespect to anybody else,” Phillips said. “We will take Josh over anybody in this league in the role that he’s in. It’s not only that he’s physically imposing as a 270-pound man. It’s the attitude that he plays with out there.” ADVERTISEMENT What are the Vikings losing now that Oliver has been ruled out with an ankle injury? His absence will be felt most when the Vikings try to run the ball against the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Though he has proved he can contribute in the passing game, Oliver has been a force in the running game since signing with the Vikings. There have been multiple times this season that Oliver had singlehandedly carved out space for running back Aaron Jones to go to work. That’s partially why Hockenson has played only about 50% of the offensive snaps since returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament a few weeks ago. Even if the Vikings are often telegraphing a run when Oliver is on the field, they don’t care because they feel that strongly about his ability as a blocker. “You see it every single week,” Phillips said. “He’s moving large men and putting them on the ground.” ADVERTISEMENT It’s safe to assume Oliver would suit up for the Vikings if he were able to do so. He’s been playing through a wrist injury for the past few weeks, for example, and has still been extremely effective at the point of attack. How tough is it to replace Oliver in a vacuum? “It’s a big challenge because of all the things he does on a snap in and snap out basis,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We will see some guys make some impacts on some different downs and distances than we have maybe seen up to this point.” ADVERTISEMENT The only other players on the injury report for the Vikings are tight end Nick Muse (hand) and edge rusher Gabe Murphy (knee). Both players were officially listed as questionable and being full participants in the walkthrough on Friday afternoon at TCO Performance Center. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .LONDON , NEW YORK , and SYDNEY , Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DAZN , a world-leading sports entertainment platform, has today announced an agreement to acquire Foxtel Group (' Foxtel ') from its majority shareholder News Corp and minority shareholder Telstra at an enterprise value of US$2.2 billion , subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition establishes DAZN as a leader in sports entertainment in Australia – a highly attractive sports market – while also expanding DAZN's global footprint and enhancing the group's standing as the global home of sport. The addition of Foxtel to DAZN brings the Group's pro-forma revenues towards US$6 billion and provides the additional content, expertise, and expansion opportunities to accelerate DAZN's growth trajectory. Foxtel is one of Australia's leading media companies, with 4.7 million subscribers, who will benefit from DAZN's extensive portfolio of sports content, platform technology, and global reach. From its beginnings as Australia's original pay-TV innovator, Foxtel has evolved to become a digital and streaming leader in sports and entertainment and the proposed transaction positions Foxtel for continued expansion as a digital-first, streaming-focused business. Foxtel will maintain its local character, led by the CEO, Patrick Delany , and his world-class management team. DAZN, a sports streaming platform with a truly global reach, is committed to growing the global audience for domestic Australian sports across the 200 territories in which it is available. Under the terms of the transaction, News Corp and Telstra will become minority shareholders in DAZN, enabling them to retain an interest in Foxtel. Shay Segev , Chief Executive Officer of DAZN, said: "Australians watch more sport than any other country in the world, which makes this deal an incredibly exciting opportunity for DAZN to enter a key market, marking another step in our long-term strategy to become the global home of sport. Foxtel is a successful business that has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, and we are confident that our global reach and relentless pursuit of innovation will continue to drive the business forward and ensure long-term success. "We are committed to supporting and investing in Foxtel's television and streaming services, across both sports and entertainment, using our world-leading technology to further enhance the viewing experience for customers. We are also committed to using our global reach to export Australia's most popular sports to new markets around the world, and we will continue to promote women's and under-represented sports. "We're looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN, to realise our ambitious vision for the future of sport entertainment." Siobhan McKenna , the Chairman of Foxtel , said the agreement with DAZN was international recognition of the transformation of Foxtel from an incumbent pay TV operator to a sports and entertainment digital and streaming leader. "Over the last seven years the Foxtel team, with the strong support of News, have achieved an extraordinary turnaround in an intensely competitive environment." Foxtel Group CEO, Patrick Delany , said: "Today's announcement is a natural evolution for the Foxtel Group, having reinvented the company over the past five years as Australia's most dynamic technology-led streaming company. "Kayo and Foxtel provide Australian sports fans with access to the best Australian and international sport and shows, including AFL, NRL and Cricket with 4.7 million subscribers. "We are excited by DAZN's commitment to the Australian market. They are experts in the sports media business and can play a significant role in supporting Foxtel as the business grows its streaming capabilities, bringing a bigger and better service to customers across entertainment, news and sport. They are a perfect match for us as we look toward this next era of growth. "We have been grateful for the support of News Corp while we reimagined the future of Foxtel. In 2019, when we merged Foxtel and Fox Sports we had many people questioning our future. "After launching Kayo later in 2019 and BINGE in 2020, today we are the largest Australian-based streamer of sport and entertainment, we have stabilised our Foxtel base and launched Hubbl to help consumers find all the streamed content they love all in one place. This wouldn't have been possible without the support and encouragement of News Corp." NOTES TO EDITORS About DAZN As a world-leading sports entertainment platform, DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide. DAZN is the home of European football, women's football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. DAZN partners with leading pay-TV operators, ISPs and Telcos worldwide to maximise sports exposure to a broad audience. Its partners include Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Sky, Movistar, Telenet, Vodafone, and many more. DAZN is a global, privately-owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 3,000 employees. The Group generated $3.2bn in revenue in 2023, having grown its annual revenues by over 50% on average from 2020 to 2023, through diverse revenue streams comprising subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, and transactional. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com . About Foxtel The Foxtel Group is one of Australia's leading media companies with 4.7 million subscribers. Its businesses include subscription television, streaming, sports production and advertising. The Foxtel Group is owned 65% by News Corp and 35% by Telstra. The Foxtel Group's diversified business includes Fox Sports, Australia's leading sports production company, famous for live sports and shows with the best commentators and personalities. It is also the home of local and global entertainment content and continues to be the partner of choice for the widest range of sports and international content providers based on established, long-term relationships, growing streaming audiences, and position as the largest Australian-based subscription television company. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dazn-advances-global-expansion-with-acquisition-of-foxtel-a-leading-australian-sports-and-entertainment-media-group-302337994.html SOURCE DAZN