Vikings staying on track and in control behind Sam Darnold's composure and confidenceTHE actions of a passenger on a flight have sparked a heated debate among flyers. People rushed forward with their opinions on TikTok after a user shared a video of herself making a Matcha Latte from her seat on the plane. TikToker Jaz Hand filmed herself from the plush seats of a business class flight telling viewers: "Make a matcha on a plane with me." She went on to make the iced version of the green tea leaf drink. But, it was not as simple as simply adding some Matcha powder to some cold milk and drinking it. First, she got out a bowl and a small sieve to sift the matcha powder which she then put into a glass, added water from a bottle and then used an electric hand frother to combine the ingredients. read more about flights If that wasn't enough faff, she then put ice cubes into a plastic drinking cup, poured in the milk, and then added the watery matcha mix. She then prepared another addition for the drink which may have been a sweetener which she mixed in a glass with water before also adding that to her drink. Finally, she was done with her concoction, placing a lid on the top, adding a straw and giving it a stir and sip. "That is so good dude," she mouthed to the person next to her. Most read in News Travel However, her travel buddy and fellow TikToker Riley Hemson posted a video of her own from the flight in which she seemed less than impressed at Jaz's onboard antics. I can't believe she's doing this on the plane?" Hemson said in her own video showing the matcha latte creation from her point of view. "I've seen it all truly," she added. "This would enrage me," one shocked viewer wrote in the comments. "Socially unacceptable," another said. "Hey so this is insane.......And I am 110% here for it and in full support ICONIC behaviour," a third wrote. Others argued that the TikToker should try to do the same in economy class while others questioned where she got the ice from. While some were shocked at her actions, others were supportive. "It’s true commitment to the matcha addiction," one joked. IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules... RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn't recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop. He said: "Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half." Before you recline your seat , it's best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing. If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back. FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun : "Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for. "Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else. "If you do insist on stretching out , please make sure your feet are covered up." CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren't welcome, suggesting that others shouldn't expect a chat. She added: "I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time." "No but when you have to travel like A LOT like 2-3 times in a week you start to do everything on planes trust me," another said. "Why is everyone freaking out over this let her have her matcha," a third argued. "I mean as long as she’s not being annoying with the noise for too long." Another flyer shared the shocking moment a passenger seated next to them decided to make a snack. "I once sat next to someone who whipped out a loaf of bread a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jam and proceeded to make sandwiches," they said. READ MORE SUN STORIES Another debate was sparked over the summer after a passenger dropped a bombshell decision about those who sit on the aisle seat. In the US a mid-flight drink service saw a man filed a lawsuit seeking $150,000 after he claimed he was left with a disfigured penis and scarred testicles from scalding water.COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
'Wants to see improvement': Why this star free agent has put contract talks on holdCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without point guard LaMelo Ball for at least two weeks because of a strained left calf. Ball felt discomfort in his calf after Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat and did not play against the New York Knicks on Friday. The team said he will be reevaluated on Dec. 11, which is two weeks from the date of the original injury. Ball has been hot for the Hornets, averaging 40.3 points in his last four games. He is averaging a career-best 31.1 points and 4.7 3-pointers per game for the season, which ranks second in the NBA. He also is averaging 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 starts. Ball has had a history of injury problems, mostly to his ankles, since coming to the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The only Hornets player to ever receive a max contract extension, Ball has played in just 202 games with 182 starts in five seasons. The team also said guard Tre Mann’s lower back soreness has been diagnosed as a disk irritation. His absence from the lineup began on Nov. 23 against Milwaukee. He will continue his rehabilitation and be reevaluated in two weeks. “They are competitors and they want to be out there on the court to compete and hoop, but they also want to be out there for their teammates,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said prior to Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "I just walked past ’Melo as I was coming in here to do media, and he’s like, ‘I’m going to take care of everything I need to do on this return to play program and I’m going to attack it with the right mindset.’ I have all the confidence in the world in our performance staff and in those guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAThey were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in Lisbon
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.The Policy Research Working Paper authored by researchers from the World Bank, Central European University, and the Government Transparency Institute, explores the impact of green public procurement (GPP) on governance and economic efficiency. This study, covering 2011 to 2019, investigates Bulgaria’s unexpected progress in GPP, a country that faces governance challenges like high corruption risks and limited competition in public procurement. The findings highlight how integrating sustainability criteria into public spending can improve competition, reduce corruption risks, and enhance economic outcomes, even in challenging environments. Green Public Procurement’s Growing Role GPP constituted 10-20% of Bulgaria’s total public procurement spending during the study period, significantly higher than previous estimates. By analyzing over 148,000 contracts, researchers found that green criteria were most often embedded in product descriptions and technical specifications rather than in bid evaluation criteria. This marks a shift in how sustainability is integrated into public procurement, focusing more on what is procured (e.g., renewable energy or electric vehicles) than on how bids are scored. The findings challenge traditional views of GPP as a peripheral policy tool and underscore its growing role as a core component of procurement strategies aimed at sustainability. Fostering Competition Through Innovation One of the most significant outcomes of GPP is its ability to foster competition in markets traditionally dominated by entrenched networks. The study found that GPP increased the participation of new firms in public procurement by 3-7 percentage points, particularly those from outside the procuring authority’s locality. This broader participation disrupts monopolistic practices and opens opportunities for diverse market players. Additionally, green contracts were associated with a reduction in single-bid tenders by 0.6-1.5 percentage points, a metric often linked to corruption. By incentivizing market entry and increasing competition, GPP effectively reduces the concentration of procurement markets and encourages transparency. Reducing Corruption Risks The study highlights GPP’s role in reducing corruption risks in public procurement. Contracts that incorporated green criteria were less likely to be awarded through non-competitive processes. The likelihood of single-bid contracts, a red flag for corruption, decreased significantly under GPP frameworks. Furthermore, green procurement fosters more open and transparent procurement procedures, challenging the dominance of entrenched players and limiting opportunities for collusion. This alignment of sustainability with integrity offers a compelling argument for scaling GPP as a means to tackle corruption, especially in countries with governance challenges. Boosting Productivity and Economic Efficiency Beyond governance improvements, GPP significantly enhances economic outcomes by channeling public resources to more productive firms. The analysis revealed that firms awarded GPP contracts demonstrated 14% higher labor productivity compared to those awarded non-green contracts. This productivity differential rose to 19% in low-corruption-risk GPP contracts. These findings suggest that GPP attracts firms with superior technology and management capabilities, enabling them to meet the stringent environmental requirements of green contracts. This alignment between environmental and economic goals underscores GPP’s potential to support both sustainability and economic growth. Challenges and Future Implications Despite its benefits, GPP faces implementation challenges, including high upfront costs, complexity in procurement processes, and limited awareness among procurement professionals. These barriers can hinder its broader adoption, especially in less developed markets. Moreover, GPP often interacts with other policies, such as social and environmental regulations, making it difficult to isolate its specific impacts. Nevertheless, the study’s findings highlight the transformative potential of GPP, particularly when implemented strategically and consistently. By fostering market development and encouraging innovation, GPP can create long-term benefits that extend beyond the immediate procurement process. A Path Toward Sustainable Development The study establishes that GPP serves as a tool for achieving environmental goals and strengthens governance and economic efficiency. By encouraging competition, reducing corruption risks, and promoting productivity, GPP demonstrates its value as a comprehensive policy mechanism. The findings suggest that even in governance-challenged environments like Bulgaria, GPP can drive meaningful change. Policymakers are encouraged to invest in sustainable procurement practices, which, over time, can build markets for environmentally friendly products, foster innovation, and amplify economic benefits. The Bulgarian case provides a compelling model for other nations seeking to integrate sustainability into their public procurement systems, proving that green choices in public spending can lead to a less corrupt, more competitive, and economically dynamic future.
Muscat: The Omani stock market continued its bearish momentum for the fifth consecutive week, registering a decline of 0.99%, according to an industry expert. “Market sentiment was influenced by the downturn in oil prices, as speculation around a potential ceasefire between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel led to a reduction in the oil risk premium,” said Ahmed Negm, Head of Market Research MENA at XS.com. “However, the situation remained volatile as the ceasefire agreement showed signs of a breach during the final days of the week,” he further added. Market attention is now focused on the upcoming Opec+ meeting, which is expected to be a crucial catalyst for both oil prices and regional markets, particularly given the ongoing discussions about maintaining current production cuts. The market’s monthly performance concluded on a negative note, with prices approaching support levels last seen in December 2023. The sector’s performances this week were all negative, starting with the services sector as the worst performer with 1.13% Abraj energy services recorded a 0.72% loss and Oman Telecom saw a 4.21% decline, while Al Suwadi Power was negative by 2.47%. Albatinah power was also down by 3.70%. The Industrial sector was also on the negative side, sliding by 0.89%, Galfar Engineering and contracting was lower by 2.13%, also Al Anwar ceramic was also in the red, falling by 10.91% and Almaha Ceramic by 7.91%. The financial sector was on the same track, retreating 0.40% led by the banking sector. Bank Muscat was lower by 1.18%, while National Bank of Oman was down by 4.14% and Bank Nizwa by 2.02%. “At the same time, the market could find support in OQ Base Industries’ $490 million IPO,” said Ahmed Negm. “The new listing saw strong institutional demand, and was oversubscribed multiple times at the maximum price of 111 baisas per share,” he further added.
Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateSEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step downEuropean shares are expected to reach new peaks in 2025 but with only a modest rise as uncertainty surrounding U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff plans and weak euro area growth limit gains, a Reuters poll of equity strategists found. The pan-continental STOXX 600 .STOXX index is expected to rise to 536 points by end-2025, according to the median forecast in the poll, up more than 5% from Monday’s close of 508.78 and above a record high of 528.68 touched in September. Predictions in the Nov. 15-26 poll of 14 analysts ranged from 470 to 590. “The journey to this upside won’t be painless,” said Michael Field, European market strategist at Morningstar, who predicts a little over a 3% increase. “The volatility in European equities we’ve seen since the U.S. election will likely be a theme that endures throughout 2025.” European shares have underperformed their U.S. counterparts this year as sluggish domestic growth, political uncertainty and the threat of tariffs on goods imported by the U.S. have weighed. While the STOXX 600 has gained about 6% this year, the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 .SPX, powered by tech-behemoths such as Nvidia and Apple, has surged more than 25% to record highs, extending gains after Trump’s re-election in November. Tax cuts, deregulation and import tariffs are on the agenda for the second Trump administration, which some analysts say could further fuel U.S. exceptionalism. But the relative underperformance in Europe could also offer a buying opportunity, according to Kevin Thozet, a member of the investment committee at asset manager Carmignac, who sees the potential for positive spillovers from Trump’s proposals. Trump’s policies “are readily associated with a weaker EUR, lower oil prices and lower Euro bond yields”, Thozet said. “All of which would have an aggregate positive impact on European companies’ earnings.” Deutsche Bank, which has the most optimistic forecasts for 2025, said the earnings recovery in Europe has started, but earnings beats are unlikely to be the main driver for markets as macro forces remain in focus. Investors also said they would be watching global central banks and the pace at which they ease monetary policy, which could help limit weakness in the economy and spur equity gains. Money market traders expect the European Central Bank, which sets interest rates for euro-using countries, to lower borrowing costs by about 140 basis points by the end of next year, implying almost six quarter-point rate cuts. A 25 bps cut is fully priced at its December meeting, with markets assigning around a 35% chance of a larger 50 bps move. Investors were pricing further easing after a preliminary survey last week showed business activity deteriorated in the bloc this month. “The slowdown, by generating deflation, will allow the ECB to pursue a more accommodative policy, which will increase the purchasing power of domestic demand and support some growth,” said Marco Vailati, head of research and investments at Cassa Lombarda. The Euro STOXX 50 .STOXX50E index of the euro zone’s 50 largest and most liquid stocks was expected to rise about 5% to 5,047 points, the poll found. On a regional level, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI is forecast to add nearly 6% by end-2025, with the country set to face a federal election in February after the breakdown of the governing coalition. Expectations for France’s CAC 40 .FCHI are slightly more optimistic. The index will rise almost 9% from its current level, survey medians showed. France’s blue-chip index has struggled in 2024 and is down almost 9% from when President Emmanuel Macron called a snap election in June, underperforming Germany’s DAX which is up almost 5% in that timeframe. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Samuel Indyk and Danilo Masoni, additional reporting by Lucy Raitano; additional polling by Jaiganesh Mahesh and Rahul Trivedi; editing by Jan Harvey)