In the first round of Croatia's presidential election, incumbent president Zoran Milanovic secured the highest vote percentage with 49.1%, just shy of the required majority. Consequently, Milanovic will face Dragan Primorac, who garnered 19.35% of the vote, in a second-round election set for January 12. Milanovic, representing the opposition Social Democrats, was outspoken against the current government led by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Nevertheless, he delivered a conciliatory message, pledging to support the government during uncertain times and emphasizing his vision for a Croatia with strong national interests. The HDZ-backed candidate, Primorac, sees the upcoming runoff as a pivotal opportunity to draw support from right-wing voters whose preferences were split among other candidates in the initial round. Around 3.8 million Croatians were eligible to vote, with a turnout of 46%, according to official data. (With inputs from agencies.)CORVALLIS, Ore. — Everett Hayes kicked a 55-yard field goal with 20 seconds left and Oregon State snapped a five-game losing streak with a 41-38 victory Saturday night against No. 25 Washington State in what was essentially this season's Pac-12 championship. Ben Gulbranson, who missed last week's shutout loss at Air Force, threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Beavers (5-6). Trent Walker Jr. caught 12 passes for 136 yards. It was the second straight loss for the Cougars (8-3), who were coming off a 38-35 setback last weekend to New Mexico that dashed the Cougars’ hopes of possibly earning an at-large bid to the 12-team College Football Playoff. Washington State was as high as No. 18 in the CFP rankings before the loss. The Beavers and the Cougars were the two teams remaining in the Pac-12 this season after realignment last year. While the two teams had a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West for this season, they did not figure into that league’s standings. With Oregon State in front 31-24 at the start of the fourth quarter, Cougars quarterback John Mateer ran for a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game. On Oregon State's next series, Taariq Al-Uqdah picked off Gulbranson and ran it back 26 yards for a touchdown to put the Cougars in front. The Beavers' subsequent drive ended with Darrius Clemons' 4-yard touchdown reception to tie it at 38 with 2:50 left. Oregon State got the ball back on the Cougars' series when Exodus Ayers recovered Kyle Williams' fumble on the Washington State 47. The Beavers went for it on fourth-and-6 to extend their final drive and Hayes nailed the winning field goal. Oregon State tight end Jermaine Terry II (84) pulls Washington State defensive back Kapena Gushiken after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: AP/Mark Ylen Mateer passed for 250 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 85 yards and two more scores for Washington State. Oregon State opened the scoring with stand-in quarterback Gabarri Johnson's 15-yard keeper. The Cougars answered on the next drive with Mateer's 28-yard scoring pass to Carlos Hernandez. Washington State's Dean Janikowski added a 33-yard field goal in the second quarter. Salahadin Allah had a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Beavers in front 14-10. Mateer scored on a 3-yard keeper to give the Cougars the lead, but the touchdown was marred when left tackle Esa Pole spiked the ball for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass against Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Corvallis, Ore. Credit: AP/Mark Ylen Oregon State finished the half ahead 21-17 on Gulbranson's 1-yard TD dive with 13 seconds left. The Beavers opened the second half with Hayes' 46-yard field goal. Williams had a 57-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Mateer that tied the game at 24. But before the end of the third quarter, Gulbranson hit Jermaine Terry II with for 43-yard TD. Since the Pac-12’s collapse, the Beavers and the Cougs have worked together to rebuild the conference. In 2026, five Mountain West teams — as well as Gonzaga for basketball only — will join a new Pac-12. The scheduling agreement with the Mountain West was not renewed for next season, so Washington State and Oregon State put together independent schedules with a twist — they will play each other twice, once in Corvallis and once in Pullman. In 2026, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State and Utah State with join the Pac-12. Gonzaga, which does not field a football team, has also joined. The new conference must still add another football member to be recognized by the NCAA. The takeaway Washington State: Going into the game, Mateer had 26 passing touchdowns (tied for fourth in the nation) and he’d rushed for 12 more, a Washington State single-season record for a quarterback. Oregon State: Gulbranson, who missed the Beavers’ loss last weekend at Air Force, started. But the Beavers also used QB Gabarri Johnson situationally — including on Oregon State’s first touchdown of the game Up next Washington State: Hosts Wyoming next Saturday. Oregon State: Visits Boise State on Friday.
I’M A Celeb’s Alan Halsall has revealed he sobbed uncontrollably while speaking to his daughter for the first time in four weeks after his jungle eviction. The Corrie actor could not hold back the tears when he video-called 11-year-old Sienna as soon as he left camp on Friday night. Alan, 42, had sent a signal to his girl everyday to let her know he was thinking of her — by forming a heart-shaped symbol with his hands during votes. He opened up about his unbreakable bond with Sienna in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday hours after leaving the Aussie camp , where he was met by brother Stephen. Man United fan Alan also told us he would love to go for a beer with Wayne Rooney after befriending the ex-player’s wife Coleen — whom he reckons would make a good Corrie actress. Speaking about his call with Sienna, Alan said: “As soon as we got in the car, my brother had his phone out and we FaceTimed. “The first ten minutes of the phone call was not much but tears, to be honest — on both sides. "She’d cry and I’d be crying. “She said that she’s missed me, she loves me, she’s proud of me. “When she says that she’s proud of me, it could literally make your heart burst. "That was a super, super-emotional phone call.” Before he left England for Oz on November 9, Sienna gave Alan a friendship bracelet to wear and a coin which said: “Remember I love you, Dad.” Single dad Alan said: “It just put her first and foremost in my mind, you see, and she always is.” Referring to his heart symbol, Alan said he initially could not do it how Sienna had told him to — but he added: “I was under strict instructions that it had to be all fingers together. “I just wanted her to know that she was always on my mind.” Alan shares Sienna with his actress ex-wife Lucy-Jo Hudson, 41 — whom he met while they were both in the Corrie cast. And he went on: “Because you’ve got time on your hands, no distractions, no phones, no televisions, your mind wanders to those that you love. "And, of course, my mind just immediately went to Sienna everyday. “Once I woke up, I spent about half an hour, maybe 40 minutes, in bed. "That was the time where I’d be like, ‘Wow, I miss Sienna’. “But it was more, ‘I wonder what she’s up to today. "I wonder if she’s at school today, or has she been watching the show? "Is she happy seeing Daddy do these silly things?’ “Just knowing that she’s happy and proud of Dad, that was the biggest thing for me, for sure.” Mancunian Alan, who plays Corronation Street’s Tyrone Dobbs, became good pals with Coleen, 38, while in camp. In one moment in last Monday’s show, the pair bagged ten stars in a grim Bushtucker Trial — but fibbed to their campmates and told them they had won only two. They then kept up the charade all day, right up until they were about to get their food bag for their dinner. Prankster Alan came up with the idea and was then impressed by Coleen’s acting skills , saying: “I mentioned it to Coleen and I was a bit unsure if she would want to do that. "And she was like, let’s do it. “She walked in and she was like, ‘We only got two’. "And I was like, ‘Hey, I’m the actor here!’. i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." “We managed to drag it out. Coleen was fantastic, a proper leading actress. "I believed Coleen — and I was in on the joke. “She was absolutely fantastic as an actress. "I said, ‘I think she could be a barmaid of the Rovers Return’. "She was absolutely brilliant.” Alan said he would be staying in touch with all 11 of his new celeb pals, including Coleen, who revealed she and Wayne, 39, had “ a few bars ” at their £20million Cheshire mansion . Would he like to hit up one of their boozers with Coleen and her Red Devils hero hubby? She said that she’s missed me, she loves me, she’s proud of me “Listen, if Wayne fancies a beer, I’ll go and have a beer, no problem,” Alan said. “Wherever we’re going to meet up, we’re going to have fun and we’ll reminisce about an experience that we’ve all shared together. "I’ll look forward to that from now on.” Despite his love for Wazza, Alan said he never once asked Coleen about him — instead chatting away over parenthood and their children . Alan, the joker of the jungle, was in good form when we met him yesterday in Surfers Paradise, Australia. He was chirpy as he reeled off stories from his time Down Under — including how he saved the camp from flooding by using his handyman skills which his campmates loved him for. The camp has been battered by relentless storms in what has been the wettest I’m a Celeb in the ITV1 show’s 22-year history. Last weekend, the weather got so bad that bosses drew up emergency plans to evacuate the camp if the weather worsened. But Alan said: “So I just kind of dug out a trench to re-divert the water so it didn’t put out the fire.” Sun columnist Jane Moore, 62, and former world champion boxer Barry McGuigan, 63, both praised Alan for his handyman skills after they were evicted. When he leaves behind the 30C Australian sunshine for the colder climes of Manchester, Alan will be putting on his Christmas PJs and putting up a tree with Sienna. But before then, he has got some golf to play and some celebrating to do — both for his jungle stint and signing a Corrie contract extension taking him through his 27th year on the cobbles. He said: “I’ll maybe have a couple of pints of Guinness to toast it.” ALAN Halsall has spoken of his new Coronation Street contract — after bosses offered him the deal before he went into the I’m A Celebrity jungle. The star, who plays Tyrone Dobbs on the ITV soap, said: “I’ve spoken a lot in camp of how humbling it is to be a very small part of Coronation Street. “I’m thrilled. That’s the job I love, so long may it continue. "I’ll maybe have a couple of pints of Guinness to toast it.”
Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC Acquires New Stake in Bit Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ:BTBT)Rumor mill: Rumors have long indicated that AMD aims to shrink Nvidia's lead in ray tracing performance with its next generation of discrete graphics cards. With both companies reportedly releasing new GPUs within weeks, new data suggests Team Red might put up a serious fight in the mid-range sector next year. A proven leaker from the Chiphell forums recently reported that an upcoming AMD RDNA4 graphics card substantially outperforms the company's current flagship in ray tracing while drawing less power. Furthermore, it will likely cost far less, with performance resembling competitor Nvidia's current high-end GPU. In a discussion concerning an upcoming AMD card, likely to be called the Radeon RX 8800 XT, leaker "zhangzhonghao" stated that its ray tracing performance surpasses the RX 7900 XTX by around 45 percent in the Resident Evil 4 Remake and other titles. We should note that Capcom's action horror remake only features ray-traced reflections, and the other games were unnamed, but the tipster described AMD's RT performance uplift as "epic." Radeon RX 6000 and 7000 GPUs have lagged behind Nvidia's GeForce RTX cards for years in games that heavily utilize ray tracing. One such title, Star Wars Outlaws, shows the RX 7900 XTX barely outpacing the RTX 4070, which is around $400 cheaper. In contrast, the RX 8800 XT matches the RTX 4080 and 4080 Super in traditional raster rendering and ray tracing, representing a dramatic improvement. It also consumes about 25 percent less power than the 7900 XTX, suggesting a TDP no higher than 270W. If zhangzhonghao's report proves accurate, it would align with an AMD data sheet that leaked earlier this year, which described new technology designed to boost RT performance in the company's future products. Inno3D, which sells Nvidia graphics cards, recently confirmed that Team Green plans to reveal its upcoming RTX 50 series at CES in January. Prior rumors suggested that AMD would reveal RDNA 4 at the event, launching the next generation of the GPU race. If the RX 8800 XT trades blows with the RTX 4080, the RTX 5070 might become its true rival. Pricing details remain unclear for both upcoming lineups, but history suggests AMD might have a slight advantage. Furthermore, a mysterious Geekbench entry hinted that the RX 8800 XT, presumably based on the Navi 48 GPU, features 16GB of VRAM, surpassing the 5070's rumored 12GB. The RX 8800 XT will likely be the top-ranked RDNA4 card, as AMD plans to focus on the mid-range and mainstream tiers for now. Intel is preparing to launch new GPUs targeting the mainstream market this week.
Though she was previously against the idea, Layla El is now open to a pro wrestling return. The 47-year-old Layla has not wrestled since 2015, but she recently told the No Name Wrestling Podcast that she would love to come back to WWE and finish off her career. After taking a break from the public eye following her retirement, Layla is now back on social media. If possible, she would like to return to WWE as part of a reunion with her LayCool partner Michelle McCool. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
Lagos State Government remains committed to intensifying collaborative efforts with captains of industries, the private sector and artisans, as a way to create employment opportunities for graduates from its five Technical Colleges. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this on Monday at The-Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the venue of the graduation ceremony of over 2000 students of its Technical Colleges, which was coordinated by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). He also stressed that by investing in the skills and capabilities of youths, the state is building the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant society. According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, the event is in line with the administration’s commitment to education and technology. In his speech during the event, the Governor urged the graduates to look beyond present challenges and strive for excellence using the skills garnered to compete favourably with their global counterparts in various vocational skills. He said, “Today, we celebrate not just the academic and technical achievements of over 2,000 graduates but also the remarkable potential they represent for the future of Lagos State and Nigeria. “The significance of technical and vocational education cannot be overstated. Institutions like LASTVEB equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills that meet the demands of an evolving economy. Across trades such as engineering, construction, ICT, business, and the creative arts, our graduates have acquired the tools not just to participate in the workforce but to transform it through innovation and dedication. “This achievement aligns perfectly with our administration’s commitment to the Education and Technology pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda. By investing in the skills and capabilities of our youth, we are building the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant society. “Beyond these individual accomplishments, technical and vocational education drives community development, reduces unemployment, and ensures our graduates are competitive globally. “For instance, technical education has been shown to increase graduation rates, improve employability, and foster entrepreneurship. Many of our graduates today will step into the world as job creators, while others will fill critical roles in high-demand industries, bolstering Lagos State’s economic standing both nationally and internationally. “This event also underscores the importance of collaboration between government, industries, and educational institutions. Through our partnerships, we have been able to ensure that the curriculum remains aligned with current industry standards and that our students receive hands-on, experiential learning.” Governor Sanwo-Olu, while congratulating the graduating students, urged them to use their skills for societal transformation. He said, “As you step into the next phase of your lives, remember that your skills are powerful tools—not only for personal success but for societal transformation. “I congratulate all our graduates and thank the management and staff of LASTVEB, parents, and stakeholders for their tireless contributions to this achievement. Together, we are shaping a future where technical education is celebrated and valued as a cornerstone of sustainable development.” Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Tolani Alli-Balogun, urged the graduating students to think deeply, aim higher and strive for excellence in their career path and help in stimulating the economic growth of the country, noting that no nation develops without an adequate and robust technical education for the advancement of skills, knowledge development. “I know that turning your dreams into reality is not always easy. It requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It demands that you be focused, disciplined, and committed to your goals. It necessitates that you be willing to take risks, to face your fears and overcome them, and to push beyond your comfort zones. “Our ever-dedicated, amiable Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has created leverage through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Wealth Creation to further empower you to greater heights in your career path. So that you can fit into the labour market, be self-employed, and eventually become employers of labour,” the commissioner said. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms. Moronke Azeez, noted that Sanwo-olu’s administration is tackling unemployment challenges through different initiatives, producing skilled technicians for technical development to create more employment for youths and make them self-reliant. Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miss Daniella Okpako, thanked Lagos State Government for its unwavering commitment to advancing technical education in the State and advocated scholarship for deserving students to further their education and build on the skills acquired. During the event, David Uchendu, who majored in Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice from Government Technical College, Ikotun, emerged as Best Overall, while Daniel Salami from Government Technical College, Agidingbi, who studied Instrument Mechanic Works emerged as Best in Innovation. Ifeoma Abalogun, from Government Technical College, Epe, who majored in Painting and Decoration, and Daniel Okpako, who studied Blocklaying, Bricklaying and Concreting from Government Technical College, Ikotun, were also honoured as Best Female in Construction. Benedict Wisdom (Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works), Oluwapelumi Adedeji (Garment Making), Babatunde Boyejo (Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works), Moyosore Odofin (Instrument Mechanic Works), and Grace Arebisola (Garment Making) were also recognised as Best Students from the five Government Technical Colleges in Ado-Soba, Agidingbi, Epe, Ikorodu and Ikotun respectively.
Expert warns of signs that employees are losing moraleCover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2Stoli vodka files for bankruptcy in the United StatesIowa moves on without injured quarterback Brendan Sullivan when the Hawkeyes visit Maryland for a Big Ten Conference contest on Saturday afternoon. Former starter Cade McNamara is not ready to return from a concussion, so Iowa (6-4, 4-3) turns to former walk-on and fourth-stringer Jackson Stratton to lead the offense in College Park, Md. "Confident that he'll do a great job," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Stratton on his weekly radio show. "He stepped in, did a really nice job in our last ballgame. And he's got a good ability to throw the football, and he's learning every day. ... We'll go with him and see what we can do." Iowa had been on an upswing with Sullivan, who had sparked the Hawkeyes to convincing wins over Northwestern and Wisconsin before suffering an ankle injury in a 20-17 loss at UCLA on Nov. 8. Stratton came on in relief against the Bruins and completed 3 of 6 passes for 28 yards. Another storyline for Saturday is that Ferentz will be opposing his son, Brian Ferentz, an assistant at Maryland. Brian Ferentz was Iowa's offensive coordinator from 2017-23. "We've all got business to take care of on Saturday," Kirk Ferentz said. "I think his experience has been good and everything I know about it. As a parent, I'm glad he's with good people." Maryland (4-6, 1-6) needs a win to keep its hopes alive for a fourth straight bowl appearance under Mike Locksley. The Terrapins have dropped five of their last six games, all by at least 14 points, including a 31-17 loss at home to Rutgers last weekend. "It's been a challenging last few weeks to say the least," Locksley said. The challenge this week will be to stop Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who leads the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,328) and touchdowns (20), averaging 7.1 yards per carry. "With running backs, it's not always about speed. It's about power, vision and the ability to make something out of nothing," Locksley said. "This guy is a load and runs behind his pads." Maryland answers with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (285.5) and completions (268). His top target is Tai Felton, who leads the conference in catches (86) and receiving yards (1,040). --Field Level Media
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