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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn't improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Steelers' Russell Wilson Likely More Interested In His Legacy Than His CheckbookSINGAPORE: No doubt policymakers in Tehran and Moscow are asking who lost Syria. In a tectonic rewrite of the Middle East’s geopolitical map, Bashar al-Assad was ousted on Sunday (Dec 8) after 24 years as president, leaving his principal backers struggling to limit their losses. Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to preempt the debate by firing Sergei Kisel, the commander of Russian forces in Syria, a week earlier – as soon as the rebels captured Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city. The Kremlin has since confirmed that Putin personally decided to grant asylum to Assad and his family, who fled the capital Damascus for Moscow. Similarly, Iran quickly contacted the new rebel leadership to prevent what one official described as “a hostile trajectory" between the two countries. Iran’s state television said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the largest, best-armed rebel group, had guaranteed there would be no disturbance to the Sayyida Zeinab and Sayyida Ruqayya Shiite Muslim shrines in Damascus. "The main concern for Iran is whether Assad's successor will push Syria away from Tehran's orbit,” said a second Iranian official. The end of Assad’s reign is an existential threat to Iran, less so to Russia. That was evident in the contrast between the ransacking of the Iranian embassy in Damascus and the calm around Russia's Hmeimim air base and Tartus naval facility. RUSSIA MAKES THE BEST OF A BAD SITUATION Assad’s toppling will probably deprive Moscow of its two foremost military bases in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean and undermine its positioning as a major regional powerbroker. "What Tartus meant for Russia was the ability to project maritime power and political influence relatively uncontested in the Middle East and allowed it to punch above its weight," wrote retired Belgian naval officer Fredrik Van Lokeren. Leased to Moscow for 49 years in return for military assistance in 2015 during the Syrian civil war, the bases also allowed Russia to use Syria as a transit hub for Russian mercenaries operating in Africa. As Assad arrived in Moscow, Russian state television announced that the rebels had guaranteed the security of the military bases – from which Russian aircraft attacked as they advanced towards Damascus – and diplomatic missions in Syria. The rebel assurances helped soften the blow to Russian prestige. Russia can claim that it stuck by its friends while ensuring that the former president would be limited in his ability to attempt a comeback. In return, state-run Russian media have changed their tone. The press stopped describing the rebels as "terrorists", referring to them instead as the "armed opposition that has taken power in Syria". The Syrian embassy in Moscow raised the opposition flag even as Assad set foot on Russian soil. HIGHER EXISTENTIAL STAKES FOR IRAN The stakes are much higher for Iran. One of the three pillars in its defence strategy is now crippled. Lacking an air force and navy of any repute because of decades of United States and United Nations economic sanctions, Iranian defence relied on Syria and an alliance of non-state actors – dubbed the Axis of Resistance – for its forward defence, alongside the development of ballistic missiles and nuclear programme. The ousting of Assad and the weakening of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia – which reached a recent ceasefire agreement with Israel just weeks ago – have all but neutralised the alliance’s deterrence element along two of Israel’s borders. Even starker, the alliance could have turned from asset into liability. Iran-backed Iraqi politicians and militia officials rejected Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s request that they send reinforcements to Syria in support of Assad. Iran and its allies will no longer be able to maintain a military presence in Syria or use the country as a support hub for Hezbollah. It will be forced to revisit its strategy and broader regional policies. FEARS OF A POPULAR UPRISING The fact that a popular armed insurrection toppled Assad has set off alarm bells in Moscow and Tehran. Russia has long viewed popular revolts in Ukraine and other East European nations as US-engineered efforts to destabilise Russia’s neighbourhood, while Iranians have repeatedly taken to the streets in mass anti-government protests over the years. “The situation in the Islamic Republic is not comparable to Syria at all. Nevertheless, one should take note of public opinion,” said conservative politician and journalist Naser Imani to an Iranian media outlet. Critics removed without explanation social media postings in which they asserted that Iran had wasted resources on supporting an unpopular leader in Syria, an implicit criticism of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a friend and staunch supporter of Assad. Even so, some fear that the collapse of the Assad regime could strengthen the hand of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its hardline supporters. IRGC members asserted that "abandoning" Assad constituted a "betrayal" that would have serious consequences for Iran. Kasra Aarabi, a Washington-based anti-Iranian activist, quoted a younger IRGC member as saying: “We zealous youth will not forget the cowardice of the decision-makers.” For Russia and Iran, the silver lining is that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham appears more interested in focusing on Syria’s rehabilitation and reconstruction rather than retaliation. In doing so, the rebels may help Assad’s backers save face while taking out one of their foremost regional assets. Dr James M Dorsey is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the author of the syndicated column and podcast, The Turbulent World with James M Dorsey .
Bradford Marcoux
Jonathan Finer’s Less-Than-Fine Moment
MP tours Glasgow depot to learn more about city's infrastructure projectsA GLASGOW MP toured Siemens Mobility's depot to learn more about infrastructure projects in the city. The visit on December 6 gave John Grady, who was recently elected to represent Glasgow East, the chance to see first-hand the contributions that the company has made to the UK rail industry and the key role it plays to transform rail travel and transport for passengers across Scotland. During the visit, Grady toured the facility to learn about Siemens Mobility's continued commitment to Scotland's Net Zero targets through key electrification and signalling projects, such as the £140 million East Kilbride Enhancement project. The Labour MP also learnt more about the environmentally-friendly Westrace Modular signalling technology with the Inverness Airport railway station upgrade. Grady also had a chance to meet with local apprentices and graduates to learn more about their professional development, including their training roles and career aspirations. He said: "It was great to visit Siemens Mobility’s Glasgow depot to hear about their infrastructure projects across Scotland and the impact this will have on passengers across the country. "I particularly enjoyed meeting with so many talented apprentices who were keen to share their work and aspirations for the future. "Investing in our young people’s future is crucial in delivering economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, two key missions of this Labour Government." Stephen Wright, regional engineering manager for Glasgow, added: "It was a pleasure to host Mr Grady at our depot and walk him through some of the work Siemens Mobility is doing to modernise and decarbonise the rail network in Scotland, including projects in Inverness, Perth, Portobello, and East Kilbride. "We were particularly pleased to have our apprentices and graduates share their experiences on these projects with Mr. Grady, whose commitment to developing the next generation of rail engineers aligns with our own."Latest News | Ola Founder Bhavish Aggarwal Inducted as INAE Fellow
Arsenal crush Sporting in Champions League to extend revivalThe last six years have landed Canadian Kurtis Rourke firmly in the U.S. college football limelight. The 24-year-old Oakville, Ont., native will lead the upstart Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) into South Bend, Ind., to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) on Dec. 20 to open American university football's expanded playoff bracket. Rourke transferred to Indiana last December to boost his NFL draft stock after five years at Ohio University, where he began as a backup to his older brother, Nathan, then captured the 2022 MAC offensive player of the year award despite suffering a season-ending knee injury before heading to Indiana after the 2023 season. A win over Notre Dame would extend Indiana's stellar campaign while a loss would mark the end of Rourke's collegiate career. "Having six years is something not many people can say," Rourke told Canadian reporters Wednesday. "(It has been) very much a roller-coaster but I'm just grateful. "I've had four surgeries in college and only missed a handful of games. That's the biggest thing I come back to, that I've been so lucky to still play and have an opportunity to play (maybe) four more games and hopefully at a professional level." The six-foot-five, 223-pound Rourke will be eligible for the '25 NFL draft. Rourke has played a big role in Indiana — traditionally known as a basketball school — emerging as a Big Ten contender in head coach Curt Cignetti's first season. Rourke completed 202-of-287 passes (70.4 per cent) for 2,827 yards with 27 TDs and just four interceptions in 11 games and last week was named a finalist for the Manning Award, given annually to American college football's top quarterback. The only blemish on Indiana's record was a 38-15 loss to Ohio State before 105,751 spectators in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23. Rourke was eight-of-18 passing for 68 yards in that contest and sacked five times. It's that experience Rourke and the Hoosiers are drawing upon as they prepare to visit Notre Dame Stadium, which has a seating capacity of roughly 77,000 but held 84,000 spectators for a 2018 Garth Brooks concert. "I don't know if it will be as crazy or as hostile an environment as Ohio State ... but I do expect it to be a pretty good environment," Rourke said. "We have some plans in place with the silent count if we need at any point to go to ... but ultimately just learning from the experience of Ohio State to handle it individually as well as an offence." Former CFL player Tino Sunseri is Indiana's quarterback coach/co-offensive co-ordinator. Sunseri spent three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2013-15), winning a Grey Cup as a rookie. Reaching the expanded playoff format in Cignetti's first season is a huge accomplishment for Indiana. But the school reportedly added 31 players via the transfer portal before the 2024 campaign. When asked how he appealed to incoming players, Cignetti said, "It's pretty simple, I win. Google me." Cignetti came to Indiana after posting a 52-9 record over five seasons at James Madison. Rourke said Hoosiers' players draw inspiration from their brash head coach. "Seeing your head coach on a national stage say what he said, 'Google me,' ... that just shows how confident he is in himself and the coaches," Rourke said. "And that just makes us feel like, 'Yeah, we're coming along with you coach.' "As the season went on we were like, 'Yeah, we can do this.'" Rourke suffered a right thumb injury that required surgery in Indiana's 56-7 win over Nebraska on Oct. 19. Fortunately, he missed only one start (31-17 victory over Washington) and returned to throw four TD passes in 47-10 decision over Michigan State on Nov. 2. "My thumb feels 100 per cent now," Rourke said. "It was hard missing that Washington game ... but I knew the team would have my back." It's no surprise Rourke has leaned upon his brother throughout his college tenure. The two are very close and Rourke said he began playing quarterback after watching Nathan do so growing up. Nathan Rourke rejoined the Lions in August after spending time in the NFL with Jacksonville, New England, Atlanta and the New York Giants. "We've been able to talk about ball but (also) life," the junior Rourke said. "Just having someone who's done it, who's been through the college experience, been through the NFL experiences and now the CFL to learn from and also bounce questions off him, it's been quite beneficial to have him in my corner." Rourke has hired an agent — Octagon's Casey Muir — and will work out this off-season in Fort Myers, Fla. As of Wednesday, Rourke said he's not been invited to the NFL combine, which begins Feb. 27 in Indianapolis. "I'd love to get an invite to the combine," he said. "That was one of my goals, honestly, when I got to college, which seems forever ago. "That would be awesome." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Dan Ralph, The Canadian PressUniversity of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Releases Whitepaper on Enhancing Skills for Marketability
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Michigan's defense of national title fell short, aims to cap lost season with win against Ohio State
Man City stunned again as Feyenoord fight back to draw 3-3 in the Champions LeagueBest NFL DFS sleepers and expert value picks for Week 13 of the 2024 season for DraftKings, FanDuel, SuperDraft | Sporting NewsWildlife TV presenter Chris Packham and former Green Party MP Caroline Lucas have quit as president and vice-president of the RSPCA after a campaign group alleged animal cruelty at some of the charity's approved list of abattoirs. Animal Rising released footage from facilities as part of its investigation into the RSPCA's "Assured Scheme" which certifies farms, food producers and food retailers that meet its specific animal welfare standards. In response, the RSPCA said it takes allegations of poor animal welfare "incredibly seriously". The charity said it was "simply not true" that it had not taken urgent action, adding unannounced visits had been significantly increased, and use of bodyworn cameras and CCTV was also being explored. In its most recent investigation, Animal Rising singled out four abattoirs where it said "experts found systemic animal cruelty". It said its investigators had found that "in one slaughterhouse 85% of pigs were stunned incorrectly, leaving animals conscious during slaughter, and in another 96% of cows were prodded with an electric goad, a practice banned by the RSPCA, and 46% of cows showed clear signs of panic or escape behaviours. "There was also frequent verbal and physical abuse from workers, and animals watching in terror and panic as other animals were killed or stunned in front of them." In a statement posted on Animal Rising's website, Packham said he was prioritising his "love for animals above all else" and was stepping down immediately, following the "irrefutable evidence of abuse uncovered". He accused the RSPCA of making "no meaningful change" after "years of raising concerns about salmon farming and tirelessly pushing for reform within the Assured Schemes". "I believe the charity has lost sight of its mandate to protect all animals from cruelty and suffering," he added. In a separate statement, Lucas said: "The recent horrific revelations of abuse at RSPCA-approved slaughterhouses, filmed undercover by Animal Rising, were the final straw for me. "The systemic cruelty exposed was unbearable to witness. "While the RSPCA's response was to suspend the implicated facilities and launch yet another investigation, they failed to confront the deeper flaws of the scheme itself. "This approach not only fails to uphold their own standards but also risks misleading the public and legitimising cruelty." In a statement, the RSPCA said: "We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare. "We have discussed our work to drive up farmed animal welfare standards openly at length with them on many occasions and it is simply not true that we have not taken urgent action. "We took allegations of poor welfare incredibly seriously, launching an independent review of 200 farms which concluded that it was 'operating effectively' to improve animal welfare. "We are taking strong steps to improve oversight of welfare, implementing the recommendations in full including significantly increasing unannounced visits, and exploring technology such as bodyworn cameras and CCTV, supported by £2m of investment."
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he was caught off guard by reports early Tuesday that linebacker Shaq Barrett wants to unretire. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media in July, just days before the start of Miami's training camp. “Just to be candid, obviously there's a reason why you target and sign somebody," McDaniel said Tuesday afternoon. “I was fully caught off guard, or caught by surprise this morning as I found out.” McDaniel indicated the Dolphins have not had any conversations with Barrett recently. Miami holds the 32-year-old’s contractual rights. ESPN first reported the news. “It was kind of news as you guys got it,” McDaniel said. He also said he hasn't had a chance to think about Barrett potentially rejoining the team, and that his immediate focus is on Miami's Thursday night game at Green Bay. “The team is counting on me to think about the Packers,” he said. "I'll get with (GM) Chris (Grier), and we'll work through that. There's a ton of implications that go along with it in terms of team and roster stuff, so we'll work through that as we just got the news today.” Barrett has 400 tackles, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions in nine seasons — four with Denver and five with Tampa Bay. He was a second-team All-Pro with the Buccaneers in 2019, with a league-high 19 1/2 sacks. Dolphins waive veteran safety The Dolphins waived veteran safety Marcus Maye on Tuesday and activated rookie safety Patrick McMorris from injured reserve. Maye, who signed with the Dolphins in June, played in 11 games with three starts for Miami this season. He had 30 tackles and a tackle for loss. He could re-sign to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers. Maye previously played for New Orleans, but was cut in a money-saving move in March after two seasons with the Saints. Maye's release made room on the roster for McMorris, who was drafted in the sixth round by Miami in April. He began the season on injured reserve because of a calf injury. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press
Building Management Market: Top Global Companies, Business Insights, Opportunities, Regional Overview, Strategies, and Size Forecast Until 2031 12-21-2024 01:39 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: Coherent Market Insights Pvt Ltd Building Management The latest report titled ""Building Management Market: Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunities, and Forecast 2024-2031"" by Coherent Market Insights delivers a thorough analysis of the industry, encompassing market insights. It also covers competitor and regional analysis, along with recent advancements in the market. The report includes a detailed table of contents, figures, tables, and charts, offering in-depth analysis. The Building Management market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, driven by factors such as rising product demand, a growing customer base, and technological progress. This report provides an in-depth evaluation of the Building Management market, focusing on market size, trends, drivers, challenges, competitive landscape, and future growth potential. The report highlights the competitive landscape, market segmentation, geographical expansion, and the growth in revenue, production, and consumption within the Building Management market. It covers the market size, growth analysis, industry trends, and forecast, detailing the factors shaping the business outlook. Additionally, the report examines future products, joint ventures, marketing strategies, developments, mergers and acquisitions, as well as promotional activities. It also analyses revenue trends, import/export data, CAGR values, and provides an overview of the industry as a whole, along with the specific challenges posed by competitors. Buy Now to avail discount up to 45% @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/102249 Report Overview and Scope: This report focuses on the global Building Management market, with particular emphasis on key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. It segments the market based on manufacturers, regions, types, and applications. The report provides a thorough overview of the current market landscape, including both historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume. Additionally, it examines technological advancements and considers macroeconomic and regulatory factors that impact the market. Regional Analysis: ◘ North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) ◘ Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Russia, Spain, Rest of Europe) ◘ Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia Pacific) ◘ South America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South America) ◘ Middle East & Africa (GCC, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Key Highlights of This Report: Comprehensive Market Analysis: An in-depth exploration of manufacturing capabilities, production volumes, and technological advancements in the Building Management market. Corporate Overview: A thorough examination of company profiles, highlighting key players and their strategic moves in the competitive landscape. Consumption Insights: A detailed assessment of consumption trends, offering a look into current demand patterns and consumer preferences. 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Geographic analysis, highlighting regional product/service consumption and the factors influencing market conditions in each area. Detailed company profiles, including overviews, insights, product comparisons, and SWOT analyses of key market players. Current and future market outlook, focusing on growth opportunities, key drivers, challenges, and constraints in both emerging and developed regions. Market dynamics and future growth opportunities in the coming years. Buy Now to avail discount up to 45% @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/promo/buynow/102249 FAQ's: Which are the dominant players of the Building Management Market? What will be the size of the Building Management Market in the coming years? Which segment will lead the Building Management Market? How will the market development trends change in the next five years? What is the nature of the competitive landscape of the Building Management Market? What are the go-to strategies adopted in the Building Management Market? About Authors : Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement. 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States Phone: US +12524771362 / UK +442039578553 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com About Coherent Market Insights Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. We are known for our actionable insights and authentic reports in various domains including aerospace and defense, agriculture, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals and materials, and virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. This release was published on openPR.CHARLESTON, S.C. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the leading provider of software for powering social impact, today filed a Form 8-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stating that the Company concluded a material pre-tax noncash impairment charge, which may be up to approximately $415 million , is required for its EVERFI asset group and will be recorded during the fourth quarter of 2024. As previously disclosed, due to EVERFI performing below expectations, Blackbaud is considering a range of alternatives for EVERFI, one of which includes a potential divestiture of the business. The impairment charge was determined to be necessary as part of this process. "To comply with generally accepted accounting principles, we're planning to record this noncash charge in the fourth quarter," said Mike Gianoni , president, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors. "We want to emphasize that EVERFI remains well positioned to support its customers and continue helping companies dedicated to social impact reach communities through custom education and workplace solutions for today's key issues. In addition, Blackbaud's core business remains strong, and we are committed to helping customers around the world use technology to drive meaningful social impact. As we determine our long-term strategic approach to the EVERFI business, we will continue to provide updates." Additional details can be found in Blackbaud's Form 8-K filed today with the SEC. About Blackbaud Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the leading software provider exclusively dedicated to powering social impact. Serving the nonprofit and education sectors, companies committed to social responsibility and individual change makers, Blackbaud's essential software is built to accelerate impact in fundraising, nonprofit financial management, digital giving, grantmaking, corporate social responsibility and education management. With millions of users and over $100 billion raised, granted or managed through Blackbaud platforms every year, Blackbaud's solutions are unleashing the potential of the people and organizations who change the world. Blackbaud has been named to Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies, Quartz's list of Best Companies for Remote Workers, and Forbes' list of America's Best Employers. A remote-first company, Blackbaud has operations in the United States , Australia , Canada , Costa Rica , India and the United Kingdom , supporting users in 100+ countries. Learn more at www.blackbaud.com or follow us on X/Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook . Media Inquiries media@blackbaud.com Forward-looking Statements Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K are forward- looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company's estimates regarding the impairment charge related to the EVERFI assets. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although we attempt to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the risk factors set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or upon request from our investor relations department. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward- looking statements, except as required by law. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackbaud-announces-impairment-charge-related-to-everfi-assets-302330791.html SOURCE Blackbaud