
Sila Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:SILA) Short Interest Down 22.0% in DecemberFurthermore, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proper waste management and recycling infrastructure in order to prevent such environmental disasters from occurring in the future. It highlights the importance of education and awareness regarding the proper disposal and recycling of waste, as well as the need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to prevent harmful activities like burning plastic waste.
English rugby union was united in its anger and disbelief over Bill Sweeney’s “embarrassing” £1.1 million pay packet which left Premiership clubs and senior administrators scathing in their criticism amid calls for the chief executive to resign. Sweeney’s salary increase was slammed as “out of touch” and “an embarrassment” after he was paid £1.1 million this year despite the governing body recording a near-£40 million loss. Sweeney’s annual base salary included a pay rise of 8.5 per cent from £684,000 to £742,000 for the year to June 2024, and the annual report also states he received a one-off performance-based payment of £358,000. The bonus is understood to be part of the RFU’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) that saw the RFU executive team agree to a six-month pay reduction in 2021 following the pandemic, which would mature after three years. But it follows finishing third in this year’s Six Nations and winning only five out of their 12 Tests in 2024, including just one victory this autumn against , results which Sweeney described as “disappointing”. Sources expressed frustration and criticised the move. One former RFU president said: “I think at a time of severe financial pressure, where money is tight, record losses have been posted and the RFU is making people redundant, it is very difficult to justify a 60 per cent increase on last year’s salary. Even if there are good reasons for an increase the optics of paying the CEO over one million pounds are not very good. I suspect many in the game will be shocked and disappointed.” Another source added: “How long ago was it when Bill Sweeney was described by the government as being ‘asleep at the wheel’?”, before launching a stinging summary of Sweeney’s track record. “Seventh/eighth in the world, at war with most of the game over its future, forced into a deal with Premiership Rugby Limited at twice the original price, five professional clubs have gone bust, record fall in participation levels, global lawsuits on player welfare with not a single public statement made, CVC deal now universally discredited, mismanagement of Eddie Jones at almost every stage and a HR nightmare - all equals £1m. Nice work if you can get it.” Premiership clubs were said to be “furious” at the news of Sweeney’s bonus, with the RFU remuneration committee branded as “totally out of touch” by one insider. “It’s extraordinary,” said a source. “The RFU is losing millions, the clubs are losing millions. The RFU is laying off staff but the chief executive is paying himself millions.” “It has always been outrageous; an embarrassment,” added source at a separate club. The Community Clubs Union (CCU), which was established in 2023 in response to the lowering of the tackle height in the community game, have been long-time critics of Sweeney and Tom Ilube, the current chairman of the RFU. “While disappointing, it is hardly surprising to read that Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube continually to fail to read the room,” they told on Monday evening. “The community game is dying. So far this season we have had almost 300 walkover results as teams fail to field sides, and a deeply concerning lack of match officials. Both elements of the game have lost losing financial support over the last five years. “Sadly, the checks and balances of the RFU council are now powerless and the management board continue to run without accountability. Despite sound bites about investment in the community game, notably from the Twickenham Allianz deal, no investment plans have been announced – just more job cuts from a bloated Twickenham HQ, seemingly to help pay towards Sweeneys significant pay rise and bonuses. “Enough is enough now and with the relaunch of the CCU in the coming weeks, part of our core manifesto will be for both Sweeney and Ilube to go.” Sweeney’s salary plus bonus for 2024 will match the record for a British sporting executive, with the Football Association’s chief executive Mark Bullingham currently paid £850,000. Tom Harrison, the former England Cricket Board chief executive, was paid £1,134,425 during the 2022-23 financial year, a figure which also included a long-term incentive bonus. understands that the RFU council, during the explanation of Sweeney’s pay rise at Monday’s meeting, was told by governing body administrators that the chief executive of the NFL earned £64 million. But the news of Sweeney’s pay comes at a time where the RFU is under significant financial strain, with the annual report confirming losses of £37.9 million, as previously The operating loss is more than the £30.9 million recorded in 2018 which led to the resignation of previous chief executive Steve Brown, although it was expected given England played no autumn fixtures at Twickenham last November because of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and one fewer home Six Nations match this year. That followed a £4 million operating profit for the 2022-23 financial year. Twickenham saw a £53.8 million reduction in year-on-year revenue that was made up by fewer ticket sales (£25.4 million), hospitality and catering income (£22 million) and broadcast revenues (£6.4 million). The result is the annual report highlights RFU revenues for the year of £175.2 million, down from £221.4 million the previous year, and a profit of £58.2 million before taking into account the £96.1 million investment in rugby. The increase in the underlying loss compared to 2019-20, the last World Cup year, was pinned on inflationary cost increases and reduced Six Nations revenues from broadcast and sponsorship. While Sweeney criticised the standard of England’s results this year, which has seen England drop from fifth to seventh in the World Rugby rankings, Sweeney added: “We are encouraged by the pipeline of talented young players coming through and the outstanding England win in the World Rugby U20 Championship final against France, taking the title for the first time in eight years.” Commenting in the annual report Ilube, said that the impacts on revenue in a Rugby World Cup year were “were anticipated, planned for and they are in line with expectations”. Sweeney also added that numbers in the community game have “stabilised”, with more teams playing in RFU leagues and “reporting feeling safer as a result of a reduction in the tackle height”. Age grade player registrations have also increased by 16 per cent for boys and 10 per cent for girls. “The RFU has planned well for this year, the fourth year in our business planning cycle, which is always a loss making due to increased costs associated with going to the Rugby World Cup and as a result of hosting fewer games at Allianz Stadium,” Sweeney said. “Emerging from post-covid challenges, which saw significant lost revenues, substantial increases in costs and inflation, and a drop in player participation, we are now entering into a period of significant transformation with a great deal to be positive about.”
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1. Zheng Qinhwen's Olympic Victory over SwiatekInfluencer Candice Miller is reportedly in debt after her husband Brandon Miller ’s death earlier this year . Candice, 42, recently filed court papers obtained by The New York Times on Friday, December 27, claiming that Brandon had been $33.6 million in debt when he died in July. According to the former “Mama & Tata” social media star, she only has $8,000 in a bank account and is unable to repay Brandon’s loans. Candice also claimed that Brandon died without a will. News broke this summer that Brandon, a property developer, died by suicide. While Candice initially deactivated her social media following her spouse’s death, she claimed in the recent court papers that he now owes more than $20 million in unsecured loans from UBS Bank, BMO Bank and American Express. The Times further reports that Candice has also benefitted from $15 million worth of Brandon’s life insurance policies and sold their joint residence earlier in December. Per the outlet, Candice alleged that she had no knowledge of the financial situation ahead of his death. Candice has not publicly addressed the court battle, with the Times reporting that she declined to comment. Brandon had been found unconscious in the couple’s Hamptons estate in New York this summer. He was 43. “Candice is devastated by the loss of her soul mate, and her two young daughters’ lives are forever impacted by the loss of their beloved daddy,” a family spokesperson said in a statement at the time. In September, Candice was sued for $195,000 in unpaid rent on their Manhattan condo. The documents obtained by Us Weekly claimed that Candice failed to pay the monthly cost. Her lawyers argue in their newly filed response that Candice should not be involved since her name was reportedly never on the apartment lease. Candice and Brandon got married in 2009, later welcoming two daughters. Their family life was chronicled on her now-defunct “Mama & Tata” blog. “On most days, what I really look forward to is arriving home, and sitting for dinners with my husband and my girls,” Candice told Mini Magazine in 2019. “Followed by some very yummy snuggles before bedtime, where we all profess our love for one another over and over again. Literally, we do that!” Despite Candice and Brandon’s lavish lifestyle, they wanted their daughters to be “kind, good humans.” You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “It’s important to me that I raise girls who are kind, good humans. Girls who are compassionate, sensitive, respectful, reliable, honest, and strong,” Candice told the outlet. “I want my girls to know that they can follow their biggest dreams and know to never give up. I want them to be confident in everything they do and know that they are SO loved and supported every step of the way.” She added, “I already know they will be wonderfully loving, compassionate, good humans, but I want them to always be themselves. I want them to be their own unique individuals, strong, independent, and fearless when it comes to voicing their mind.” If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.While Pere Guardiola's playful suggestion may remain a whimsical fantasy for now, it serves as a reminder of the deep familial bond and shared love for the game that unites the Guardiola brothers. Whether Pep Guardiola will one day don the colors of Girona remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the Guardiola legacy will continue to inspire and captivate football fans around the world for years to come.
Sabalenka Crowned WTA Player of the Year while Zheng Qinhui Misses OutWisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level MediaAnge Postecoglou has 'no issue' with criticism after Tottenham fans incident following Bournemouth loss