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We're into the final days of 2024, a time when many of us take stock and reflect on the events of the past 12 months. If your name is Louis Rees-Zammit, however, it must be difficult to know where to start. The former Wales wing has had a whirlwind year to beat all others, having sensationally quit rugby moments before he was due to be named in Warren Gatland's squad for the Six Nations in January . In a stunning turn of events, Rees-Zammit informed the Wales coach, along with Gloucester boss George Skivington and, later, the rugby public that he was walking away from the sport to pursue a career in the NFL. "I think now is the perfect time, with my age and picking up a new sport. It's nothing about rugby, it's an ambition to make my dream come true and play in the NFL," he said in his first interview since announcing the bombshell news. "As a little boy, my dad always brought me up to be a big NFL fan. He used to play American football. It's about continuing his legacy and go beyond, making him proud. It's the sport he grew up loving. I want to do that and make him as proud as I can." Within a matter of days, Rees-Zammit had left Wales and headed to Florida to embark on a 10-week training camp as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway programme. Getting to grips with a new sport initially proved taxing for the 23-year-old, particularly playing with a helmet and pads on, but his natural athleticism and explosive pace saw him wow his coaches on the programme. The intensive course all led to up to the IPP Pro Day in March, where the speedster put everything he had learnt over the past two months of training into practice, in a bid to impress 31 attending scouts from all but one of the NFL's franchises. Rees-Zammit was, however, disappointed with how he had performed on the big day, particularly with his 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds - having previously run 4.3 in training . Nevertheless, it was clear that 'Rees Lightning' fever was already starting to spread in the US, with his agent telling WalesOnline that more than a dozen franchises were interested in signing him after impressing scouts with his speed and footwork. In the days following the Pro Day, he embarked on a grand tour around the US as he visited sides including the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets, the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers. However, it was none other than the reigning back-to-back Superbowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs who won the race for the Welshman's signature, as he signed a three-year deal with them. Now counting superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce amongst his new teammates, Rees-Zammit admitted the experience was surreal, but got straight to work as he fought to keep his NFL dream alive. Having never played a down of American football in his life, he had a lot of catching up to do as he competed against players who had grown up playing the sport, forcing him to put in the extra hours. He was put through his paces in pre-season as he sought to learn the Chiefs' extensive playbook, with coaches and his teammates all impressed with his diligence as well as his natural athletic ability. Having arrived as a complete unknown in the US, he proved popular with fans as they approached him on the street and asked him for selfies and autographs, while he even received a hand-written letter from pop superstar Taylor Swift - also Kelce's girlfriend - after he attended one of her concerts. Rees-Zammit's hard work in training led him to make his debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which were followed up by two further pre-season appearances. He was deployed in a number of different roles during the games, but while he didn't disgrace himself, his performances ultimately did not look convincing enough for him to make the Chief's 53-man roster for the NFL season. It had long been thought that the Chiefs may opt to put the Welshman in their practice squad. But it was confirmed shortly after the pre-season campaign that he had been waived, with the Jaguars then swooping in to sign him as he joined their practice squad as a wide receiver. Discussing his 'brutal' axe by the Chiefs, Rees-Zammit said: "It's cut-throat. They've got a whole group of player personnel and scouts. They've got so many people for so many different position so you just get a text message. "It's honestly just brutal. You're all in the building and you get a text to basically say can you bring your iPad and meet them in a certain room. That's when you know. If you don't get the message, you're in the team. If you do like I did, I got the message, went upstairs and spoke to player personnel. Had some positive chats with them. "But at the end of the day, I wanted to play receiver. They've got a strong receiving group at Kansas City. The Jags allowed me to be on their practice squad which is amazing," he added. "I didn't hear anything after I got cut but that's just the business. I knew how cut-throat it was. And now I've experienced how cut-throat it is. You just get on with it. I'm not going to beg them to say so it's just onto the next job. I'm as happy as ever at the Jags." After that setback forced him to start over gain, Rees-Zammit has continued to work hard with the Jaguars, and has been told by his coaches to be patient in continuing with his development and his opportunity will come. He has faced criticism of late with things slowing down for him, but earlier this month posted a cryptic message on social media reading: "Trust the process. Great things take time." Whether he will make it out on the field for the Jaguars any time soon remains to be seen - but if 2024 has taught us anything when it comes to Louis Rees-Zammit, it's to always expect the unexpected.Browns sticking with QB Jameis Winston down the stretch as dismal season heads into final weeks
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OAKLAND — The race to be Oakland’s next mayor may have officially kicked off Monday, but the starting line is eerily quiet — and may continue to be until Rep. Barbara Lee about whether to run. Lee, the longtime East Bay congresswoman and stalwart of progressive politics, said late last week in a social media post that she will announce her decision in early January, noting the decision was “not one I take lightly.” In the meantime, Lee has held numerous private meetings with city officials about the issues affecting Oakland, from the ongoing budget crisis to homelessness to policing, two sources with direct knowledge of those conversations told this news organization. The policy “deep dive,” as a source not authorized to speak publicly put it, might offer reassurance to skeptics who worry that the retiring legislator, who has represented Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley and San Leandro in Congress since 1998, would struggle to adapt to running a city full-time. But the larger consequence of Lee’s decision-making timeline is that the run-up to the April 15 special election to has largely stalled. Most candidates are holding off until Lee makes a move. Hours after the formal start on Monday of the candidate filing period, which lasts until Jan. 17, only two people had scheduled appointments to pull papers for the office — and , a pair of fringe prospects who are unlikely to make a dent in the race. Loren Taylor, the runner-up in the 2022 mayoral election, said Monday he plans to pull papers in the coming days, noting in an interview that his desire to help Oakland grow as a city won’t be affected by whom he’s running against. But others, such as former Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente and lobbyist Isaac Kos-Read, have said they’re holding off. “To be candid, I’m getting a little restless — but out of respect I have to wait,” De La Fuente said Monday in an interview. “Hopefully, she’ll make a decision soon.” An by numerous Oakland leaders urging Lee to run included sign-offs from City Council members Nikki Fortunato Bas, Treva Reid and Dan Kalb, as well as prospective candidate Kos-Read. The letter included signatures from both labor leaders and local political figures who otherwise have often clashed on issues like crime and public spending. “We need someone who can bring the new ideas, policies, resources and opportunities that the people of Oakland deserve,” the letter read. “That person is Barbara Lee.” There are other examples of weighty political races symbolically put on hold amid “will they, won’t they” tension involving potential candidates, including late in 1998. But the upcoming special election in Oakland is unique in how strongly some local leaders seem to be thinking past the election entirely in their overtures to Lee, said political expert Dan Schnur. “These communities and business and labor leaders aren’t begging her to run because they think she’s the only one who can win,” Schnur said. “They think she’s the only one who can govern.” The clearest sign of how many in the city view Lee — who has often weighed in on local affairs to or or — might be a billboard that popped up in recent weeks along Interstate 880 in East Oakland. “Thank You, Barbara Lee,” it reads, “for bringing over half a billion dollars of federal funds into Oakland in 2024!” The billboard, hoisted near the highway’s High Street exit, also links to a website, thankyoubarbaralee.com, which lists some of Lee’s accomplishments and includes a sign-up form “to add your name to our letter of gratitude!” Both the physical and digital ads were created by the East Oakland Youth Development Center. Selena Wilson, the nonprofit’s CEO, said the gesture had nothing to do with the upcoming special election and was solely intended to honor the congresswoman for her longtime support of the center. Nationally, Lee is perhaps best known for being the only member of Congress to oppose the use of military force following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Her entry into the race would bring a layer of gravitas to the top political office in Oakland, a city whose reputation took a hit after crime rose and the economy declined during the pandemic. But it may also bring back memories of the mayoral tenure of the late Rep. Ron Delllums, whose decorated legacy was hurt by the perception that he was an absentee leader during the Great Recession, or former Gov. Jerry Brown, whose time as mayor coincided with the infamous Riders police brutality scandal. Taylor, meanwhile, is steadfast about wanting to lead, an ambition that has not diminished in the two years by fewer than 700 ranked-choice votes. “I think the fact that the others are playing a game of political calculus,” he said, “is indicative of where their leadership commitment is and how confident they are in what they’re bringing to the table.”
Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) were sworn in Monday by Vice President Kamala Harris to serve the last three weeks of the terms of former Sens. Lephonza Butler and George Helmy, respectively. Butler and Helmy resigned over the weekend so that Schiff and Kim, both of whom won elections in November to full six-year terms starting in January 2025, could be appointed to assume their posts early. Schiff was also elected to serve the remaining length of Butler's term. Butler was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) in October 2023 to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein , and Helmy was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) in August to succeed disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez after a criminal conviction . They both vowed to be placeholders until voters could elect new senators to their respective seats. Schiff and Kim will be sworn in again on Jan. 3, 2025, at the start of their full six-year terms to the 119th Congress, along with the other incoming senators who were elected in November. Both resigned their House seats over the weekend, giving House Republicans a slight majority boost in the final weeks of the current session. "The Senate Democrats add two high-ranking caliber leaders who have already had great reputations in the House, where they got a whole lot done," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. Having represented coastal blue states for years, Schiff and Kim are no strangers to national politics. Schiff had served in the House since 2001, was a former House Intelligence Committee chairman, and was the lead impeachment manager for former President Donald Trump’s first Senate trial. "Schiff brings to the Senate an impressive record as a leading voice among House Democrats, where he was known for his piercing eloquence, his thoughtfulness, his unwavering support of democracy, and his courage," Schumer said. "As former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, he brings deep expertise and knowledge that will make him just a great senator." MEET THE NEW CONGRESS: THE HOUSE AND SENATE FRESHMEN ELECTED TO SERVE NEXT YEAR Kim had served in the House since 2019, previously worked in the State Department, and drew notoriety for helping staff members clean the Capitol building in the immediate aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. He is the first Korean American senator. "He's one of the most respected and admired in the House Democratic Caucus, where his talent was only matched by his decency," Schumer said of Kim. "He boasts an impressive record of service as a national security expert and diplomat, and spent every day in Congress putting families first."
More Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggestsNetflix is really pulling out all the stops for their NFL Christmas games. They paid $75 million apiece just to acquire the rights to Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens. They didn’t stop there, however, as they enlisted none other than the Queen Bey, Beyonce, to perform the halftime show at NRG Stadium in her native Houston. She’s already got one confirmed viewer for that set in Lamar Jackson, and Rob Gronkowski loves the Ravens star QB’s tactics. The two-time NFL MVP (who’s going for his third award this year) spoke candidly about his intentions during Beyonce’s halftime show. So candid, in fact, that the usually reserved Jackson had the reporter pool chuckling to no end. Jackson seemed adamant that he would, indeed “go out there and watch” the performance rather than stay in the locker room as usual. While discussing Jackson’s comments with Up & Adams host Kay Adams, former NFLer turned pundit, Rob Gronkowski, jokingly praised LJ for playing chess, not checkers, in this situation. As Gronk sees it, Jackson has set himself up in a win-win situation by making those comments before the game. As many in the BeeHive can likely attest, watching Beyonce perform is quite an experience. So it’s no surprise that Jackson doesn’t want to miss his first chance at seeing one of her spectacles. There’s little chance that Jackson will actually leave the locker room to watch the show, though we’d expect them to get it on a TV set in there for him and his teammates. Lamar will be locked in on securing a win against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans. Baltimore is still in a Wild Card spot despite beating the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. The Black and Gold men maintain an advantage in conference winning percentage. However, if Baltimore can win its final two games against the Texans and Cleveland Browns, while Pittsburgh drops one to either the Chiefs or the Cincinnati Bengals, the men in purple would be AFC North champs. While he likely wouldn’t admit it, Jackson will probably also be thinking about closing the gap further in this year’s MVP race. Before last weekend, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen was a -1,000 odds favorite. After a shaky game from Allen against a three-win team and an MVP performance in a victory over a 10-win team for Jackson, Allen’s odds have plummeted to -500 .The CEO Aamir Ali Baloch of Pakistan Railways has announced plans to introduce a new train on the Green Line model between Lahore and Karachi, with a phased upgrade of all coaches. Responding to public queries during an e-kachehri (virtual open court), Pakistan Railways CEO Aamir Ali Baloch said the department’s top priority is to provide better travel facilities to passengers. He highlighted that Pakistan Railways now possesses modern technology, enabling the local production of new coaches, which will eliminate the need to import coaches from abroad.Aamir Ali Baloch revealed that Pakistan Railways restored the Bolan Express operation within just 45 days using its own resources. Additionally, railway tracks and bridges damaged by rains are also being repaired domestically without external assistance. The Railway CEO issued immediate directives to the concerned divisional superintendent for improving amenities like clean drinking water, additional benches, and other facilities at stations such as Padidan and Sialkot. Addressing a query about encroachments on railway lands in Faisalabad, the CEO directed the DS Lahore to take prompt action to retrieve railway lands from illegal occupants and land mafias. In terms of onboard services, he instructed improvements in food quality and cleanliness, stressing the department’s responsibility to provide passengers with a clean and comfortable environment. He also urged the public to cooperate in maintaining cleanliness on trains. The e-kachehri saw participation from over 35,000 people and received approximately 6,500 comments. Previously Pakistan Railways introduced a 50% concession in rail fares for people with disabilities (PWDs) travelling in all express and passenger trains, excluding the Green Line. The discount is available upon presentation of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) with the disability logo, an official from the Ministry of Railways confirmed, APP reported. The discount also extends to the attendants accompanying visually impaired passengers. Additionally, the Railways has made several provisions to assist PWDs at major stations. Wheelchairs are available at all major stations, and special reservation and booking counters have been designated for them at reservation offices. Free access to executive washrooms and restrooms is being provided at select major stations, with 12 stations set to have dedicated executive washrooms for PWDs in the near future. The official added that these facilities aim to enhance the comfort and accessibility of railway services for them.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Right when the Los Angeles Rams' offense has dropped into a disconcerting slump, their defense has held three straight opponents under 10 points for the first time in decades. Although the Rams (10-6) are closing in on an NFC West title and another playoff berth with a five-game winning streak, the way they're doing it makes their postseason prospects quite unpredictable. The methodology has been strange, but the results are not: After holding off Arizona 13-9 on Saturday night, Los Angeles has won nine of 11 and is very close to claiming its fourth division title and sixth playoff berth in coach Sean McVay's eight seasons. “I’m proud of this group and the way they battled back,” Matthew Stafford said. “A lot of people doubted us, and a lot of people wrote us off at 1-4. To be able to sit here with our record what it is right now, I feel proud of this group.” The Rams hadn't held three straight opponents to single-digit scoring since 1975, but rookie coordinator Chris Shula's defense has done it with a strong front and a little luck on the back end, including the last-minute interception by Ahkello Witherspoon on a pass that deflected off star Arizona tight end Trey McBride's head at the goal line. Kyler Murray threw it before McBride was probably ready because Shula had called a zero blitz on first down at the Los Angeles 5. “I want to make more plays to make sure they don’t have to do as much as they did (against Arizona), but I’m proud of them,” Stafford said of the Rams' defense. "It’s awesome to watch where they were in training camp to where they are now. Shula is doing a hell of a job. We all knew he would. Those guys are playing hard for him.” But the Rams have scored more than 21 points just once during their five-game winning streak, their longest since their Super Bowl championship season in 2021. They’ve managed only three touchdowns in their last three games while scoring fewer than 20 points each time out, although that stretch includes games played in the rain (San Francisco) and in subfreezing temperatures (New York Jets). Against the Cardinals in Inglewood's ideal weather, the Rams’ offense still produced one TD, a season-worst 12 first downs and only 257 total yards — 139 fewer than Arizona. The running game struggled again, as it often does when all five starting offensive linemen aren't healthy, while the entire roster aside from Puka Nacua combined for just seven receptions for 60 yards — a surprising number for a McVay offense. “I don’t think there’s one thing I can point to,” McVay said Sunday. “I could go on and on about some of the things, starting with me, but then also about our execution in terms of getting connected in the run game, targeting the right way, making sure that the ball is going where it should go, and guys that I know are capable of playing the way that we’ve seen. If they do that, then I know that it’s not as far as sometimes it can feel like. But ultimately, we’ve got to do it.” What's working The young front four remains the strength of the defense. Jared Verse had a tremendous game on the edge against Murray and Arizona's running game, while fellow rookie Braden Fiske and second-year pros Kobie Turner and Byron Young all recorded sacks. What needs help The Rams again failed to establish the running game despite never trailing Arizona. Kyren Williams got his second-fewest carries of the season (13, with just five in the second half), while rookie Blake Corum was barely involved. Los Angeles' 3.9 yards per rush is the second-lowest mark in the NFL even though Williams began Sunday third in the league with 1,299 yards. Stock up Witherspoon not only made the game-saving interception, but the eight-year veteran who went unsigned until September also has seized the starting cornerback job from Cobie Durant, who didn't play on defense against the Cards despite being healthy again. McVay said Witherspoon's play during Durant's brief injury absence resulted in the change. Stock down Cooper Kupp had one catch against Arizona, and he has just 12 receptions in the past five games, matching the least productive five-game stretch of his eight-year career. Stafford has said the Rams need to get their Super Bowl 56 MVP more involved, and Kupp says he's healthy — yet it isn't happening. Injuries McVay believes the Rams stayed healthy outside of a stinger for rookie safety Kam Kinchens, but they felt the absence of RT Rob Havenstein, who injured his shoulder last week during an unpadded practice. Backup Joe Noteboom committed three holding penalties and got beaten repeatedly. Key number 4 — Stafford's consecutive games without taking a sack. That's the longest streak of his 16-year career, yet he has only one 200-yard passing game in that stretch. Next steps The Rams began Sunday preparing as if they'll play the Seahawks (9-7) next Saturday, although the game could happen a day later. McVay won't show his cards, but if the Rams have clinched, they seem likely to rest several regulars for the playoffs. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated PressMore Scots business owners anticipate higher turnover in 2025, poll suggests49ers overreactions: Is it time to replace Moody after rocky season?