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SAT NOV 23 Soup Lunch The Ky. Hillbilly Jeep Krew will be serving free soup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Living Bread Soup Kitchen at 321 S. Maple Street in Somerset. The Jilted Jarflies and The Catdaddies The Jilted Jarflies and the Catdaddies will be performing at Jack’s Axes from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Somerset Santa’s Workshop Somerset Santa’s Workshop will be at Nutty Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System The Magic School Bus will be at The Center For Rural Development, 2292 S Hwy 27 #300, Somerset, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. SUN NOV 24 Somerset Santa’s Workshop Somerset Santa’s Workshop will be at Nutty Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Grinch Days at Nutty Nanas Grinch Days will be at Nutty Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. TUE NOV 26 Thanksgiving Feast The Living Bread Soup Kitchen and South Maple Street Baptist Church will be serving a free Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the dining room at 321 S. Maple Street in Somerset. FRI NOV 29 Somerset Santa’s Workshop Somerset Santa’s Workshop at Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Country Christmas Festival Country Christmas Festival at Bear Wallow Farm, 1225 Piney Grove Rd, Nancy, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. SAT NOV 30 PCHS Class of 1962 The Pulaski County High School Class of 1962 will meet at Mr. Gatti’s at 5:30 p.m. Please check in with Diane or Joann upon arrival. Grinch Days at Nutty Nanas Grinch Days at Nutty Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Somerset Santa’s Workshop Somerset Santa’s Workshop at Nanas at Somerset Mall, 4150 US-27, Somerset, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. TUE NOV 26 Free Thanksgiving Feast The Living Bread Soup Kitchen and Maple Street Baptist Church will host a free Thanksgiving Feast from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the dining room at 309 S. Maple St. in Somerset. TUE DEC 3 The Nutcracker The Center for Rural Development and Lake Cumberland Performing Arts present The Nutcracker performed by the Kentucky Ballet Theatre. It will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Cornelia Dozier Cooper Theatre. Reserved Seating. Tickets are $35 + fees for adults and $25 + fees for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at www.centertech.com or at the Box Office. SAT DEC 7 Chimney Rock Baptist Church Singing The Chimney Rock Baptist Church will host a singing at 6 p.m., featuring The Gospel Traditions and the Chimney Rock Boys. Pastor Josh Wesley and the church invite everyone to attend. MON DEC 9 Northern Elementary SBDM Northern Elementary’s Site Based Decision Making council will hold its December meeting at 3:30 p.m. in the school’s library. TUE DEC 10 Merry and Bright: A Night with the Arts Community More than 500 middle and high school students in the Somerset and Pulaski County area will showcase their talents in band, choir, drama, and the visual arts at the first-ever Merry and Bright: A Night with the Arts Community Christmas Event on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. at The Center for Rural Development. This holiday event, presented by The Center for Rural Development and Lake Cumberland Performing Arts, will highlight 11 performances and more than 120 artworks on display. Each performing group will have a 30-minute time slot. Free Community Event. ONGOING Food Box Give-A-Way A food box give-a-way will take place on the third Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, located on Columbia Street in Somerset. Tax-Aide Volunteers AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is looking for volunteers in the Somerset area. Volunteers can serve in a variety of roles. In addition to tax preparation assistance, we need client facilitators, technology specialists, managers and interpreters. Volunteers do not have to be AARP members or have prior tax experience. All AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know and understand the latest changes and additions to the U.S. Tax Code. New members will work with a mentor. Volunteer at www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaidevolunteer or call 1-888-227-7669. For more information, call 423-724-8445. GriefShare GriefShare will begin a grief counseling program on September 8 which will continue through December 1. Meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Sunday at Community Harvest Church of God in Somerset. Cost: $20 for workbook, with scholarships available. For more info or to register, go to griefshare.org/findagroup and search for the church. You can join any time and do not have to attend every session. Living Bread Soup Kitchen The Living Bread Soup Kitchen serves meals every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m. They also serve food boxes on the third Tuesday of each month. Watch our Facebook page for pop-up food and clothing giveaways. The kitchen is located at 321 S. Maple Street in Somerset, behind the Pulaski County Public Library building. Pulaski County Democratic Women’s Club The Pulaski County Democratic Women’s Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at Democratic headquarters, 105 W. Mt. Vernon Street, Somerset. Guest speakers present each month on a variety of topics. All are welcome. Alzheimer’s Support Group Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet every 2nd Monday of the month at Cumberland Church of Christ at 6 p.m. Somerset Newcomers Meet the first Monday of each month for lunch at Reno’s in Burnside at 11 a.m. If you are interested in joining us, please email somersetkynewcomers@gmail.com . TOPS TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at Rocky Hollow Recreation Center upstairs in the meeting room. Weigh-in from 5 to 6 p.m. Join us and Take Off Pounds Sensibly! Contact Sandra Bertram at 606-679-7747 for more information. Lake Cumberland Country Jammers Will meet each Thursday in the Ferguson Community Center from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3. For more information, call 425-0900. A Cumberland Country Music Night Every Tuesday at the Neighborhood Senior Living Center, 100 Neighborly Way in Somerset. Takes place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Classic country, gospel and comedy performances by the local Cumberland Country Jammers. Free admission, free refreshments. For more information, call 606-677-2906. PFLAG Somerset PFLAG Somerset meet the fourth Thursday of each month (except in November which is Thanksgiving). They meet at A New Beginning Achievement Center, 600 Bogle Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m. Somerset Women’s Experience Strength and Hope (ESH) Al Anon Family Group Meetings held each Monday at 10 a.m. at the Pulaski County Public Library, unless the library is closed. Contact 606-382-0945 or 606-425-2015. Nelson Valley Baptist Church Is holding AWANA classes for all ages every Wednesday night, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is fun, food and learning about the Lord. Everyone is invited. Somerset-Pulaski County Ministerial Association Ministers and all leaders are cordially invited to our monthly meeting every first Wednesday of the month at 12 noon in the Pulaski County Public Library, 305 S. Main St., Somerset. We meet in the library conference room. Bring your own lunch. Kiwanis Club of Somerset Meets the first and third Thursday of the month at 12 noon at Mellow Mushroom. If you would like more information about the club, please call 606-678-5985. Somerset Independent Schools Alumni and Aquatic Center Somerset Alumni Aquatic Center, 100 East Somerset Church Rd., is now open to the public from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. The Alumni Center is closed on Sundays. The Alumni Center offers Water Aerobics Class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. (Kaye Keller, instructor). For more information, please call 606-679-7248 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays. Somerset Newcomers for Women Somerset Newcomers for women meet on the first Monday of the month at Reno’s in Burnside @ 11:30 a.m. If you are new to the area of Somerset and would like more information, please contact us at somersetkynewcomers@gmail.com . Science Hill Independent School The Science Hill Board of Education will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the Boardroom at Science Hill Independent School District at 5 p.m., except for April and October when it will be held on the 3rd Tuesday. Kentucky Public Retirees Lake Cumberland Chapter of KPR meets the third Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Mellow Mushroom. For more information, contact president Bruce Brown at 606-305-9960. Lake Cumberland Beekeepers’ Association Lake Cumberland Chapter meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the lower classroom at the Pulaski County Extension Office. For more information, visit lakecumberlandbeekeepers.com or call the local extension office at 606-679-6361. Family to Family Support Group Family members of mentally ill people, sponsored through NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) meets at the Cancer Treatment Center on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Questions? Call Lori, 317-443-6237. Civil Air Patrol #357 Meeting every Tuesday 6-8 p.m. at the Hal Rogers Fire Training Center, Building 4, 180 Oak Leaf Lane. Contact Capt. Stacy Foncannon, Squadron Commander, 606-492-9987. Meadowlark Extension Homemakers Club Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 1 o’clock at the Pulaski County Extension Office. Janice Harris is the president. Salvation Army Has a new address which is P.O. Box 967, Somerset. Phone number is 502-777-6693. Pulaski County Extension Center Join them as they walk the streets of Somerset each Thursday at noon. Select your own route or walk one that has been mapped out. Meet in the parking lot across from God’s Food Pantry. Free incentives are given weekly. Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings Meets Mondays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. AA meets at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. Al-Anon meetings are for family/friends of alcoholics/addicts who need support and meet at St. Mildred’s Tuesdays at 6 p.m. There is also a Women’s Only meeting at the Public Library on Mondays at 10 a.m. For more info, please call St. Mildred Church at 678-5051. Volunteers needed to knit or crochet baby hats for Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Come by the Pulaski County Extension Office and pick up a pattern if you would be willing to make baby hats. Several ladies are still making these hats monthly but they could use your help. New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous Meets at 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at St. Mildred Catholic Church, 203 South Central Ave. For more info: 606-416-8633. Science Hill Branch Library “A Little Bit of Magic,” a learning environment for preschoolers, age 2-5. Wednesdays, 11-11:45 a.m. Stories, games, art, science, counting, shapes, colors, sharing and working with other children. Bingo at the Waynesburg Masonic Lodge Meets Tuesday and Friday of each month with the exception of second Friday of the month. Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary #45. Shopville Branch Public Library Storytime every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Somerset American Legion Post #38 (located at 500 Enterprise Drive) Has a service officer available every Tuesday and Thursday, 8-11 a.m. Call (606) 425-5017 for more information. Independent Order of Odd Fellows Science Hill Lodge 414 Bingo session at 7 p.m. every Saturday and 2 p.m. every Sunday at Bingo Dome No. 2 on Enterprise Drive behind Somerset Mall. Eighty percent of proceeds to go to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. For more info call David Bass at 423-2969. Independent Order of Odd Fellows Science Hill Lodge 414 Is accepting new members and would like to invite old members looking for a lodge to join. Accepting men and women. Meetings on first and third Monday of each month, 6 p.m. Info: David Bass, 423-2969. Widows Eat Together Lunch at Ruckels, noon, second Thursday of each month. The only cost is your meals. Long-term Care Ombudsman Program Volunteers needed nationwide to make this program work. Its goal is to help assure that long-term care facility residents live harmoniously and with dignity, feeling free to voice complaints or concerns without reprisal. After training, volunteers spend 6-8 hours a month visiting assigned nursing homes. They talk with residents and observe conditions. If there is a complaint, they take it to their district ombudsman for resolution. Interested volunteers can contact the District Long-term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-264-7093. SAFY (Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth) Meetings every second and fourth Tuesday at 5 p.m. for persons to learn more about therapeutic foster care. Held at the office at 3540 South U.S. 27, Suite 4, Light 21, Somerset. Hinkle Bell Extension Homemakers Meets the third Monday of each month. President is Betty Waddle. Nelson Valley Baptist Church AWANA each Wednesday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Classes are available for age 2 years through high school. For additional information on the program call AWANA Director at 606-271-6552. Nelson Valley Baptist is located at 2651 Ky. 39, Science Hill. Lake Cumberland Area Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Meets second Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. at Cumberland Church of Christ, 154 Turner St., Somerset. For additional information, call 606-219-0700. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group Meetings open to everyone. 3rd Friday of each month, 10-11 a.m. at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. Contact Arlene, Senior Friends Advisor, 678-3274. Pisgah’s Tuesday Night Jam Weekly, 6:30 p.m. Old Pisgah Schoolhouse. $2 donation. Proceeds benefit local charities. Free refreshments. Musicians and members of the community who enjoy country, bluegrass, folk, gospel music welcome. West off South Hwy. 27 at light #25 onto 914 Bypass. Schoolhouse is on the left. VFW Post 269 Meets third Thursday of each month except December. Free dinner at 6 p.m. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. Mending Fences Cowboy Church Meets every Thursday of at 6 p.m. If you are struggling with any addiction, join us! 1083 Columbia Ave., Monticello, KY 42633. KSP Post 11 Post will be conducting periodic traffic safety checkpoints at locations approved by the Kentucky State Police Policy and Procedures Manual in Clay, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Wayne and Whitley counties. Special attention paid to seatbelt adherence, sobriety, insurance and registration violations. Somerset Junior Women’s Club General meeting is the second Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m., at Pulaski County Public Library. All ladies welcome to come. Ages 18-101. DAV Monthly meeting the LAST Thursday of each month, July through October, beginning at 6:30 p.m. November and December are holiday events yet to be scheduled. Located at 349 W. Ky. 635, Science Hill (in the Head Start Building). Somerset Garden Club Meets once a month at various local locations for informational, plant artistry and social luncheons. We are looking forward to new members interested in gardening and our city projects. Contact Czarina Cain at 859-537-7160. Small Business Squad Networking group meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/SmallBusinessSquad . Love Divine Baptist Church Revelation Bible Study, Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. by Bro. Vestal Meece. Welcome. Wayne County Chapter #105 DAV & Auxiliary Meets first Monday of each month at Senior Citizens Center. 6-6:30 p.m. Refreshments; 6:30-7:30 p.m. DAV & Auxiliary Meets. Monticello, KY. Commander Jeff Morgan, 606-307-8719. Free Bible Studies Send request to: Bible Study, P.O. Box 44, Science Hill KY 42553. Or call: 931-227-6764 with Full Name, Mailing Address and ZIP Code. Speed Art Memories at the Museum Meets on the third Wednesday of every months from 1-2:30 p.m. EST, combining a tour of a gallery or special exhibition with a hands-on art-making activity. Designed for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Registration is required through the Alzheimer’s Association. Please call 1-800-272-3900.
Bo Nix turned, looked to his right and threw his hands in the air as a gaping hole came into his periphery. As Audric Estime plunged into the end zone to cap a bruising opening drive last week in Los Angeles, he did so over a right side that had been completely caved in. Right guard Quinn Meinerz watched Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford shift from his outside shoulder to inside and knew he had the big man right where he wanted him. Same for Mike McGlinchey, who saw Joey Bosa move to his inside and collapse him down right into the path of linebacker Junior Colson. That left little work for pulling left guard Ben Powers, who cleaned up Colson as Estime easily hit pay dirt. That’s $211.5 million in total contract value and $48.5 million in average pay per year paving the way at the point of attack for Denver. This is what the Broncos are built to do. It’s what head coach Sean Payton set out to forge from the day he took the job two years ago. And now comes a critical juncture at which Denver will put its eight-year playoff drought on the line and its inside-out building project to the test against a Cincinnati team that’s got real problems on both lines but terrific perimeter talent. “That’s what this group has prepared for,” Denver right guard Quinn Meinerz told The Post. “It’s what we’ve built on from Day 1 when this staff came in is being ready for the big moments. We talk about the moment of truth all the time and that’s these type of games. That’s these type of two-minute drills. That’s these type of end-of-game, end-of-half scenarios that we’ve been training for for two years now at this point.” From the moment , Payton’s regularly pointed to two ingredients that make life easier on a rookie quarterback: quality defense and a strong run game. The Broncos have had the former and sometimes the latter, but what’s clear is that both are powered by work at the line of scrimmage. And in that department, Denver’s been really good this season. In fact, the trenches more than perhaps any other factor have powered the Broncos’ surprise run to the doorstep of the postseason. They’ll likely determine, too, whether Denver kicks down the door and clinches its playoff spot or falters in the final two weeks of the season and leaves its fate in the hands of others. “It’s interesting when you look at how teams are built,” tight end Adam Trautman told The Post, using an example a couple of days before Chicago lost its 10th straight game Thursday night against Seattle. “If you look at the Bears, right, they’re built outside-in. Football is such a dependent sport. The quarterback depends on the O-line. The quarterback depends on the receivers getting open. Receivers depend on the O-line for targets. Tight ends depend on the O-line. “Everything meshes together, but it all, always, will begin with the guys up front.” For the most part, the statistical profile of Denver’s offense this year is that of a decent unit. They’re 10th in the NFL in scoring — and have scored 28-plus points seven times — but have also benefitted from a whopping 39 defensive points. They’re good in the red zone (No. 8 in red zone TD percentage) and middling on third down (No. 18). They’re tied for No. 22 in net passing yards per attempt (5.8) and tied for No. 17 in rushing yards per attempt. In terms of overall analytics like estimated points added, the Broncos check in at No. 18 offensively. Where the offense really shines, though, is in offensive line metrics. in pass block win rate and No. 3 in run blocking. is less charitable with the run game, ranking the Broncos No. 16 in run blocking, but also considers Denver the best pass-blocking unit in the NFL. It’s a group that’s paid upper-echelon dollars — McGlinchey and Powers were among the first two free-agent signings of Payton’s tenure in Denver, while Meinerz and left tackle Garett Bolles in — and feels like it’s performing to that standard. “One hundred percent,” Meinerz said. “I think the amount of time and effort we’ve put into becoming a cohesive group and the amount of extra reps, extra time, side conversations and all of that so that we can fit combinations or come up with our own little language of how we want to do things. It’s within the framework of our rules and stuff like that, but (offensive line coach Zach Strief) also does a great job of giving us the freedom — giving us multiple ways of being able to do something and then kind of leaving it up to us to figure out what the best way is with our skill sets.” McGlinchey and Powers have played on really good offensive lines for teams that have made playoff runs in San Francisco and Baltimore, respectively. Meinerz, Bolles and center Luke Wattenberg are trying to get to the postseason for the first time. McGlinchey said the group puts that goal on its own 10 shoulders. “Our group has preached it here under Strief that we want to be the reason this team goes somewhere,” he said. “I think we’ve done that to an extent so far this year, and now it’s time to go cash in.” The group has been at the vanguard of preaching confidence in Nix, the rookie quarterback, but it has also instilled confidence and calm in him. Payton is quick to point out that pressure can be controlled by the quarterback and the way he operates in the pocket. Sacks, he says often, are as much a quarterback stat as an offensive line stat. And yet, the Broncos offensive line has consistently given Nix time to think through what he’s seeing. Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked seven times against Seattle on Thursday night and has now been sacked 67 times in 16 games for a whopping 11.2% sack rate. Washington rookie Jayden Daniels, who is putting together a terrific season and has a chance to get the Commanders into the postseason, has a sack rate of 8.1%. New England’s talented Drake Maye? 8.4%. Nix is rolling along at 4.2%. That’s just 22 sacks, even though he’s No. 8 in the NFL in drop-backs. The 26% pressure rate against Nix is third-lowest in the NFL. Former Denver quarterback Russell Wilson, by comparison, missed the first six games of the season but in 10 starts for Pittsburgh has been sacked 29 times on just 351 drop-backs compared to Nix’s 22 on 571. So even if the Broncos haven’t exactly taken Nix off the high dive all the time — through 16 weeks across the league he was No. 6 the NFL in passing attempts — they’ve at least put him in a comfortable situation more times than not. “If you look around the NFL, teams with good offensive lines play good offense,” Denver offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “I think we have one. I feel very confident in that. I think we’re going to run the ball well. Our protection’s been excellent. And when you combine those things, good things are going to happen.” The Broncos now need good things to happen over the final two weeks of the season. For a while last week against the Chargers, it looked as though they’d ride a dominant outing by the offensive line to a Week 15 clinch. Denver rushed it and by halftime had 89 yards on 13 carries. That production, though, dried up in the second half. Los Angeles adjusted, the Denver offense stalled and Payton called just eight run plays in the second half despite leading into the fourth quarter and being within a score until the final 2 minutes, 27 seconds. McGlinchey called the critical fall-off the result of “a little bit of everything,” including adjustments that L.A. made. “That first-down call matters a lot, and you’ve got to stay ahead of the chains,” he said. “If you can stay in manageable situations and on schedule on second down, it gives the play-caller a lot more confidence to continue to call it. Obviously (Payton) comes from a place where they were lights-out for 20 years and nobody could stop them throwing the ball, so that’s what he knows. When it comes down to it, we’ve got to give him the reason to trust us and we’ve got to be better throughout the game.” They should still get their chances to show it over the next couple of weeks, beginning Saturday in against the Bengals. Asking Nix to match Joe Burrow throw-for-throw is bad business. The Broncos don’t have receivers like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, don’t have a tight end as accomplished as Mike Gesicki (47 catches for 511 yards), and don’t have a running back with nearly the offensive production as Chase Brown’s 1,259 scrimmage yards. What they do have is a big, expensive offensive line now in its second year mostly playing together. A group that believes it’s among the league’s best. A group that reveled in the early-game slug-fest against Los Angeles this week and is desperate to be turned loose against a Bengals defense that’s been every shade of bad so far this season. A group capable of driving an otherwise average offense to a place the franchise hasn’t been since 2015: the playoffs. “The more you get into important football games, the more obvious situations matter,” McGlinchey said. “The more every play matters. It matters how you block people. Giving the quarterback an extra second in the pocket, giving a receiver an extra second to get open, giving the running back a little bit more daylight to get that extra three or four yards. “You never know what it’s going to come down to, but it always comes down to blocking.”Stephen Paul Gale case: How survivors, technology aided long quest for justice
Most 32-inch TVs are pretty rubbish. Once the most popular screen size, 32 inches is now considered small by the brands that make them and, if we're being honest, most of those brands don't put the effort in that they should. For some, though, 32 inches is as big as they want or can go. Perhaps it's a TV for a bedroom or snug, or it could just be that you don't want the TV to be the focal point of your living room. Whatever the reason, if you're someone who actively wants a 32-inch TV this , you're going to have a particularly tricky time wading through all of the rubbish ones to find one that is good. Well, you have a tricky time doing that, if we hadn't done it for you. We bought a bunch of 32-inch TVs from Amazon earlier this year and put them through our full testing process, and the best one (and my personal favourite) was the TCL 32SF540K, which you can now pick up for an incredibly low price of just . While expectations need to be tempered at this price (and because this is a 'small' TV), the TCL SF540K offers a surprisingly stacked feature set and a very likeable picture performance. The headline is the inclusion of Amazon's Fire TV operating system, which means the whole user experience is rather like that of a . It's colourful, intuitive and it grants access to pretty much every streaming app you're likely to need, including all of the major UK-specific catch-up apps, which are neatly wrapped up in the wrapper. You can use the mic built into the remote to chat to Alexa, too, essentially turning the TV into a big Amazon Echo device – albeit one that requires a button press to operate. Unlike most TVs at this level, which have an 'HD Ready' 720p resolution, the SF540K has a 'Full HD' 1080p resolution. It also boasts and a direct LED backlight, and it supports in the HDR10 and . And while the TV isn't packed with gaming features, it does offer switching and a low input lag of 15.3ms, so it's a good option if you need a very affordable . In action, the TCL SF540K isn't super-bright or vibrant, but it is balanced and controlled, which is more than can be said for most rivals. Black levels are reasonable and there's plenty of shadow detail, bright highlights are free of nasty 'clipping', and colours are fairly warm and natural. It's sharper and more detailed than the other 32-inch TVs we've tested recently, too, and motion is handled well. Our only real criticism of the picture performance (taking into consideration the price, of course) is that it has fairly limited viewing angles, which means those sitting substantially off-axis from the TV will find the picture looks a bit washed out. The sound quality is unfortunately worse than the picture. The thin and limp delivery won't be a huge problem for daytime TV, but it will be a frustration for movies and games. This isn't unusual for TVs at any level, though, and certainly not at this size and price, so it shouldn't put you off too much. But do budget for a if you're able. Ultimately, this is a very solid-performing and smart TV. We awarded it four stars at £149, but it actually launched for £179, making it a real bargain at the new price of £128.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu , has announced that Nigeria is set to add 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity to its national grid before the end of the year, marking a significant boost in the country’s power supply. Adelabu disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The minister attributed the upcoming increase to the successful completion of the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), a collaborative effort between Nigeria and Siemens aimed at modernizing and expanding the country’s electricity infrastructure. “We believe that before the end of the year, an additional 150 megawatts will be added upon completion of the entire pilot phase.” he said. Adelabu outlined significant advancements in the country’s energy sector, emphasising the crucial role of international collaboration, particularly with Germany. The minister said, “We have a bilateral relationship with the Republic of Germany that focuses on energy and electricity support. “The name of the game now is about cooperation, collaboration, and partnership.” Adelabu noted that the Siemens project is a flagship component of the partnership, aimed at implementing both brownfield and greenfield transmission substations under the PPI. The minister said since the agreement was signed in December 2023 during the 28th session of the United Nations climate change conference (COP 28) in Dubai, Nigeria has made significant progress. “We have completed the pilot phase of this project up to 80%,” he said. According to the minister, the pilot phase includes the importation and installation of 10 power transformers as well as 10 mobile substations — with eight already commissioned. “The positive impact of this is that it has added nothing less than 750 megawatts to our transmission grid capacity,” he said. Adelabu said the next phase would involve revamping 14 existing substations and establishing 23 new ones across the country. “The entire grid is quite fragile and dilapidated. We need to revamp it to ensure stability going forward,” the minister said. In addition to addressing immediate power needs, Adelabu emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to renewable energy as part of the country’s long-term strategy. “We have an energy transition plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060,” he said. The minister said Germany’s expertise in renewable technologies aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s natural resources, adding that “Germany has technology; we have the sun and wind”. He said over 30 states in Nigeria enjoy a minimum of 10 hours of sunshine daily. The minister also discussed plans for off-grid solutions, calling for a distributed power model where each state would have its own generating plants. He said, “This model will shield states from problems on the national grid and ensure rural electrification. “Germany’s involvement extends beyond traditional energy sources; it includes significant investments in green energy projects.” Together with partners, Adelabu said the country can build a robust energy infrastructure that supports economic growth.
Larry Wilson: Mr. Schiff goes to Washington, againNovember 23 - Amid a rocky start to the season, Villanova coach Kyle Neptune saw his team's defense strengthen during Tuesday's 93-49 home win over Pennsylvania. "I thought we were way more cohesive than we've been," Neptune said. "Guys were together, they were talking. I thought our switches were better." The improved chemistry comes at a critical time for the Wildcats (3-3), who face a high-powered Maryland squad at the Empire Classic on Sunday afternoon in Newark, N.J. Villanova stymied the Quakers to 26.9 percent shooting from the field and allowed its fewest points in a game this season. That came after the Wildcats let Virginia hit 14 of 25 3-pointers (56 percent) in the Cavaliers' 70-60 win on Nov. 15 in Baltimore. Neptune's squad also enjoyed a strong game on Tuesday from Tyler Perkins, who tallied 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals in a spot start. The Penn transfer has averaged 8.3 points across six games (two starts), but Neptune said the guard's impact extends beyond the box score. "(He's) the ultimate competitor," Neptune said. "From the first second he got on campus, he's set the tone. No matter what team he's on, you know he's gonna bring it." Tuesday's 44-point margin was Villanova's most lopsided win this season, but the Terrapins (4-1) were even more dominant in their game Tuesday by blasting visiting Canisius by 71 points. All four of Maryland's victories have come by at least 30. Like the Wildcats, the Terrapins benefitted from a lineup change in their last game. Coach Kevin Willard moved DeShawn Harris-Smith to the bench in favor of fellow guard Rodney Rice, who delivered 13 points and made three 3-pointers as Maryland rolled to a 108-37 win. Rice has hit 12 of 27 from 3-point range this season to complement the post production of big men Derik Queen (15.0 points per game) and Julian Reese (12.2), a dynamic that has made the Terrapins tough to defend. "I think we're able to space the floor out a little bit better (with Rice)," Willard told Maryland's student newspaper. "You have three (guards) who are ready to pull the trigger." Backcourt mates Ja'Kobi Gillespie (11-for-28) and Selton Miguel (5-for-20) are the Terrapins' three most frequent 3-point shooters along with Rice. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
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The rumor mill is churning with whispers about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and one of the hottest topics is pricing. Will Samsung hold the line on prices for its flagship phones, or will we see a jump? Let’s dive into the factors influencing the potential pricing of the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra. Pricing Predictions and the Factors at Play Predicting smartphone prices is a tricky business, with a complex interplay of factors influencing the final cost. Everything from component costs and inflation to currency exchange rates and market competition can play a role. In the case of the Galaxy S25 series, there’s a strong possibility that Samsung might maintain the same price points as the S24 series. This strategy could be influenced by several key factors: However, it’s important to acknowledge the opposing forces that could push prices upwards: Dissecting the Rumors Several leaks and rumors hint at the possibility of Samsung maintaining the current pricing structure: What This Means for Consumers If Samsung does indeed hold prices steady, it would be welcome news for consumers. Here’s what it could mean: A Closer Look at the Galaxy S25 Series While pricing is a crucial factor, it’s equally important to consider what the Galaxy S25 series is expected to bring to the table. Here’s a breakdown of the anticipated features and specifications: My Take Personally, I believe there’s a good chance Samsung will maintain its current pricing strategy for the Galaxy S25 series. Having used Samsung phones for years, I’ve observed their pricing trends, and I think they understand the importance of staying competitive in a crowded market. However, it’s crucial to remember that these are just predictions. The final prices will depend on a variety of factors, and Samsung could always surprise us. Looking Ahead The official launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series is still some time away (likely early 2025). As we get closer to the release date, we can expect more concrete information about pricing to emerge. In the meantime, stay tuned for further leaks, rumors, and analysis. The smartphone world is constantly evolving, and the Galaxy S25 series is shaping up to be a major player in the next generation of flagship devices.Gregory Hafen elected to lead Nevada’s GOP Assemblyhas warned his teammates that forward is a "top player in form" as Mikel Arteta urged his strikers to find their ruthless streak to keep their Champions League hopes on track. Gyökeres has become one of Europe's most prolific forwards after netting 24 goals in 17 games this season, attracting interest from a host of clubs including , , and the Gunners. Sporting host Arsenal at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday and Arsenal goalkeeper Raya said of Gyökeres: "We know his strengths, how he runs a lot in behind and scores a lot in one v. one and he is a top player in form. "We are going to try and keep him very, very quiet. Don't give him any chances. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a great job and keep a clean sheet." Arteta refused to be drawn on Gyökeres specifically, choosing instead to focus on Sporting's collective threat, having beaten Manchester City 4-1 in Ruben Amorim's final Champions League match before becoming United boss. Gyökeres scored a hat trick that night and since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2022, he has scored 69 goals in 67 games across all competitions. Asked how good the Sweden international is and how Arsenal can stop him, Arteta chose to focus on Sporting's remarkable unbeaten 19-game run this season, including 17 victories. "I would like to talk about the team, about the coaches and how phenomenal they have been," said Arteta. "The run they are in is incredible. That tells you that it is not only the quality, the setup, the ambition, it is something about the team energy that they have. That is a great challenge that we have tomorrow, to come here and make a statement and show we are capable against this kind of opponent. Be ourselves and win the game." Pushed further on Gyökeres, Arteta replied: "I understand the question, but they have a lot of individual qualities. That's why they can win games in various ways. And yes, in the specific position they have great players." Arsenal have won just one of their last eight away games in Europe and have not scored in their last four, a run dating back to last December's 1-1 draw against when the Gunners had already booked their spot in the knockout rounds. "Not all the games have been the same. It's true that within those games there were games that were when we had already qualified," Arteta said. "Something that is very true is that we have to improve those results and we have to find ways to understand what has been missing. Sometimes it's been performance, sometimes it's been other aspects. That's the next step we have to make as a team. "I wouldn't say that this is the most important thing but the efficiency that we have shown inside the box at this level with the chances that we are normally able to generate in the Champions League level, is not at the level required to win consistently. "I always say the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to get all of those right to win, especially away from home." Sporting are second in the Champions League table, two points behind first-place Liverpool, while Arsenal sit in 12th on seven points after four matches.
VANCOUVER — A family of killer whales has made a rare trip into waters off downtown Vancouver for what an expert says was likely a "grocery shopping" hunt for harbour seals. Video shared on social media by False Creek Ferries shows the whales cruising past highrise towers at the entrance to False Creek on Sunday. Andrew Trites, director of the University of British Columbia's marine mammal research unit, has identified the whales as a family group of transient orcas consisting of a mother and her three offspring. He says it's the first time the 26-year-old mother, known as T35A, has shown up in downtown Vancouver with her offspring aged six, 11 and 14. Trites says the well documented family has previously been seen by marine researchers from Alaska to the Juan de Fuca Strait south of Vancouver Island. He attributes the pod's surprising downtown appearance to seals also changing their habits as they hide from orcas, forcing killer whales to hunt in backwater areas like False Creek. Trites says the video shows the whales moving quietly like "ghosts" to avoid alerting their prey. Killer whales have previously been spotted in False Creek, including in 2019, and in 2010 a grey whale swam all the way to the end of the inlet, near Science World. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Nono Shen, The Canadian PressNew Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS): The BJP-led NDA (MahaYuti) secured a massive victory in Maharashtra, largely due to the trust voters placed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and leadership. The schemes and promises PM Modi highlighted during his rallies resonated deeply with the electorate, contributing to the BJP's strong performance in the assembly elections. However, the success of this campaign can also be attributed to the strategic efforts of Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw. These two leaders played a crucial role in translating the PM’s message into action, ensuring it reached every corner of Maharashtra. They worked tirelessly to organise rallies, facilitate meetings with party workers, and engage with the public directly. The key schemes shared by the Prime Minister were effectively communicated to the masses in a simplified and relatable manner, thanks to the strategic approach devised and executed by Yadav and Vaishnaw. Their efforts ensured that the BJP’s message was reflected not just in speeches but at the grassroots level, making a significant impact on the electorate ahead of the assembly elections. It is said that they were the quieter architects behind what led to the BJP-led Mahayuti’s sweeping victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. They helped the BJP-led ruling alliance storm back to power once again. Despite remaining largely out of sight for the public during the campaign or rallies, their strategic roles were crucial in securing the party's success in the key state of Maharashtra where the Lok Sabha results in June were not good news for BJP. Both Yadav and Vaishnaw, entrusted with the roles of in-charge and co-incharge respectively for the Maharashtra elections, played a crucial behind-the-scenes role, steering the party’s efforts from the shadows. Remarkably absent from public rallies and from media glare, the duo worked diligently, skillfully and efficiently to ensure that the BJP's strategy was effectively implemented at every level. When Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the BJP’s manifesto in Mumbai on November 10, Yadav and Vaishnaw were nowhere to be seen on the dais as was expected. They were seen in the audience then. However, their absence from the spotlight did not undermine their significant influence. They continued to work in the direction of reaching out to party workers and other supporters, sharing the required guidance and strategic inputs to strengthen the BJP's position. They worked meticulously to counter the caste and social engineering of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. They were instrumental in addressing key challenges, which included countering the strategies of the opposition MVA and maintaining party unity by resolving internal dissent. Their success in Maharashtra reminds one of their earlier performances in Madhya Pradesh, where they helped the BJP win decisively despite anti-incumbency sentiment. The BJP leadership recognised their skills and talents after their successful handling of the Madhya Pradesh election, where their strategic prowess paved the way for a victory in a state where many expected the BJP to hardly sail through. In view of this track record, the BJP entrusted them with Maharashtra in the month of June, and once again, they delivered results that exceeded expectations.
Pachuca of Mexico bested Brazilian side Botafogo 3-0 on Wednesday in the Intercontinental Cup to reach the next stage of the competition. Second-half strikes from Pachuca's Oussama Idrissi, Nelson Deossa and Salomón Rondón gave the North American continental champions victory over their South American counterparts. "It was really emotional," said Pachuca coach Guillermo Almada. "It was a party in the stadium with all the supporters from Pachuca and Botafogo that came here – it was a football party." "We're very happy," he added. "We're already thinking about the next game, which could be even more difficult than this one." The winners of the all-American clash progress to the next round of the new Intercontinental Cup format, where they will meet CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly of Egypt on December 14. Real Madrid, the current Uefa Champions League holders, lie in wait in the final four days later. Pachuca qualified for the tournament as victors of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup – following their 3-0 win in the final against MLS side Columbus Crew in early June. The defeat put a dampener on a brilliant fortnight for Botafogo in which they won the Copa Libertadores and wrapped up the Brazilian Serie A. "I won't look for an excuse," said Botafogo coach Artur Jorge. "Pachuca were better than us, more efficient and more capable in the second half." The 52-year-old Portuguese guided the Rio club to a first-ever Copa Libertadores and a first domestic league title since 1995 this year. "It wasn't the result we wanted, but we had an extraordinary year, made history," he added. (AFP)