What to know about Linda McMahon, the ECU grad Trump nominated for education secretary
Falcon Gold Corp. ( CVE:FG – Get Free Report )’s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 139000 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03. Falcon Gold Stock Performance The company has a market cap of C$3.80 million, a PE ratio of -2.50 and a beta of 0.61. The stock’s 50 day moving average is C$0.03 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. About Falcon Gold ( Get Free Report ) Falcon Gold Corp. generates, acquires, and explores mineral properties in the Americas. It explores for gold, silver, copper, and base metal deposits, as well as diamonds. Its flagship project is the Central Canada Gold Mine located approximately 20km southeast of Agnico Eagle’s Hammond Reef Gold Deposit. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Falcon Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Falcon Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Swansea boss Luke Williams thought his side were second best for the majority of the contest despite earning a 2-1 win at Derby. The Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”
Zomato earns a place in Sensex: A milestone for India’s tech-driven economy
Labour would lose its majority and nearly 200 seats if a general election was held today, a new mega poll suggests. While Sir Keir Starmer would still come out on top, it would be in a "highly fragmented and unstable" parliament with five parties holding over 30 seats. More in Common, which used the data of more than 11,000 people to produce the analysis, said the results show the UK's First Past the Post (FPTP) system is "struggling to function" in the new world of multi-party politics, and if the results come true it would make government formation "difficult". The model estimates Labour would win, but with barely a third of the total number of seats and a lead of just six seats over the Conservatives. According to the analysis, Labour would lose 87 seats to the Tories overall, 67 to Reform UK and 26 to the SNP - with "red wall" gains at the July election almost entirely reversed. Nigel Farage's Reform party would emerge as the third largest in the House of Commons, increasing its seat total 14-fold to 72. A number of cabinet ministers would lose their seats to Reform - the main beneficiary of the declining popularity of Labour and the Tories - including Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband, Bridget Philipson, Jonathan Reynolds and John Healey. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, would lose Ilford North to an independent, the analysis suggests. Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, said the model is "not a prediction of what would happen at the next general election", which is not expected until 2029. X X , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change... Faye BrownH-1B Uproar Obscures Vast Workforce of Other White-Collar MigrantsITV viewers have been left baffled by a celebrity special of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The ITV quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire ?, fronted by host Jeremy Clarkson, saw one of its celebrity guests struggle and use up not one but two lifelines in the first five minutes of the hot seat. 6 Jools Holland was the first celebrity to sit in the hot seat on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? celebrity special Credit: ITV 6 The music icon took the hot seat versus presenter Jeremy Clarkson Credit: ITV 6 On his fourth question, Jools used up one lifeline to help him earn £500 Credit: ITV The ITV celebrity special featured Jools Holland , Nina Wadia and Ugo Mony in the hot seat aiming to earn money for charities and climb the money leaderboard. However music guru Jools Holland struggled to reach the £1,000 mark, calling in his 'ask the audience' and 'phone a friend' lifelines for his fourth and fifth questions. For his fourth question, which would earn him £500, Jools was asked "In March 2020, who began hosting online fitness workouts for children under the title 'P.E. with Joe'?" Turning to the audience, they overwhelming replied that it was sports guru Joe Wicks rather than any of the other Joe choices, including former US president Joe Biden. More on ITV SOAP DRAMA Another Emmerdale star devastated after being brutally AXED amid ITV cash crisis quiz upset ITV spark fury by airing controversial Beat The Chasers win after woman’s death Jools' next question asked him to draw on his film knowledge, when he was asked "Which of these is a tagline for the Hitchcock film 'Psycho'?" Calling a friend, Jools was pushed towards the right answer of "Check in. Unpack. Relax. Take a shower.", which hints at the infamous shower scene from the classic movie. Whilst Jools had used up two of his three lifelines in the first five questions, his cries for help had not gone unnoticed by viewers at home. Taking to social media, one stunned viewer wrote on X: "He used two lifelines at that in the first five questions! Bloody hell. Even Joey bloody Essex knows more than Jools Holland!" Most read in News TV 'FALSE NARRATIVE' Relatives of Lockerbie Bombing victims furious over new Colin Firth drama PROGRAMME PULLED Scots star reveals festive TV special has been pulled from schedule CHRISTMAS JOY Lorraine Kelly shares sweet snap of granddaughter Billie's first Christmas NO PLACE LIKE HOME Lorraine Kelly shares plans to quit England with her daughter Another posted: "What the heck? Jools Holland used Phone A Friend on the Psycho question? JOOLS HOLLAND?!? I thought he was clever!" Who Wants To Be A Millionaire contestant loses £875k in devastating scenes "I genuinely thought Jools Holland would be much better than this," added a third. Another posted: "Wow. It’s a good job Jools can play the piano well because he’s bloody useless at this...." "Oh Jools I thought you would do better, but I guess you either know it or you don’t," shared another. With another question asking Jools to draw on his music knowledge, he was quizzed about The Spice Girls. He dithered, as one viewer pointed out on social media: " Jools Holland getting a Spice Girls question when he appeared in the movie Spiceworld." The music icon eventually bowed out at £16,000, which he dedicated to two charities, The Princes Trust & Caring Hands. 6 Jools needed help to identify the right Joe for a question about Joe Wicks Credit: ITV 6 Straight after the musician needed help with a tagline for a classic Hitchcock film Credit: ITV 6 Jeremy Clarkson returned for the new celebrity special Credit: ITV
A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over Enbridge Stock Right Now
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni wore the hat given to NFC East champions as he sat at the podium and considered all the greatness that his Eagles still could accomplish this season. Personal goals, sure. Saquon Barkley has Eric Dickerson's NFL rushing record in sight. Team goals, absolutely. There are playoff games and a Super Bowl to try and win — and this Philadelphia team sure plays like one that could win it all. “It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it," Barkley said of the division crown. “At the end of the day, you’re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ.” Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season , backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Eagles clinched the division title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 on Sunday. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week's mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Tanner McKee, a career third-stringer, entered the game and the Eagles finished the drive with a field goal. McKee later threw two TD passes, a 20-yarder to A.J. Brown and a 25-yarder to DeVonta Smith, in front of a roaring crowd delighted to watch the Eagles dominate their rivals to wrap up the division title and at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC. “We always want to do special things. I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here,” Sirianni said. “I think we’ve got special guys.” Hurts was injured in last week's loss at Washington and remains in the NFL's concussion protocol — he didn’t practice all week -- which opened the door for Pickett to start. Pickett, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, played with extra protection under his jersey after he suffered a rib injury when he was pressed into service against the Commanders. Sore ribs or not, Pickett was pumped for this start all week. He was raised a diehard Eagles fan in central New Jersey about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field and recalled “great memories” of going to games with his dad and grandfather since he was 5 years old. The 26-year-old Pickett said he had plenty of family at the Linc to cheer him on against Dallas (7-9). More than 60,000 other Eagles rooted him on, too, but Pickett's dream day ended prematurely. He finished 10 of 15 for 143 yards. With the Eagles no longer having a division title to play for, it's likely Hurts will rest another week ahead of the playoffs. Now, Pickett could be sidelined as well — possibly forcing McKee into the starting lineup. Barkley had 31 carries and his last one went for 23 yards to push him over 2,000. He could also sit out rather than risk injury chasing Dickerson's record. Barkley, who left the Giants and signed a three-year deal with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed, set the NFL mark for most yards rushing in a player's first season with a new team. The friends and family that traveled to see Pickett play had to wait a bit after Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a score on Dallas’ opening drive. Cooper Rush — who threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions — followed on the next drive for Dallas with a 4-yard TD pass to Jalen Tolbert. Pickett connected with Grant Calcaretta for 34 yards and then hit Smith — who had six catches total for 120 yards — for a 22-yard score and a 14-7 lead. The Eagles' defense broke the game open when a recovered fumble led to Jake Elliott’s 31-yard field goal and Gardner-Johnson’s second pick of the day set up Pickett's rushing score on a tush push. Just like Hurts. Pickett took two tough shots on the same drive on the third: Osa Odighizuwa was flagged for roughing the passer on a late hit and Parsons delivered the knockout blow. The Eagles were thrilled to have a capable backup QB who went 14-10 as a starter with the Steelers. His performance prompted Pittsburgh legend and Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw to say the Steelers never should have gotten rid of him. “All I wanted to accomplish today was to get the win, for the team, for the city,” Pickett said. The injury-depleted Cowboys had won four of five but were no match for Philadelphia. “We knew it was going to be a different game with the plan this week,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “To be honest with you, we didn’t really get to some of the things we’d hope to get to.” The teams scuffled late in the game, and Eagles defensive back Sydney Brown was ejected after an altercation in a stadium tunnel. Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks and cornerback Troy Pride were also thrown out. Cowboys: S Donovan Wilson suffered a knee injury. ... All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb was shut down for the final two weeks with a sprained right shoulder. Eagles: DE Bryce Huff briefly left with a shoulder injury sustained in his first game back since he was activated off the injured list. He had wrist surgery. The Cowboys host Washington next week in their final game of the season. The Eagles tune up for the playoffs with a home game against the Giants. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLPHILADELPHIA — Nick Sirianni wore the hat given to NFC East champions as he sat at the podium and considered all the greatness that his Eagles still could accomplish this season. Personal goals, sure. Saquon Barkley has Eric Dickerson's NFL rushing record in sight. Team goals, absolutely. There are playoff games and a Super Bowl to try and win — and this Philadelphia team sure plays like one that could win it all. “It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it," Barkley said of the division crown. “At the end of the day, you’re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ.” Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season , backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Eagles clinched the division title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 on Sunday. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week's mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles (13-3) led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Tanner McKee, a career third-stringer, entered the game and the Eagles finished the drive with a field goal. McKee later threw two TD passes, a 20-yarder to A.J. Brown and a 25-yarder to DeVonta Smith, in front of a roaring crowd delighted to watch the Eagles dominate their rivals to wrap up the division title and at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC. “We always want to do special things. I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here,” Sirianni said. “I think we’ve got special guys.” Hurts was injured in last week's loss at Washington and remains in the NFL's concussion protocol — he didn’t practice all week — which opened the door for Pickett to start. Pickett, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, played with extra protection under his jersey after he suffered a rib injury when he was pressed into service against the Commanders. Sore ribs or not, Pickett was pumped for this start all week. He was raised a diehard Eagles fan in central New Jersey about 80 miles from Lincoln Financial Field and recalled “great memories” of going to games with his dad and grandfather since he was 5 years old. The 26-year-old Pickett said he had plenty of family at the Linc to cheer him on against Dallas (7-9). More than 60,000 other Eagles rooted him on, too, but Pickett's dream day ended prematurely. He finished 10 of 15 for 143 yards. With the Eagles no longer having a division title to play for, it's likely Hurts will rest another week ahead of the playoffs. Now, Pickett could be sidelined as well — possibly forcing McKee into the starting lineup. Barkley had 31 carries and his last one went for 23 yards to push him over 2,000. He could also sit out rather than risk injury chasing Dickerson's record. Barkley, who left the Giants and signed a three-year deal with the Eagles for $26 million guaranteed, set the NFL mark for most yards rushing in a player's first season with a new team. The friends and family that traveled to see Pickett play had to wait a bit after Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned an interception 69 yards for a score on Dallas’ opening drive. Cooper Rush — who threw for 147 yards and had two interceptions — followed on the next drive for Dallas with a 4-yard TD pass to Jalen Tolbert. Pickett connected with Grant Calcaretta for 34 yards and then hit Smith — who had six catches total for 120 yards — for a 22-yard score and a 14-7 lead. The Eagles' defense broke the game open when a recovered fumble led to Jake Elliott’s 31-yard field goal and Gardner-Johnson’s second pick of the day set up Pickett's rushing score on a tush push. Just like Hurts. Pickett took two tough shots on the same drive on the third: Osa Odighizuwa was flagged for roughing the passer on a late hit and Parsons delivered the knockout blow. The Eagles were thrilled to have a capable backup QB who went 14-10 as a starter with the Steelers. His performance prompted Pittsburgh legend and Fox broadcaster Terry Bradshaw to say the Steelers never should have gotten rid of him. “All I wanted to accomplish today was to get the win, for the team, for the city,” Pickett said. The injury-depleted Cowboys had won four of five but were no match for Philadelphia. “We knew it was going to be a different game with the plan this week,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “To be honest with you, we didn’t really get to some of the things we’d hope to get to.” The teams scuffled late in the game, and Eagles defensive back Sydney Brown was ejected after an altercation in a stadium tunnel. Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks and cornerback Troy Pride were also thrown out. Cowboys: S Donovan Wilson suffered a knee injury. ... All-Pro WR CeeDee Lamb was shut down for the final two weeks with a sprained right shoulder. Eagles: DE Bryce Huff briefly left with a shoulder injury sustained in his first game back since he was activated off the injured list. He had wrist surgery. The Cowboys host Washington next week in their final game of the season. The Eagles tune up for the playoffs with a home game against the Giants.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Ever wondered which cryptocurrencies are worth your money today? In a market buzzing with options, finding the best cryptos to invest in right now can feel like a hunt for buried treasure. While some coins grab attention with their stellar track records, others, like Qubetics , are carving a path with revolutionary features and irresistible presale opportunities. Qubetics ($TICS) is a rising star that’s shaking up the scene with record-breaking presale numbers, groundbreaking interoperability features, and jaw-dropping ROI predictions. But how does it compare to veterans like Stellar, known for its cross-border payment solutions, or Render, which is revolutionising digital rendering? Let’s dive into what makes these cryptos stand out—and why you should pay attention. Qubetics ($TICS): Redefining Crypto with Interoperability Qubetics ($TICS) is making waves as one of the best cryptos to invest in right now. In its 14th presale stage, Qubetics ($TICS) has already sold over 382 million $TICS tokens to more than 12,200 holders, raising a staggering $8 million. With tokens priced at $0.037, it’s a no-brainer why investors are rushing in before the price jumps 10% this weekend. Analysts predict meteoric gains for $TICS. Imagine investing $50,000 today—your stake could balloon to $315,100 if $TICS hits $0.25 at presale’s end. Post-presale, your portfolio could skyrocket to $2,910,390 if $TICS hits $10 and an astronomical $4,371,173 if $TICS touches $15. These numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re life-changing. What truly sets Qubetics ($TICS) apart, though, is its interoperability feature. This tech bridges gaps between blockchains, enabling seamless data and asset transfers. Picture a real estate firm integrating Qubetics ($TICS)’ tech to process international property transactions effortlessly. Or think about healthcare systems securely sharing patient data across borders. Interoperability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer for businesses and individuals alike. With the Qubetics ($TICS) presale tally climbing and the crypto community buzzing with excitement, the question isn’t whether you should invest—it’s how much. Stellar ($XLM): A Pioneer in Cross-Border Payments If you’ve been in crypto for a while, you’ve probably heard of Stellar. This veteran has cemented its place as a go-to choice for cross-border payment solutions, offering faster and cheaper transactions than traditional banking systems. Stellar’s ecosystem is a darling among businesses looking to streamline global payments. Its blockchain processes transactions in a matter of seconds, costing just fractions of a cent. That’s a game-changer for industries like remittances, where every penny counts. Over the years, $XLM has maintained a strong market position, proving it’s not just a trend but a reliable investment. But is Stellar still one of the best cryptos to invest in right now? While its market has matured, its ability to adapt and innovate keeps it relevant. For instance, Stellar’s partnerships with financial giants continue to expand, solidifying its role as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain technology. The community loves Stellar for its transparency and utility. However, as exciting as $XLM’s story is, newer projects like Qubetics ($TICS) are pushing boundaries that even giants like Stellar haven’t explored yet. Could Qubetics ($TICS) steal the spotlight? Render ($RNDR): Revolutionising Digital Rendering Render has carved a unique niche by combining blockchain and digital rendering, making it a favourite for creators and developers. The $RNDR token powers a decentralised network that provides affordable, scalable rendering solutions for everything from video games to 3D modelling. Render isn’t just about tech—it’s about empowering the creative economy. Imagine a freelance designer needing high-powered rendering services but lacking access to expensive hardware. Render steps in, providing an affordable, decentralised solution that levels the playing field. Its community of creators and developers continues to grow, bolstered by partnerships and consistent technological updates. If you’re looking for a project with real-world utility, Render is a compelling choice. Still, while $RNDR is innovating within its niche, it doesn’t promise the kind of ROI that projects like Qubetics ($TICS) do. As a long-term investment, Render is solid, but if you’re chasing exponential returns, $TICS offers a more enticing opportunity. Why Qubetics ($TICS), Stellar ($XLM), and Render ($RNDR) Stand Out Qubetics ($TICS) is stealing the show with its presale momentum and interoperability features, bridging gaps across industries and delivering unparalleled investment returns. Stellar remains a cornerstone for those seeking reliable cross-border payment solutions, while Render appeals to the creative sector with its groundbreaking rendering technology. These projects represent different facets of blockchain innovation, catering to a variety of needs and investment appetites. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a newbie looking to dip your toes, these cryptos offer unique opportunities. Final Thoughts Time is ticking, and opportunities like Qubetics ($TICS)’ presale don’t come around often. With $TICS poised to deliver life-changing ROI and Stellar and Render offering steady, long-term value, the choice is clear: diversify and reap the benefits. Don’t just watch from the sidelines—take the plunge and secure your share of these game-changing projects today. For More Information: Qubetics: https://qubetics.com/ Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://twitter.com/qubetics Related Items: Blockchain , Qubetic Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Long-Term Crypto Investments: Top 4 Coins to Buy and Hold for Future Wealth AI Meets Crypto: FROGE’s Role in OpenAI’s Livestream Sparks Global Attention Qubetics Presale Skyrockets with 12,100 Holders, VeChain Secures Big Deals, and Immutable X Hits New Highs: The Best Cryptos to Buy This Weekend CommentsCounty recorder asks supervisors to support bill to increase recorder feescan be great options for income-seeking investors. Term deposits still offer a good level of income, but some stocks can provide a really high . There seems to be a that high-yield dividend plays more appealing. Investors have already sent higher share prices of some interest rate-sensitive ASX dividend shares, such as ( ) and ( ), in anticipation of rate cuts. There aren't many stocks on the ASX still offering a big yield – the ones that do are typically higher-risk. But, having said that, if I were trying to find stocks with big dividend yields, the below two would be at the top of my buy list, partly due to their low prices. APA Group ( ) APA is one of the largest energy businesses in Australia, with a of $9 billion, according to the ASX. The business owns a portfolio of energy assets, including a large national gas pipeline, gas processing facilities, gas energy generation, solar farms, wind farms, and electricity transmission assets. Impressively, it transports half of the nation's gas usage. The APA share price is down 18% in the last 12 months and 40% from August 2022, which means it's currently a lot cheaper. APA's energy assets are still doing the same job they were two years ago and making . Energy is just as important as it was two years ago. t of its revenue is linked to inflation also helps. The ASX dividend share recently noted the that the South West Queensland Pipeline (SWQP) will not be subject to full price regulation and that the existing light regulation regime will remain in place. This helps remove some uncertainty that was hanging over the business and gives APA confidence to invest in more infrastructure. APA has grown its distribution every year for the last two decades. The guided payout for FY25 is 57 cents, which translates into a distribution yield of 8%. Centuria Office REIT ( ) As the name suggests, this is a that owns office buildings. The Centuria Office REIT share price has dropped 18% in the last year and 57% since September 2021. It now seems very cheap to me. Office buildings are not exactly a high-growth sector, but I think there are signs to be positive. For starters, more businesses are mandating partial or total returns to the office, such as ( ) recently 5,000 office workers they will need to go to the workplace at least three days a week. The ASX dividend share continues to sign new lease terms, which is maintaining its occupancy rate above 90%. There is a limited supply of new office buildings being built, partly due to high development costs, which helps support demand for existing office buildings. I also like the initiative of the business to work with ResetData, a liquid immersion cooling (LIC) data centre operator which is building a 1.5MW edge data centre. This helps utilise office building space, improve rental returns and increase the underlying value of that building. If it can agree on more data centre deals, this could be a catalyst for the share price to rise. The business has guided that it's going to pay a distribution per security of 10.1 cents in FY25, which translates into a distribution yield of 9%.
The cool part of every one of Jared Spurgeon ’s birthdays is he gets to celebrate the anniversary of making his NHL debut. That anniversary, 15 seasons later, occurs Friday when the Wild captain turns 35. I’ll never forget Nov. 29, 2010, being Spurgeon’s 21st birthday. That’s because the night of Nov. 28, knowing Clayton Stoner had gotten hurt two games before and Justin Falk had just gotten hurt the night before in Colorado, I figured the Wild would need to rush a defenseman to Calgary. Advertisement I texted a team source asking if he could tell me the callup. He wrote back, “Spurge.” I got the reply as I got into the elevator at the Calgary Marriott preparing to go to dinner. The reason why I remember exactly where I was? I wrote back, “LOL.” Embarrassing, eh? In fact, I was so convinced the source was kidding, I didn’t write or tweet the “scoop.” After all, when Spurgeon – a training camp invitee who wasn’t signed by the Islanders after they drafted him in 2008 and was a whisker from signing a pro contract in Austria – signed with the Wild in Sept. 2010, the news was barely a dot, dot, dot at the end of my notebook when I was still at the Star Tribune . So I never envisioned the Wild calling up a 5-foot-9 defenseman fresh off the Western Hockey League ice with Spokane so soon into his pro career. I figured we’d see Marco Scandella or somebody like that. Not Spurgeon. Well, here we are 14 years later, and Spurgeon is the franchise’s blue line leader in virtually every statistical category and, outside of his first two games this season, has analytically been one of the team’s best defensemen since returning from missing six games due to injury. According to MoneyPuck, the Wild are controlling play with a 65.7 percent expected goal rate with his shutdown pair with Jonas Brodin and have only allowed 1.37 expected goals per 60 minutes with Brodin and Spurgeon on the ice. That’s third best in the NHL (minimum 90 minutes). Why do we bring this history lesson up? A reminder that Spurgeon, even though he obnoxiously still looks 25 and plays like he’s 25, does in fact turn 35 Friday and only has two years left on his contract beyond this season. Because of the fact he was limited to 16 games last season and had to miss six earlier this season due to the “healing process” of last year’s season-ending hip and back surgeries, the Wild are clearly starting to plan for what life after Spurgeon could look like. This brings us to David Jiricek, the hulking right-shot defenseman who will celebrate his 21st birthday Thursday – one day before Spurgeon’s 35th birthday and 14 years after Spurgeon celebrated his 21st birthday with his NHL debut. David Jiricek with the OT game-winner! What a goal... @DavidJiricek @OctagonHockey pic.twitter.com/vRW3MoK2z8 — Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) November 24, 2024 If you’ve listened to my Worst Seats in the House podcast, I’ve mentioned his name a handful of times dating to before the summer as one of the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects I could see the Wild pursuing after a new GM arrived and had a chance to examine his players. The Wild have had all sorts of conversations with Don Waddell since before the draft about everybody from Jiricek and Kent Johnson to Cole Sillinger and, as you surely know by now, Patrik Laine . Advertisement Remember, the Wild thought they had a deal done for Laine, but he wouldn’t waive his no-trade and was subsequently dealt to Montreal late in the summer. A few pods ago, I mentioned Jiricek’s name again because it’s a name that I keep hearing the Wild are motivated to acquire. And I subtly hinted I’d understand the deal ... as long as a trade doesn’t include Marco Rossi . And I don’t think it would. The Blue Jackets have held talks with a significant number of NHL teams about Jiricek. One is definitely the Wild, and if they can get this done, I’d think it would be for a prospect and perhaps a pick or NHL throw-in. In terms of prospects, the only untouchables are likely Danila Yurov, Jesper Wallstedt and Zeev Buium. Would Daemon Hunt get it done? He’s the closest defenseman to being NHL ready, but with Brodin, Jake Middleton and Buium locked up into the future, he’s expendable if one assumes Buium signs after his sophomore season at University of Denver. Or maybe Liam Öhgren, the Wild’s most NHL-ready forward down in Iowa. The Wild also have a couple talented young forwards prospects like Riley Heidt and Hunter Haight. If NHLers are included in a package, Declan Chisholm is expendable once Buium arrives, and at 24 years old, the puck-moving defenseman could be appetizing to Columbus. And we know how much Dean Evason loves forward Freddy Gaudreau, although he has played well this season and if he continues to do so, his $2.1 million a year contract for three more seasons beyond this one is reasonable. The Blue Jackets were initially asking for a similar top prospect back in return for Jiricek but have since reportedly shifting to considering offers on package deals. That’s probably because Columbus, understandably, aimed high for blue-chip prospects in each interested franchise only to be rebuffed. Advertisement So why do the Wild want Jiricek, the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft? Upside and, if he hits, a Faber-Jiricek right-shot tandem on the top two pairs for years beyond Spurgeon’s time in Minnesota. All teams covet right-shot defensemen, and Jiricek is a two-way blue liner with a heavy shot who plays hard and would bring much-needed size to a blue line that doesn’t have a ton of it. While mobility has long been his weakness, Jiricek is a decorated junior player with lots of international experience and success. Have him work with Andy Ness, the Wild’s skating guru, and perhaps Ness can do wonders for Jiricek. Plus, we know Faber is a world-class skater, as are Brodin and Buium. If Jiricek’s skating is an issue, a left-shot like Brodin or Buium in the future could act as a safety net. Jiricek was named the Best Defenseman of the 2023 World Junior Championship while helping lead Czechia to a silver medal. In a league where it’s extremely different for teenagers to function, Jiricek had 38 points in 55 games his first-year pro with AHL Cleveland in 2022-23. That was the same year he was assigned to the world juniors. Columbus 6th overall pick David Jiricek’s game-tying goal with a bomb from the point that sent Team Czechia to OT. This team is a very special group... @DavidJiricek @ehshockey @OctagonHockey pic.twitter.com/xDZIwm6JlX — Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) January 5, 2023 Last season, after the then-Blue Jackets’ coaching staff was limiting his ice time or sanctioning him to the press box, Jiricek was assigned to the Monsters, helped them make the playoffs with 19 points in 29 games and then was a huge contributor toward the Monsters getting to the Eastern Conference final with 11 points in 14 games. Evason is now Columbus’ coach and nothing has changed in terms of Jiricek’s NHL usage, which surely could be considered a red flag when you consider this is the third staff that didn’t feel he was NHL ready. But the D coach, Steve McCarthy, is a staff holdover, so maybe that partly explains why Jiricek has only played six games, averaging 11:12 a game. WHAT A FINISH. 🚨 Jiricek sends it to OT 🚨 Svozil send us home 🗣 @TonyBrownPxP pic.twitter.com/eS6Rxc0r3z — Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) March 17, 2024 Wednesday night in Rochester, Jiricek played his third game for Cleveland since being reassigned. He had a goal and assist, including an overtime winner with a long reaching poke of Owen Sillinger’s centering pass. If the Wild do get this done, it may actually make sense for the team to initially assign him to Iowa. The Wild have had a strong start to this season and the blue line has played well, yet Jiricek has only played six NHL games and three AHL games this season. Advertisement It wouldn’t be fair to the team or to Jiricek to put him right into the NHL lineup until he can get his game in order with huge minutes at even-strength and in all special teams situations. That can only happen initially in Iowa. So we’ll see what happens here, but in the past few days, I’ve seen a lot of questions from Wild fans why the Wild would even be interested in a right-shot defenseman when the Wild are playing so well and the blue line is largely set this season. It’s because while Spurgeon may look like he can play forever, he won’t, and the Wild are trying to set up shop for after his time in Minnesota comes to an end. (Photo of David Jiricek: Jeff Curry / Imagn Images)Florida health officials announced they intend to award medical-marijuana licenses to 22 of dozens of applicants who vied for the licenses more than 19 months ago.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye received a nice ovation from the Gillette Stadium crowd when he returned to Saturday’s game after it appeared the New England Patriots had lost their rookie quarterback to another head injury. By the fourth quarter, those fans who chose to stick around until the end of a 40-7 lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers chose to voice their displeasure in a season in which very little has gone right for the former NFL powerhouse. Chants of “Fire Mayo!” reverberated throughout the stadium, which was a quarter full by game’s end. “You hear those things. At the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we’ve got to play better. If we play better, we don’t have to hear that stuff,” head coach Jerod Mayo said after the Patriots dropped their sixth straight game. Instead of building off last week’s strong effort at Buffalo, New England took another series of steps backward in the season’s penultimate game. With another game against the Bills on tap next weekend, questions concerning the future of Mayo and several assistant coaches – mostly notably offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington – figure to intensify. “I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots. I’m okay. Look, I always do what’s best for the team,” Mayo said. “I have full confidence in the staff. I have full confidence in the players in (the locker room). I think again, it just comes down to being consistent across the board.” Remember, the Patriots parted ways with six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick following last year’s dismal 4-13 record. The coaching change didn’t produce the desired upward swing, with New England staring at the possibility of producing fewer wins in Mayo’s first season. “I’m just tired of losing. I’m trying to be in the playoffs and have a winning season,” said second-year receiver DeMario Douglas, who connected with Maye for New England’s lone touchdown. The most important asset in the Patriots’ rebuilding efforts, Maye was questionable to return with a head injury after taking a blow to the helmet in the first quarter. The No. 3 overall pick from this spring’s NFL draft scrambled near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett, but for only one series that ended with a three-and-out. After further evaluation in the locker room, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. The 22-year-old was knocked out of the Patriots’ Week 8 win over the New York Jets after he suffered a blow to the back of his head. “Just kind of got my bell rung on the first drive. I feel good, I still feel good, and then I was good to go,” Maye said afterward. To his teammates, it wasn't a shock to see Maye re-enter the game after taking a blow to the head. On his first play back under center, Maye took off for a 9-yard run and drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. “He didn’t have to come back, but he did. That gave everyone a lot of confidence,” Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said. Maye set a Patriots rookie franchise record for touchdown passes in consecutive games (eight) when he connected with Douglas on a play on which the Chargers called for defensive offsides. He also turned the ball over for the eighth straight game – a fumble on a pitch attempt to Douglas that Los Angeles turned into points to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. “I’ve got to give him a better ball to catch. That falls back on me,” Maye said. It appears the Patriots dodged a bullet with respect to Maye and his health. Now, the focus shifts back to Mayo and what his 2025 status. “I think the biggest thing was you don’t see those guys quitting. I think the score may not tell that today, but I feel like the guys are still wanting to win. We’re still leaving it out there every week, and I think that was kind of my message to the team,” Maye said. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
NEW DELHI: Meta remained its dominance in the global virtual reality (VR) market with a 65 per cent market share in Q3 2024, as Apple’s Vision Pro shipments doubled (on-quarter) following its international launch in China, Europe and APAC, according to a new report. Overall, global VR headset shipments fell 4 per cent (on-year) and 16 per cent (on-quarter) in Q3 2024, the market’s third consecutive quarter of declines, according to Counterpoint’s Global XR (AR/VR) Headset Model Tracker. The decrease was primarily due to a 50 per cent drop in the tethered VR headset segment during the quarter. In contrast, the standalone VR headset segment grew by 14 per cent YoY. Counterpoint expects international sales to account for nearly 90 per cent of Apple’s total shipments in H2 2024. “Apple is reportedly testing OLED displays made on conventional glass substrates for its lower-cost Vision headset. This display technology is likely more cost-effective than the Micro OLED displays used in the Vision Pro,” the report mentioned. Pico’s shipments dipped 2 per cent YoY but grew 6 per cent QoQ. Sony’s shipments fell 29 per cent YoY but more than doubled QoQ boosted by its PC adapter launch and promotional campaigns in North America and Europe. Despite the lacklustre XR market performance in Q3 2024, the period marked pivotal industry advancements. The report said that the debut of Meta’s Orion AR glasses and Snap’s Spectacles’ 24 AR glasses showcased the future potential of AR technologies. Leveraging advancements in generative AI technologies, traditional hardware giants, AR/VR OEMs, and internet companies are shifting their focus to the development of AR+AI smart glasses. “While the global VR market is likely to see only slight growth in the coming years, Counterpoint expects significant expansion in the global AR smart glasses market, the roper mentioned.
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Broncos are 0-4 in Las Vegas, but in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions, Denver has more at stake than trying to end a series skid. A victory over the Raiders puts the Broncos that much closer to an unexpected playoff berth, playing with a rookie quarterback and just a year after they went 8-9. The Broncos are 6-5 and coming off a , and would be in the playoff field if the season ended entering Week 12. Not bad for a team given a win total of 5 1/2 games at BetMGM Sportsbook. “Everyone understands the significance of where we are at this point in the season,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. The situation is quite different for the Raiders. They are 2-8, on a six-game losing streak and decimated by injuries. Las Vegas could enter this game without its top two running backs and a reshuffled line on offense, and defensively, the Raiders could have two linemen, three cornerbacks and a safety out of action. “Just been having some bad breaks, but nobody feels sorry for us,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. "Nobody feels sorry for me. You’ve got to roll out there with 11 players, and that’s what we’re going to do come Sunday.” The Raiders are badly in a need of a franchise quarterback and are in a logjam for the top pick in next year's NFL draft. Denver showed with this year's draft how valuable landing such a QB can be to an organization. — one spot ahead of the Raiders — and he is pushing for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was this week's top AFC player and rookie after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the rout of the Falcons. “I think as we’ve gone on, Coach (Sean Payton) and I have found a good rhythm of what we both like, what we can kind of put out there on the field and what we can execute," Nix said. "Then the guys have kind of adapted to it, found our roles within the offense and executed at a high level. It’s just all about slowing the game down and processing things in a manner that you can handle.” Nix's competition? Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also could have a say in who wins the season's top offensive rookie award. He is second in the NFL with 70 catches and his 706 yards receiving is 10th among all receivers. His numbers from a historical perspective are even more impressive. Bowers, the , is fourth all time among all tight ends in catches through the first 11 weeks and he and Jeremy Shockey in 2002 are the only rookies at that position to have more than one game with at least 10 receptions. “This week's a brand new week,” Bowers said. “I've always got something to prove.” Crowded backfield Payton still isn't entirely comfortable splitting carries between running backs Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. Asked how he determines the right balance in his rotation, Payton said, “That's the $6 million question. It’s difficult. We know kind of what we have with those three players. I think it’s always hard to feed three. "I'm used to — and it’s easy — to feed two. So we kind of do that a little bit. I thought Javonte had some really good runs (last week). Certainly the game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we have to get Jaleel more touches.’ So it’s a tough, but a good problem to have.” Starting mindset With injuries to running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps), 10-year veteran Ameer Abdullah could get the start for the Raiders this weekend. He has just 17 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown this season and started just one game his previous six seasons. “I see myself as a starter,” Abdullah said. “I think every guy in the room does. I consider myself the best back on this team just like every back does. This is my opportunity to go out there and put my best foot forward.” Certain Surtain Patrick Surtain II had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for 100 yards and a touchdown, in the team's first meeting this season and that fueled the . Both of the passes were intended for Bowers, who caught a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Surtain isn't expecting the Raiders to avoid him Sunday, however. “You don't want to go into a game thinking they're not gonna throw it your way,” Surtain said, “because it's the pros at the end of the day, everybody's ready, everybody's capable.” ___ AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: Mark Anderson, The Associated PressSernova (TSE:SVA) Hits New 12-Month Low – Here’s What Happened